The Doctrine of Giving
Doctrine is belief held and taught by the church as it is taught to us by the Holy Spirit through the holy scriptures.
This is not the Reformed-baptist position nor is it the South-City position. But this is what the Bible says. Acts 2:42, Rom 16:17, Eph 4:14.
The doctrine of giving is a subject often neglected, especially because it has been so abused. Those in the camp of 'health and wealth' teaching talk much about it, compelling people to give. How easy it is therefore to be misunderstood on this subject!
[Acts 20:32-35
"I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”]
[1 Cor 16:1-4
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.]
This is why churches take up a weekly offering. The problem is that these days people send it directly to the bank. But some churches feel that the weekly offering is Biblical and hold on to the practice.
Who are we to give the money to? To the Lord through the local church. But as a pastor or elder, I have no right to dictate to you what you need to give. Those who receive more will give more.
[Acts 11:27-30
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.]
Money is collected according to the givers' ability. Money is sent to the elders of the recipient church in Jerusalem.
[2 Cor 8:13-15
For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”]
[2 Cor 9:6-12
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.]
Our giving is for the good of all and for the glory of God.
Our giving is for the support of those who labour in word and doctrine. This is why many pastors shy from preaching this doctrine.
[1 Tim 5:17-18
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”]
Not all pastors are supported financially. But the church in her wisdom has assigned some to fulltime ministry. Sometimes even these, if they are in a small.church, may not be supported
[1Cor 9:10-12
. . . Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.]
Pastors must not be involved in the decision about how much salary they are to be paid.
There are times.when pastors must be "tent makers.," and in Acts 18:1-4, Paul explains how he himself did this. Paul was a super missionary and recognized that he had the right to be supported.
[1 Cor 9:6-12
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?
Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.]
Closing thoughts. How does a small church plant manage financially? The pastor may have to do tentmaking.
However, a church with 10 working people, should be able to support a fulltime pastor. Even if the pastor is a tentmaker, you can tell him that he need not be a tent makers anymore.
The pastor too gives of his income.