Guidelines for Giving

     Last week we covered the idea of tithing vs. freewill giving and tried to establish which principle was practiced and promoted in the New Testament.  This week we will tackle the guidelines, found in the Bible, which should be followed for each individual desiring to give.   

     Born Again.  III John 5-8 shows us that when workers were sent out they took, “nothing from the Gentiles(unbeliever’s).”  I believe this pattern should be followed today.  The spreading of the Good News should be laid squarely on the shoulders of the believer’s, not the unbeliever’s.  The sad state of our churches today, however, is that most congregations will take money from anyone, with no consideration to their spiritual status.  Are you born again?  If “yes” then you have passed the first test.

     Clear conscience.  Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”  When we desire to bring our gift to the Lord we must check ourselves to be sure that we can do so with a clear conscience.  Unresolved bitterness and unforgiveness must be dealt with first, then our gift may be offered.  Again, many people do not take this Scripture to heart.  Have you cleared your conscience?  Is there any individual who you need to forgive, or ask for forgiveness?  Do so today, and then bring your gift to the altar.

     Secretly.  Matthew 6:1-18 highlights three areas in which one practices righteousness: almsgiving, prayer and fasting.  One theme is found in each of these areas: secrecy.  This is an area that most everyone struggles with at one point or another.  Our human nature is programmed to desire the praise of men, but as we grow in the Spirit, we recognize the importance of receiving the praise of God.  When you give, do not tell others the amount you gave, or hint at the idea that you tithe often.  Leave the amount and frequency with the Lord and see how well the Lord can reward you.

     With preparation.  I Corinthians 9:7 says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”  Since we talked about free-willing/cheerful giving last week, I will not discuss that part again, but I would like to address the first part of this verse.  When we give, it is to be done purposefully with preparation.  We are not called to give based on coercion or guilt.  Nor should our giving be a practice where we give the loose bill or change that we have in our pocket.  Our giving should be based solely on what the Lord has laid on our hearts through prayer.

     To close, this guideline to giving is not intended to be all inclusive, but a simple plan to help all of us understand the basics.  Again, if any of you have questions, complaints or comments, please let me know. 

     May God richly bless you as you seek His face in your giving.  

Content or Contentious?

     Which are you?  Which would those close to you say that you are?  Are you content with who you are, what you have, what decisions have been made, what your life is like or do you find yourself unhappy in these areas?  What is the one indicator that others will use to decipher our attitude?  Our tongue!!!  Let me share a few Scripture verses that can guide us in our use of our tongue, so that when others hear us they will know that we are content.

     Let’s keep I Timothy 6:6 and 8 in the forefront of our memory throughout this discussion.  They say, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain” and “Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”  There is great gain for the individual who strives for godliness and accompanies that with a happy attitude.  Now, how do we demonstrate this attitude with our tongue?  I Corinthians 14 would be a good place to look.  Throughout the chapter, Paul is discussing the use of tongues and all throughout the section he mentions that it should be used for edification.(vs. 3, 5, 12, and 26)  Edification means to uplift or encourage.  We must use our tongue to find the good in people, situations and life and not the bad.  Hebrews 3:13 and 10:25 both speak to the idea of exhorting one another one a continual basis, encouraging them with our tongue.  

     When you have been sincerely encouraged by someone, what is the effect?  Do you feel more united or divided?  See, God desires for us to be content and for us to demonstrate this contentment by building others up to create unity among brethren.  This unity cannot develop if we spend our time looking at the negative, putting others down in the process.  Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”  So, let me encourage you to spend your days finding the good in others and in life.  Focus on the blessings of God and talk of it often.  Let your wife know she’s wonderful, or that you appreciate your husband.  Believe me, the results will be wonderful.

     Let me close with a few more verses that encourage us to build others up.  Romans 14:19 says, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”  I Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

     May we continually demonstrate our content attitude by uplifting others by the expressions of our mouth.

     “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  I Thessalonians 5:23