Christians giving directly to others because of need
This is the second post in my series on Christians and giving from the perspective of Scripture. (See the introduction post here.)
There are two primary aspects to this type of giving as found in Scripture: 1) someone is giving directly to someone else, and 2) the item given is needed by the person receiving it. This is the most prevalent type of giving found in the New Testament. (If Scripture is an example of us to learn from – and I think I read that somewhere in Scripture itself – then this probably means that our primary method of giving should be to give directly to someone who is in need.)
There are so many passages of Scripture that model or command this type of giving that I can only highlight a few. For example, this is the method of giving that Jesus praises when contrasting the “righteous/sheep” to the “unrighteous/goats” in Matthew 25:31-46. Similarly, after the Holy Spirit indwells believers on the day of Pentecost, this is one type of giving exemplified in their community when “they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need.” (Acts 2:45)
In each case, the believer has something that someone else needs. The person needs this for life and survival. The believer – that is, the one who is following Jesus – provides what is needed directly to the person who has the need.
There are two passages in the general epistles which uses a very similar story of giving directly to someone who has need. Those passages are in James and 1 John:
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17 ESV)
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18 ESV)
Interestingly, James writes that a person who refuses to give directly to someone in need demonstrates a lack of faith (or a dead faith), while John writes that that person demonstrates a lack of love (love of God or love of others). But, this should not surprised us since love and faith are often interwoven in Scriptures.
This passages primarily demonstrate that believers should give to other brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need. However, several statements made by Jesus indicate that similar concern and giving should be practiced towards those who are not believers. (For example, see Matthew 5:43-37.) The Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 also seems to demonstrate that our neighbor – that is, the recipient of our love – should include those who do not have the same beliefs as us. Finally, in Galatians 6:10, Paul instructs his reads to do good to all, though he does focus on other believes in that particular passage.
Thus, when we think about Christians giving in Scripture, the primary method of giving is directly to those who are in need. This type and method of giving is the most prevalent (wide-spread) in Scripture and so should probably be the method most practiced by Christians today.
What would you add to this discussion of Christians giving directly to those who are in need?
————————————–
Giving and the Church in Scripture Series:
1) Introduction
2) Christians giving directly to others because of need
3) Christians giving indirectly to others because of need
4) Christians giving to other Christians who are traveling from place to place
5) Christians giving to other Christians in response to some service
In loving others we know love
Dave Black does not blog as much as he once did. Of course, at times like this when he’s in the middle of teaching at Southeastern, he’s on campus several days per week, and his “blogging platform” (if you can call something from the 1950’s a blogging platform) does not allow him to blog unless he’s at home.
But, when he does blog, his comments and thoughts are always compelling and challenging – academic and practical.
For example, last week, he said this (Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 8:50 p.m.):
Recently I was speaking with a friend who confessed to me that he felt lonely. This, despite the fact that he is happily married and has a family. (Yes, there is loneliness even when one is married, and even when one has children. How silly to think that another human being could ever satisfy our deepest need for companionship.) Referring to Phil. 2:5-11, I told him that I thought the answer to loneliness is love. It is not in our finding someone to love us, but in our finding in God someone who loves us perfectly. We then express our gratitude to Him by a happy and joyful pouring out of our lives in love to others, without expecting anything in return. Fortunately, I think my friend understood this. I’m glad he did, because I myself am still panting to catch up in my emotions to what I know to be true in my mind. In dying, we live. That’s the only way to experience true joy, writes Paul in Philippians. So let’s pour out God’s love on the undeserving, for this is the mind of Christ!
This seems backwards to our human intuition! If I understand what he is saying, then the way for us to “feel” the love of God is by expressing or demonstrating the love of God. Or, to put it another way, by dying to our self (and living for God and others), we find that we are truly living.
This reminds me of something that John wrote in his first letter:
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (i.e., does not love) his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:19-21 ESV)
By the way, when John writes about loving your brother or sister, he’s not talking about feelings or emotions; he’s talking about action! Don’t believe me? Check out 1 John 3:17-18.
Do you feel unloved? Then love others. Do you feel lonely? Then love others. Do you feel dissatisfied or unfulfilled? Then love others.
We know the love of God when we love others who do not deserve our love.
Giving and the Church in Scripture
I haven’t written much about giving from the perspective of Christians, the church, or Scripture. This is one of those topics that provokes passionate responses on all sides of the issues. So, I’m going to take a “slow and easy” approach to the topic.
To begin, we should admit that giving (or tithing or offering or whatever you want to call it) is a pervasive issue among many in the church. Most of the mail or email that I get from Christians that I do not know personally is requesting monetary support of some kind. And, we’ve all heard the someone say they will “never attend another church service” because they only want money (or they’re always asking for money).
