The Miracle of Giving

The American people are supposed to be the most generous people in the world. We have a tax system which depends on our individual integrity. The largess of the world has always been an American responsibility. 90% of all the missionaries of the world are sent out through the generosity of America. The greatest attitude of worship is in our giving. We truly show our devotion to our Creator by the worship of giving. Most of us learned long ago that you cannot out give God. I have found that if a man is right with his pocketbook, he is usually right.

We are bombarded daily with news stories of greed and corruption. Just this week, forty-four people (politicians and even some rabis) were arrested in New Jersey for corruption. In the state of North Carolina, we have many politicians in prison for corruption and most of our politicians -locally, state capital, Washington- if the truth were known, would be dressed in striped clothing. When will the average American citizen have enough intelligence to realize that a politician does not spend thousands and millions of dollars to get elected to a job which pays only a few thousand?

Firstly, I want to discuss secular giving. The New York Times reported that in 2008 the total amount of charitable giving in the United States was $306.69 billion. Of course, we all know, that charity was decent when it was a matter of the heart, rather than the income tax statement. If one gives just for a charitable income tax deduction, it is not a matter of heart, but business.

With the church, you cannot play the bargaining game with God. Do you think for one minute that the God to whom you pray, does not know the intent of your heart? We do not know the exact amount of money given by Catholics, but according to their 1994 audit, their assets were worth $750 billion. Having taken a peek at some of their vehicles parked behind locked gates at plush cathedrals, they enjoy riding in Mercedes and I do not believe the vow of poverty applies to garbed Catholic hierarchy anymore than it applies to the exorbitance of Benny Hinn and some of these “well turned out” television preachers. One television preacher, whose headquarters is in the mid-west, is reported to be a billionaire with his own plane, limousines, motorcycles, etc. The Southern Baptists, one of the largest “one time” evangelical denominations, operate on a budget of $360 million.

The National Council of Churches, mostly liberal congregates, report total income from individuals of 65 Christian denominations that reported financial information for publication, gave an average of $713 to their church in the calendar year of 2005.

When it comes to individuals, the present president, Mr. Obama, reported an income of $4.2 million, and gave contributions of $240,000 last year. The present vice president, Mr. Joe Biden, reported an income of $319,853 and gave only $369 in charitable contributions. The past president, Mr. George W. Bush, reported an income of $936,111 and gave $165,660. The Republican presidential candidate, John McCain had reported earnings of $405,409 and his contributions were more than $202,000.

We could go on for pages giving prominent political and celebrity personality's incomes and their reported charitable contributions. But, it is now, as always, a very personal matter. And with the Christian, it is a matter between the redeemed and the Redeemer. Just as a father shows his love for his family (Luke 11:11) by giving his family good things, so our Heavenly Father who gives us everything. We show our love to Him by willingly, cheerfully returning to Him a portion of what He has given us. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

I truly believe the answer to financial success is your willingness to return to God a substantial portion with which He has trusted you. If the hairs on your head are numbered, and I believe they are, if He knows your every thought, and I believe He does, He certainly knows how He can trust you. Worship is a matter of trust. I still am amazed that most evangelical churches profess a worship service. But, from all outward appearances, have attendees who know nothing about worship, in spirit or in truth. Almighty God who designed the universe and everything in it, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), who owns all the gold in all the mountains, does not need your money. Playing church, playing games with God, will only result in your making an absolute fool of yourself. But, every time I think of foolish people doing foolish things, God directs my attention to that old rugged cross on Calvary where our blessed Lord said, “Forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

The Old Testament Jewish nation, was controlled by the law; six hundred, fifteen laws by which they lived, including tithing. Tithing is giving the first one tenth. The Jews were required in the law to give two types of tithes: a continuous tithe (Deut 14: 22-27) was given at the end of each harvest and the proceeds were taken to the place of worship. It was either given in cash or goods for the Levite to enjoy the blessing of the tithe because he was a worker in the temple, administering spiritual things to them. The other was a three year tithe (Deut 14: 28-29; 26: 12-14) which was given tri-annually and was to meet the needs of the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow living in the land. This was God’s form of social provision or social welfare so that no one would starve. He is indeed a gracious, caring and loving God. The Jews were not allowed to forget to tithe since God was and still is concerned about the welfare of those who served Him as well as those who were destitute. If we follow His principles in the body of Christ (as the disciples did in Acts 4), none will lack. Even the corners of the fields were left unharvested for the use of the poor.

From the beginning, however, we must adopt the idea that we give a percentage of our treasure; we cannot base it on impulse, giving "a little something" from what we "have left over". Instead, our offering should represent "the firstfruits of our produce" (Proverbs 3:9) offered because we feel the need to "honor the Lord with our substance", because we want show our gratitude to Him for His blessings, and because we acknowledge our part in His work of redeeming the world. Yard sales are not the answer.

Perhaps the most significant area of Old Testament giving is found in the last book of the Old Testament, where in Malachi 3:10 we are told to test God and are warned about robbing God. It is in the New Testament where Christ redeems us from the law that we find, even as giving ourselves to His glory, we give our means to His glory cheerfully, as God has blessed us.

The man of God takes care of his family's needs first. God expects him to care for his family's needs -mortgage, food, clothing- and in our free will relationship with Jesus Christ we will be blessed, for we are assured that as the birds of the air or the flowers in the field, God knows our needs and will take care of everything. This is “the faith that overcomes the world.”

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25

Invest in the spreading of God's fragrant aroma. Remember to give where you are spiritually fed. I know, just as you know, that some in full time Christian service do not have the servant attitude. Some, in full time Christian service, living too well off God's gifts, WILL GIVE an explanation to the One who keeps a perfect set of books about how and why they could talk one way and then walk another.

My son, foreign missionary on the mission field, had lunch with the pilot of Benny Hinn's private plane. He was disgusted with the information about the way this televangelist lived (lifestyle of the rich and famous). I made a decision long ago, that the greatest joy of my discipleship is the giving of my means. I give far more than the tithe, but I draw a line when I find that those who should live as frugally as I live, live much better than the stewards, the laborers in the vineyard. I have always worn second-hand clothing and only buy anything when on special sale. Why should the servant of God, those paid from the storehouse, show extravagance of any type?

Last week, talking with my youngest grandson, a senior at a large Baptist university, he said, “Most are just pretenders.” God does the judging. In fact, He has already judged. The Christian life is not a mascaraed extravaganza. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are great gospels, but the greatest gospel is the fifth: YOU. This is the gospel most people read and it applies to all actions of the followers of Christ. Our greatest gift is salvation and our greatest life experience is to give.