Proverbs 28:27 ¶ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
The Bible here promises that if you are generous
to give to those who are less fortunate than yourself you will not lack what
you need. This verse, written under the Law, to the inhabitants of the kingdom
of Israel, promises a physical reward for a physical offering.
Christians, too, are told of the importance of
generosity, particularly to their poorer brothers and sisters in Christ, and to
all men in general.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no
more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is
good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
The Christian attitude toward giving is clearly
preached by Paul as he talks to the Corinthian church.
2 Corinthians 8:10 And herein I give my
advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do,
but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it;
that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out
of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted
according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 For I
mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that
now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their
abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As
it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had
gathered little had no lack.
The context here is in helping poorer churches.
In this context of Christian helping Christian Paul goes on to say;
2Corinthians 9:6 ¶ But this I say, He which
soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his
heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a
cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye,
always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9
(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his
righteousness remaineth for ever.
Notice how the early Christians lived in Jerusalem.
Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and
goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things
that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution
was made unto every man according as he had need.
This is not about giving to the church
organization so that the Pastor can have a new study or so that the basketball
court can be under roof. This is about what a truly New Testament church should
be doing for the poorer believers in its own congregation and for churches it
is associated with that are going through rough times. A Christian church that
spends money on new buildings and parking lots and yet has one elderly person
in their midst without a family who can’t pay their heating bills is hardly
worthy of being called a New Testament church. In fact, the Christians in Rome
early on, at least, were known for being generous in feeding not only their own
poor but the pagan poor as well.
Many Christians have expressed a belief that our
country should be run this way if it is to be a Christian nation. However, the
actions of the church are voluntary, in obedience to Christ, not performed at
the point of a gun. In any event, we have two huge issues in governance that
would hinder the proper application of this on a national scale.
The first is in how the government throws money
at people who refuse to work when work is available and feel that aid is owed
to them by virtue of their race or ethnicity or for any other reason in order
to gain their political support and vote.
2Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were
with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he
eat.
The second is the largesse awarded to those who
don’t need it in the form of tax breaks in order to get their political support
and money.
Proverbs 22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to
increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Anyway, if you truly wanted to run the country
Biblically you would first go to a person’s family to demand that they help
them in their poverty before you threw it on the taxpayer.
1 Timothy 5:3 ¶ Honour widows that are widows
indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to
shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and
acceptable before God……….16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let
them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them
that are widows indeed.
So, government taxation is an entirely different
issue than Christian giving. We are told by Jesus Himself to pay our taxes
faithfully as a testimony which even He did (read Matthew 17:24-27) but there
is little comparison to be made between having your property confiscated so
that a government agent can attempt to purchase someone’s vote with it and you
giving out of a heart of love to help someone less fortunate than yourself. I will
admit that some people have declared that they are happy to pay taxes if that
will help others and that’s a wonderful attitude. But, again, taxation
generally is by force of law and Christian giving is voluntary out of love. Not
the same.
The Christian must remember that all of his
money and personal possessions he has by God’s grace and kindness toward him so
that all of his resources should be available for God’s use. The actions of the
Christian should be voluntary out of an unfeigned love of the brethren, which
is what the word “charity” means in 1 Corinthians 13. If it meant our day to
day definition of charity then this verse would make no sense;
1Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my
goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not
charity, it profiteth me nothing.
As God promises in this Proverb that the person
who hides his eyes from the poor’s plight will suffer many curses under the
Law, under Grace God promises us that if we are generous and bountiful in our
giving that we will not suffer lack.
Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know
also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no
church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not
because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the
things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
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