It appears to many (and often to me) that the church runs on money, and that the main mission of the church is to raise money. (There is even a church in our town that has a “yard sale” at least once per month.) Last week, when we went to the NC State Fair, I lost count of the number of food stands that were run by churches attempting to raise money. (I heard an interview in which one of those church members said the state fair was their primary way to raise money.)
When you read through the Gospels, you find that Jesus said quite a bit about money. However, it seems that Jesus primarily spoke about personal use of money or relying on money instead of God. Similarly, we find Paul writing about money a few times, as well. Paul writes about money for many different reasons.
But, what does Scripture (the New Testament in particular) say specifically in relation to the church and money? I’m going to broaden the question a little: What does the New Testament teach in relation to Christians and giving to others?
I use “giving” instead of money because often in Scripture we find other things (besides money) being given to others. If we limit the question to only money, we would have very few passages to consider. However, when we expand the question to include other ways that Christians gave to others in Scripture, we find several additional episodes.
In the study, I’ve divided the various instances of giving into four different groupings: 1) Christians giving directly to others because of need, 2) Christians giving indirectly to others because of need, 3) Christians giving to other Christians traveling from place to place, and 4) Christians giving to other Christians in response to some service.
I plan to cover each of these “groupings” in a separate blog post. I think it interesting to find many of the “proof texts” used today are actually applied to different types of giving in the New Testament – types of giving that might not be “acceptable” to those using the “proof texts” today.
I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts and insights as I study this topic. Do you have any comments on this introduction, or on the four categories that I’m using in this study?
————————————–
Giving and the Church in Scripture Series:
1) Introduction
2) Christians giving directly to others because of need
3) Christians giving indirectly to others because of need
4) Christians giving to other Christians who are traveling from place to place
5) Christians giving to other Christians in response to some service
Scripture… As We Live #179
This is the 179th passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
Each one must give as he has made up his mind at least 10% – more if possible – to your local church, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
A roller coaster of a week
Okay, so this last week wasn’t really up-and-down like a roller coast, but I wanted to get some of kind of state fair reference in the title.
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to run in my first 5k race. It was sponsored by Southeastern Seminary, and the proceeds benefited two different charities: one to help Haiti and one to help support diabetes research. I was very happy with how I ran for my first race. I didn’t come close to winning, but I beat the goal that I had set for myself. If you’re interested, I’m in this video that was made for the race. I’m the blurry guy at the beginning of the video. Plus, you may be able to catch a few glimpses of me at the race start.
By the time this post is published, I should have finished my second 5k race. This race is sponsored by the Franklin County (NC) Humane Society and is called “Paws for Life.” My wife and daughter help out the humane society, and we often foster dogs that are left at the local animal shelter. We’ve volunteered for the 5k before, but this is the first time that I’ve run the race. This has been a tough running week, so my goal is to simply finish well, not necessarily to beat my time from last Saturday.
Also, last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to teach for a friend in a New Testament introduction class in a local community college. I had 50 minutes to teach the students about the Book of Hebrews. That’s right… 50 minutes for the entire book. Of course, I was barely able to scratch the surface, but we did touch on manuscripts, transmission, authorship, dating, destination, purpose, and content. The students asked very good questions!
On Thursday, I took my daughter and one of her friends to the NC State Fair. We spent about six hours at the fair and had a great time! Believe it or not, we spent less the $20 between the three of us. Plus, we had been given some ride tickets, so they were able to ride three of the carnival rides. Miranda had entered a photo in the competition, and we saw her entry and learned more about the kind of photo that she should enter next year.
Now… on the down side of the roller coaster. My wife Margaret has had bronchitis for last 10 days to 2 weeks. Whenever she gets bronchitis, she always struggles to get over it. She started her second round of antibiotics yesterday. So, if you think about it, please pray for her.
That’s what’s been going on with us for the last week or so. What’s going on with you and your family?
Replay: They don’t need me… but God sent me
Four years ago, I wrote a pair of posts called “They don’t need me…” and “… but God sent me.” These two posts were my own reflections on two passages of Scripture. But, they were also my reflections on a seeming contradiction/paradox. People need God, not me. But, God sends me. In the same way, God sends you, if you are one of his children. People need God; and God sends you.
———————————–
… and [praying] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:19-20 ESV)
Paul recognized himself as one called to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles, and yet he needed others to pray that he would carry out his calling.
Paul knew that God had called him to speak in Rome, and yet he asked for prayer for boldness.
Paul proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ in cities all around the Roman empire, and yet he asked for prayer to do what he ought to do.
Paul had the knowledge, the training, the experience, and the testimony, and yet he asked for prayer.
