Lifestyles

Paul talks to the new Christian communities in his epistles and teaches them a radical attitude toward money and possessions as they lived with their families in their homes and operated businesses.

Try your best to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work hard, just as we taught you to do. Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won’t have to depend on anyone. - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Christians needed steady employment to provide for their families.

 So, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask and beg these people to settle down and start working for a living. - 2 Thessalonians 3:12

Jesus called His first four disciples to leave their fishing business to follow Him. Abandoning their possessions was part of answering the call, because Christ's ministry was itinerant, requiring almost constant travel, mostly on foot.

  Peter replied, “Remember, we left everything to be your followers!” - Mark 10:28

 As he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, “Come with me!” So he got up and went with Jesus - Mark 2:14

In the following verses we see a man not only willing but eager, nearly desperate, to leave all else behind and follow Christ.  Christ called him not to leave everything behind, but instead to settle into his community - with all that implies as to shelter, possessions, and vocation - and to us his home and possessions to further the kingdom.  Was this an inferior calling?

 When Jesus was getting into the boat, the man begged to go with him.  But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how good he has been to you.”
 The man went away into the region near the ten cities known as Decapolis^[a] and began telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him. Everyone who heard what had happened was amazed. - Mark 5:18-20

The disciples were to stay in houses and be fed by those who were receptive to their message.

 He told them, “You may take along a walking stick. But don’t carry food or a travelling bag or any money.  It’s all right to wear sandals, but don’t take along a change of clothes.  When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town.  If any place won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet^[a] as a warning to them. - Mark 6:8-11

Later on Jesus tells the apostles were to take a purse, bag and even a sword.

Questions to God about my giving

1. With the financial assets and opportunities you've entrusted to me, have you raised me up for just a time as this?

2. Each financial blessing you entrust to me - is it not intended to raise my standard of living but to raise my standard of giving?


3. Do you want me to adopt a "use it or lose it" approach to my current opportunities for eternal investment?

4. If I don't give now, am I in danger of my heart getting further wrapped up in earthly treasure, rather than heavenly treasure?

5. Because you called the rich young ruler to give away all that he had and follow You, is it possible you might call me to do the same?

6. What simple reminder of Your call to stewardship and giving can I make for myself?

NT Guidelines: Give cheerfully

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

God delights in the one who takes delight in giving.

All the leaders and all the people rejoiced and brought their tax and dropped it into the chest until it was full. - 2 Chronicles 24:10

This is a great testimony of a time when Joash was king and the temple was in need of repair.  Whenever the chest was filled they would empty it, return it, and soon it would be full again.

There is an ebb and flow when it comes to giving.  As one part of the body of Christ has a need and receive help, that same part, one day, will be able to supply and give to another who has need --

Your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. - 2 Corinthians 8:14

In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” - Acts 20:35

Why would Jesus say this?  Maybe because blessing usually affects three people while giving only blesses one. The three are the giver, the recipient and God.

If we find ourselves not being cheerful while giving, the problem will be found in our heart and the solution is in redirecting our heart, not withholding our giving. Our heart follows our treasures --

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

Put your treasures in God's Kingdom and a cheerful heart will eventually follow.




Guidelines for Giving

God's Guidelines for Giving

The New Testament Standard of Giving

The New Testament Pattern of “Giving”

Ten Principles of Christian Giving

Giving God's Way