The Church That Gives

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

I published a post that was designed to bless and direct God’s people towards truth. In that post I said, “if your pastor doesn’t command you to give, he doesn’t care for your soul.” This statement comes from 1 Timothy 6:17-19, NKJV, which says, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

The Apostle Paul, a battle hardened, old crusty apostle, in those verses, is teaching his son in the faith, how to oversee the Ephesian church (the largest church in the New Testament that has over 100,000 members). The book of Timothy is directed towards those in leadership in the church. Why does the Apostle Paul use such strong language in his teaching to the apostle Timothy on commanding those who are rich to give? To understand that, we must go back several verses to 1 Timothy 6:9, 10, NKJV, which says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Yes, the Apostle Paul was concerned for the souls of those who were rich. What he saw is the danger of a class of Christians putting their faith in money instead of God. He also saw the danger that wealth posed to believers, especially those who hoarded it. That’s the proper context for the scriptures I quoted. Further, and many believers today may not like to hear this, but the Apostle Paul said, “As long as we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied.” 1 Tim. 6:8, God’s Word Translation. Going further, the Apostle Paul said, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the [a]doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” Yikes!!!

Now, I’m not against those who have wealth or those who desire to be wealthy. The Bible actually teaches us that we can be rich. Abraham was rich, so were Isaac and Jacob. Israel spoiled the Egyptians and took wealth with them into the desert. Joseph was rich. So we’re David and Daniel. And don’t forget Solomon, who was extremely rich. Many of God’s great leaders had wealth and they used their wealth to build God’s kingdom. As an aside, according to Rick Renner, a well known and trusted Bible scholar, the temple in Jerusalem cost more than 30 million dollars per square foot to build. And we have a problem when a pastor buys a used jet to preach the gospel around the world?

This brings me to my point: wealth is given for the purpose of establishing God’s kingdom on earth. In Deuteronomy 8:18, NKJV, which says, “you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” If we’re pursuing wealth on earth, and we forget this basic precept of scripture, then we don’t know what our Bibles say, that we should give to build God’s kingdom on earth. Yes, God is of the opinion that He owns everything, and He teaches, and will even command us to give.

"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Timothy 6:9,10

Seeing things from a long term perspective, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” 1 Tim. 6:7, NKJV. In the scheme of things, having wealth is not the most important thing in life. Nor is hoarding it, for at the end of the day, you will leave this world with zero, zilch, nothing, nada. And the only way to move our treasure on earth to heaven is by giving. That’s it. There’s no other way.

Speaking of context, let’s hear what Jesus said on this matter when he spoke to the rich young ruler: “If you want to be perfect, go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower." Matt. 19:21, CEV. Now, lest you think Jesus was only speaking to the rich young ruler that way, Jesus says to everyone, “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.” Lk. 12:33, NLT.

Some might say, now prophet, that’s not what it means. Really?! How about this one? “Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.” Matt. 5:42, NLT. Gulp! If that doesn’t shake you to your core, then you haven’t been reading your Bible, or more importantly, letting your Bible read you. By the way, that’s a command not an ask from our Lord. But, but, but… Yes, that’s what goats do. And, in this case, I’m not speaking of the Greatest of All Time (Goat)’s. On the contrary, I’m talking to those who are hardened to the words of Jesus.

I think we’ve Americanized Jesus. Today, Jesus is a successful entrepreneur, jet setting, high flying, rich leader who oversees the seven mountains of the world. Hmmm? I don’t think so. Jesus doesn’t just think He’s God, He really is God. And He acts like it. Jesus is coming back as THE King. He expects His rule to be established on earth. The Church was given a mission by Him: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mk. 16:15, NLT. Again, not an ask. Jesus really thinks he has the right to tell us what to do.

Saints, the Church is in trouble. Why? Because we’ve turned men of God into wimpy, wimpy, wimpy men. I believe Jesus was a man’s man. That’s what drew me to Him. Isn’t it time we have some men in the church who do what Jesus said?

If you’re a man looking for a mission, Jesus has one for you. And I think that what men, especially young men are looking for today — purpose. And we have it. It’s the greatest mission on earth, to lay your life down for the sake of the gospel. And yes, God is saying to this generation, “I WANT YOU!”

For us to enter His mission field, we must be willing to give all we have, take up our cross, deny ourselves, die daily, and so much more. The cost of doing God’s will is expensive. If anyone teaches anything else, he or she has missed what God said in His word. The time for wimpy Christianity is over, it’s time for warriors in Christ to rise up. By the way, once you’re in the army, you better get ready for the commander in chief to bark out some orders to you.

This is your drill sergeant.

-Scott Wallis

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