Guidelines For Giving

II Corinthians 9:6-15

Several years ago, Organic Gardening published an article on wide row gardening. Traditional row planting is designed for mechanized planting, cultivating, and harvesting. More than 2/3 of the land is reserved for the passage of the machinery, rather than for growing crops. Home gardeners rarely have either the machinery or the land to waste. As a result they are better served by using different practices.

In wide row planting, the plants are planted in a triangular pattern in rows as wide as it is practical to reach across to weed and harvest. The spacing of the plants varies with the type of crop. Because the home gardener is more concerned with maximum yield, rather than maximum size, the plants can be spaced at what yields the maximum amount of food rather than the largest specimen. The closeness of the plants shades the ground between them, discouraging weed growth, and reducing evaporation. This reduces cultivation demands, and lowers water requirements for the amount of food produced. The size of garden required is reduced, reducing the amount of energy expended on plowing. The primary increase of expense is for additional seed, but it is more than offset by the increase in yield.

Corn is especially benefited by the practice because it is pollinated by the pollen falling from the tassel to the silks on the ears. The outer rows of a field tend to be less well pollinated because wind blows the pollen away. With wide row planting, more of the pollen is caught, increasing yield in yet another way. It is not uncommon to produce 4 to 5 times as much food in the same area, and at less expense using these techniques. As a result, books which recommend these techniques, such as Square Foot Gardening have become major sellers.

Both Paul and Jesus make reference to the effect changes can have on the outcome in the Christian life. Paul speaks in this passage of the fact that the potential for yield is limited by the amount of seed planted. While you may get less than the amount of seed planted can produce, you will not get more. Skimping in this area will definitely reduce one’s yield.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 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: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.” (II Corinthians 9:6-9)

Each man is to give as he decides. The church ought not dictate how much each gives. It is to be given freely and cheerfully. In Exodus 25:2, only what was willingly given was acceptable. “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” Luke 6:38 assures us that giving will be rewarded in fair measure. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Malachi 3:8-11 speaks of the obligation to give, and of the benefit of giving. In verse 10 they are instructed to store up those offerings to provide for the Lord’s work, rather than taking up an offering as it is needed, “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.” God promises to reward obedience in this matter.

The occasion for this passage was a need to help fellow Christians in Jerusalem, and paul was not alone in recognizing the need. Psalm 19:17 reminds us, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

In the parable of the sower, Jesus described the different results depending on where the seed landed. Some landed on unprepared ground and never had a chance to produce. Some landed on stony ground and sprang up very quickly, giving the illusion of benefit, but died because it was unable to sustain the growth, Some fell among thorns and was hindered from production. What fell on good ground, prepared, without rocks, and having the weeds removed was productive.

To try to meet every need around us will only make us as needy as the others. We need to be sure our giving accomplishes something. To give money to a drug addict is usually a waste of time as he just blows it on more drugs, rather than something he needs. Being aware of where the seed is going and how it is used will make major differences in the results of our giving, for us and for the recipients. Paul gave some guidelines in his letters to Timothy, and the Thessalonians.

“Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (I Timothy5:3-8)

The church is to help those who have no source of income. It is the family’s responsibility first. The life style of the recipient must be considered. We are not to help those who make no effort to support themselves, but to encourage them to begin to provide for themselves. Paul was quite explicit about this.

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” (II Thessalonians 3:10-12)

Our giving must not enable people to avoid taking their own responsibility, nor can it enable them to continue in sin. When we do so, we are partakers of their sin. If the church supports one who someone else is responsible for, they enable him to deny the Lord. They are to take their responsibility according to I Timothy 5:16. “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.”

The past record of the recipient needs to be examined, as well as present abilities to provide for themselves, and taken into account in our giving. It should not be based on emotional feelings.

“Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;” (I Timothy 5:9-11)

Proper giving will result in God’s blessings on the giver. It also is a blessing to the recipient, strengthening him in his walk with Christ, and bringing glory and thanksgiving to God. Failure to give, or improper giving may be ineffective, or even do harm to the recipient or the giver.

“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (II Corinthians 9:11-15)