He Gave What He Had

"... Freely you have received; freely give" (cf. Matt. 10:8, NIV). 
"... [S]o I will save you and you will be a blessing" (cf. Zech. 8:13, HCSB). 

In the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus took the bread and fish from a boy and multiplied it to feed the crowd.  The principle is that we do the addition and God the multiplication.  Jesus had inquired about the resources of the whole crowd and this was all there was; hard to believe no one planned ahead or even that some weren't hiding their lunch.  But evidently the boy must've gladly volunteered his lunch to share.  His faith could've been an instant object lesson too! Our giving, too, is a test of our faith in action to be a blessing as we have been blessed.   His act of giving showed his faith, but the disciples needed to learn a lesson.  The lesson to come away with is that God can take our meager resources and gifts and multiply them for His kingdom, not that He needs them, for the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, but that He has privileged us to be used for His glory and honor. 

We are not called to turn stones into bread as a social gospel, but to preach the gospel and in so doing to meet other needs where we can.  The Great Commission has a social implication or commission.  The boy's gift shows that we must be willing to give whatever we can even if it's a small donation, because we only do addition, and God gives compound interest.   Some people just aren't even willing to give at all no matter what size offering.   This story shows that God cares about our daily needs as the Lord's prayer says, 'Give us this day our daily bread.'  The miracle or sign shows us, as Jesus announced, that He is the bread of life who fills all our spiritual needs and can supply all our physical needs with them. 

They wanted to make Christ king just because of a free lunch.  Even people today will sell out for security in life at the expense of their principles--job turfs for example.   Jesus will be our king and supply our needs but according to His rules.  Our needs are not an automatic given when we don't work for them or deserve them.  The fact that there were twelve baskets of leftovers shows Christ's continuing care for us and that we ought not to waste His resources and blessings, for we will be held accountable and must invest the blessings we have faithfully.  Having an abundance doesn't mean we can waste God's provision.   Note that the boy gave everything he had much like the poor widow who gave her last two mites and Jesus said she gave what she could and even more than the others.   This wasn't the first time God had performed a miracle to feed His people: Moses was leader when God supplied manna for Israel.  Both Elijah and Elisha multiplied food to sustain people by a miracle of God.   

This miracle shows us that God alone is the creator who can make something out of nothing, as in creation, can produce great results with small resources and make big dividends no matter how small they are.  In the final analysis, it's not how big our supply but our faith and willingness to give, and how big our God is to meet our needs.   How many in the crowd thought of Jesus the next time they were in need?

But we must be careful not to follow the wrong Jesus or another Jesus, nor even Jesus for the wrong motives.  We signed up for a cross to bear and not for a free lunch.  Hardship may come with the territory and if we accept good times we must accept bad ones (cf. Job 2:10) .  We must be willing to go with Jesus no matter where we are called and be thankful for whatever He gives us.

In sum, the words of Augustine ring true:  "Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in God."  Jesus is truly the Bread of Life in more ways than one!     Soli Deo Gloria!

The True Spirit Of Grace-oriented Giving

"They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I made every effort to do"  (Gal. 2:10, HCSB).  
"One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor"  (Prov. 11:24, HCSB). 
"A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water"  (Prov. 11:25, HCSB).  
"Since you excel in so many ways--in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us--I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving"  (2 Cor. 8:7, NLT).
"You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure.  'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully'"  (2 Cor. 9:7, NLT). 

All believers have the privilege and honor of sharing their blessings with others and promoting the work of God by financial support.  It's not necessarily how much we give, but the Spirit that we do it in that matters:  Mother Teresa of Calcutta (recently canonized by Rome) has said that it's not what you do, but how much love you put into it.  What God notices is a cheerful giver (cf. 2 Cor. 9:7) and the willingness to give as unto the Lord.  We thank God for His provisions, as the "LORD who will provide" ("the LORD will see to it" (Jehovah-Jireh), and are worshiping God through this act of selfless sacrifice.  Giving is not giving if not done sacrificially and if it doesn't hurt, you may be withholding from God who owns it all it in the first place and has given it to you as a steward of His blessings.

The obedient giver knows that Christ's words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive [Acts 20:35]," is the ultimate reality in God's economy.  The Bible says that some withhold and suffer loss and some give generously and gain.  No one comes out any worse in giving, for the measure we give is returned unto us.  It has been said that when we look out for other's interests, God looks out for us and we will never be in need of doing God's work.  Generosity is the spirit of true Christian giving and this is an attitude, not a measure or percentage of income--each person must make up his own mind how and how much to give, according to the measure of God's blessings.

If we feel we are obliged to give, it is done legalistically and hypocritically, and God cannot reward it--we must want to give and share our resources (which also includes our time, resources, relationships, talents, opportunities, energy, possessions, and gifts).  No one can afford not to give unto the work of God and to help the poor; in fact, if we are having a hard time making ends meet, we may need to open up God's treasures of blessing and share what He already has granted us (i.e., all our provisions from God).  In other words, we all need God's blessing on our lives and labors.

If you love money, you will never have enough!  The key is to become content with what you have and not to desire to be rich, which will lead to temptation.  Paul learned to be content in all situations, whether facing lack or abundance.  Not lacking any good thing or blessing doesn't mean that we will have all things:  God blesses some in some ways, some in all ways, but all in some way.  In sum, God is good to all (cf. Psalm 145:9), and delights to show mercy and bless us.      Soli Deo Gloria!

Helping A Brother In Need

It is quite admirable to be able to notice a brother in need and be in the position to help out.  When you've done it to the least of Christ's brethren, you've done it unto Him (cf. Matt. 25:40).  The question Christ will ask at judgment is when you saw the naked did you clothe them, or the hungry did you feed them, etc. Paul said that "My God shall supply all your need..." (Philippians 4:19).  God doesn't promise to provide our felt needs or wants, just our needs.  Some need more than others, but the purpose is to do the will of God, not our will.  If you need it to do God's will, He will supply.

"Saint Theresa was going to build a convent with a sum the equivalent of twelve pence as her complete resources.  Someone said to her, 'Not even Saint Theresa can accomplish much with twelve pence.'  'True, she answered, 'but Saint Theresa and twelve pence and God can do anything.'" (anecdote quoted from William Barclay's The Letter to the Romans.)  The fact is that God has unlimited resources and we don't work for Buddha:  God has nothing against rich people or riches per se.  But when we are not rich toward God (see Luke 12:21 and the parable of the foolish tenant) it is foolish to put our trust in riches.  Our life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions, and we are to be content with what we have, and not be envious of what others have.

Greed is the driving force in modern society as a rule in a materialistic age, and some people who love money never seem to have enough and aren't satisfied no matter what.  They ask a millionaire how much would make him happy:  Just a little more!  They always want a more than they have, no matter how much they have.  We are all stewards of what God has assigned us and have different degrees of responsibility and are all accountable both in this life and at Judgment Day.  We also reap what we sow and it seems like the evil get rich and prosper, but the Bible says in Psalm 17:14 that it is because their reward or portion is in this life.  I would rather go to my reward when I pass on than leave my riches behind.

Although it is true that it does no good to help some people because they are irresponsible and will spend it unwisely if you give a beggar on skid row a dollar, he will buy a bottle of wine and if you offer to take him to a restaurant to get fed, he will decline.  Helping someone in need isn't just financial, it may be of your time because everyone knows the cliche that love is spelled T-I-M-E. When absentee fathers don't spend any time with their children no wonder they grow into delinquents and live maladjusted lives searching for an identity.

Each person should decide in his own heart how much he is to give and be faithful to that, and not feel that he must give of his money--it is completely voluntary for the Christian and not to be "under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (cf. 2 Cor. 9:7).  The church's responsibility is to use some of the money to give to those in need, to help the poor, and make good use of their resources. "The point is this:  whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly..." (2 Cor. 9:6, ESV).  Tithing can be seen as a test of generosity, a principle of stewardship, and a sign of faith giving back to God some of His blessings to us-- but it is not a mandate for Christians--not mentioned in any epistle as imperative.          Soli Deo Gloria! 

Is Tithing Mandatory?

You will not find a Protestant sermon on tithing until the nineteenth century. The early church Fathers said that Christians don't tithe, they give offerings. The Roman Church, however, taxed its members but this is not the same thing. The interest in tithing began when the church became more evangelical and needed money for missions, which really got jump-started in the 19th century.

Now, most fundamentalist churches preach tithing, though the mainline denominations, by and large, don't. There are some scholars, even today, that preach against tithing as mandatory. However, Congress outlawed mandatory tithing.

Now, why would anyone be against tithing? Firstly, no one can out-give God and the principle of giving an orderly amount that is commensurate with your income still stands. But, and this is an important "but," the tithe was a tax on Israel as a theocratic state to support the temple. They had no choice and it was duly collected. It is parallel to us as we pay our taxes. Sure, God is going to bless the individual who gives selflessly, but not because he thinks he is obligated to.  God is no man's debtor.  "For God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). We are not to give by compulsion or because we "have to"--we should give because we "want to."  Soli Deo Gloria!