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Jesus said that if we love only those who love us, or give to those who give to us, what good is that?
Okay...that verse was taken out of context from Luke 6:32. And the context of the passage was about loving all men...even your enemies. It is a stretch from the passage to conclude that Jesus was talking about giving money to the poor outright (walking around the street giving free monetary handouts). In fact, in the passage, he talked about "lending" to them. Now, lending could in fact be money, a tunic, a loaf of bread, some sandals, etc. And when you lend Jesus said, don't expect or asking for the item back or contribution. Still a valuable lesson in giving.
The poor we will have with us always (Matthew 26:11). Most people that followed Jesus were looking for the signs, miracles, handouts, but that was NOT His message and purpose for coming to the earth. What good is it, if someone has their physical needs met, but still are on the path to hell? Its the spiritual handout what people need the most...an encounter with God! BUT, often times you cannot just stand by faith expecting to reach the lost/unsaved. You have to show by your works and meet the lost in the physical to perhaps win some over. And that was what Jesus was trying to do with the people. Not to mention that Jesus had compassion and was the ultimate servant of all, so He showed by action. Ultimately going to the cross, for His purpose for coming to earth.
Now, let me recall Jesus' words in Matthew 5:42, "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." Again, we must remember the heart/context of Jesus when He was talking about this to His disciples. He is talking about being a good witness to all that you come across.
satan gets right in there and thumps many Christians with this passage as a weight and leverage that a Christian MUST ALWAYS give to everyone who asks them for money. If that was the case, many of us Christians would be broke! Have you ever had a friend, family member, etc. ask you for a certain sum of money and you barely had enough to get by on...whereas you could not afford to give to them? Now, if you follow the letter of Jesus' words, you have to give up your needs (or your family needs) so that you satisfy Jesus' words. That is not the heart of Christ! Jesus never told us to get rid of common sense and be stupid!
Remember, we have other passages that tells us the heart of God. Do not throw your pearls before swine...said just two chapters later on the same sermon Jesus was giving on the mount (Matthew 7:6). As a family man, I am called to provide for the needs of my family first and foremost. If I do not, I have denied the faith and worst then an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8). So, money and ministering to your family's needs first! If the Lord provides excess (which most of us in Western Civilization has), then by all means, give to the poor. The poor rarely asks for much. Where I am from, it is very typical for people to walk into fast food restaurants to ask for food. I have no problem giving them the meal they ask for. On the streets, most beggars stand of the freeway off ramps, asking for a dollar...not a big deal to give out. I would be out maybe $40 per year on this.
In regards to donating to charities (Red Cross, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitats for Humanity, Save the Dolphins, etc.), I personally have a conviction about that, because they do not promote the Gospel in any way, shape, or form! The money helps out charity for the sake of charity, but it doesn't furtherance the Gospel, which is the most important thing. I am also leery of World Vision, because I read somewhere that 70% of their received support goes for administrative costs. It might come with a "Christian" tag on it, but I believe a lot of charities fatten themselves up with hefty paychecks and various luxuries.
One of my favorite topics is talking about giving, because it is the absolute hardest thing for Christians to do, but the only area where God promises a ROI (Malachi 3). Of course, any debaters on that passage, will have to be in a different thread. I have seen firsthand, year-after-year, where the Lord always come through when I give. You cannot out give God! And He is debtor to no one!
Here are some statistics for you:
- 5% of churchgoers tithe (Church Development)
- Out of the 247 million U.S. citizens identifying as Christians, 1.5 million people tithe
- 77% of tithers give more than 10% (Health Research Funding).
- If every Christian tithed 10%, faith organizations would have an extra $139 billion each year (Health Research Funding).
- The average giving amount per churchgoer is $17 per week (Health Research Funding)...That’s $73.67 per month or $884 per year, per giver.
If you give sparingly (cheaply), then you will reap sparingly (2 Corinthians 9:6)!
I like to point out that in the Old Testament, tithe is the Hebrew word for "tenth."
Looking at the Malachi 3 passage, you will notice two words that God uses about His righteous anger towards His people...they robbed Him in "tithes" and "offerings." The tithe is the 10% portion that should come out of your first fruits of whatever you make...your increase. And the tithe was to go to the storehouses, where you get fed. With the church, this would be to the church. If you watch online only, then you should send in the money to the church in which you get fed through the pastor's teaching.
If you get a $1,000 paycheck a week, then 10% of that would be $100. If you get a disability check for $600 a week, then the tithe would be $60. If you get $900 in social security each week, the tithe would be $90. If you get a welfare check of $500 each month, then the tithe would be $50. If a child gets a $5 per week allowance, then the tithe would be 50 cents, on their own choosing (not forced).
In regards to tax refunds, insurance settlements, inheritances, won money, found money, to each one his own how they want to give faithfully. And different people have different convictions on whether they tithe on gross (pre-tax) or net (after tax).
The offering portion God talked about in Malachi 3 has to do with the above and beyond the tithe (10%). This would be to those with whom you have an emotional connections with (Missionaries, Samaritan's Purse, Gospel for Asia, Far Reaching Ministries, Compassion International, the homeless on the street, the beggars, a fellow congregant that needs new tires for their car, but can't afford it, etc.).
I have done church accounting for a long time, and I get to see how everyone gives. Disclaimer: I could careless what people give, because it is between them and God. But let me tell you, all the statistics out there are 100% accurate when it comes to giving! People are stubborn when it comes to giving. And every single person that I knew that gave sparingly, reap sparingly, just as 2 Corinthians 9:6 says. And those who gave a lot and appropriately, I would hear about how God would bless them with random large amounts of money (pay raises, promotions, better clients, you name it). And almost every person who gave abundantly, were living in a house they own.
One person gave a $600 tithe...which later bounced. When I lovingly brought this to his attention, and explained that the church received a fee on that, he never replaced the tithe or the fee. Months later, he was let go from his job and blamed God for it! He literally was angry at God for allowing him to lose his job! He eventually faded from the church, never to be heard from again.
If you give God's way, you can never go wrong!
