Comment by jlove

August 16, 2006 @ 9:17 pm

Good post, Brian. Thanks for the link to the other article. I thought it was a good one.

Comment by Lynn

August 20, 2006 @ 5:08 pm

I read most of this entry the other day. It was good.

The NT saints were instructed to work hard to meet pressing needs, and many were commended for giving generously. Here is the attitude of the early church prior to the persecution:

“And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.”

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need.”

Paul also instructed that a person who would not work should *not* be allowed to eat, so there is a balance there. Giving was not to be indiscriminate, especially to those who would be lazy, nor was it to be to those who already had some other means of help (see Paul’s instructions about widows), but this kind of sharing and generosity seen is quite remarkable.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it, but then, we live in a land where starvation and lack of shelter and clothing are not problems the vast majority of us have ever faced.

But the choice to give, and how much, was always up to the individual, each “according as he has purposed in his heart, so let him give.”

Ananias and Sapphira were not judged for not giving all. They were judged for lying. They were told it was their property and they could do with it as they wished.

So the motivation to give and the determination is something that comes from each believer.

My thinking is that we are looking at this from the wrong end of the stick, when we focus on tithing and not the overwhelming generosity of the early Church. The early church held everything in common, apparently, and outdid 10% in spades.

Methinks there is a lot of room for reflection on these verses, and an understanding of what the Lord would have from us in these days, in addition to the ones on tithing.

I know it isn’t always about money, too. It is about sharing property, clothing, food, and services with a view of what the Lord has done for us.

Paul concludes his instruction on giving in Corinthians with “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

The point is, God will always outdo us in giving, because He gave His Son. And it isn’t about an amount, whether a tithe or 5% or 15%. It is about being generous toward God’s people with whatever we have, and in whatever way we determine, to be a blessing.

We need to take stock of our resources, which many, many times isn’t money, and consider these things, in light of the behavior of the early church.

It was good to reflect on these things just now.

Comment by Jenn

August 20, 2006 @ 6:14 pm

The point is, God will always outdo us in giving, because He gave His Son. And it isn’t about an amount, whether a tithe or 5% or 15%. It is about being generous toward God’s people with whatever we have, and in whatever way we determine, to be a blessing.

We need to take stock of our resources, which many, many times isn’t money, and consider these things, in light of the behavior of the early church

Man, Lynn! To say this is well-said is an understatement. Thanks for sharing your insightful reflections!