Whatcha Need?
Whatcha Need?
““If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.”
Deuteronomy 15:7-8
Six-hundred and thirteen laws were passed down orally from God to Moses. These laws were adhered to from generation to generation in rabbinical fashion. Originally these laws were meant to be flexible, not rigid, until the destruction of the second temple. It was then that it was decided to write them down and record them as part of the Bible as we know it today. Most feared it would lead to a system of laws that would be legalistically followed, and it did.
The verses above are from the Torah, or the first five books of the Bible also known as Moses’s Law. Originally these laws were not intended for Gentiles, only Jews. Over time, they still guide many of our practices today. However when Christ died on the cross, we were released from the Law. Even though His death released us from a legalistic system of those laws, the spirit of the law still lives today.
These verses, seven and eight, tell us about giving to our brothers needs - whatever that need is. Our brothers, in this case, are those that are in the family of God with us. These are needs, not wants or desires. It is very clear in these verses on how we are to give; openly, willingly and sufficiently. And this law was to be practiced every seven years, known as the year of release. Although we are released from the letter of the law, the spirit still lives today - we should always provide for our brothers and sisters.
Over time, and many years later, organized religion has distorted the truth about giving. They have taken advantage of the willing, and defined what is sufficient for them for their success monetarily. It was always, I repeat always, intended to fulfill our brothers and sisters needs, not the needs of organized religion.
Initially tithing regarded the giving of ten percent of the first or best of your crop or herd to the temple as a sacrifice. First fruits also described ways in which you would give the first of your crop or animals. Generally these were given as a sacrifice or to be shared. It was to provide an example that what we have was given to us by God and we were to repay or give it away in a show of thankfulness and reverence.
Nothing in the original meaning and practices talked about what someone wanted or their desires and it certainly did not talk about money. It certainly isn’t something that is only requested every seven years. Tithing was described in the Old Testament and it was originally viewed as a form of taxation by some, sacrifice by others and obedience to God by all those who gave.
Nowhere in the New Testament is there mention of tithing. We are to give as we have, and to give as we have to those in need. It does not define our giving as monies. It is not to be collected, or established as a legalistic principle and should be done when there is excess.
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”
I Corinthians 16:1-2
What is mentioned is that we are to care for our brothers and sisters based on their needs and our excess. When we have more than we need, we should give to those that don’t. When our brothers and sisters have a need, we are to provide for that need, no matter what our needs are. And as we give, we should do so with a pure heart, or a heart filled with joy, not animosity.
Meeting each other’s needs are dependent on two things; the ability of the Christian and the needs of the body of Christ. Organized religion has distorted this view on giving. We are to give as our heart leads us to give.
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
II Corinthians 9:6-7
In the book of Acts the apostles sold their belongings and gathered their wages and earnings. They came together and combined their monies and valuables to be used by all. It was a combining of finances within a community to be used by all as was needed. Not wanted. They provided for the needs of others. This system is completely different than what we see today.
Today monies are gathered together to be used by organized religion as organized religion sees fit. This could be to buy a new vehicle, give pay raises or to even to offset personal living expenses.
The Bible is the sole authority for the Christian for how the Christian should be living and what should be applied in their life. Great biblical and spiritual counselors should be used to help in our understanding of this. However, nothing replaces our prayer and guidance by the Holy Spirit when it comes to matters of biblical importance.
Christian’s need to rely on scripture, prayer and the Holy Spirit.
Genuine Christian needs should be filled by the body of Christ (believers). As Christian’s, when we focus on the Lord, we have only needs - never wants. Wants are desires and desire is lust. Lust is of the flesh. We should be able to always do without our wants and to ignore our fleshly desires. And don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to want things. But it will always be more important to fulfill the needs of others before fulfilling our wants.
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”
Acts 4:32-35
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalms 23:1