Giving as Christian Economic Tranformative Tool

PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY: GIVING AS CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC

TRANFORMATIVE TOOL

A Sermon By Bro. Ben Edoja

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, SANGOTEDO

GIVING AS CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC TRANFORMATIVE TOOL

• It will be expedient to simplify the theme and topic for ease of comprehension and also to give it a more concise theoretical or ideological framework. Thus practical Christianity is Christianity in practice or in action: as was the case in Antioch by the early Christians (Acts 11:26). Giving for the work of God is anything you give or do and believe in your heart that God alone will reward you.


• The work of God can be individualized to cover all activities that relates to the salvation of one’s soul as well as the souls of as many that come into contact with or having dealings with us. Giving for the work of God is anything you do directly or indirectly, based on faith in God that will stimulate other people’s faith and or facilitate the gospel or liberate men from spiritual or material bondage


• The work of God is very important and we will count ourselves privileged to be involved and the reward is the blessings of God that maketh rich and adds no sorrows: (Proverbs 10:22) This is the work Jesus did in his earthly life Jn4:34 and more plainly expressed in (Matt 11:2 & 5). when John demanded to know whether he is the one to come

• Reading carefully the works of our lord Jesus, they can all be classified into two categories (a) Physical benefits (b) Spiritual benefits.


• What then is giving for the work of God? It must then be giving that can be categorized into the two groups above either directly as in you doing it or indirectly as in supporting others to do (Mt25:35&36): It is important to give what is appropriate and in accordance to the situation That is what Saint James called faith backed with works (James 2:15&16).


In espousing the theory of giving we will set out five questions for determination:

• (1) Whether or not a relationship exists between giving and physical poverty?

• (2) Whether a relationship exists between physical poverty and faithfulness?

• (3) Whether or not physical prosperity is required for spiritual growth?

• (4) Whether or not whatever is cheerfully given attracts blessings?

• (5) Whether or not Christians can give less than the one tenth of their income?


• Whether or not a relationship exists between giving and physical poverty?

• The Old Testament which is necessary for our leaning (I Cor 10:11, Gal.5:4) in its concluding book the book of Malachi stated plainly to the children of God – the Jews that when a tenth of their produce is offered for the maintenance of God’s house or the temple workers he will offer them blessings beyond their imagination and also help to preserve them. (Mal. 3:10)


• The new testament prescribed two levels of returns from giving: miserly attracts miserly returns and bounty attracts bounty (Luke 6:38,

II Cor 9:6) The proposition in the heart (II Cor9:7) will enable the giver to evaluate and determine what level of giving will be necessary and sufficient to cause open heavens.


• It can be concluded from the scriptures that a strong relationships exist between giving for God’s work and poverty. You may be hard working yet your increase hardly endure because the increase is not insured, The devourer is ever feasting on your hard work.


• Whether a relationship exists between physical poverty and faithfulness?

• There is this misgiving that except one is as poor as a church rat he or she may not be a faithful Christian .This position is anchored on Christ’s statement that it is easer for the camel to pass through the needle’s eye than a rich man entering the kingdom of God (Mt.19:24).


• First let me say that needle meant is not the sewing needle but a small opening when the main gate of the city have been shut in the night and herdsmen who arrived late may have to force themselves and their animals through this eye of the needle into the city.


Can somebody who can not feed be a faithful Christian? The answer to this question is offered by Saint Paul in his epistle to Timothy (I Tim 5:8). Flowing from this it is apparent that poverty can cause denial of faith and can make the worshipper of God worse than an infidel. I must add that all human vices to wit: armed robbery, kidnapping, prostitution etc are deeply rooted in poverty. Lazarus was poor but have his daily bread from the crumbs from the rich man’s table. It was a steady supply. He has no responsibility. Joseph of Arimathaea was rich and yet a worthy disciple of our Lord Jesus.


His personal tomb serves as rest place for the body of Christ (Mt.27:57-60), Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon etc are all wealthy men. The case of Solomon was instructive because he ask for that which is spiritual he was rewarded with spiritual and material blessings (Kgs3:9-13), This tally with the submission of our Lord Jesus when he said we should seek the kingdom of God that is to be part of the body of Christ and its righteousness the tenets of Christianity giving and benevolence inclusive and all other benefits will be confer on us (Mt.6:33). From the foregoing there it is clear that there is a nexus between poverty and faithful Christian life.


Whether or not physical prosperity is required for spiritual growth?

• Two scriptures amplify this position (Phil. 4:19, III Jn 1:2) They talk of limitless material blessings. Saint John places this as the highest of his wish for Christians that they prosper and be in health even as they prosper in their soul. It is also an attestation of your faith. Saint Paul adds that we should be confident that God which has begun a good work in our life will perform it till the day of Christ Jesus (Phil.1:6).


Whether or not whatever is cheerfully given attracts blessings?

• There are other terms tied to the cheerful giving: In (I Cor. 16:1-2) we will notice that giving was an order, secondly it must be proportional to prosperity. Furthermore as in (II Corith 9:7) it must be worked in the heart and this proposition must exceed the giving of the Pharisees which offer a tenth of their prosperity to God (Mt. 5:20).

• Therefore cheerfulness is among other conditions necessary and sufficient for proper giving.


Whether or not Christians can give less than the one tenth of their income?

• Our lord Jesus commended one hundred percent giving the widow’s mites (Mk.12: 43 – 44) Saint Paul begs us to give ourselves wholly to God as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1) It will take great faith to give ourselves totally to God. The early Christians gave 100% (Acts 4:32,34,35), From the above it is a settled law that that giving whatever is involved must exceed those of the scribes and the Pharisees in other words it must be greater than 10% of our income. Any thing less is greed and may lead to poverty.


Benefits of Giving

• The benefits of giving cannot be overemphasized: It is recommended (Acts 20:35), whenever you have the opportunity do good (Gal 6:10) it is sinful not to do good

• James 4: 17

Bro. Dr. Ben Edoja