We are tested by our use of money. God watches to see how we use what has been entrusted into our hands. If we are faithful to use it for godly purposes, the Lord will see that we are trustworthy. And if we are faithful in this very little thing, we will be faithful also in much.
If we are faithless in this very small thing, the Lord will not entrust us with greater responsibilities. Lk.16:10,11: “Whoever is faithful in a very little thing, will be faithful also in much. But whoever is unrighteous in a very little thing, will be unrighteous also in much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
Let us summarize what we have learned over the past weeks about the love that gives.
[1] Love is the true and pure motive behind all giving that meets with God’s approval. Rom.5:5: “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Acts 4:32: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”
[2] One main purpose for giving is to give that others might become believers in Christ. Lk.16:9: “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
[3] Giving to the rich, unfaithful gospel workers, or to lazy persons is foolish and wrong. Prov.22:16: “He who gives to the rich, only comes to poverty.” 2 Jn.10,11: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for he who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.” 2 Thess.3:10: “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either.”
[4] We are to give to the poor. Gal.2:10: “They only asked us to remember the poor – the very thing I also was eager to do.” Prov.28:27: “He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.”
[5] We are to give to genuine gospel workers. Those who benefit in spiritual things “are indebted to minister to them also in material things” –Rom.15:27.
[6] The principle of Christian giving is found in 2 Cor.9:7: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
[7] Tithing is not required of Christians. Heb.7:12: “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.”
[8] There is not even one verse in the entire Bible where tithing was ever money. Tithing was only of food items given to support the Levitical priests in the temple in Jerusalem.
[9] Most giving is to pass directly from the hand of the giver to the receiver. Lk.3:11: “The man who has two shirts is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do the same.”
[10] Giving for a specific need can also be entrusted into the hands of faithful brethren to deliver to those in need. Acts 11:30: “They sent their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.”
[11] There is no verse in the NT where church offerings were collected weekly.
[12] Giving with expectation of gaining in return is evil. 1 Tim.6:5: “Men of corrupt mind…think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
[13] Sorcerers think that giving to men of God will gain spiritual blessings in return. Acts 8:20: “May your silver perish with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money.”
Before we conclude our studies on the love that gives, we must bring a final word to ministers. Rom.2:24: “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
1 Tim.3:2,3; Tit.1:7: “A leader of God’s people must be above reproach…free from the love of money…not greedy for gain.”
Yet you ministers have taught multitudes to follow your greedy ways. Woe to you, Ministers and Pastors, hypocrites: 2 Pet.2:14: “having eyes that never cease from sin, seducing unstable souls; they are experts in greed – an accursed brood!”
Woe to you, Ministers and Pastors, hypocrites, who deceitfully promise prosperity for planting “seeds of faith,” breakthrough for tithes, and gain for giving!
Woe to you Ministering hypocrites! How like Simon the Sorcerer you are! The gift of God cannot be obtained with money [Acts 8:18-24]! You are yet bitterly envious and in the bondage of sin!
Woe to you, Reverends of Riches, who enforce levees, reap from your congregation’s “firstfruits,” extort them in your “thanksgiving” services, and threaten cursing if tithes do not reach your pockets!
Woe to you, Ministers of Mammon, who slay the flock of God without pity while crying out, “Praise the Lord, for I have become rich!” -Zech.11:5.
Woe to you, Prophets of Prosperity, who according to Mic.3:5-12: “lead My people astray. If one feeds them, they proclaim, ‘Peace!’ If he does not, they prepare war against him. The prophets prophesy for money. Yet they lean on the Lord, and say, ‘Is not the Lord among us? No harm can come upon us.’”
Behold, I am against you fools and blind men, says the Lord God. Ezek.34:1-10: “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you butcher the fat sheep but you let your flocks starve!
“You have not taken care of the weak, the diseased you have not tended, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with harshness you have dominated them.
“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord: ‘I the Sovereign Lord declare that I am your enemy! I will take My sheep away from you and never let you be their shepherds; I will stop you from feeding yourselves. I will rescue My sheep from you and not let you eat them.’”
Woe unto you, Reverends of Riches, hypocrites; you “clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness” –Lk.11:39.
Woe to you Blind Bishops, merciless men! Mt.23:14: “You devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation!”
Mt.23:33: “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how shall you escape the damnation of Hell?”
May you repent of your wickedness; 1 Tim.6:11: “You man of God, flee these things!” Flee the love of money which is plunging you into ruin and destruction [1 Tim.6:9,10]!
Dear Listener, Phil.3:18,19 warns: “I tell you that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, whose god is their belly, they glory in their shame, and set their minds on earthly things.”
Eph.5:5: “You can be confident of this one thing; no greedy/covetous man -such a person is an idolater- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Col.3:5: “So put to death…greed which is idolatry.”
You cannot serve God and Mammon. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Copyright Steve Phillips 2020