Calvary Road Baptist Church
“FROM A TAKER TO A GIVER”
Romans 12.13a
Without a doubt, the most well-known verse in the Bible is John 3.16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
So famous is that verse of Scripture, that if most non-Church going people were asked to describe what type of behavior most accurately describes God, they might say that what God is is love, but what God does is give. And you know what? They wouldn’t be very far off.
Giving is such an integral part of what God does that James 1.17 reads,
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.”
God gives and gives and gives and gives. And His gifts are both good and perfect, clearly reflecting His nature.
That being true, it stands to reason that when a wretched sinner who deserves nothing short of an eternity in Hellfire repents of his sin and trusts Jesus Christ to the saving of his soul, and is made a new creature in Christ (actually becomes a child of the heavenly Father), you might reasonably expect that Christian, that child of God, to spiritually inherit some of his Father’s characteristics. And you know what? You’d be right.
It would be accurate to say that there are two types of people in the world, takers and givers. When you come into this world as a sinful infant, you set off on a life-long course of take, take, take, take. All you do is take because you don’t know what else to do.
You take from your mother everything you can get. Not just because you need nourishment and affection and comfort and protection from her, but because you want it. And every experienced mother can tell you that her child always wants a great deal more than the child needs from her or should get from her. Why? The selfishness of sin.
This pattern continues throughout the growing up years. More now than used to be, when society frowned upon selfish behavior and encouraged generosity among the citizenry. But as the influence of God’s Word has waned in this country, the inborn tendencies of every person to take, take, take, and the ignorance and lack of skill of so many mothers, who neglect to train their children the meaning of the word “No,” have surfaced and exerted themselves to the point that people actually take from the government, now.
As if it’s not bad enough that people are takers as infants, takers as children, takers as adolescents, and takers as adults, folks now actually think they have a right to take from others. That’s called socialism, the belief that what is yours isn’t yours but ours, and that anyone who wants what you have should be able to have what you have without working for it. This concept of what’s yours is mine used to end in thievery or marauding bands of Mongols, but now ends up being expressed as the Soviet Union, Communist China, North Korea, Cuba, Cambodia, Vietnam, Venezuela, and increasingly, the Democrat Party platform. Sorry to be political, but I am a simple preacher who follows the facts.
But all that changes when the sinner becomes a new creature in Christ. Gone is the desire to get out of every man everything you can get. Gone is the desire for an advantage over every man that used to be there. Gone is the grasping mentality that thinks “No one will ever look out for me, so I must look out for myself by voting into office politicians who will use government to take care of me.” What takes the place of the taker? The giver. For, you see, the child of God has been born again by that incorruptible seed which is the Word of God and begins to think somewhat like, and behave somewhat like, his Father which is in heaven.[1]
Oh, there’s not much likeness at first. It’s just like a newborn infant. There are only general resemblances between father and son, in appearance and behavior. But as that son grows and matures, as his personality begins to develop, his behavior becomes more and more like his father’s behavior. And why is this? It’s because he thinks more and more like his father as he matures, and he becomes much better at mimicking his father as he grows up. And so it is with the Christian.
So certain is the Apostle Paul that the genuinely born again Christian will emulate God’s behavior in such areas as being a giver like God, instead of being a taker like the unsaved people of this world, that by the time he has spent eleven chapters of his letter to the Romans teaching them about sin and salvation and some profound things about their life of faith in Jesus Christ, he describes the kind of characteristic Christian behavior that he expects of them with these words:
“Distributing to the necessity of the saints.”
Think about those words. It is characteristic Christian behavior, particularly in the life of the genuinely born-again person who has been taught such things as are found in Romans chapters 1-11, to be one who shares what he has to meet the needs of other believers. “Distributing” is a form of the Greek word from which we get “communion,” and refers to sharing what’s yours.[2] “Necessities” refers to those things that are “needs,” not “wants.”[3] And “saints” is Paul’s favorite word for the person who has trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior.
The unsaved person wants to share with those in need. But he wants to share what you have, not what he has. And he wants to make you share what you have, whether you want to or not. To that end, he favors government handouts using your money and mine. But with God’s people, it is not so. With God’s people, Christians share to meet the needs of Christians.
To reinforce that truth, I’d like to lay out before you three proofs found in Scripture that give evidence that the child of God is to share what he has with the child of God:
First, THE PROOF OF WHAT SCRIPTURE EXPECTS
The Word of God is written in such a way that certain types of behavior are understood to be expected, by the way, the Bible is written. To be more direct, we know that Christians are expected to give to meet the needs of Christians because of three words that are used in the Bible:
First, there is the word “family.” In Ephesians 3.15, we see the only time the word “family” is used in the New Testament:
“Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”
It refers to the family of God, that company of believers in both Old and New Testament times. But what I want us to focus in on is God’s description of us as “family.” Let’s ask a question about “family.” Is it expected that when you are in a “family,” you will give of yourself and your possessions to meet a legitimate need of someone else in the “family?” Of course, it’s expected. So powerful are the expectations of flesh and blood “families” that they sometimes, in the life of anemic Christians, overshadow the relationship of a more important “family,” the “family of God.”
