Deu 16:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.
Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Mar 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Mar 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Mar 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
THOUGHT: Sacrificial giving is not measured by the amount of the gift but by what one has left. The balance provides the means of measuring the sacrifice.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Sis, I believe that a giving heart knows when the Lord is asking us to give. Of course someone making a living off of us randomly is not a charity case.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Moses The law of Moses required every man in Israel to journey to the Temple to appear before the Lord. Not only was their travel expensive, but the law also required them to bring a gift with them to the Temple. The Old Testament declared, "They shall not appear before the Lord empty" (Deuteronomy 16:16). Those who were able often exchanged their sacrifice for money before the trip and converted the money back to animals for sacrifice near the Temple after completing their journey. This ensured that the journey did not injur or diminish their sacrifice, but it also provided an amazing temptation to those selling sacrifices to make a handsome profit. The only record of Jesus expressing anger was a result of this particular practice within the courts of the temple. Certainly, one person should not profit from another persons attempt to fulfill God's law or worship to the best of his ability.
Jesus
God forbade taking usury from fellow believers--profiting from another person's misfortune. He did however, however allow one to collect usury from strangers (those not of the household of faith)(see Deuteronomy 23: 19-20). However, the spirit of the law, which Jesus reflected in His teachings, involved not taking advantage of others in need, regardless of whether or not they were fellow believers. Jesus' words in Mathew 5:42 imply a "sense of unreasonable asking". Without equivocating or justifying, believers should be ready to share with others in need in whatever way that they are able. When helping others thru a temporary loan, the borrowing is not to involve interest but should be a free loan. There is a biblical precedent and provision for a person lending to someone in need. (See Psalm 112;5)
Jesus did not carry the bad that held the diciples meager resources, nor did He do the contracting for needed rooms or provisions. However, He did recieve what was available and fed crowds of four and five thousand, and He even encouraged Peter to go fishing so they could pay their taxes. He also sat by the treasury and watched what others gave. At Simons house, He thoroughly understood the costly devotion of the alabaster box that Mary lavished on Him. Further more, He requested the rich young ruler to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Certainly,Jesus' teachings on money appears to convey that He intends for us not to worry about the provision of our future needs: 'Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself" (Mathew 6:34).
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Sis, I believe that a giving heart knows when the Lord is asking us to give. Of course someone making a living off of us randomly is not a charity case.
It just struck me that the only folks whotend topractice, literally, that Matt. 5:42 admonition are the credit card companies. I had to chuckle.
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Proud parents of our own "Daddy's Little Girls"
I heard Jesus He drank wine and I bet we'd get along just fine.
Paul commended the Phillippian church for considering his "afflictions" or "pressures" (Strongs Concordance). (See Phillippians 4:14) Whether financial, political, or medical pressures, Pauls needs evidently required money, which the Phillippian church sent to him thru Epaphroditus. He recognized their giving as the fruit of a spiritual people who responded to his needs ("necessity," Phillippians 4:16). He called the offerings a "sweet smelling" sacrifice, which was acceptable to God. (See Phil. 4:18.) Giving should be a natural product of a godly people who share, donate, and contribute in any way possible for the glory of God. This places a special responsibility on church leaders to administer sacrifices and offerings thoughtfully and carefully as the property of God.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Great post bro. Mac. How true, after all God gave His best.
I remember back in the 80 at Christ for the nations institute we had a missionary from Africa give a lecture. He told the story of a lady that had two sons. One was very sick and dying. The lady went to the river ( her god) and sacrifice her healthy son to the river god. When the missionary heard about this, he asked her, "Why did you throw in the healthy baby, why didn't you sacrifice the sick one" She replied, "when we give to our god's we give them the very best." We all know she was wrong, but what a lesson for us Christians.
The OT also taught and demonstrated consistant and selfless giving. With the need to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the requests for special metals and jewels went out to people living in tents and subsisting on bread from heaven. Just as consistant as God was in giving them daily manna, the people consistantly gave of their substance.
We should give willingly:
Along with consistant giving, bot testaments of Scripture also clearly show the quality of willingness on the part of those who give.
Giving with a willing heart is a biblical precept that transcends the testaments and prepares a persons heart for repentance. This willing consistancy was so overwhelming that Moses had to stop people from bringing offerings(Exodus 36: 6-7). Contrary to existing ideas of economics that state that there is no such thing as "enough", the Tabernacle project forced Moses to declare that there was too much. This selfless giving was not a result of cajolery or shaming or begging. It was spontaneous, joyful, and willing.