I’m glad that Paul asked the church in Ephesus to pray for him. I’m glad the he asked them to pray that he would have boldness to speak the gospel. I’m glad the he recognized that his knowledge, training, experience, and testimony would not provide what was necessary to bring people into God’s kingdom.
I also have knowledge, training, experience, and testimony. But, I also need prayer, because I need God, and those I speak to need God. I can give them words and I can give them service, but I can’t give them what they need. They don’t need me, even if God chooses to use me. They need God.
———————————–
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV)
In my previous post, I stated that they don’t need me, meaning that those outside the family of God need God himself, not me. In the passage above, I think Paul reveals the other side of this coin. While the world does not need me, God has sent me into the world as his ambassador, his representative.
As God sends me (and his other children) into the world, he sends us on a mission of reconciliation. This is interesting to me. God does not send us on a mission of condemnation, but reconciliation. Just as we have been reconciled to God, we have been give a service and a message of reconciliation to take to those who are not reconciled to God.
We implore… but God reconciles. We speak… but God transforms. We engage… but God brings into relationship with himself.
They don’t need me; they need God. I know God. They need the God that I know. I introduce them to God through a service and message of reconciliation. Through my service and message, God reconciles the world to himself.
They don’t need me; they need God. They don’t need me; but God sent me.
False teaching and teaching one another
Whenever I talk about the church teaching one another (as opposed to one person or a small group of leaders doing all the teaching), I’m usually asked about false teaching. I’ve found that “teaching one another” has served to work against false teaching instead of encourage false teaching.
Now, Gavin at “Simple Church Alliance” has written a good article on the topic called “Simply False: False Teaching in Simple Church.”
I like the balance that Gavin presents between the importance of teachers and the importance of the whole church teaching one another. Both are found in Scripture, and both are necessary to the growth and maturity of the church.
I especially enjoyed the end of his article where Gavin offers some unhealthy patterns to watch out for:
Please hear me, gifted teachers help us understand scripture. However, we all have a great privilege and responsibility to bring our questions to God, diligently seek Truth in His Word, and listen to the Holy Spirit as He teaches us. In simple church gatherings, we can zero in on truth together as we are living this way individually. Simply being involved with simple church offers no guarantee to find and walk in the Truth. Just as in any church, false teaching can find a home in simple church. Here are some unhealthy patterns to watch out for:
* Simple churches become to homogenous only consisting of believers who all think alike.
* One person dominating discussion/teaching
* Failing to “weigh carefully” what is said.
* Failure of believers to learn to “feed themselves” on God’s word, with Holy Spirit as teacher, throughout the week. (This is why we encourage Life Transformation Groups that focus on reading lots of scripture)
* We find ourselves talking more about what a particular author or teacher has to say about God Word than God’s Word itself.
* An unwillingness to be challenged in our view of truth or challenge others (in love) on theirs.
* Intentionally or unintentionally avoiding others who do not think or believe like you.
* A sense of discouragement from simple church gatherings rather than peace (see verse above).
* Simple church relationships become primarily about policing behavior and theology rather than fulfilling the Great Commission.
* We have a need to be right, fail to give grace, lack of humility, and we fail to obey Romans 14.
I agree with Gavin that having the whole church take part in teaching is a great way to filter out false teaching. Of course, those gifted at teaching are part of that “whole church,” so they are to take part as well.
I think that one of the things that I’m most excited about is that in the last few years I’ve noticed more and more churches recognizing the need for “teaching one another.” Of course, in most churches, there is still too much of an emphasis on a single or small group of teachers. But, the trend seems to be toward encouraging input and interaction and teaching from the whole church.
Running the Race as an Illustration in Scripture – Part 5
In the first post in this series, I explained that while running recently I was reminded of several passages related to running a race and athletes. Since I started running for exercise a few months ago, I decided to look into those passages a little more closely to see if my experiences helped me to understand them.
In this post, I’m going to look at an illustration concerning athletes, not necessarily running. However, I think it applies. This illustration is in 2 Timothy. Here is the verse in the broader context:
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful – for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. (2 Timothy 2:1-14 ESV)
While this is a long passage, I think it’s important to keep at least that much together. Those faithful people (2 Timothy 2:2) who have been entrusted with what Timothy learned from Paul are mentioned again (2 Timothy 2:14) as those who are to be reminded of “these things” – that is, the things between 2 Timothy 2:2 and 2 Timothy 2:14.
Within this passage, Paul offers several different illustrations and metaphors to encourage Timothy as he teaches others. One of those illustrations concerns an athlete, who must compete “according to the rules” in order to receive the prize. The phrase “according to the rules” is translated from the adverb “lawfully.”