Second, there is the word “household,” Galatians 6.10:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
A “family” is often spread out geographically. I know several “families” that are spread out all over the world. Samuel and his wife live in Nepal, but one son lives in Australia and another lives in London. Ramzi lives in Jerusalem, but his three kids and three sisters all live in North America. A “household,” on the other hand, refers to those living under the roof of one house. And in Galatians 6.10 this word is used to picture all of the redeemed as being those who live under God’s roof. Again, we ask, “Is it expected that those who live in the same household would chip in to meet the needs of one who is of the same household?” Of course. That’s why children, who cannot contribute money to the household contribute by doing chores, instead.
Finally, there is the word “body.” Though there is a significant amount of disagreement between many Baptists and all Protestants concerning what Paul means when he uses this term in First Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians, the fact that he chose the term “body” has connotations that everyone can agree on.[4] Implicit in the use of the term “body” is the idea of a living organism. And it is expected that every viable organism will mobilize its resources in one part to meet a specific need in another part. If the organism does not behave in this manner, it is not viable; it is not capable of surviving. It will die. I conclude my first point, then, by stating that the mere fact that in Scripture such terms as “family,” and “household,” and “body” are used of us shows that our willingness to share what we have to meet the need of another Christian is expected. Talk about duty and privilege all you want. In a body or a household or a family, it’s just expected. Amen?
Second, THERE IS THE PROOF OF WHAT SCRIPTURE EXHORTS
Allow me to bring to your attention three ways in which Scripture exhorts God’s children to give to meet the needs of God’s children:
First, there was a provision for gleaning. I’ll leave it to you to read in Leviticus and Deuteronomy to learn God’s provision for meeting the needs under the Mosaic Law of those who were without.[5] But the book of Ruth shows the principle at work.[6] Whether it was during the harvest of barley or wheat, or the time when the grapes, olives, and dates were to be picked, God wanted His people to intentionally leave behind in the fields, or on the trees, or the vines, that which the poor and needy would come along later and harvest themselves. It was not to be harvested or gathered for the needy and then sent to a central warehouse so they could all push and shove for the food in demeaning and degrading fashion. The dignity of the poor was to be preserved in giving them the right to work with their own hands to harvest to meet their needs. They collected what was left behind after others who had been blessed with a good crop and with opportunity had plowed and planted and picked before them. In the Old Testament, those blessed were exhorted to leave behind that which could be gleaned by those in need.
Second, there is a procedure for giving, First Timothy 5.3-16:
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
Here we see Paul’s instructions to Timothy for reviewing the qualifications of those in need to determine who should respond and how they should respond to meet needs. That Paul seeks to place Scriptural guidelines before Timothy, as well as his command of verse 3 to, “Honor widows that are widows indeed,” shows that in the case of widows Scripture goes farther than a mere exhortation to meet needs. It’s an outright command. However, the woman had to be qualified. Consider, along with this passage, James 1.27, and you will see that Christians during the New Testament era are just as strongly encouraged by God to meet the needs of needy believers as were the children of Israel:
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
By the way, “visit” doesn’t mean just to go and say “Hi.” It means, “to look upon, to visit, to provide help for.”[7] So, we should, at the very least, go and say, “Hi.” Amen? But be prepared to do more.
Third, there is a provision for guaranteeing. One of the quickest ways to discourage a Christian from giving to meet another’s needs is when he thinks he is being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous person. We’ve already seen, in First Timothy 5, Paul’s restrictions to prohibit giving to unqualified women, who would otherwise deplete the supply of funds for those properly qualified. But Second Thessalonians 3.11-13 deals with the issue in a more general way. Some Christians mistakenly think that it’s spiritual to support the lazy and slothful. You can be sure they will eventually tire of giving to meet legitimate needs by burning themselves out, giving to illegitimate needs. What Paul has written, however, goes a long way to counteract that from happening:
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
I’ve not taken the time to address anything but the exhortations related to organized and formal measures in giving to meet the needs of believers. There are also such things as giving once to meet a short-term need, or an action taken by a single Christian as he or she feels led by God and sees the need in another’s life. The point that I seek to make here is that God’s people have been, in both Old and New Testaments, exhorted to rise to the occasion and respond to the needs of others in God’s family. When such giving of yourself is governed by the principles and guidelines of God’s Word, you’ll be far less likely to become discouraged in your giving to meet other people’s needs. Might I also say that the reason God’s people are exhorted to meet such needs as these among God’s people is that only God’s people are qualified to do it, and to determine when it needs to be done?[8] Especially in matters such as these, government does nothing well but is so impersonal and prone to error that people are encouraged to need help rather than encouraged to get established so they can, in turn, give help to others.
