Give
The criteria for equality among Christians mean, the rich should not get wealthier and the poor should not wane to poverty. In biblical context, mountains denote the rich, valleys signify the poor.We can be certain that we have prepared the way for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ only when the mountains are lowered and the valleys filled.The rich need to share their surplus with the poor to fulfill their needs; to enable them to seek God without bearing the burden of poverty in hunger, nakedness, homeless and in debt.
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life”. (ref.1 Timothy 6:17,18).
We should be content with what we have, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. (ref.Hebrews 13:5)
Apostle Paul, has written in his letter to Timothy, in Corinthians about the willingness to do good according to what one has and not what he does not have. “but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack that there may be equality. (ref. 2 Corinthians 8: 12-15)
Consider people in different communities and religious groups who die in poverty; our Christian fellowships should not face the same plight; we must step forward to help each other in difficulty. The early church in Macedonia helped the churches in Corinth amidst affliction and intense poverty.
We read in the Gospel of Matthew about the Judgement of the Nations, when the King will divide the sheep and the goats, the righteous will inherit the Kingdom of the Father and the unrighteous to everlasting punishment. “Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me” (ref.Matthew 25:30-46).
Jesus has taught us in the Gospel of Matthew not to lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.(ref. Matthew 6:19, Luke 12: 33,34) “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys”.
All the members in our church contributing towards charity are not very rich, we have been able to feed the poor and physically challenged brethren regularly and specially host a feast on Christmas for everyone. In our church, many of the poor brethren also share their contributions with the fellow brethren.
A tree that survives the scorching sun, heavy rain, strong wind will remain steadfast and bear fruit in due time. It is said in the scripture the righteous will flourish like foliage (ex. palm tree in Tamil context; ref. Proverbs 11:28)Only a scribe that brings out of his household both new and old things will flourish like the palm tree.
Pastors/Clergy and believers ought to share their tithes and offerings with the poor members of the fellowship.It is written in the book of Amos, “they sell the righteous for sliver, and the poor for a pair of sandals”. (ref.2:6)
“Woe to the Shepherds of Israel (Pastors), who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. (ref. Ezekiel 34:2, Matthew 7:15).
Grace is nothing but giving in the midst of affliction. The grace of our Jesus Christ is that although he was rich, for our sake he become poor. He bore our sickness and curses that we might be healed, he bore our poverty that we might be rich, that we might live healthy.Health is Wealth! Foolish Pastors! explain to Christians that riches mean worldly riches, they themselves refuse to become poor to fulfill the needs of the poor in the church.Foolish Pastors! teach believers that equality means dividing theirinheritance equally among their children irrespective of gender. A person who lives for the good of others, bearing one another’s burden, wiping away the tears of the afflicted, feeding the hungry receives the Grace of God.The church of Macedonia obtained Grace by giving amidst affliction.No loss, no Gain! When we lose for Christ (by giving), we gain the Grace of God.He who devices to live in this world and leave behind a legacy for generations to come falls short of the Grace of God.
“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away” (ref.Matthew 25:29). “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter to kingdom of God”. (ref. Mark 10:25). The way to heaven is narrow and difficult which leads to life; the way to destruction is broad and there are many who go in by it.A city that is located on a hill and a lamp set on a lampstand cannot be hidden; like-wise people will see your charitable deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.(ref. Matthew 5:15,16).
Christians must fulfill the Law of Christ as written in the gospel of Luke, “give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you”. It does not mean that the one who gives should be burdened and the receiver be eased, but that there be equality among everyone to share with those who are in need out of our abundance. (ref. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15)
Let us refer to scripture written by Apostle Paul to the Romans: “We then, who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me” – just as Jesus Christ bore all our sins, curses and reproach although he is filled with riches, he became poor(ref. Romans 15:1,3) for every one of us. For none of us live to himself, and no done dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord for Christ is Lord of the dead and the living. (ref. Romans 14:7-9). The Law and the Commandments are summed up in this, namely, “You shall Love your neighbor as yourself”. A Christian who obeys this commandment fulfills the Law of Equalityand Justice (ref.Romans 13:8,9).
We know the love of God because he laid down his life for us, so also, we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. The Love of God does not abide in him who sees his brother in need and does not want to share from his income/riches. (ref.1 John 3:16)
Let us read about the impending judgement on the rich in James 5: 1-6.In today’s churches Pastors do not help the needy, they utter a prayer for the individual or family and say Go in Peace! This is disobedience to the Law. “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled”, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” (ref. James 2:15,16). The Law of Justice and Equality is missing in our churches today, the Pastors/Clergy are not teaching believers about this scriptural truth and believers do not abide by this Law in fellowships.
“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given” (ref. Proverbs 19:17). We will find peace if we live according to these precepts.
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work”. (ref. 2 Corinthians 9:7).
Our church will fulfill the Commandments of Christ, the Law of Justice until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!
We request you brethren, to send your charities only if you want to fulfill the Law of Christ.
Please refrain from sending any contributions expecting to receive any worldly blessings in return.