This third facet of our flawed “understanding” of finances is as tragic as the others, and once again focuses on God’s simple plan for giving.
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:20-21)
We may all be familiar with what Jesus said about laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven, but I fear that most have no idea how to actually get their earthly resources into this heavenly storehouse. Based on my current understanding, I can honestly say that I have never heard anyone, besides Jesus, clearly explain exactly how the Bible says that we are to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” This specific passage from Matthew does not in itself reveal the means to heavenly investment, and since it is separated from the opening verses of Matthew 6 by sections on prayer and fasting, most readers do not connect these passages to understand what Jesus is actually teaching here. Though I believe that the faithful will receive rewards in the afterlife based on how they stewarded all things, the scope of this evaluation will focus on New Testament giving.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:1-4)
To really comprehend this passage, we must start by defining what Jesus was saying when He used the term “alms”. The Greek word translated alms is “eleēmosynē”, and it appears 14 times in the New Testament. According to Tekna’s Online Greek-English Dictionary, it means “gift to the poor, alms, charitable gift; any act of generosity to someone in serious need, often referring to giving gifts of substance or money” (Strong’s #1654). This term may very well define appropriate giving within the new covenant, yet minimal “Christian giving” also falls into this category. This same concept seems to be the focus of what Jesus is trying to get across when He says “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me” (Matthew 25:35-36). To those who have fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, invited in the strangers, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned Jesus will say, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34b). The Lord’s desire is to fill the real needs of desperate people in dire circumstances. If we claim that He now lives in our hearts, shouldn’t we be like-minded with Him in desire and purpose? Listen to the message conveyed through James,
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (James 2:14-16)
Jesus makes His message even clearer.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:33-34)
Jesus pointblank reveals that if we “give alms” we will have “a treasure in heaven.” This is the same message that Jesus shared with the young man who is often called the “rich, young ruler”.
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (Matthew 19:21)
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10:21)
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (Luke 18:22)
To this young man, selling what he had and giving the money to the poor was a prerequisite to being able to follow Jesus. For those of us already attempting to follow Him, have we brought too much baggage? Often, at the first mention of “the rich, young ruler”, Christians will immediately claim that all this was because the Lord “knew his heart”. In saying so, they are really claiming that this teaching only applies to him, and there is nothing they can either glean or put into practice from the passage. The two immediate problems I have with this interpretation are in regard to truth and viewpoint. First, Jesus’ teaching remains true, regardless to whom it was originally directed. Are we to not “take up our cross” because the Lord “knew this man’s heart”? Though giving to the poor to lay up treasures in heaven and taking up our cross are mentioned in these passages, they are also concepts mentioned in multiple other places, and really apply to any, and every, believer, not just to “the rich young ruler”. The second problem is viewpoint. From our viewpoint we have no idea how much this man’s assets were worth. What if this “rich, young ruler” had the equivalent of $20,000 as his net worth? How about $50,000? $100,000? Simply put, we are an extremely rich nation and most Americans have numerous worldly possessions. All I am stating is that it is within the realm of reality that almost all of us are richer than this man. We must at least consider this possibility, and wonder if the Lord “knows our hearts” as well as his.
According to Jesus, giving to the poor is how to store up treasure in heaven. Based on Scripture, we are to give to those in need. If we give to those who cannot repay us, any repayment that we receive will have to come from the Lord. It is the needy that the Lord wants to comfort through His body, both through individual members and the collective body.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
Remember, Cornelius was “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:2). It was his prayers and alms which came “up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4), prior to God sending Peter to him.
Though the New Testament is very clear about giving alms, I believe that the vast majority of “Christian giving” completely misses the heavenly storehouse. One major reason for this is the tax exemptions we have already discussed. Driven by goals of itemization and greater tax breaks or refunds, many Christians will only give to tax exempt organizations. Filling the neighbor’s refrigerator and belly doesn’t count. The next major reason that only a small amount of alms are given is our current misunderstanding about how we are to gather together as believers. Nowhere in Scripture are we told that a shepherd (pastor) should be a hireling, operating within a special building. Both the priesthood and temple ended with the old covenant, and tithes and offerings are an old covenant concept, which passed away with the priesthood and temple.
