In today's bible study we will be going over the topic of giving. This article will be divided up into five categories which include instruction, who are we to give to, examples of God or others giving, Rewards for giving and the other category. Let's go into the first category.
Instruction on
We see in Exo 23:10-11 that the Israelite's were instructed to let their land, olive yards, and vineyards rest in the seventh year so that the poor and beast may eat thereof. They were also instructed to leave the corners of their field and gleanings for the poor
(Lev 19:9 -10). Additionally when they forgot a sheaf in the field they were to leave it for the stranger/fatherless/widow, they were also instructed to not go over their olive tree boughs again but leave them for those people i just mentioned (Deu 24:19 -22).
Here are a few more instructions in the OT that I thought that i should mention. Pro 3:28 teaches us not to ask our neighbor to come back tomorrow when we have it on us today. It makes sense because after all you or they might not live till tomorrow. We also learn in proverbs those that give to the rich and those that oppress the poor to obtain more wealth will suffer need (Pro 22:16).
Further more Jesus instructs us not to do our alms to be seen of men, in other words we shouldn't sound a trumpet when we give to the needy. Instead we should rather do our alms in secret (Mat 6:1-4). I see this command broken all the time when businesses advertise how much money they donate. As followers of Christ we are not only to do good to those that love us but to those that hate us as well (Luk 6:27-35). This wasn't just a New Testament teaching but an Old Testament one as well (Pro 25:21 -22).
We see in 1Co 16:1-2 that Paul gave instructions for the Corinthians and Galatians to lay in store as God as prospered them on the first day of the week. The bible speaks of an equality between believers concerning giving, that your abundance will be a supply to those who lack and vice versa (2Co 8:11 -15, Luk 3:10-11). Under the old testament we see that the Israelite's were required to pay a certain % tithe, but what does the New Testament tell us concerning giving. It says we are to give according as we purpose in our heart, it also says we aren't to give grudgingly or of necessity (2 Cor 9:7).
2 Cor 12:14 tells us that that it's the parents who are supposed to lay up for their children and not the other way around, though it is good for children to requite their parents (1 Tim 5:4), see also Pro 13:22. I also believe that it's important when we do our good works that we do it in Jesus name (Col 3:17).
Who does the Bible say that We are to Help / Give to
For this category let's start in the book of the Psalms and we will go from there. First I will mention the passages that say to give God glory and strength as well as the glory due unto his name (Psa 29:1 -2, Psa 96:7 -8). Then there's Psa 30:12, Psa 92:1, Psa 105:1, Psa 118:29 which are verses about giving thanks unto God/the Lord.
Then there are numerous passages throughout the bible about how we are to treat the poor including Psa 112:9, Pro 14:21, Pro 14:31, Pro 21:13, Pro 22:9, Pro 28:27, Pro 29:7, Pro 31:20, Mar 10:21, and Gal 2:10). A few of which describe the terrible consequences of neglecting them. In fact one of the iniquities of Sodom was that she didn't strengthen the hand of the poor and needy (Eze 16:49).
We read in Mat 5:42 that Jesus tells us to give to him that asks of us, so I guess that means everybody. This is reaffirmed in Paul's epistle when he tells us to do good unto all men (Gal 6:10). Here is a personal suggestion from me to the reader. If you suspect someone would use the money that you give them to buy drugs or alcohol just give them food, clothing, etc instead. The great thing about helping fellow Christians is that when we give to them we are also giving to Jesus (Matt 25:40).
Another great example of a good work found in scripture is located in the passages of Luk 14:12 -14. In it we find that when we have supper we should call in those that cannot repay us such as the maimed, the lame, the blind, etc and that way we will be rewarded at the resurrection of the just. Furthermore Paul instructs us to pay tribute and custom as well (Rom 13:6 -7), in the next verse he tells us to "Owe no man any thing" therefore if a Christian has some kind of debt he should make it a priority to pay back that debt asap.
