Although God owns all the resources of land and sea, He has given all these things to mankind to use and to enjoy. God created the earth and all the resources of the earth from which physical wealth is derived. However, God honors and blesses the poor who give as they are able, no matter how small the amount, even as Jesus commended the poor and needy widow who gave her mite. God warns His servants against exploiting the poor of His flock and taking from the meager provisions of the needy. Any minister who merchandises the brethren by using intimidation, compulsion or fear in order to extract tithes and offerings from them will receive stern judgment from God. Those who receive support from their brethren are accountable to God and to the brethren as to how these tithes and offerings are used. Paul wrote, “Don’t you know that those who are laboring in the sacred things of the temple live of the things of the temple, and those who are ministering at the altar are partakers with the altar? In the same way also the Lord did command that those who preach the gospel are to live of the gospel” (I Cor. Therefore, Christians are directed by the Lord Jesus Christ to share their financial resources with those who serve in the ministry of God. In today’s world, money is required to fulfill the commands of Jesus Christ to preach the gospel, to feed the flock of God and to care for the needs of the church. Those who have an abundance but do not give because of a selfish attitude are guilty of covetousness and are sinning before God. God desires each one whom He has prospered to give cheerfully and willingly from the heart as he or she is able. A Christian attitude of true love and service should be the basis for all giving. God desires mercy and not sacrifice.Ĭhristians are commanded by Jesus Christ to support the poor and needy among them with compassion and understanding. Those Christians who have a limited income and are able only to meet their basic needs have no actual increase from which to tithe. God does not want Christians to neglect the basic needs of their families in order to give tithes and offerings. Jesus condemned the Jews who gave offerings, or “corban,” to the temple treasury while neglecting their needy parents. Jesus Christ Himself taught that a Christian should first provide for his or her family before using personal income for other purposes, including offerings to God. Any Christian who is able to work but makes no effort to support his or her family “is worse than an infidel”. The scriptures teach that Christians should be diligent to provide for their families. Book: Beliefs and Doctrines of the New Testament Church
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