Chapter 6 -
PRINCIPLES OF GIVING in the OLD TESTAMENT
Power to Make Wealth
The Old Testament teaches many general principles of giving that reappear in the New Testament. As the Bible is indeed the expression of the One Mind of God found in many books, it is fitting to point out some of these passages and principles as a way of transition to the New Testament. I think that one of the most important scriptures about money in the whole Bible is Deuteronomy 8:18:
But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:18 points out that God goes beyond basic human need by granting those who obey Him in faith the power to make wealth.
Wealth is not survival; it is beyond that and into the accumulation of material strength and power. By itself money is not evil, but it can become "a root of all kinds of evil." God does not usually bless us with instantaneous riches because large sums of money easily obtained can corrupt. But God does give us the ability to work and create wealth through the use of our minds and bodies, if...
Yes, there is an “if.” God has a purpose for wealth, which is to authenticate His Promise, or confirm His covenant. That purpose implies the extension of His covenant rule over our own lives and through them as a witness to others. We must choose God's will as our own will. If we do, if a person's will in the matter of wealth conforms to His, then there is unlimited power, both spiritual and material, available to him to create wealth.
In Ephesians 4:28 one reason for Christian wealth is given:
Let him who steals no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.
Many scriptures condemn the lazy who live off the dole, or waste a life in drunkenness or drug dependency. In balance, the Bible is also very adamant about our personal responsibility to give our neighbor reasonable material aid in time of need. It also warns us not to go into debt for the purposes of aiding our brother, for personal consumption or for an expression or extension of pride.
Our whole society, our church congregations, are strengthened when each member is economically self-sufficient. God would have each man and woman free from economic servitude. Too many live under a self-imposed slavery to creditors resulting from the excessive and/or unwise use of debt. Some suffer from various expressions of socially imposed oppression like discrimination in property ownership, access to capital, access to opportunity and evaluation of performance.
But the biggest abuse is the fact that most of society puts the burden of aiding the poor and disadvantaged on the faceless federal or state government. Not only is this less efficient, it is literally passing the buck. When you pass the buck, the costs are always greater in the end - both socially and financially.
When someone receives aid administered in this manner, he usually does not solve the cause of the problem because most social problems come from very personal and individual causes. Unless the cause is properly identified and dealt with, the consequence is a double loss: the unfortunate person remains economically dependent on society for survival and he doesn't grow spiritually in an atmosphere of freedom.
Proverbs
Proverbs is full of advice about money and giving. The following proverb says to honor God “from your wealth." God gives to the poor: He doesn't rob them. The point is to put God first in your life for He is the giver of life.
Honor the LORD from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)
We should never forget, even if we know we are poor, to be thankful and generous. There is always someone who is worse off.
There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 12:24-25)
It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it. (Proverbs 10:22)
Life comes from God and not from any material source, represented by money. Mammon [Wealth] is the deceitful provider of a physical life ending in death. God gives life eternal.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf." Proverbs 11:4-5: Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 12:28)
Ill-gotten gains do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 10:2)
God wants us to prosper, but in righteousness there is no easy money. True, God blessed wealth comes by hard, honest, mental and physical labor. God is not a slot machine who pays out if you pay in, regardless of the consequences of the payout. He is ever mindful of our real needs. Wealth gotten God's way endures and blesses.
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it. (Proverbs 13:11)
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat. (Proverbs 13:4)
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury, gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. (Proverbs 28:8)
He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28:19-20)
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22)
To prosper, man must keep God first in his life.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. (Proverbs 17:16)
The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor, and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
Generosity is an indication that money is not the "heart" or "eye" of a person. God's blessings are more than material. Material generosity is often rewarded spiritually.
He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his good to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
A warning about being co-signer or security for another:
Do not be among those who given pledges, among those who become sureties for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you? (Proverbs 22:26-27)
How does God want His Work financed? The Work of God in the Old Testament was the work of the Tabernacle with its priesthood and sacrifices. What is important to Him? It hasn't changed: it is the attitude of the giver.
And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel saying, This is the thing which the LORD has commanded, saying, "Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD's contribution.“ (Exodus 35:4-5)
And everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD's contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments. (Exodus 35:21)
