The Good Lord wants us to give. He urges teachers and preachers to teach on the Biblical principals of giving, even though they may feel hesitant or reluctant, and don't want to do it. I do not include the wolves in sheep's clothing who try to fleece the flock.
It's a blessing to do so. God wants us to be a blessing, and He wants to bless His children when they are obedient.
Abraham is the example used for how the tithe was created and given. Abram (before name was changed) gave Melchizedek a tenth (the tithe), the high priest of God, as an act of worship. "No law required him to give his tithe, and no one compelled him to give. Abram gave his tithe willingly and freely from a heart of love." (from Bible footnotes). This is the example for giving, and "how" we should give.
That's how God wants us to give. 2Corinthian 9:6&7 ..."He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;... which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
As Christians, we want to give, we want to help, we want to bless, we want to be obedient, we want to be like the good Samaritan. With all the needs and suffering all around us and all over the world, giving is more urgent than ever.
I'm trying to say, let people give the way Abraham gave and the way God explains to give in His word: Decide in your own heart, freely and cheerfully.
Not from pressure, arm twisting, making people feel guilty or bad, or begging and begging and because that is what we wanted to do ourselves so we try to get people to support our choices. People have their own choices, they are still giving, in their own way and to what they choose.
Yes, we can give attention to a need; but we still have to give people their own free choice, instead of people doing it from compulsion, because they don't want people to look down on them, or think they are a bad person, or be made to feel like they are less than the other people who chose to make the same choices.
Matthew 6:1-4 "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as 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 doest.
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly".
Don't forget about wisdom, we should be "wise as serpents, and gentle as doves."
These are my own thoughts and feelings. Used the KJ Bible version. So glad to be done.
God bless everyone, so we can freely and abundantly give without the hustle and hassle. Amen
