I was once discussing the topic of giving to the church with a man who was employed by the church. I was shocked when this same man told me that he did not give any offering to the church.
When I asked him why he didn’t give he replied that it was his understanding that he does not have to give anything and furthermore he simply could not afford it.
I explained to him that his entire salary came from the contributions of others. He understood, but said that he just couldn’t afford to give.
I knew the person well, so I started to quickly do the math – He lived in very nice home in a very nice neighborhood, he drove a brand-new vehicle and his salary was much more than mine, (and mine was a good salary) and his spouse also worked.
I shared with him that my smaller home and older vehicle enabled me to give to God, which I explained was one of the greatest joys of my life. He had no comment.
I asked for his scriptural justification for not giving and he gave me Romans 12:6-8,
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
He told me, “giving is not my gift.” I refrained, barely, from asking what, exactly, his gift was.
I explained to him that was not what that line in the passage meant, that this passage is referring to men in the church that held positions within the church and this would have been instructions for the elder or deacon in charge of distributions to the poor.
I shared with him many other scriptures, but he soon disconnected and found a way to get away from me. It was clear that, at that time, his position was not going to budge.
Why tell you this? I pray that there is no vain reason in this telling. I am not trying to vilify another person or glorify myself. I just want you to understand that I do my very best to practice what I preach. I am far from perfect, but I want you to know that I will never ask you to do something that I am not willing to do myself. When I ask you to consider giving, with all of the Biblical reasons, I am asking the exact same from myself.
Before I began preaching these lessons on giving, I was satisfied with my contribution amount, but the Holy Spirit has worked on my heart and raised the question, “Is the amount I’m giving the truest reflection of my love for God and my faith in Him?” I’m still considering the question, but I’m leaning very strongly toward, “no.” Now comes the test of faith.
I hope you all understand just how very much I love you!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
