As we slide into the new year, let me discuss an element of our freewill giving that you may have forgotten or been unaware of, as few pastors will mention it.
There are two passages in the book of Acts that provide guidance for our New Testament giving: Acts 2:42-45 and Acts 4:32-35. Let’s deal with the Acts 4 passage first:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
As you can see, this is a powerful passage of how the early New Testament church operated. Can you imagine a church – remember this was the only church in the entire city of Jerusalem – where there were “no needy persons among them?” And this is in an area and a time where most people were needy!
Why was this? Because of how God was moving in people’s hearts, to view everything as His … and for His use. Note that verses 34-35 say this:
For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
How often have you ever seen that? And yet God’s grace was so powerfully at work that when people felt led to give, they took from their excess. This was obviously the wealthy since they were selling land or houses. But here’s the point: they gave the proceeds to the apostles who then distributed it to anyone who had need. While it is unclear whether the money was distributed solely to those in the church or to everyone in need in the community, it was the apostles – the elders and leaders in today’s vernacular – who determined how it was to be distributed. So, this is strong evidence that our giving should go to the local church we are involved with, with those leaders then determining how/who it should be distributed to.
But now look at the Acts 2 passage:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
This is again talking about daily life in the early church. But note that it says here that:
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Not only did everyone believe that they were to share all that they had (think about that and the implications regarding your home, your car, your tools, etc.), but they sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. The implication is that here, the believers gave directly to those who they determined were in need, and not going through the apostles … or leaders and elders. In today’s world, that could easily mean soup kitchens, food pantries or even para-church ministries like Samaritan’s Purse or other missionary-minded entities.
So, you can feel free to be led to give to your local church or directly to other worthy and reputable entities that are involved in growing His kingdom in some way.
One last comment because I can just hear some of you thinking this question: should the first part of your giving go to your local church (and remember that the tithe or 10% is not part of God’s guidance for NT giving – read chapter 3 in the book)? Two thoughts: First, 1 Timothy 5:17-19 indicates that the leaders and elders in a local church are worthy of being paid for their time and service. But second, giving is to be very personal, with God leading each believer to give as He leads. Remember that it is all His anyway and that He doesn’t need your money; He is giving us the privilege to participate in building His kingdom. So … the important thing is to give, as He leads, and in whatever amount He lays on your heart and to whoever – believer or non-believer – He leads you to give to.