| "Gifts and Giving"
Introduction
First, let us realize that
we live in perilous times, some would even say these are the
end times. Man's technological ability to be able to literally
kill all life off this planet 10 times over by very conservative
estimates would indicate this may be true. Man's creation
of deadlier and deadlier weapons and weapons' systems continues.
Parts of the world are always going into and out of famines
and civil wars all the time now as a regular occurrence. Ultimately,
there will only be one solution to man's inability to rule
over himself and the planet the Lord placed him on, and that
will be the actual return of the Lord himself. But on this
subject, Jesus told his apostles and disciples that just prior
to his return, the gospel of the kingdom of God would be preached
around the world (Matthew 24:14). He commissioned his apostles
and disciples and all that would follow in their steps to
preach the gospel and baptize all that would heed their message
of the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus has started to bring
this to pass through many high quality Christian evangelistic
and teaching ministries that are now spanning the globe in
their outreach. Some of these ministries are denominational
and some are non-denominational or inter-denominational Christian
organizations. All these quality Christian evangelistic and
teaching ministries survive and go forward enabled by the
Holy Spirit and coupled to a high degree of financial commitment
and support from a small but growing group of Christians from
all the denominations.
What are God's Biblical principles of Gifts & Giving?
I will answer that question in three parts:
- The proper attitude we should all have toward giving,
especially for those who are the receivers of Christian
gifts and tithe/offerings.
- The Biblical rules of Giving spelled out in the Bible
for the Givers.
- Who Should We Give To?
a. The major portion of one's tithe/offerings should go
to the Christian organization that most nourishes that individual
spiritually. This is almost always the local congregation
or denomination a person belongs to. Some denominations
have strict tithing rules tied to their membership while
others don't. Calvary Chapel hardly ever teaches about tithing,
but is generously blessed buy their member's financial support.
b. A Christian should also consider donating a smaller portion
of his or her tithe/offerings (no more that 33 percent),
to a worthy evangelical or teaching ministry that benefits
the whole body of Christ across denominational lines. George
Mueller set this example for us by donating a portion of
the funds the Lord was providing him and his work, and he
donated this portion to qualified Christian evangelical
organizations and Christian schools (teaching ministries).
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