Some Not -So- Random Thoughts On Giving

 

By Adam Faughn     Of all the avenues of worship, giving is often the one that is either overlooked (we sometimes just leave it out when we name the acts of worship) or maligned ("there they go, asking for money again"). However, the New Testament makes it clear that the early church gave as part of their weekly worship (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and God demands that we be "cheerful givers" (2 Corinthians 9:7), so it is worth reminding ourselves of some basic things about our giving. This article may seem a bit random, but I have chosen just a couple of things that I feel need to be addressed concerning our giving. Proportionate     There are times, when someone leads a prayer before our giving, when they might say something like this: "let us give a portion of what You have given to us." I do not want to run down anyone who says that in a prayer, and I am certainly not questioning their heart, but is that terminology Biblical?     What the Bible teaches us is not "portion" giving, but to be proportionate in our giving. We are to give "as [we] have prospered" (1 Corinthians 16:2). To illustrate, if I am blessed to earn $1000 this week and I give $50, but then I am blessed to earn $5000 next week and still give $50, I have given a "portion" both times. But have I given proportionately; that is, "as I have prospered"? Not really.     Each time I earn something financially--whether that is through a paycheck, bonus, sale of a large item, or other means--I need to prayerfully consider my giving and seek to be certain that it is in proportion to how I have been blessed that week. Fund-Raising     When I was a much younger preacher, I would read anything I could get my hands on just to try to learn about Biblical issues and how to deal with them. I remember reading some old articles  sections of books that dealt with how the church did not need to "raise money" through things like bake sales or car washes. Honestly, I remember thinking, "is this really a problem?"     It is now 2024, and I am writing about it because, yes, it was--and sadly still is--an issue. The New Testament makes it clear that the church is to be supported through the freewill giving of each member. Period. That is the only God-approved way for the local congregation to support the works in which they are involved.     Some feel that it is okay to have some type of fundraiser for some special work; maybe a mission trip or building drive. They will ask if the church should not be able to sponsor a car wash or a T-shirt sales drive to pay for the young people to go on a mission trip or to help offset the cost of a major building project? The simple answer is "no." And the reason is simply this: the New Testament gives no authority for anything other than members giving freely to the work of the church. We do not have a "product" to "sell." We have hearts that are moved to give.     Some turn to Acts 4:32-37 and point out where members sold land and gave the proceeds to the church. That clearly occurred, and those First Century brothers and sisters are to be commended for their great generosity. But they were not doing that as some type of "fundraiser." They willingly chose to do that as a way to have something to give freely to the work of the church. In fact, the issue with Ananias and Sapphira in chapter 5 was not that they kept back some of the money from the church. It was that they lied about it (see 5:4).     If a member of the church wishes to sell a possession and give the proceeds to the church, that is fine and commendable. But the church has no authority to organize some type of special sale or fundraiser that members feel compelled to take part in. Instead, each person is to examine their own life and give from the heart. Conclusion Each week, when we give, let us be certain that we are following the instruction of Jesus to worship God "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Examine your heart and give out of a place of great love and gratitude. Also, though, may we always worship, even in our giving, in "truth," following the pattern given to us through the pages of the New Testament.

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith