Jesus Asked, "What Will Ye That I Shall Do Unto You?" - Part 1091

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (I Corinthians 2:12)

"Freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

Although a simple and straight forward scriptural message, our modern day religious culture has instead turned "giving" of ourselves into a fine art, teaching that believers should contribute monies to church offerings and tithes rather than "stand in the offering plate" with Jesus -- giving our all in all.

Jesus said, "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them, otherwise, you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you -- "They have their reward."  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth ... that thine alms may be in secret." (Matthew 6:1-4)

Did you catch that? That thine alms may be done in secret so that thy Father -- which seeth in secret, Himself shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:4)

Note that "freely" and "in secret" is what Jesus asks us to do. As believers in Jesus Christ by faith, we are transformed by the renewing of our mind -- so that we should willingly become a flow-thru for the good news gospel of Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:2) Like apostle Paul, our desire should be to preach this same life giving gospel "without charge." (I Corinthians 9:27)

"Freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

Unfortunately, the religious/worldly constructs in which we live insist that we spend our lives subscribing to monetary matters, relying solely on the currency of money as part of a bigger (and better?) exchange system. And to ensure that we are groomed into this lifelong systematic jungle, we learn very early in childhood that if someone does good work for us, we pay them money for the services rendered. In our earthly thinking, we do this because it is the "right thing" to do.

If we take this same premise one step further into the religious realm, we begin to understand why religion and the world have culminated in unison -- expecting Christian believers to give tithes and offerings to those who minister in the churches. From a lay person's perspective (and I use the term "lay person" to represent those who are new to the faith and just beginning to seek Jesus' wisdom and knowledge through His Word) -- those involved in church ministry provide a service and the money given in tithes and offerings signifies a token of our appreciation -- for the "service" or "services" they render.

But again, what did Jesus say?

"Freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

And the apostles when Jesus, after He was taken up, gave them commandments through the Holy Ghost concerning the body of Christ? (Acts 1:1-5) "And all that believed were together and had all things common and sold their possessions and goods and parted to all, as every man hath need." (Acts 2:44-45)

"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common, and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of Jesus and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid down at the apostles' feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." (Acts 4:32-35)

Let's look at some other scriptural examples regarding money -- keeping in mind that this is not a teaching that you would normally hear from the majority of churches in this day and age. Note also the following references are cited from the new testament for a reason. That is, we currently live in the new testament dispensation of grace.

"And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." (Hebrews 9:15)

Therefore, when Jesus satisfied all the requirements of the old covenant once and for all with His precious blood on the cross, He satisfied the old covenant law and commandments.

"But their minds were blinded for until this day remaineth the vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ." (II Corinthians 3:14)

To facilitate learning, I have listed the scriptures as points -- to be understood both separately and collectively, so that we can achieve a more enriching understanding of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ -- in all things. I pray that as ye abound in every thing in faith, and in utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, that ye abound in this grace also. (II Corinthians 8:7)

"Freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

Scriptural References:

1. After being tempted by the devil, Jesus returned "in the power of the Spirit" into Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, being glorified of all. "And He came to Nazareth where He had been brought up, and. as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias [Isaiah]. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He hath sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:13-19; Isaiah 49:8-9; Isaiah 61:1-2)

When Jesus commanded the twelve disciples to "go rather to the lost sheep of Israel and as ye go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils" what instruction did He add? (Luke 4:13-19) Ironically, the teaching we rarely hear. That is:

"Freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves for the workman is worthy of his meat ..." (Matthew 10:5-10)

Similarly, in Luke, Jesus said to Peter and the disciples, "When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?" And they said, "Nothing." Jesus then said, "But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this is written must yet be accomplished in Me -- And He was reckoned among the transgressors; for the things concerning Me have an end." And they said, "Lord behold; here [are] two swords." And Jesus said, "It is enough." (Luke 22:34-38)

Note that neither of these scripture references directs the disciples (in their respective ministries) "to collect tithes" or "to give a portion of one's earnings." Why? Because when Jesus sent them without purse and scrip and shoes -- they "lacked nothing."  (Luke 22:34-38) And, later when Jesus said "he that hath a purse, let him take, and likewise his scrip" it was so the apostles could utilize what they had to preach the good news gospel of Jesus Christ -- God giving the increase. (I Corinthians 3:7)

(More on this in the points to follow)

In the interim, note Jesus' specific wording here. Initially, Jesus said -- NOT to take money for preaching the gospel, "neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in purses." (Matthew 10:9-10) This message so that we as believers would understand that preaching the gospel was never intended to be about money or an exchange for a service rendered. Rather, Jesus was releasing every one of His disciples to preach His good news gospel, heal the sick, recover sight to the blind and to set at liberty them that are bruised -- and He was doing so under the umbrella of "freely ye receive, freely give!"

And, the outcome for using what we have -- he that hath a purse, let him take and likewise his scrip -to preach the gospel to one and all is that we -- like the disciples, would lack nothing.

2. How the apostles obeyed Jesus' instructions can be clearly seen in the scriptural examples cited in the book of Acts. In Acts 2, the first 3,000 believers that gladly received his Word and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost -- all them "that believed were together and had all things common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men] as every man had need, and they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:38-47)

In the 4th chapter of Acts: "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid down at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, the son of consolation) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus -- having land, sold [it] and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet." (Acts 4:33-37)

Again, money wasn't the priority, and we know that because "neither was there any among them that lacked." In fact, they did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. Moreover, they had ALL things common, and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all -- as every man had need.

