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Be certain that you are not using a gift of money to avoid a larger responsibility. It may be that God desires your physical involvement as well. In other words, don’t just give your money, give of yourself.
I know a Christian who helps to care for the poor in a major city. By caring, he not only gives money, but also gives of himself by establishing thrift shops for the poor in the downtown ghetto areas. Those shops supply clothing, furniture, food, and other necessities to the poor at prices they can afford. Although his time is limited, like everyone else’s, he does that out of obedience to God and love for others.
He says often when he contacts other Christians to help, the vast majority would rather give a little money to God’s work than to get personally involved.
I’d like to emphasize that sharing from obedience differs from the tithe. The tithe is given in recognition of God’s ownership (hence, a testimony), whereas obedience is sharing with others who are in need out of a conviction that they should not do without.
One aspect of God’s will can be found in Matthew 25:45: “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’” Christ is saying that when He returns He will test the sincerity of our words by the commitment of our resources. This is our duty and obedience—to help those in need because of love for Jesus Christ.
The other end of the standard is expressed in Matthew 10:42: “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he shall not lose his reward.” It does not cost much to share water with others. What is Christ saying? What you give is not important—not the amount or the value—only the attitude with which it is given.
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