Charitable Giving

Acts 11:29-30

Love is one of the things the Holy Spirit produces in every Christian. Acts 2:44-45 Describes the expression of that love when the Christians were filled with the Holy spirit. “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” The spiritual love was no longer concerned with possessions, but with what others were experiencing, according to Acts 4:32. “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”

They were literally a family, and had the same attitude of sharing as a healthy family, willingly giving up their own desires because of love. There was no longer that old attitude of “it’s mine”. Some, like Barnabas, gave up a great deal for the sake of others, as Acts 4:34-37 describes. “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, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.”

While many have tried to put such a system in place, in communes and experimental situations, they always fail because love has to be voluntary. Socialism always fails because human nature is selfish and no amount of forcing people to give resolves the problem. Only love overcomes that human trait. Even most charitable giving is for the sense of pride in helping others, or admiration from others, and rarely goes to the point of real sacrifice of one’s own comforts. The Holy Spirit produced a love that went far beyond that.

“Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” (Acts 11:29-30)

Though they themselves suffered from the famine, the Holy Spirit produced a love by the Gentile Christians in Antioch that caused them to help the Jewish Christians in Israel when they heard of the lack. Years later, in II Corinthians 8:5, Paul described the actions of the Macedonians in giving to a similar relief effort. “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” That is what is required to be filled with the Spirit.

The Macedonian Christians allowed the Holy Spirit to fill and direct them. As a result, their giving went far beyond what Paul and his companions expected. Through the years, I have been amazed by the number of Missionaries who have told us their people just would never support the church or give. As a result their churches continue to be supported by churches elsewhere. I can only conclude the Holy Spirit has not filled the people. II Corinthians 8 and 9 are devoted to encouraging the Corinthian Christians to yield to the Holy Spirit in this area.

Several Missionaries have told us their people are so poor it would be unfair to expect them to give. As Paul stated in II Corinthians 8:12, the willingness is more important than the amount. “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.”

II Corinthians 9:6-9 makes some wonderful promises for those who give freely. “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."

The missionaries who don’t allow their churches to give and support the church or to share other Christians’ needs deprive their people of spiritual growth, apparently lacking the faith themselves to believe that God will supply. They also prevent them from receiving the blessings God has promised.

God’s plan was never that one group support another, but that no one suffers unduly. II Corinthians 8:13-14 describes what was intended. “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 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:”

If the church doesn’t do it’s part, it is not right for other churches to be asked to do it for them. In II Thessalonians 3:10 they were commanded not to support those who wouldn’t do their part. “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” We harm them by encouraging them to be selfish and unspiritual.