Christian Giving
By Gene A. Getz
Galatians 6:4-6
Verse 6 of Galatians Chapter Six captures in one simple statement a basic principle for Christian giving. There, God says:Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.In old English usage, the word "communicate" means to share. So, this statement commands believers to make sure that they share their wealth and care for the basic needs of the spiritual leaders that teach them the things of God.This issue is addressed in more specific terms in Paul's first letter to Timothy, who is in Ephesus helping to establish the church there, and part of his responsibility is to appoint local leadership. In Chapter 5 verse 17, we read, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."
The phrase "double honour" is a monetary term in the Greek text. This becomes evident as we read the next verse: "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward."
Before giving us this exhortation in verse 6, God sets forth three guidelines in verses 4 and 5 to help us carry it out. They are:
1. Test our own actions.
The first part of verse 4 states, "But let every man prove his own work."In the study of Galatians 6, we often associate verses 4 and 5 with the preceding two verses, where we read: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." However, the concepts conveyed by verses 4 and 5 seem to be contextually related to the exhortation in verse 6 as well.
When it comes to giving, it is saying, every Christian should test his own actions. We are to evaluate our program of giving in light of God's word. Are we doing the will of God? In the use of our material possessions, are we "walking in the Spirit" (5:25) or led by the Spirit? Or are we indulging in works of the flesh (19-21)?
2. Don't compare ourselves with others.
Verse 4 continues, "and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."Comparing with others is a common temptation. Those who cannot give a lot tend to be intimidated by those who can. And those who can afford to give generously are tempted to take pride in their giving or to expect more from those who can't give as much as they do.
So, God is saying here, "When it comes to giving, don't compare yourself with others. Just make sure that what you do is pleasing to God"
This principle for giving is set forth also in I Corinthians 16:2, where we read, "Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him."
Every Christian is to put aside money for the Lord in accordance to how much God has prospered him. In our culture, a Christian who makes $100,000 a year can and should give more proportionately than a Christian who earns $20,000 a year.
Instead of comparing ourselves with others, each of us should test his own actions. Are we giving regularly and generously in accordance with our income and wealth? If we are, then we can feel good about ourselves; we can rejoice in ourselvesnot in a proud way, but with a thankful heart.
3. Carry our own load.
We next read in verse 5, "For every man shall bear his own burden."This is the third guideline that sets the stage for the exhortation in verse 6. Every believer was to do his part in providing for those who are called to teach the word of God. No Christian is exemptunless, of course, he himself is in dire poverty.
It's an unfortunate fact that in the average Bible-believing church, the financial burden of the ministry is carried by just a small percentage of the congregation. This small group willingly helps to finance the Lord's work; they give a portion of their income as regular as they receive their own paychecks. By contrast, statistics show that the great proportion of churchgoers give very little and only occasionally. Measured by this verse, they are not carrying their share of the burden.
It's interesting that in the Old Testament, a tithe or ten percent was designated to care for the needs of those who carried on the spiritual ministry. The other tithes were used to meet the additional needs in Israel.
Can you imagine what would happen if every Christian gave a tenth of his income? His church would be able to add a full-time staff every time ten new families joined the congregation. I'm not suggesting, of course, that this should or would happen.
Actually, we New Testament believers ought to give more than ancient Israel did. By dying for our sins, Christ purchased us with His blood. Hence, God commands in Romans 12:1:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.The fact is, we believers are merely the stewards of God of all that He has entrusted to us.The Reasons for Obedience
Why should Christians share all good things "unto him that teacheth"? For one thing, of course, this is an essential part of God's program to build His church and bring salvation to His elect. They are people used of God to feed and nurture His flock.Moreover, verse 7 tells us: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal 6:7).