Though, “…the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14), we never see anything in the entirety of Scripture that parallels our current way of functioning. These passages seem to focus on those who are Biblically called apostles (missionaries) and evangelists, and not on some new covenant priest (pastor) in a new covenant temple (church building). Paul himself followed the examples of the first disciples, only personally partaking of necessities on occasion.
“And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7a)
How many modern preachers would still preach if food and lodging were their only wages?
Serious study of Scripture does not support tithing to a new covenant priest and a new covenant temple.
The Greek words that can be translated as tithes, apodekatoo, dekatoó, & dekaté, collectively only appear ten times within the New Testament.
Seven of these occurrences are in the first nine verses of Hebrews chapter seven, and the remaining three are all in old covenant contexts. Please examine the following:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23)
But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Luke 11:42)
In both of these passages Jesus is speaking to Pharisees, which were under the Old Testament law. He was expressing to them that they were not properly following the law as they should. Jesus’ other use of “tithes” was in His parable of the Pharisee attempting to justify himself while praying to God.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:11-12)
Though we realize that most of the Pharisees had become a group of hypocritical religionists, we may not realize how often we absentmindedly act like them. In a manner much like the Pharisees, Jesus’ new covenant commands are overlooked so we can carry on the old covenant law of tithing to the priesthood. However, under the new covenant Jesus is now the High Priest, and all believers are the royal priesthood.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: (1 Peter 2:9)
The seven remaining references to tithing in the New Testament occur in Hebrews chapter seven. They all speak of how Abraham (and Levi, through Abraham) paid tithes to Melchisedec; consequently, this type of giving preceded even the Law of Moses and Levitical priesthood.
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. (Hebrews 7:1-10)
Please note that the Levites had a “commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law”. There is now neither any such command nor law.
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. (Hebrews 7:11-12)
Fascinatingly, all this is shared with us to demonstrate that Christ alone is now the High Priest, and He says “Inasmuch as ye have done it [i.e. taking care of the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and imprisoned] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40b). We have transitioned from one covenant to another, and you can actually give to the Lord Himself (“ye have done it unto me”) through alms and thereby store up treasures in heaven. As Abraham gave to one greater than he prior to the beginning of the old covenant, so we can give “directly” to the Greatest of All within the new covenant.
We must remember that even at the reformation, only a “reformation” took place. There was no restoration, for the most part, of authentic Christianity. Luther and those of his day simply attempted to turn the Roman Catholic Church back to the Bible, rather than scrapping all tradition and presuppositions, beginning with the Bible, and building anew from there. Rome wanted power and wealth, and Rome got it. Unfortunately, since we only tried to Christianize the Roman Catholic Church, we ended adopting their method of meeting and their method for obtaining financial surplus. The giving of alms has mostly disappeared, and we continue to invest “the Lord’s money” according to the Roman Catholic method. Though we may not consider ourselves to be “practicing” Roman Catholic tradition, in light of Scripture, it appears we often, unwittingly could be doing exactly that.
Though people are free to debate what purposes “the Lord’s money” should be applied towards, actual examples from the new covenant are limited. I find that they basically fall into categories which can all be classified as alms, like those shared in Matthew 25, (the hungry, thirsty, naked, strangers, sick and imprisoned), and James 1, (the fatherless and widows). Besides preaching the gospel and making disciples (which we are ALL called to do), there does not appear to be many other biblical options still valid today for investing financially in the Kingdom of God. Though much of the Old Testament still applies, many “churches” seem to have basically scrapped all the Old Testament, except for tithes and offerings (since they never gave up the priesthood). With the exceptions of giving to evangelism and disciple making, appropriate Biblical financial giving can be summed up in the following two verses:
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:3-4)
Without also focusing on spreading the gospel, all financial support to the lost would ultimately be in vain, since only the temporary needs would be met while their eternal souls would still perish. When we couple fulfilling the tangible needs of the carnal man (which he can understand) with the spiritual message of the gospel (which he cannot comprehend), it gives credibility to the words which we share. The physical action of love demonstrated to them can be used to help them comprehend the spiritual message of love that we speak of. As it has been said, actions speak louder than words. Christianity’s general lack of effort and interest in this area may be significantly hindering our gospel efforts.
