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Sharing --  Scriptural Thoughts

We continue to share some thoughts on the Stewardship of Treasure before we introduce this phase of stewardship this fall. This fourth of a series of articles reflects scriptural thoughts.  (To review other articles -- see bottom of page.) 

Sharing our treasure, as we have previously stated, is a sensitive subject.  Unfortunately, for many it means money.  Most people, no matter how wealthy they are, feel they do not have enough of money to live properly. Thus, it is often difficult to determine how much of our "scarce" treasure we can share for the helping the needy or for the church. Some determine what they share based on their understanding of guidance from Scripture.  It is this scriptural guidance that we turn to today.

The most common reference of sharing associated with the Bible is Mal. 3:10:

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, That there may be food in my house, and try me in this, says the LORD of hosts: Shall I not open for you the floodgates of heaven, to pour down blessing upon you without measure?"

In addition, other Old Testament thoughts on the concept of sharing are the following.

Old Testament Sharing
The first references to sharing in the Old Testament are found in the historical accounts of Abraham (Gen. 14:20) and Jacob (Gen. 28:22). These passages suggest that sharing one's treasure was a common practice. In fact, sharing was practiced by several ancient civilizations. Abraham and Jacob's sharing demonstrate a sense of indebtedness to God for His gifts, a concept which is seen throughout Scripture.

The law of Moses provides a much fuller view of sharing, particularly as it applies in a community setting. Sharing forms a significant role in this teaching. In fact, the act of sharing served as an acknowledgment that all that they possessed belonged to God.

In addition the Israelites were required to present sacrifices or free will offerings to the Lord. Malachi 3:8 suggests that the Israelites had robbed God "in tithes and offerings" by not sharing their gifts. The word used for offerings in this passage most frequently refers to fellowship offerings, but is also used of other material possessions, such as building materials for the tabernacle (Ex. 25:1-7).

In summary, then, sharing in the Old Testament had several forms, including tithes, sacrifices, free will offerings, vows, or even leaving some "gleaning" (leftovers) in the harvest field for the poor (Lev. 19:9,10). These various forms of sharing were all expressions of gratitude for God, who is the source of all good. They were intended to (1) glorify him, (2) support the church, and (3) provide for the needs of the poor.

New Testament Sharing
When we move to the New Testament, we see some continuity in teaching about sharing. At the same time, there are now fundamental differences between the structure of the church and the nation of Israel. There is a  separation of the church and government, the move from an agrarian to a mixed economy and the end of the sacrificial system lead to a modified pattern of sharing in the New Testament.

The New Testament retains a strong emphasis on the principle of supporting the needy (1 Tim. 6:17, Heb. 13:15,16 etc), especially the fatherless and the widow (James 1:27) and preserves the sense of community that existed in Israel.

Today, we admit, many of the concerns of the poor are now addressed through government programs, which we support through our taxes. The New Testament teaches us that we are to submit to the authority of governments and pay the taxes they exact, as they have been ordained by God for our good (Rom. 13:1-7). However, we need to be sensitive to the needs of those in our churches. While our governments provide a "safety net", there are still times when individuals face hardships. In these cases, the Biblical principle of helping the needy still operates. This may include sharing our resources, or simply helping people cope with hardships such as those brought on by old age, illnesses, or being a single parent.

The principle of sharing  with the needy extends beyond the local church. An important part of Paul's ministry consisted in requesting aid from various churches to help believers in Jerusalem who were experiencing exceptionally harsh poverty (Gal. 2:10). While we live in an affluent society, there are still many believers in this and other countries who are experiencing severe hardships, and we do well to remember them. In passages where sharing is encouraged, it is done in response to needs. 

When we consider how much Jesus gave on our behalf, our response should not only be one of generosity, but also one of willingness (9:5-7). This is an expression of thanksgiving to God and a testimony to the gospel of Christ (9:12-14).

Conclusion
As we become more sensitive to the great love God has for us through Jesus, we understand the stewardship way of life is to share those blessings with those less fortunate.  On this basis, we are encouraged to share generously and willingly, in proportion to the blessings that we have received.

Our sharing is in response to the needs of everyone in and outside the Church. In true Christian love, we are called to help those in need, both through gifts and other acts of kindness. Christian sharing is an act of worship. we give because we have received more than we could possibly ever repay.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15: 12-13

Jesus in this passage is commanding His followers to love each other in the same way that He loved them -- namely, by being totally committed to them. This kind of commitment, by the very nature His command, include the willingness to share our resources to help one another. Jesus gave up all, including His very life for us. That is how we are commanded to love one another.

May God enable us to follow His Son in obedience!
 

[Nature of Sharing]    [Grace of Sharing]     [Let's Talk More]    [Scriptural Guidelines]

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