When running a race, a certain course is laid out and certain rules are enforced. For example, in some races, the use of mp3 players is not allowed. In runner decides to use an mp3 player anyway, that runner will be disqualified. Recently, a marathon runner in England was disqualified because he took the bus for several miles of the race.
In this passage, Paul doesn’t tell us exactly what he’s talking about here. But, if we look at other letters, we can see that Paul is often concerned about people not only believing the gospel, but living in a manner worthy of the gospel. To me, this is the closest point to what Paul wants Timothy to share with others.
What would you like to add to this discussion?
——————————
Running the Race as an Illustration in Scripture:
1) Part 1 – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
2) Part 2 – Galatians 2:2 and Galatians 5:7
3) Part 3 – Philippians 2:16
4) Part 4 – Hebrews 12:1
5) Part 5 – 2 Timothy 2:5
Is the priesthood of all believers really that important?
Is the priesthood of all believers really that important? Well, my friend Eric from “A Pilgrim’s Progress” thinks so. He writes about this in his post “Pleading for the Priesthood of All Believers.”
After listing several passages in which all believers are exhorted to do the work of priests, Eric makes a very impassioned and – I think – a very scriptural plea. If you are in Christ, then you are a priest in Christ (the only kind of priest that matters), so do the work of a priest!
Eric writes:
I plea to all followers of Jesus Christ to fully embrace this great privilege and responsibility. Since we have direct access to God, let’s live like it. We don’t need to go through others to get to him. Instead, let’s help others see this incredible news. As we make disciples, let’s be sure to let them know that they have no need of anyone to stand between them and God. Christ alone is our high priest…
Now, the happy reality is that if we are Christians we are priests. There is no choice in the matter. It is fact.
In light of that, let’s live in this reality. Let’s encourage all our brothers and sisters in Christ to grab hold of this wondrous gift. Not only are we saved from hell, but we are saved to a life of direct communication and experience with God Himself.
This is good stuff… important stuff for all believers to understand. You are as much of a priest – and just as “ordained” – as anyone else. Teaching, leading, discipling, exhorting, admonishing, rebuking… these are all within your realm as a child of God indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
And, get this… the church only grows in maturity when ALL believers are working as priests.
Running the Race as an Illustration in Scripture – Part 4
In the first post in this series, I explained that while running recently I was reminded of several passages related to running a race and athletes. Since I started running for exercise a few months ago, I decided to look into those passages a little more closely to see if my experiences helped me to understand them.
In this post, I’m going to look at another running illustration, this one used in the Book of Hebrews. Here is the verse in the broader context:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
The author has just reminded his readers of the faith of several historic and scriptural figures (Hebrews 11). In each case, the person trusted God in spite of problem, suffering, persecution, and even death. There was a reason for this reminder: the readers needed to trust God in spite of suffering and persecution as well. (See Hebrews 12:4.)
Now, the author uses the illustration of an endurance race (that is, a long distance run) to encourage his readers to persevere in spite of the problems they are facing. There is a path “set before” the readers, and they are to run down that path, regardless of what happens to them. They are to run with “endurance” or “patience, steadfastness, perseverance.” In other words, they are to keep on running and not stop regardless of what happens to them.
In order to encourage his readers, the author reminds them of the race that Jesus ran. He is given as their example in persevering in the race in spite of suffering or persecution. (This isn’t the only thing the author says about Jesus, but it shouldn’t be ignored as we study Jesus as high priest, sacrifice, mediator, etc.)
I haven’t run very long distances yet. My longest run so far is 7.5 miles. Of course, a couple of months ago, 7.5 miles might as well have been 750 miles. While running longer and longer distances (from less than 1 mile at a time in August to 4-5 miles in September, to 7.5 miles last weekend), I have learned a little more about what it means to keep on running in spite of problems. I imagine that I will continue to face problems and will continue to need perseverance as I run even longer distances.
A friend of mine is planning to run a 1/2 marathon in a few weeks, and another friend is running a marathon that same day. To be honest, I think I might be able to run a 1/2 marathon one day, but a full marathon seems out of reach. What would it take for me to be able to run a 1/2 marathon or a marathon? Perseverance.
Of course, there is so much more than we can talk about from this short passage. For example, we could also talk about the obstacles that should be removed and the things that a runner could be entangled in. But, that will have to wait for another day.
What would you like to add to this discussion?
——————————
Running the Race as an Illustration in Scripture:
1) Part 1 – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
2) Part 2 – Galatians 2:2 and Galatians 5:7
3) Part 3 – Philippians 2:16
4) Part 4 – Hebrews 12:1
5) Part 5 – 2 Timothy 2:5