The impoverished believers must be encouraged by the giving of their brethren, knowing that the Lord will provide, either supernaturally or through His body here. The finances gathered by the early church leaders and congregations were to make sure no brother lacked any real need (Acts 4:32-37) and the poor were taken care of (Romans 15:26 & Galatians 2:10). Even the often misconstrued verse, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2), was for the sole purpose of being a “…collection for the saints…” (1 Corinthians 16:1), to be given to needy saints elsewhere. There is no mention of a “building fund” or “paid clergy” within the pages of Scripture, only caring for real needs of all people, both within the faith as well as outside.
Jesus once told us, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on” (Matthew 6:25). Apparently, He did not even see shelter as a need. Food and clothing were the only needs Jesus listed. Neither shelter, transportation, nor leisure-time activities made His list, yet they rank very high on ours.
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:8)
The early church gave properly, and had none “among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them,… and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34 & 35). This distribution of funds was part of the ministry in those days, and when “their widows were neglected in the daily ministration… seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” were appointed “over this business” (Acts 6:1 & 3).
How peculiar and radical our Christianity would be if believers sold earthly possessions, including houses and lands, just to make sure that none among them went hungry or had to rely on Uncle Sam instead of Father God! In numerous ways we have allowed the government to step in where Christ desires to be used. It is now the government that feeds the poor and takes care of the sick. I fear that our own corrupt political system would end up being more of a “sheep” than many Christians if we used Matthew 25:35-36 as a litmus test. This should be appalling and terrifying.
The implications of this error are also incredible.
The earlier mentioned passage from Luke 12 on alms becomes very interesting when considered in context:
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. (Luke 12:33-36)
Apparently, giving alms is one of the ways that our lights burn throughout our lives, which makes sense. When considered in association with the return of our Lord, it also provides much for consideration. Only the wise virgins had oil in their lamps, and that parable also comes from Matthew 25, where we see the difference between the actions of the sheep and the goats. We know that the light of giving alms almost completely went out eons ago. Though some “churches” do feed and clothe the poor, when compared to the rest of the funds they use in other (unbiblical) ways, the actual amount of alms given is basically table scraps and hand-me-downs. Uncle Sam has stepped into the void left by our misguided Christianity, and now millions of both believers and unbelievers are dependent upon the government. The mark of the beast is coming, and I believe that it will be very easily enforced upon the masses. If they want to eat, they must have the mark. The church does not attend to these needs now, and I do not believe that they will be much help to the desperate when they themselves do not have the mark and are left starving. (I know that many are banking on not being here for the worldwide mark of the beast, but what if an American (not worldwide) prototype mark came out fifty years earlier, without which no one in America could buy or sell?) I also find it perplexing that the rich man was condemned for building a bigger barn, though it was built by his money alone and remained full of his grain upon his death.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:16-21)
If this rich man, using his own money to store up his own goods on earth is condemned, what of the churches using God’s money to build bigger “temples”, which many believe could be left completely vacant at any moment via an “imminent rapture”? Can the billions or trillions of dollars that we American Christians have invested in these buildings really stand any chance of ever making it into the heavenly storehouse? Can such buildings, much less the stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, gymnasiums and whatever else may be included, ever qualify as a charitable deed to the poor or as filling a real need in the life of one in serious need? Based on the teachings of Jesus, I must conclude, no. Has the opposition (Satan and the demons) deceived us into storing up our treasures on earth and letting the poor, sick, hungry, thirsty, and naked fend for themselves? We must remember that now is our only chance to lay up treasure in heaven, since no one in heaven will be in need of alms when we arrive empty-handed anyway.
If you plan on evaluating the concept of laying up treasures in heaven through the method of giving alms, and putting the biblical new covenant way of giving to the Lord back into practice, you may want to consider what an evangelist shared some time ago in his monthly e-letter. Basically, he pointed out that Judas had the money bag.