The bible also instructs us to support the weak (Act 20:35) and exhorts those that were thieves to give to those in need instead of stealing (Eph 4:28). To sum this section up briefly we should help saints (Rom 12:13) as well as those that are considered to be our enemy (Rom 12:20).
See also: Isa 42:12
Examples of Those that Gave in Scripture
Now let's look at a few examples of those that gave in the bible. We have God giving man animals to eat in Gen 9:2 -3, Jacob giving Joseph that coat of many colours in Gen 37:3, in Jos 21:43 we see that the Lord gave the children of Israel the land that he promised to give unto their fathers. One of my personal favorite passages about giving in the Old Testament is in 1Sa 25:18 -35. Here we have David's future wife Abigail giving him and his men various foodstuffs. Then there's the queen of Sheba giving Solomon a whole lot of spices (1 Kin 10:10).
We see in the New Testament that Jesus was given Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh (Mat 2:11). Perhaps one of the more grotesque gifts that was given in the bible is when Herod gave Herodias' daughter the head of John the baptist in a charger (Mar 6:24-25). An example of a man who gave much alms to the people in the books of acts is the one called Cornelius (Act 10:1-2). The apostle Paul also gave alms as well (Act 24:17).
One of the most Important gifts that was ever given is when God gave his Son so that we might be forgiven of our sins (Joh 3:16, Rom 5:18, Rom 6:23, Eph 2:8). God is also the one that gives us repentance (2 Tim 2:25), the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 4:8), and spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12). In fact every good gift is from above and comes down from God (Jam 1:17).
The Reward for Giving and Doing Good
The Israelite's were instructed by the Lord to help their poor brethren and not to be grieved when helping them. This is because God said that he would bless them in the work of their hands for doing this (Deu 15:7 -11). So we know that the Lord blesses those that consider the poor. We learn in Psa 41:1-3 that the Lord will strengthen him in his bed of languishing and will deliver him in his time of trouble.
It may seem counter-intuitive to some people but it is true that those that hoard their wealth end up becoming poor and those that are generous with what they have actually increase (Pro 11:24 -25). This can be explained by Pro 19:17 that shows when you give to the poor you are actually lending to God and that the Lord pays you back for this good deed.
The bible shows us that we don't have to be rich to give to those in need as we will be rewarded for giving a cup of cold water to these little ones when we do it in the name of a disciple (Mat 10:42).
However we also know that we reap in proportion to what we sow (2Co 9:6). Lastly I want to point out for this section is the passage of 1 Cor 3:10-15 which is commonly known as the judgment seat of Christ. In it, it describes the saint's works being tried by fire and if there work isn't burnt up they shall receive a reward.
See also: Pro 3:9 -10, Mat 19:21, 1Pe 3:9
Other Passages about Giving
As important as giving is in the life of a Christian there is a type of giving that we obviously shouldn't do, and that is the giving of bribes. There are several passages throughout the bible that tell us how bribes pervert judgment or how this is wrong. Here are just a few examples (Deut 16:19, 1 Sam 8:3, Prov 29:4, Isa 33:15). Furthermore we learn in Luke 11:5-13 among other things that if we ask it shall be given us and that even evil people know how to give good gifts to their kids.
We see the example of the poor widow and the two mites in Mar 12:41 -44, here we see that even though she threw in a less amount of money than the rich people that Jesus still considered it more because it was all that she had. The early church was so generous in their giving that they didn't even consider their own personal property as their own but "had all things common" (Act 4:32).
So in conclusion we see that giving is a key characteristic of a Christian. As Christians we are instructed to not just say we love people but demonstrate it by our actions; this is how we show our faith, by our works. Therefore we should be eager to help those who come to us in need (1Jn 3:17 -18, Jas 2:15 -18).
Other Relevent verses: Job 31:16 -22, Psa 37:21, Psa 112:5
Jer 22:13, Pro 21:26, 1Co 10:24, Php 2:4, 1Ti 6:17 -19
Thanks for reading please share!!!!
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