Giving

So I have been having many conversations since coming here about giving. I understand the point of view that we should not come and just give “handouts,” like candy to kids on the street or to just nickel and dime the poor. As missionaries, we want people to see Jesus… not all the stuff we have to offer.

But what about the people we build relationships with? What about the child who needs their school fees paid? What about the mother who needs to feed her children? What about the baby who needs medical care?

Most of the people here work harder than anyone in America. Work is valued. Even young children work hard doing chores, cooking, etc.

I have heard some views expressed that basically you should not give “handouts” at all. In other words, if you are going to give money, the person you are giving to should do some sort of work in return [maybe not for you but just work in general]. That way they don’t see Americans/missionaries for their possessions.

So I’ve been wondering about this. Does this quench the Spirit working inside of us? Does this take away God’s ability to act in extraordinary ways? Or does giving “handouts” hurt more than it helps? Does it teach people here to expect things from us instead of trusting God to provide?
Most of us know the verses in the Bible that talk about reaping and sowing. In 2 Corinthians 9 Paul talks about this,

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

But maybe some feel that our place for giving is tithing in the church. I certainly agree that giving to the church is very important, but is that where we stop?

James makes a statement about the way we should live, “Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” [James 1:27]

It doesn’t exactly say “tithe to your church who will take care of widows and orphans.” As followers of Christ we are personally called to this!

Maybe I am just finding the scripture to support my view. Don’t get me wrong, I know that work is important. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 it says “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” I know that the first thing God gave Adam was a job! Most of the people here work very very hard. But what about at home? What about the people who seem to be idle? Should I not give to them? I’m just not sure it’s my place to judge whether or not someone deserves my giving. Maybe I just need to trust God to convict me when I should give.

Most of us have heard Jesus’ teaching that whatever you’ve done to the least of these you’ve done to me. We are called to love others and consider them better than ourselves. We are called to treat others as if they actually are Jesus. I can’t imagine telling Jesus, “I want to give you this money for food, but please come clean my house first in order to earn it.” I am thankful we don’t serve a God who expects us to earn the good gifts He has given us!

In Acts when it talks about community it says,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they GAVE to ANYONE AS HE HAD NEED. Everyday they continued to meet in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
[Acts 2:42-47]

I will probably have another blog about community. But for now let’s look at the fact that those who were following Jesus sold their possessions in order to give to ANYONE who was in need. Their acts of love and obedience caused people to commit their lives to Christ DAILY.
I think God is going to continue to teach me more on this subject over the course of my time here. I would love to hear any comments anyone has as I explore this!