Day 3

Bruce Miller, author

This week, we are reprinting Chapter 2 of  Bruce Miller’s book, Giving: Three Questions. We’re answering the question, “To whom should you give?” Today we’re considering the next biblical priority for our giving, giving to those in need.

To those in need

You see God’s special heart for those in need in both the Old and New Testaments. He has special concern for orphans, widows and the oppressed. Proverbs affirms,

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses (Proverbs 28:27).

People in our church family

Of all those in need, our responsibility first is to those in our own church family. The parable of the sheep and the goats speaks to fellow believers. At the final judgment, the King will separate the people as a shepherd separates sheep and goats based on how a person met the needs of the least of our brothers and sisters. Jesus said,

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:31–40).

In the book of Acts, we read about how the first church lived out what Jesus asked:

For there was no one needy among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds from the sales and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds were distributed to each, as anyone had need (Acts 4:34–35).

The believers gave to the church and the church distributed funds to those in need. There was no one needy among them. We want the same reality in our local churches today. If anyone in a local church lacks daily food, adequate clothes or a place to live, we take care of each other. Of course, a church should perform due diligence to ensure the needs are legitimate and that the help is truly helping, not enabling.

Your church likely has a benevolence fund. At Christ Fellowship, our “Love Fund” is our fund to care for those in need in our church family first, and then those in our community in need. We distribute 100 percent of those funds directly to people as we verify the need, and help them to thrive long-term financially and spiritually. Not only do we give to people in need in our church family, but we also support people in our community.

People in our community

Among the many proverbs about giving to the needy, Proverbs 19:17 gives a promise:

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done (Proverbs 19:17).

Jesus makes this truth come alive in his story of the Good Samaritan. You may remember that a nameless man was attacked, beaten and robbed, then left on the side of the road. While a priest and a Levite passed by on the other side of the road, an everyday Samaritan took care of the hurt man. At the end of the story Jesus asked,

 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:36–37).

The Bible calls us to show financial mercy to people in need in our community, including those of different ethnicities and beliefs.

It’s a joy to help people in our local community. The people of Christ Fellowship have done food drives, bought Christmas Angel Tree gifts, repaired homes, and much more. One home that needed repair ended up becoming a much bigger project that took months and far more money than we anticipated. Members of the church took an interest in the homeowner and when he was losing his eyesight, they took him to doctor appointments and have helped in many practical ways, perhaps most of all by being faithful friends.

In December a few years ago, a tornado brought disaster to our community including two families in Blue Ridge, a town in northern Collin County. The Santillano’s mobile home was shredded, but much worse, their three-day old, newborn little girl was killed. In addition, the Gonzalez family of nine, including a special needs girl lost their home and vehicles. Two leaders from Christ Fellowship, Bob and Terry, worked with a group of churches and agencies to verify needs and bring help. Immediate needs for food and clothing were covered, but both families needed a place to live. Through people’s generosity, we were able to provide two new manufactured homes fully furnished! I had so much joy being there to see their smiles and tears when the families walked in the door of their new homes for the first time.

Giving brings so much joy! It starts a cascade of joy, a chain reaction of smiles. There is a third biblical priority for where we should give. In addition to your local church and to those in need, we should prioritize giving to global missions.

We’ll discuss giving to global missions tomorrow.

Reflect

• Why should we help take care of those in our church body who are in financial need?
• What is God’s opinion of those who give to those in need? Why is it a joy to help them?
• How can you assist those in financial need in your church and community?