EXPECTATION, EXHORTATION, AND NOW THE PROOF OF SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES
Though I could give you many, allow me to give you just two examples of Christians giving to meet Christian’s needs:
First, the giving of the Church at Jerusalem. Thousands were in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost, planning to stay but a few days and then return home. But we see in Acts chapter two that God had other plans for them. With the sweeping tide of conversions that came as Peter preached and in the succeeding days, thousands of newborn Christians remained in Jerusalem to be grounded in God’s Word. The problem? In an economically depressed area, there was little work. So, what was to be done? Acts 2.44-46 shows how the Christians voluntarily rallied to meet the emergency need of the hour:
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.
God’s plan was for the new Christians to stay even longer than anyone had anticipated. So, more drastic steps were taken, Acts 4.34-37:
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The problem eventually became so great that the Church had to organize a way of responding to the need. Acts 6.1-4 shows they found just such a remedy:
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Thus, we see example after example in the earliest days of Christianity of God’s people, under the leadership of apostles of Jesus Christ, rising up to meet the need of the hour.
But we don’t see only the giving of the Jerusalem Church. Later on, in Scripture, we read of giving to the Church of Jerusalem. Because of time constraints, allow me to briefly summarize what the Bible shows us about later events in Jerusalem. After staying in the city for several years, and becoming accustomed to the great fellowship and preaching, God allowed persecution to come. The persecution resulted in all the Christians, except the leaders, being driven from the city. They left the city and went everywhere preaching the Gospel, many of them returning at last to the homelands they had come from to originally observe the Pentecost feast years earlier as unsaved Jewish men.
After they left a drought destroyed an already fragile economy in the region and starvation was imminent for those remaining in and around Jerusalem. It could be argued that had the local believers not exhausted their reserves of capital to feed the transient Christians that God wanted to be trained for ministry in Jerusalem they would have been able to buy food from abroad. As it was, however, with their resources already exhausted to meet the earlier need they faced starvation. So, what happened? God moved the Apostle Paul to raise money among the Gentile Christians of Asia and Greece to gather a large collection for those Jewish Christians, so food could be purchased to feed them. Thus, we are provided an illustration of the law of sowing and reaping in action. The same Christians who had selflessly given of themselves to advance the cause of Christ years earlier, now became recipients of the same kind of generosity as they had earlier demonstrated.
We have seen that the practice of “distributing to the necessity of the saints” is a practice that God, in His Word, expects, is a practice that God, in His Word, exhorts, and is a practice that God, in His Word, shows examples of. Why is this kind of behavior expected, and encouraged, and exampled for believers like us? Because it’s behavior that is strikingly similar to the behavior of the One Who we claim is our heavenly Father.
Understand that there is a right way and a wrong way to give. But understand, as well, that when God’s people begin learning God’s Word, and when you begin to live the life that God has given to you, you will be one of us who spend a considerable portion of what God has given to us “distributing to the necessity of the saints.”
Has God made you aware of such necessity recently? Does God desire that you demonstrate that you are a giver and not a taker? Then I invite you to make whatever decision God wants you to make, be it giving money to bridge an emergency in someone’s life, or a putting someone up for a few months, so they get can back on their feet. Maybe it is giving someone a short-term job or buying someone a couple of bags of groceries.
What portion of your life does God want you to give to other believers? It would have to correlate, in some way, to the needs some of our brothers or sisters have. Amen? I know of some brothers and sisters who need jobs or better jobs than they have. Perhaps you can help. Are there women who need an oil change or a new oil filter, or a tire rotation? Perhaps a faucet is leaking, or an outlet needs to be replaced. It may be a light bulb for someone who doesn’t have a ladder.
Some senior saints in our Church may need for someone to come to their home and spend an hour or so just fixing odds and ends that are tough to reach or that are too high for someone their age to climb up to. Perhaps some of our girls could arrange to go over and give some dear saint a thorough spring house cleaning as a love offering. Some young men might want to arrange to go and do some heavy lifting for some of our older Church members. Some of our ladies might want to visit Hans and Ruby, or Vada, or someone else. Or perhaps you might visit Doreen and Bobby, who has been in such pain he hasn’t been able to come to Church. Perhaps she could come more often if someone would drive her.
Friends, there is so much we could give if we just would because God has given us so much. But finally, what we must be willing to give is our time. Will you give your time to meet another’s need?
Lost friend, please do not try to give as I have urged Christians to give today. Remember, until you have first allowed God to give to you eternal life in Christ He has no interest in what you can give back.
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[1] 1 Peter 1.23
[2] Fritz Rienecker & Cleon Rogers, Linguistic Key To The Greek New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Regency Reference Library, 1980), page 377.
[3] Ibid.
[4] See my book for a treatment of these differences, The Church Of Jesus Christ: 28 Things Every Christian Ought To Learn, from www.ClassicalBaptist.Press
[5] Leviticus 19.9-10; 23.22; Deuteronomy 24.19-22
[6] Ruth 2.15-16
[7] Fritz Rienecker & Cleon Rogers, Linguistic Key To The Greek New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Regency Reference Library, 1980), page 727.
[8] This is wonderfully shown in Marvin Olasky, The Tragedy Of American Compassion, (Washington, D. C.; Regnery Gateway, 1992)
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Pastor@CalvaryRoadBaptist.Church