Godly Giving

I was recently asked a question regarding tithing and welfare. I answered it this way:

In regards to welfare recipients, we have to be careful not to paint everyone receiving welfare with the same broad brush.

The welfare system was set up to temporarily help those in times of need. That is what a loving and conscientious community should do.

However, the system has been allowed to be severely abused by millions who are sucking all they can out of it.

How are we to discern those who truly need our help from those with their hands out for whatever they can get?

I guess that is something we each need to decide on a case-by-case basis. Giving folks opportunities to thrive on their own is preferable to a hand out. Sometimes quick, short-term assistance is all that is required.

The practice of Tithing originates in Old Testament times where 1/10 of the yield of the land was returned to "God's storehouse".

Certainly God didn't need the tithes, but we need the reminder of where ALL things come from and that we own nothing, but are stewards of what God has given us.

By tithing to our local churches, we become part of the ministry's mission and outreach programs, helping spread the news of salvation to the lost and providing means of support for those in need in our communities.

Let us be careful not to confuse God's promises with the popular teachings of the prosperity theology, which preaches, "Give so that you will get".

Giving should be done in secret and from the heart - God honors sincerity and cannot and will not be manipulated.

I love God's Word. 

Matthew 25 is an awesome chapter to read. I will leave you with this much of it.

Matthew 25:

34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.


See also James 1

Proverbs 11

 1A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

 2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

 3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

 4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

 5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

 6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

 7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

 8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

 9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

 10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

 11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

 12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

 13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

 14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

 15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

 16A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

 17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

 18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

 19As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

 20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

 21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

 22As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

 23The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

 24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

 25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

 26He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

 27He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

 28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

 29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

 31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.