Was it the church that distributed/redistributed the money? No, the believers themselves chose in their heart to give so that no one person or family among them lacked.

3. The last book in the Bible -- the Book of Revelation -- makes it very clear that money is the devil's currency.  Revelation 18 expands on this point -- to the extent of citing the various forms of merchandise that contribute to our global economy today. Note how the worldly construct of money is positioned in His Word, particularly in these last days.

"And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning ... and the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her for no man buyeth their merchandise any more." (Revelation 18:9-17)

Indeed, the kings of the earth "have committed fornication ... and the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her for no man buyeth merchandise any more." (Revelation 18:9-17)

(To do justice to this argument, these scriptures should be read in their entirety. However, for purposes of conciseness, let Revelation chapters 17 and 18 serve as a "beginning" for establishing the meaning of money from a scriptural context.)

"And he [the devil who deceives them on the earth] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Revelation 13:16-17)

4. There was a certain man called Simon in the scriptures -- "which before time in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one?"  This same Simon -- "to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, said, "This man is the great power of God." And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with their sorceries." (Acts 8:9-11)

But something changed when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. They were baptized -- both men and women. Simon himself believed also, and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs, which were done. (Acts 8:12-13)

"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then laid they hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost," -- similar to the first 3,000 baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 8: 14-17; Acts 2:38-42)

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostle's hands, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:18-19)  But Peter said unto him, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." (Acts 8:20-21)

Note Peter's response -- "Thy money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." The reason given for Peter's response -- that his heart was not right in the sight of God.

5. When Jesus fed the 5,000, He was illustrating where our heart should be. Did Jesus ask for a collection plate to be passed around so that the people could eat? No. But we can see from the scriptures that the disciples had a heart for the people. The disciples saw their physical needs -- to be fed and housed. It was only when Jesus challenged them -- that they decided to go buy meat for all the people. The solution for them was money. Exchanging money for food so that the 5,000 plus could be fed. But Jesus did not need money. Indeed, Jesus used what He had in front of Him-- the five loaves and two fishes -- and after blessing the food, divided it, trusting God to give the increase. (Luke 9:12-17)

"And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto Him, "Send the multitude away that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals, for we are here in a desert place." But [Jesus] said unto them, "Give ye them to eat." And they said, "We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people." For they were about five thousand men.

And He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down by fifties in a company." And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then [Jesus] took the five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them and brake and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled, and there was taken up of fragments that remained in the twelve baskets." (Luke 9:12-17)

If only we had faith like a mustard seed -- but I digress.

6. The Acts of the apostles is full of examples of believers coming together in singleness of heart to praise our Lord God and Saviour but let me point to one example in particular. God's provision for ministering the gospel to unbelievers was revealed without the burden of offerings and tithes being placed on those who had come together. Remember, freely have you received, freely give. In Acts 2:

"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians and Nedes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." (Acts 2:5-11)

God's provision for ministering the gospel to unbelievers was giving believers the language(s) so that "every man heard them speak in his own language." At no point was an offering taken, or tithes asked for. Instead, these believers did what God wanted them to do. That is, they put themselves into the offering plate with Jesus. Their faith indicative of their trust in Jesus for their innermost heart desires.

7. Jesus said to the disciples when the people brought Him also infants, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God." (Luke 18:15-17)

"And they brought young children to Him, that  He should touch them, and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. but when Jesus saw [it], He was much displeased and said unto them, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Verily, I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." And [Jesus] took them up in His arms, put [His] hands upon them and blessed them." (Mark 10:13-16)

"Then there were brought unto Him little children that He should put [His] hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto Me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And He laid [His] hands on them and departed hence." (Matthew 19:13-15)

Earlier, the disciples had come unto Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, "Verily, I say unto you, "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive on such little child in My name receiveth Me." (Matthew 18:1-7)

 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences, for it must needs be that offences come, but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" (Matthew 18:1-7; Mark 9:42)

Note that Jesus did not tell the parents and/or children to bring Him money, or to give some money to the church (so that as intermediary, these could distribute the monies). Rather, Jesus said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:15-17)

But in this culture whereby money and worldly constructs are idealized, we attempt to teach our children about spending priorities by including "giving some of the earnings to the church." I am sure there was a time in my life when I taught my children to do the same. But my question is this. What are we teaching our children when we encourage them to give some of their earnings to the church, and not -- as the scriptures state -- to stand in the offering plate with Jesus?

I will leave that question for you to ponder, praying that you will seek Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength for His guidance and direction on these matters.

8. Finally, we all know that there are costs associated with operating a church building, and admittedly, we should contribute to maintaining a place of worship. However, our giving should not start and stop there. As believers in Jesus by faith, we become ministers of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ -- the King of kings and Lord of lords who never fails!

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus ... for we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." (Hebrews 3:1-14)
For those who want to study this subject further, here is a list of scriptures that may be useful.

"And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you .." (II Peter 2:3)

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Timothy 6:10)

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry ... " (Colossians 3:5)

"For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God ..." (Ephesians 5:5)

"[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

And [Jesus] said unto them, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth ..." (Luke 12:15-21)

"Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him ..." (I John 2:15-17)

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17)

Stand in the offering plate.