We should give sacrificially:
Ther best human example of sacrificial giving was Jesus Christ on the cross. He gave everything ! His obsevation of the widow and the two mites provided the best example of monetary sacrifice. Jesus said she gave "all her living" (Mark 12:44). She gave, not out of her abundance, or even out of her living, but she gave "all of her living". The two mites that she gave represented her next meal, the next bill payment, the means for providing for her next need. Jesus made it appear that she had virtually nothing left but the clothes on her back. She provided a supreme illustration of sacrificial giving, ultimate trust in God's promices, and complete commitment to His provisions.
When the people of Israel finally learned that God could give them water in the desert, quail in the wilderness, and manna in the morning, they could beginto relax and believe that God would let them have a land of their own. The up-tight, overly tense nature of fundraising projects, building programs, and world missions needs could turn a person into a stressed out individual with little faith in God unless he continually remembers that he serves God, and God's resources are plentiful. By faith we can face our spiritual giants like grasshoppers instead of viewing ourselves like grasshoppers facing giants. The Scriptures reveal that God desires to open the very "windows of heaven" to pour out a blessing upon His people beyond their capacity to recieve. Moreover, He may open heaven's windows in spite of our doubts, but it always will require our willingness and readiness to give. (See 2 Kings 7:2, 19; Malachi 3:10)
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
The OT also taught and demonstrated consistant and selfless giving. With the need to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the requests for special metals and jewels went out to people living in tents and subsisting on bread from heaven. Just as consistant as God was in giving them daily manna, the people consistantly gave of their substance.
We should give willingly:
Along with consistant giving, bot testaments of Scripture also clearly show the quality of willingness on the part of those who give.
Giving with a willing heart is a biblical precept that transcends the testaments and prepares a persons heart for repentance. This willing consistancy was so overwhelming that Moses had to stop people from bringing offerings(Exodus 36: 6-7). Contrary to existing ideas of economics that state that there is no such thing as "enough", the Tabernacle project forced Moses to declare that there was too much. This selfless giving was not a result of cajolery or shaming or begging. It was spontaneous, joyful, and willing.
We should give sacrificially:
Ther best human example of sacrificial giving was Jesus Christ on the cross. He gave everything ! His obsevation of the widow and the two mites provided the best example of monetary sacrifice. Jesus said she gave "all her living" (Mark 12:44). She gave, not out of her abundance, or even out of her living, but she gave "all of her living". The two mites that she gave represented her next meal, the next bill payment, the means for providing for her next need. Jesus made it appear that she had virtually nothing left but the clothes on her back. She provided a supreme illustration of sacrificial giving, ultimate trust in God's promices, and complete commitment to His provisions.
When the people of Israel finally learned that God could give them water in the desert, quail in the wilderness, and manna in the morning, they could beginto relax and believe that God would let them have a land of their own. The up-tight, overly tense nature of fundraising projects, building programs, and world missions needs could turn a person into a stressed out individual with little faith in God unless he continually remembers that he serves God, and God's resources are plentiful. By faith we can face our spiritual giants like grasshoppers instead of viewing ourselves like grasshoppers facing giants. The Scriptures reveal that God desires to open the very "windows of heaven" to pour out a blessing upon His people beyond their capacity to recieve. Moreover, He may open heaven's windows in spite of our doubts, but it always will require our willingness and readiness to give. (See 2 Kings 7:2, 19; Malachi 3:10)
This was a lesson I learned a while back.... But it is a very important lesson I learned. No matter what you are giving, your tithe, your service, money to a friend or family member in need, or to a stranger you pass on the street, you only give from a willing heart. You give because you want to, not because you have to or because it is expected. It is taught in scripture that if you do not give freely, expecting nothing in return, and with a willing heart, then you should just not give at all. You might as well keep your gift ( service or money ) or even your tithe, because it will mean nothing. I tithe and am happy to do so. I feel bad when I miss a tithe ( if I am sick and not at church or if I am working ) I make it up next time. I have joy in my heart when I freely give. I freely give to friends and family and God, and I never am without. I do not ever expect anything in return, nor do I expect repayment, and I am continually blessed beyond measure. And when things may get a little tight, or I am not sure how I may pay a certain bill or whatever, the Lord always is faithful and meets my needs. I can honestly say he has never failed me. But I am ashamed that He cannot say that about me.... But I am trying...
Apostolic Sunday School
