THERE is only one method of providing money for the Lord’s work recognised in the New Testament: that method is outright giving.
It is a striking fact that the New Testament teaching concerning “the collection” is connected immediately with the vital Christian doctrine of the resurrection. The 15th chapter of I. Corinthians is the great resurrection chapter of the Bible, declaring the bodily resurrection of Christ and of all believers. Its climax is in the words, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” There are no chapter divisions in the original Scriptures, and the next three verses after this thanksgiving for victory enjoin all Christians as Paul’s “beloved brethren,” in view of the resurrection victory, to “be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. . . . Now concerning the collection. . . Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.”
Again, in II. Corinthians, two chapters (the eighth and the ninth) deal fully with the Christian doctrine of giving. The heart of the matter is in II. Corinthians ix. 7, 8, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give : not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
The foot-note in the Scofield Reference Bible on these two chapters is a valuable summary of the New Testament teaching on giving. It is as follows :—
[Christian giving] (1) is a “grace,” i.e., a disposition created by the Spirit (8 : 7). (2) In contrast with the law, which imposed giving as a divine requirement, Christian giving is voluntary, and a test of sincerity and love (8 : 8-12; 9 : 1, 2, 5, 7). (3) The privilege is universal, belonging, according to ability, to rich and poor (8 : 1-3; 12 : 15). Cf. I. Cor. 16 : 1, 2). (4) Giving is to be proportioned to income (8 : 12-14). Cf. I. Cor. 16 : 2). The Old Testament proportion was the tithe, a proportion which antedates the law (Gen. 14 : 20). (5) The rewards of Christian giving are (a) joy (8 : 2); (b) increased ability to give in proportion to that which has been already given (9 : 7-11); (c) increased thankfulness to God (9 : 12); (d) God and the gospel glorified (9 : 13, 14).
We shall look in vain in the New Testament for any suggestion of church fairs, bazaars, suppers, sales, or other methods of raising money for the Lord’s work. Any substitution of sales for giving degrades the privilege of Christian giving and dishonours the Christian and God. A child of God who has received God’s unspeakable gift of Christ as Saviour is expected to rejoice in the privilege of giving to God in every possible way. A money-raising sale says in effect to the Christian—”You cannot be expected to give outright to the Lord, so we offer you some return for your money, in the way of food, or merchandise, or entertainment, and whatever profit there is in this barter will go to the Lord’s work.” This unworthy method needs only to be described in order to see it in its true light.
* The above is taken from the “S.S. Times” (Philadelphia), and is the Editor’s answer to a question put by a correspondent.—Editor.
The fair morning is at hand, the Day-star is near the rising, and we are not many miles from Home; what matters the ill entertainment in the smoky inns of this miserable life? We are not to stay here, and we will be dearly welcome to Him to Whom we go.—Rutherford.