Here, the Bible is showing us how we need to have the proper motivation. What you sow, you reap. God uses this terminology also in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
Does this mean that God will reward us financially for our giving? Malachi 3:10,11 seems to promise that:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.That passage is quoted by many TV preachers and local church pastors to promote so-called "prosperity giving". I believe it is used out of context; such promotion is based on carnal and selfish motivation. In actuality, Malachi 3:10,11 was a special challenge God gave to Israel as a nation and for a special purpose. The New Testament does not obligate God to bless us financially if we regularly tithe.The reaping. Rather, in II Corinthians 9 God Himself tells us that which we are to reap when we sow generously. First, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things" (v. 8). God promises to meet our needs, not our wants.
Second, God promises to "multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness" (v. 10). In other words, He will bless our giving. As Paul says to the Philippians as he thanks them for their generosity: "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account" (Phil. 4:17).
Third, God promises to make it possible for us to continue to give generously. "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God" (v. 11). If our motivation is right and we desire our giving to result in thanksgiving to God, then God will indeed enrich us to keep giving bountifully.
My heart was particularly moved when a member of our church said to me one day, "Every time I wrote a check, I used to write on it 'Malachi 3:10'. But I've since discovered that my motivation was dead wrong. Now, I give because I have already received."
This man now shares what he has with the Lord and God's people because he wants to express his gratitude for the gift of salvation and the blessing he receives regularly from being a part of the body of Christ.
Alternatives. God doesn't always reward people monetarily. Another member of our church shared with me his experience in this area of giving. He makes about $30,000 a year, and he and his wife decided to give $250 a month. But one day, the shower in their master bedroom broke down, and the estimate to replace it was $250, the very amount of their monthly giving.
He and his wife prayed about the matter and decided to go ahead and give the $250 as planned. In the meantime, they used another bathroom in the house. A short time later, the Lord brought into their lives a person who helped them fix the shower free. All they had to spend was a few dollars for a replacement part.
Truly, God can meet our needs and honor our faithfulness in many, many ways. He doesn't necessarily have to work through cash. In this case, God provided the couple with a brother-in-Christ who has eventually become one of their best friends.
Old Testament example. Rather than the tithe, the best Old Testament example for giving has to do with the building of the temple. In I Chronicles 29, David tells the assembly that he himself has accumulated many resources for his son Solomon to build the temple, but more is required. Then we read this amazing account in verses 6-9:
Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly, And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
Personal Questions
Would you test your own actions? How do you measure up to God's will in this area of your life? Do you compare yourself with others in this matter of giving? The Bible teaches that you should measure yourself against the Word of God. Don't be intimidated by those who give more than you do. And don't judge those who give less than you do.Are you carrying your part of the load in the Lord's program to build His church? Are you offering willingly with perfect heart and with great joy as God's children in David's day did? Or are you allowing others to bear the financial burden of carrying out the Great Commission?
Are you sharing appropriately with those who are ministering to you in the Word? And are you making this the basic criteria as to where you share most of what you give?
Even as a pastor, I have felt that the first and primary place I should give is to the teachers that minister to me and my family. And since I'm salaried by a particular church, it goes without saying that my first and primary responsibility in giving must be to those who have shared with me financially. This does not mean, of course, that we should not support other worthy Christian organizations. There are many ministries that serve the Lord well, faithfully teaching the word of God.
A final thought. In all frankness, I experienced much anxiety in researching and preparing this message. As I reflected and introspected, I discovered why. It was the fear of rejection. This is not an unusual emotion for a pastor. Few things create more anxiety in Christians than the subject of giving. And when people feel uncomfortable, they sometimes reject not only the message, but the messenger.
Nevertheless, I'm convinced that our love for God may be proved by something that is a major part of everyone's life, and that is our use of money. How we use our money demonstrates the reality of our love for God. In some ways it proves our love more conclusively than the depth of knowledge, the length of prayers, or the prominence of service. These things can be reigned, but the use of our possessions shows us up for what we actually are.
It should not surprise us that we become defensive if we're not obedient to God in this area. And it shouldn't surprise me as a pastor if I sense that threat, and perhaps even some rejection. But I know that if I avoid teaching on this subject for that particular reason, I would not be true to my calling. I would be a hypocrite! o
Dr. Gene A. Getz is senior pastor at Fellowship Bible Church North, 850 Lexington Drive, Plano, TX 75075.