Only those who do not read their Bibles believe that there is a one-size-fits-all doctrine on giving.Barnabas’ generous contribution was so big that it was impossible to miss. Most of us do not have those kinds of resources to sell and give away. Though Paul was at pains to commend the Corinthian church for their eager promise to raise a contribution for their poor brethren in Jerusalem, they did not appear eager to get on with the job of collecting it (2Cor.8:1ff).The Widow who gave the last of what she had to live on still stands as a reminder that most believers, then and now, only give their left-overs to God. Purveyors of the doctrine of tithing preach in direct opposition to Paul’s teaching. He had told our Corinthian brethren earlier to take up a collection every Sunday and everyone was to give as they had been prospered (1Cor.16:1-2). A concept which is absolutely liberating the more you ponder and practice it. I have heard good Christians say, “I earn more money to give more.”But stop and think about the depth of God’s commitment and promise in this statement:“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” (2Cor.9:8).God’s grace will abound to the giver according to the standard of the NEED set before him. God sets the levels of his abounding grace, not the giver.Again, a concept which is absolutely liberating the more you ponder and practice it. Give generously of what you have when you see a need. If the need is bigger, God will bless you with all that is needed according to what he wants you to pass on. You decide to give, God will decide the rest. The rich Christian need get no richer, and the poor Christian need get no poorer.James says: “The brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation” (Jm.1:9-10).
John Staiger
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