For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. (John 13:29)
Among Jesus and His followers was a money bag. They were prepared. If we plan on being able to give to the poor, hungry, thirsty, sick, widowed, and fatherless, we might do well to consider keeping a “money bag” with us, so that we have extra finances available and “on hand” for the Lord’s purposes when the need arises. We often overlook real needs because we are not prepared to step in as the Lord’s servants and fill them. If we are prepared and willing, our opportunities will be numerous. Many people these days are barely keeping their financial heads above water. The slightest decrease in income or unexpected expense can lay such a heavy burden upon those around us, and for many of us, it would be well within our means to lift that burden, if only we were willing and prepared to do so.
As God’s people, many of us have learned to give, at times even exceedingly and sacrificially. We also know that “…He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Let us make sure that we know what the Bible teaches on this matter, and give as God tells us to, remembering that there is only one means based on Scripture for laying up treasure in heaven, and that is giving alms. You will not find another means mentioned within the New Testament.
You may fear that by not “giving to your local church” in the traditional method you may bring judgment upon your household.
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:8-10)
When discerning this matter, please remember that this is an old covenant passage, and indeed God had been robbed. The people were not giving unto the Lord as they should, and there were neither tithes in “the storehouse” nor “meat in mine house”. The people to whom the Israelites were supposed to be giving (the priests) were not being taken care of. Now I fear that the heavenly storehouse is empty, and the people to whom Christians are supposed to be giving (the widowed, fatherless, hungry, thirsty, naked, strangers, sick, and imprisoned) are not being taken care of. One cannot now approach God through the mandates of the old covenant, and to attempt to do so will bring judgment. Likewise, I also believe that one can no longer subscribe to the old covenant method of giving unto the Lord while still fulfilling the new covenant commands for giving. Too much of what the Lord would rather have go to His purposes is being stored up as treasures on earth, and either the moth, rust, or thief will wind up with them in the end.
The parable of the “good Samaritan” begins with the question, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). Jesus then explains how to properly love “thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:27), and ends with “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:25-37)
Sometimes I fear that we have become too familiar with certain Bible passages, and we therefore easily remove ourselves from the picture. The “good Samaritan” provided medical care, shelter and food for this unfortunate man whom he just happened to encounter. If we are to do likewise, shall we be priests, Levites, or Samaritans? Looking at the Scripture through my new point of view, so much on this issue that I had apparently been blind to for years has now been revealed. As a people we must return to the lost principle of giving alms, and make sure that “the Lord’s money” is being given as He has commanded.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)
Let us radically and Biblically give to all, tangibly demonstrating our love for the lost as well as building up the faith of our fellow brethren who are in need.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, 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; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
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? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:17-18)
As I close this final evaluation of Biblical finances, I must point out one more piece of evidence for consideration. First, Jesus only mentions alms when He speaks of storing up treasure in heaven. Though 501c3 church organizations may have an outlet for alms, I have noticed something over the years. Multiple times, for multiple reasons, various men who were otherwise doing quite well as the earthly provider for their families fell on hard times. During each of these times, the specific 501c3 church which they were “members” of made an appeal for the rest of the congregation to give. However, along with each appeal came the following disclaimer: “these gifts do not fall under our 501c3 tax exempt status”. It is interesting that the main outlet for financial giving and distribution in the New Testament was the only thing that isn’t considered to be part of how the church uses its finances. A bigger building, increased wages for “the clergy”, office personnel, new pews or carpet, computers and other office equipment, toilet paper and urinal cakes, and even basketballs are somehow all considered to be valid, but bearing one another’s burdens and making sure that there was none who lacked isn’t. Has the church indeed become a corporation or an institution? Even if we conclude that it hasn’t, it is still worth noting how little of what is given ever reaches that heavenly storehouse. Would we still pay in to a 401K if we knew that it wouldn’t be waiting for us?
2+2=4
Thanks, @narrowminded
IN CASE YOU MISSED THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS, YOU CAN READ THEM HERE:
INTRODUCTION
PREFACE
CHURCH LEADERS
CHURCH FUNCTION
EVANGELISM
FINANCES PART 1: DEBT
FINANCES PART 2: TAX DEDUCTIONS
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Thanks for pointing out these scriptures!