Revolution Era

A Call For Big Change in Small Steps

At this point you may be thinking, "Ok Mr. Know-It-All, so what's your solution then? Do you really think YOU have all the answers? If there were a better way, we would have found it already!" Well let me start by saying that I do NOT have all the answers. And I don't have a master plan either. But I don't think that a master plan is what we need since it wouldn't apply to every congregation anyways. Home churches differ from one another just as much as 1000 member churches differ from each other as well. 

However, I do believe that there are certain principles and guidelines that do apply to every group and congregation. One of the reasons that Jesus taught in parables is so that the principle and message he was trying to get across would apply on the broadest scale possible. So based on what we've discovered together in our investigation of the Scriptures, I would like to share the following thoughts that are derived from these Biblical principles. 

These Things Must Stop

1. Tithing Needs to Stop - Now understand that I didn't say "giving needs to stop". But the teachings, fear-mongering, and threats that come from the Old Covenant demand for tithing needs to stop at once. We have concluded that there is no place for tithing in the New Covenant, so to perpetuate something that is harmful and misleading is unacceptable. The teachings of Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and Malachi on tithing are not relevant to the New Covenant people of Christ who are not subject to the Law of Moses.

2. Curb the Spending - The line between "need" and "want" seems to get more blurry as the congregation increases in number. Do church buildings "need" to be half built out of crystal? Do they need a man-made lake on their property? Are these needs or wants? This line of reasoning has to filter down into the smaller stuff too. We do not need to look like or emulate other non-profit organizations like the Cancer Society. We are supposed to be different!

3. Corporate Church - I understand that the government classifies us as a non-profit organization. And I understand that we need to have systems in place that keep everyone accountable in their accounting practices and administration. Money is being donated, expenses are being paid, and income-tax receipts must be given out by law. But is it possible to be a good steward of the money that comes in from people and manage it with integrity in adherence with the law of our nation but NOT TREAT the church like a business? Is it possible for board members (or elders) and leaders to stop acting like CEOs and CFOs and COOs? If we can't find LEGITIMATE and consistent New Testament support for the way we operate as a family of Believers, then we need to stop trying to find a verse here and a verse there to justify our methods and change them altogether into a method that is is harmonized with Scripture.

4. Church Growth - This goes beyond the scope of this article, but it does need to be added here. The goal and objective of any congregation cannot be just increase in membership numbers. It is un-Biblical, and has been proven faulty time and time again historically. Look at mega churches. What do we all say about them? "A mile-wide and an inch deep". Or, what about Christians that decide to move from one church to another? How can this be growth in God's eyes, since they are already in Christ? Discipleship is the only Biblical objective for the Body of Christ after evangelism. Matthew 28:18-20 cannot be spelled out any more clearly - Go out (not huddle in) and make disciples (not members). Then add in Ephesians 4:11-16 for some practical steps, and the mandate becomes pretty clear. If we are not taking people under our wings and walking out this faith with them, day in and day out, we are not making disciples. Jesus had purposely keep his group small so he could disciple them properly (for more, read here: http://ptmin.org/ministrytoday.pdf)

These Must Begin

1. Teach "Giving" From the New Testament - The Scriptures that were cited above from the New Testament carry enough weight and depth to support a life-long teaching series. We must realize that we are in a New Covenant. The call in the New Covenant to give is much greater than the call to tithe in the Old Covenant. Therefore, Christians must be made aware of this great call from our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Change the Vocabulary - Tithes, Offerings, Sacrifices, First Fruits, and Storehouses are nouns that have been so abused and misused that they should just be laid to rest. Yes, they are brought up a few times in the New Testament, but they were only used to speak to a Jewish audience for the sake of explaining something about Christ and the fact that they were set free from the Law of Moses. Instead, as we teach people about giving from a New Testament perspective, we will develop a new vocabulary.

3. Change the Priority List - The mandate according to Jesus Christ, John, Peter, and Paul is that we first and foremost give to other Believers who are in need or lack. This includes ministers of the Gospel. This cannot be negotiable. Therefore, emphasis must be taught and placed on giving to another brother or sister who is in financial need. This is the first place a Christian's money must go to. Then, and only then, can a Christian give whatever amount they choose to their local congregation. The righteous shall live by faith, and leaders must rise to the call to believe that God will provide for the monthly expense needs of the facility and salaries.

