The title of this paper “Christian Giving” might seem to imply that there is a kind of giving which is not Christian Giving. This could be true in two ways. (a) There is giving which might be described as non-Christian, i.e., when one heathen person gives to another heathen person. This is done outside the Church, as it were, and from no Christian motive. (b) There may be a giving on the part of one professing the Christian religion, in a grudging manner. This is un-Christian.
When we speak here about Christian Giving, we speak in the same way as we do when we speak about Christian Baptism, or the Christian Sabbath. The title will not be found in the Bible as such. The word Christian is used to describe something which was instituted at, or after, the Resurrection, or the continuance of something after the Resurrection, which was ordained during the Old Testament era. From what follows we hope it is clear that Giving, which was begun during the Old Testament dispensation is also a New Testament ordinance. We shall enumerate three examples of giving.
I. GIVING BY WAY OF HOSPITALITY
is the first we shall mention. The apostle exhorts us to be “distributing to the necessity of saints, and be given to hospitality”. Then in Hebrews 13:2 we are told “be ye not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”. This is a reference to Abraham, who killed a calf for three strangers who he later discovered to be angels. The principle of hospitality was operative since Pentecost in a special way in the New Testament church. We are told in the book of Acts that the disciples had all things in common. Paul writes to some about their work and labour of love in “ministering to the saints”. This was what Lydia did when she asked the apostles to go to her house. It may have been one of the factors considered in admitting people into the church. “Let not a widow be taken into the number . . . unless she have washed the saints feet, if she have relieved the afflicted . . .”. This certainly was one of the determining factors in the election of men as office-bearers in the church. In I Tim. 3:2, we read that such men must be “given to hospitality”, and again in Titus I, 8, we are told that an office-bearer must be “a lover of hospitality”. The Bible shows that hospitality from gracious motives is a means of divine blessing as well as being a divine obligation. Perhaps under this heading might be included references to collections made for poor saints, (Rom. 15:26), and widows, the wrong administration of which was the occasion, in the divine providence, of the ordination of Deacons. (II Cor. 8:20; Acts 6:1).
II. PROVIDING FOR THE ERECTION OF A PLACE OF WORSHIP
is the second example we shall, briefly, mention. When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, the Lord commanded that His tabernacle should be built at the expense of the people. (Exodus 35:4-6.) The Israelites gave so much that they had to be stopped from giving for a while. When the worship of God was restored by King Jehoash, under the guidance of Jehoida the priest, the people brought money in abundance. (II Kings 12:4-6.) Again when the Israelites were brought out of Babylonian bondage the people gave liberally. (Ezra I:3.) Although expressions in the New Testament such as “it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church” and many others do not, probably, refer to buildings, but to the gathering or assembly of Christians, yet in most cases we believe, the early Christians assembled in buildings. Also although at first, they assembled in any convenient building, in an “upper room” or “in thy house”, they would have been compelled as time went on, and as “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” to erect their own buildings at their own expense. Climatic conditions, cold winds, or heavy rains, or both, make this necessary, as well as other factors. (Ezra 10:13 and Acts 20:8,9.)
III. PROVISION FOR THOSE WHO LABOUR
in the service of God is the third example of giving we shall allude to. (a) From the Old Testament. The Levitical priests had to live on what the people gave. They ate part of the meat brought by the people for sacrifice. The breast and the shoulder we are told in Exodus 29:27 was for the priests. The people could give of their corn, their wine, their oil, their herds. We are told in Deuteronomy “Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn or of thy wine or of thy oil, or of the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock . . . but thou must eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose”. (b). From the New Testament. When the Saviour sent forth His disciples to preach we are told in Matthew 10:9 that He instructed them to “provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in their purse . . . etc”. Why did their Master give such instructions? Was it so that they would appear poor in the estimation of the world? The Lord Himself gave the reason then — “for the labourer is worthy of his reward”. Paul takes up this principle in his epistle to the Corinthians “for it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.” Then, “do you not know, “he goes on to say, “that they which minister about holy things live off the things of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the LORD ORDAINED that they which preach the gospel should live off the gospel.” (I Cor. 9:13).
THE INCENTIVE FOR CHRISTIAN GIVING.
We should intelligently consider the following things in our hearts:
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The gift that God the Father made of His Son. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Paul says “thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.”
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Christ’s giving of Himself. He “gave His life a ransom for many.” “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich yet for your sakes He was made poor, that ye through His poverty might be made rich.”
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That raises the question of how sinners of mankind can be made rich. (a) By the gift of the Holy Spirit, and He also is the author of regeneration, (Titus 3:5) and of faith, (Eph. 2:8). The gift of God is eternal life. (Rom. 6:23). (b). The gift of the preaching of the Word, and (c) the gift of the apostles and prophets and teachers gifted to the church by Christ. If any man enquire of the brethren he says, “they are the messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ.” (2 Cor. 8:23.)
We would also like to point out briefly other matters brought before us in the Word of God in connection with Giving, and which are worthy of serious thought.
1. WHO OUGHT TO GIVE?
When we go back to the Old Testament and consider the tithes and offerings that were brought to the temple, we ought to conclude that every family gave of the fruits of their fields, and of their cattle, etc. Poverty did not rule out Giving. Turtledoves are mentioned for those who were not able to provide better for sacrifices. In the New Testament we are told “let him that is taught in the Word communicate with him that teacheth in all good things.” (Gal. 6:6). This is a very explicit reference to the duty of ALL who hear and are instructed out of the Word of God to give to those who preach the Gospel according as the case may require.
2. HOW TO GIVE AND HOW MUCH?
The answer to this is given very plainly in the Word of God. “Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring it” said the Lord to Moses. (Exod. 35:5). Of the children of Israel who left Babylon we read that “all they that were round about strengthened their hands with vessels of silver and with gold, with goods and with beasts, and with precious things, beside that was WILLINGLY offered.” (Ezra 1:6). Every man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a CHEERFUL giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7). Also the Lord Jesus Christ said that almsgiving was not to be done for show. “Thou when thou doest thine alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” Simon Magus was willing to give liberally from wrong motives. He thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money. (Acts 8:14). In the Old Testament the children of Israel were instructed to give a tenth of their increase to the Lord. Some do not believe that this is necessary now, and that Christians ought to be more liberal than that. Some who give little give more than a tenth, like the woman who cast her all into the treasury. (Mark 12:41-43). Some like Ananias, who comparatively speaking gave much — gave grudgingly. We do not imply that the amount that he gave was the cause of his death. It was that he had lied “unto the Holy Ghost”. The idea of a regular weekly contribution by each individual is set forth in I Cor. 16:2. “On the first day of the week let EACH ONE of you lay by him in store according as the Lord has prospered him.”
3. THE BENEFITS OF GIVING.
The neglect of this matter was withholding the blessing of God from Israel. God says through Malachi, “ye are cursed with a curse even this whole nation,” and in connection with the same thing Paul says to the Galatians, “Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:6). Temporal and spiritual benefits accompany scriptural liberal giving. That was exemplified in the days of Moses, King Josiah and Ezra. Paul says that he “that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (2 Cor. 9:6) and to the Philippians he says “my God shall supply ALL your needs . . . etc.” “Prove me now herewith saith the Lord, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing so that there shall not be room to receive it.” (Mal. 3:4). Faith is required for Christian giving. In I Cor. 9, Paul writes that giving redounds to God’s praise (verse 12) and glory (verse 13). It is a means of awakening prayer in one for others, and uniting the people of God in loving fellowship (verse 14).