What obligation do we have as young people to support our church and Christian schools? Why would we want to support them?
To answer these questions, let’s go to the Scripture and use what it has to say in regard to tithing and how to view our money.
I Timothy 6:17, 18 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” And the result of being rich in good works and having a proper spiritual attitude toward giving is the reward of grace. Verse 19: “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” May we know for certain that if we are not willing to give abundantly because of our love for money we will not share in God’s love or His riches. I John 3:17 “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” May we know too, that by nature we love money and the earthly joy it can bring. When we have extra time and extra money the temptation to live as the world is very great. Christ said “Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
In II Corinthians, Chapters 8 and 9 the apostle Paul is exhorting the church of Corinth to be generous in their giving to the fellow saints in Jerusalem. At this time, Jerusalem was experiencing a famine. Paul had collected alms from the churches in Macedonia. These churches we understand from verse 2 were experiencing deep poverty themselves, but gave liberally. Apostle Paul tells the church of Corinth in verse 1: “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia”. Grace of God bestowed not on Jerusalem (although this they received also) but on the churches of Macedonia Paul points out. They gave with such willing hearts that we read in verse 4 “with much entreaty that we would receive the gift.” Can you imagine, they are poor themselves and they, press upon Paul their collections! May we pray for such benevolent hearts. In verse 9 we read ‘‘though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
Now Christ’s poverty is not only lack of material goods, but He was made poor by taking upon Himself our corruption. We are, of course, made rich, spiritually. Now, if we are made rich in this manner, shall we not rise above the love of this life and its fleeting pleasures and abound in good works? Because of God’s grace, let us exercise our priestly office and bring our offerings to His Kingdom with great joy. When our hearts are right with God, in regard to giving, then what follows, it seems, is a love and concern for the brother in need, a deep interest in having our churches, Christian schools, ministers and teachers well supported. We are then concerned about our covenantal responsibility. One which we all share, young and old. Whether you have brothers or sisters, children of your own, or are grandparents of children in our Christian schools and churches. The church throughout all ages has shared and must continue to share the financial and spiritual burdens of the covenant. As young people, may we never say, I don’t have children in school, or when I get older, then I’ll contribute. We must view ourselves as one people, God’s elect within His covenant, commanding us all to share of our wealth.
Pity those who selfishly spend money on material things. As they continue to find deceiving happiness there, they will become spiritually weaker and weaker. Envy not the rich man who hoards his gain, never receiving God’s grace through the blessedness of giving. We must understand too, that God rewards our charity. It is His grace which enabled us to give, and he rewards the child of God with more grace. In chapter 9 of II Corinthians, verse 6, we read “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Reaping the bounties of Christ are not to be minimized. Christ affords us true heartfelt joy when we give. Knowing that we are only stewards over God’s money, helps keep in perspective that we may not be selfish toward supporting God’s kingdom causes. Remember the words of II Cor. 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give.”
May the purposing be done with our new hearts. The old heart of flesh which hateth God, our neighbor and loveth only self, will never be inclined to share.
When the widow gave her two mites, which is mere pennies in contrast to the rich who cast in much, Christ who was watching as they threw their money into the treasury said “That this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury”, Mark 12:43. Why? Because they shared of their abundance – it wasn’t a sacrifice.
God, who knows the heart, blesses the poor elect sinner equally as a wealthy elect sinner as they both tithe. Don’t construe size of donations and sacrifices with blessings. We are blest because of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and knowing we are forgiven of our sins through Christ, thus giving us comfort and contentment only Jehovah can afford.
The results of proper giving are many. The poor in the church are well cared for, the high cost of tuition is brought lower through ample donations, Christian schools and churches can be built. The rich man in the church doesn’t live lavishly causing the poor to stumble and the poor man doesn’t covet the wealth of the rich because he knows that wealth is being used for the causes of the kingdom.
II Corinthians 9:7b, “for God loveth the cheerful giver.”