Now, it is obvious that there will be weeks where you won't come across anyone that is in financial need. If that's the case then there is no problem in giving whatever amount you have purposed in your heart into the congregational collection plate. Just don't allow yourself to fall back into the old habit! There are people to the left and right of you on Sunday morning who don't have money for this month's rent, their daughter's braces, their son's tuition, or to fix their broken prescription glasses! YOU ARE UNDER OBLIGATION BY JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF TO GIVE YOUR MONEY TO SUCH PEOPLE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!! (Matt 6:2-4; Luke 6:30, 35; Luke 14:12-14; 1 John 3:16-18; Rom 12:12-13; Rom 15:26-27; Jam 1:27; 2:14-17)

4. Get Creative in Your Giving - Sunday morning or Wednesday night (or whenever you happen to gather with others) should not be the only place where you give. You don't need to "check" with anyone (other than your spouse or parent/guardian) in order to give to another Believer in need. New Testament giving stems from being in relationship with others. Therefore, you are free to rise to any occasion as you go about life outside the walls of your church building and meet needs to the best of your ability. And if you don't have money to give you can still give of your time, effort, skills, services, etc.

5. Never Forget the Poor - With the advent of organized social services and non-profit organizations that help the poor make it almost impossible for us to not give. But there is no better way to do it than to physically hand money, food, and clothing to someone in need face-to-face.

Concluding Thoughts

I believe that with Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches us about God's provision for us, in light also of what we read in the Epistles, we can conclude that God's provision will indeed come, even if it's on the 23rd hour in our time of need. And the provision can come supernaturally, or through a fellow Believer, or a total stranger, or even a job offer, contract, or sale. However it comes, it will come (Jesus and Paul both worked, for example. Both received provision from other people. And both received provision supernaturally). As David wrote,

"I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread." Psalms 37:25

The fact is that Paul almost always attributed any provision (food, clothing, shelter, money) he received from other people as having come from God. Now we today are very good at recognizing when God give us what we ask for and need. But I want to suggest that our greatest area of opportunity for growth is in learning to give. I truly believe that in the same way that God's plan of salvation is taking place through us (as we go out and make disciples of all nations, teaching them all that Christ taught us. See 1 Cor 3:5-17 and Mat 28:18-20) so it is with His system of provision. In the same way Salvation and discipleship is both natural and supernatural, so is God's provision. God wants to use us to be His agents of provision in the same way He is using us as His heralds of the Good News of His Son.

The implication of this reality, if it is indeed true, is monumental. If we can agree that the responsibility of taking God's Son to people (Mark 16:15-20, Matthew 28:18-20, and Acts 1:8) falls upon you and I, then it would seem that God also wants to use you and I to take His provision to people as well. Why this is monumental is because it will call for a complete change of thinking for many of us. Many have been conditioned to believe that God provides for us APART from people, using them only as a last resort. But the reality is that they are His preferred vehicle. On top of that, it is OUR decision to be obedient to the Gospel of Christ that often activates the provision of God in someone else's life. It's our choice to release God's provision, just like it's our choice to proclaim the Good News. As Paul wrote,

"For 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.' How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Rom 10:13-14

So how shall Believers who can't pay rent make their payment if you don't go to them and meet that need? How will Believers who can't afford reading glasses get them if you don't exercise obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and manifest God's provision in their lives? Hard to swallow? Then why is this the reality for thousands, if not millions of Christians in North America? Credit cards and Lines of Credit have taken our place because of our ignorance and because of the desperation of those in need. This must stop!

Acts 4:34-35 makes it so clear.

"Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need."

The responsibility for giving to our fellow brothers and sisters and falls on both Believers and leaders. It's not an 'either-or' situation, it is a simultaneous one. Those with means gave out of their abundance to take care of their fellow brethren that were in lack. Secondly, the leaders immediately distributed these resources to those in need. This came first. To do otherwise is to stray from the New Testament model, the model that adheres to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our passivity is not only allowing millions go to Hell on a daily basis, but it is also causing millions of Believers strife, anguish, and financial hardship. It's time we embrace reformation and revolution in our minds, hearts, and congregations with regards to the New Testament model and mandate for giving. The lives of people and their families in your own midst depend on this change. We can't expect new results if we keep doing the same things we've been doing. It will not happen.

The reason why Christians are suffering financial hardship is primarily due to the fact that churches are not fully practicing the New Testament model of giving. I'm also aware of the fact that many lack financial literacy, live beyond their means, and make poor financial decisions. Financial education does need to be taught, or at the very least, the education should be sought out by those who lack it (there are great books you can get a your local library). But this is a secondary issue, since it is not demanded of us in the New Testament to be financially literate.

What is demanded of us is that we give to those around us in need first. If it's 10% you set aside, or 30%, or 90%, it should go FIRST to those in your life; those in your congregation or home group, those who preach the Gospel for a living, those in your family, a friend, a neighbor, etc. Then, and only then, do you give to secondary needs like the rent of your church building. The "church" isn't the building, it's the people. They need to be taken care of first. This is the New Testament model. Only once we follow it and obey it fully will we see a decline (and hopefully an end) to Christians struggling to get by financially.