A VERY prominent church pastor in Lusaka would usually preach a message on giving.
On one particular occasion, one of her congregants, whom I will call Jane Banda (not real name), was moved so much that she decided to give all her wealth and business income to the church.
She had been informed that this was the only way she could access the “next level” of blessings that awaited her.
If she had enough “faith”, she would exhibit that “faith” through her giving.
She was promised that she would receive a thirty-fold, sixty-fold and perhaps even a hundred-fold increase on her seed.
Simply put, the K200m (US$400,000) that she was giving could even come back as a K20bn ($40m) and God would give her His seal of approval!
Preposterous as this may sound, you wouldn’t believe the number of people that have fallen prey to this spiritual scam.
It may not be huge amounts like the above scenario (a true story among many).
Many have given $10, $100, $1,000 or more to “tap” into the “prosperity anointing”.
They are promised heaven on earth and “breakthroughs” of the highest degree if only they can show proof of their faith through this giving.
Suffice to say that Jane Banda suffered great setbacks, lost all her business, her marriage and was even committed into an insane asylum for a nervous breakdown.
As you may imagine, some phony reason was cited for her “manifestation” and she was left to hung without any further help except for the occasional rhetorical statements of “keep believing and trusting in God and He will see you through”.
As you probably guessed, the church was able to benefit greatly from this “financial gift” and Jane was not supported in any way except through “prayers and supplications”.
The purpose of these articles over the next few weeks is to bring a balanced view on the issue of tithe, offerings, seeds and general giving. What is the right way to give? Is giving of tithe a command in the Bible?
What about seed giving? How about sowing into the life of the man or woman of God? Are these things sanctioned in scripture? Is the above scenario right or wrong? Who was right and who was wrong?
To understand this subject, let me borrow an adage from the English language that my pastor (Pr. Jeff Day of Potters House, Libala Congregation) preached on recently, “Do not throw out the baby with the bath water”!
There are many truths concerning tithes and offerings, however, the waters have been greatly muddied by a new school of erroneous teachings that have done a great deal of harm to the body of Christ and caused others to veer away from the faith.
Let me quote a whole passage of scripture drawn from Ephesians 4: 12-15 from the Amplified version that puts it quite clearly:
“His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.
“So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly].
Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him, who is the head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)”.
Even as we learn about these principles, we need to realise the five core reasons for giving to God (in order of priority).
As you study these reasons remember that God loves a cheerful giver, not one who has been compelled to give and does so begrudgingly. That one will not get a blessing out of their action. Again, the Bible declares.
“Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving (2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 The Message)”.
The Bible outlines clearly how exactly we should give, that a) we must be generous according to our ability and purpose; b) that we must PLAN for it; c) it must be done without compulsion or moving stories and sermons and; d) the giver must be happy about it!
If you find yourself giving outside of these four points, you ought to question the factors and seriously reconsider or bear the consequences of your giving if they end up negative.
The five reasons we give to God is because
1. We Love God (Deuteronomy 6: 4 – 6).
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. (NKJV)
Our love for God should transcend all other motives; meaning we should be able to demonstrate that love in our giving as well.
Remember that each one of us is always willing to give of ourselves in total when it comes to our spouses, family members and close friends.
God transcends all these and if we truly love Him and honour Him, we should never be stumbled or reluctant when it comes to expressing that love through giving.
2. In obedience to God’s word
5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
(1 John 2:5) (NKJV)
Obedience to God’s word carries with it a blessing. When we love God, it is logical that we are also obedient and willing to do His commands and giving is asked of us.
3. As a means to help carry out the Great Commission; 18 and Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
(Matthew 28: 18-20) (NKJV)
The preaching of the gospel for the salvation of mankind is a priority in the Kingdom of God because it all starts here. God wants as many people to get saved as is humanly possible.
Any contribution that is made toward the welfare of those preaching the gospel and the facilitation of the same is received positively by the Lord.
4. Because we want to see others blessed
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. (Acts 20:34-36) (NKJV)
God through His word has shown us clearly that when we care for others and support the under privileged, we are giving to God directly and looking after the welfare of those he cares about.
When we allow ourselves to be used of God for helping others, we are lending to God and He will repay us in one way or another.
5. Because we expect a return
38 Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6: 38) (NKJV)
At the bottom of the list, we give because we expect a return. God designed the law of returns as such that when we give of ourselves, we get back what we give multiplied.
As you give and do good to others, God will send others to do good to you. Your works and giving will rise up as a memorial before God and cause Him to move on your behalf and bless you and what is yours.
In my next article, we are going to delve into the first of the six principles. – lordsoracle@gmail.com