More Plain Words On Giving

by Dorricott, J. | Category: General | Jan 1954

When Israel was in the land, and in a right condition, they took the firstfruits of the ground and put them in a basket and went unto the place which the LORD chose to put His name. What a lovely sight to see the highways to Shiloh or Zion filled with Israelites, carrying their baskets of firstfruits, to give unto the LORD! Those baskets would be filled with the very best they had. With what real joy of heart would they give them to the priest, and see them set down before the altar of the LORD, they worshipping before Him! There would be real cheerfulness in their giving, and joy in their worship as they prostrated themselves before Him (Deuteronomy 26.). This continued so long as they walked in His fear.

We allude to this only to teach us that, in our giving to the Lord, we should give to Him the firstfruits and the best, with a cheerful, worshipping spirit. "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9.7).Let us remember too that "he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully" (verse 6), and we read in Proverbs 11.24, 25, "There is that scattereth and increaseth yet more" and also "the liberal soul shall be made fat."

We must always remember that our giving should be "according as a man hath, not according as he hath not" (2 Corinthians 8.12). A divine principle is also seen in 1 Corinthians 16.2, A.V. :-" Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him." There are some recurring needs which require our constant attention, and there are other occasional needs. As recurring needs we would mention-(1) Brethren wholly out in the Lord's service, (2) needy saints, and (3) general expenses of the assembly

(1) This calls for constant exercise on the part of each one in the assembly. Let it ever be remembered that the pattern set forth in the New Testament shows that when the saints gave it was for a specific purpose (not putting into one general collecting box) and the elders distributing. The saints knew beforehand to what object they were contributing. It is divinely laid down as a definite obligation for saints in an assembly of God to minister to the need of those wholly out in the Lord's work (Matthew 10.10). Those who are householders know the great increase in the cost of living in recent years. Have we thought that this increased expense has fallen upon these 'labourers' as well as upon ourselves? Have our gifts to the Lord increased proportionately with increase of wages? Please read carefully 1 Corinthians 9.6-18.

It is our duty to give effect to divine principles of ministering to the Lord's servants by contributing to their necessities, which, rightly viewed, is a privilege indeed. Note again the words of 1 Corinthians 16.2. "Every one of you" (A.V.), "Each one of you" (R.V.).

Read and enjoy what the Lord thinks of such giving in Paul's words to the Philippian assembly when they had sent to him in Rome (chapter 4.14-19). Those "things" sent to the Lord's imprisoned servant were classed among the sweet smelling offerings unto the Lord. Yea, we can say, "With such sacrifices God is well pleased."

What a happy contrast this is to the manner in which the carnal church of God in Corinth treated Paul! for it stands indelibly written against them, "when I was present with you and was in want" (2 Corinthians 11.9).

(2) We have, in connexion with the churches of God, and also with those outside the churches, to remember the need of the poor. As stated, this responsibility extends not only to the poor of "the household of the faith," but we are exhorted to "do good unto all men." In Galatians 2.9 Paul writes that James and Cephas and John gave to him and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship that he and Barnabas should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision; "only" he added, "they would that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do" (verse 10). The Lord Jesus also said, "Ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good" (Mark 14.7). Thus continuous provision has to be made for this object, and so assemblies provide a receptacle for such gifts.

The following scriptures show that when the saints gave for the poor they gave specifically for that purpose and the elders attended to the distribution. (See Acts 2.45, 46; 4.35-37; 11.29, 30; 1 Corinthians 16.1; 2 Corinthians 8.; Romans 12.13). We also see from 1 Timothy 5.9-16, how widows (and those that are desolate) should be provided for when they are widows indeed.

(3) Provision has to be made for assembly expenses. This is a debt of obligation into which we have entered as partners in assembly responsibility, as much so as the responsibility of our home expenses. Romans 13.8 is binding upon us in this matter.

In all these privileges and responsibilities, and other occasional ones, the chief thing is to have a spirit stirred up and a willing heart. When the Lord has ourselves and our hearts the matter of giving becomes a joy and a pleasure and saves us from giving grudgingly, "For God loveth a cheerful (hilarious) giver" (2 Corinthians 9.7). If these divine principles are fully grasped, and they grip us, we shall view them as part of our religious service to God, for in Hebrews 13.15 we are exhorted to "offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not:

for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

When we have given what we consider our utmost, let us exclaim with joy, after David's example, " Of Thine own have we given Thee" (1 Chronicles 29.14).

"I gave My life for thee; My precious blood was shed,

That thou mightst ransomed be, And quickened from the dead:

I gave My life for thee; WHAT HAST THOU GIVEN FOR ME?"

Dorricott, J. | Jan 1954
General