LEARNING TO GIVE

I have known several apostles in my years of being a Christian. I don’t believe there are a lot of them but there are some. I have tried to watch carefully and learn carefully when around them. They usually teach on doctrinal foundations “to mature the saints.” One of the other things I have learned is that true apostles teach on the necessity of prayer and giving to the Lord.

Wherever they go they teach us by example and word the power of prayer and to give properly. It is never to milk the flock and beg for money or favors but for maturity. Anybody who fleeces the flock is not an apostle… but a wolf …and a jerk.

I am thinking of two particular apostles I have known personally and they both told me similar stories about giving. One was an apostle in India (and other places) for many years and the other was an apostle in Latin American countries for many years. They both planted churches among the very economically poor. As the disciples became practicing Christians, along with doctrine they were taught to pray and give. Both told me with tears in their eyes how difficult it was to encourage people to give ‘something’ regardless of their poverty. Some gave small coins, some shoes, some items of food, some small items of clothing, some seashells and beads, some this and that…but they were taught to give. As time passed they became more prosperous, churches grew and multiplied and the people prospered. They were able to increase giving and become full of faith and confidence by prayer. Where they labored for many years there are now hundreds of churches and tens of thousands of believers. These brothers and sisters cannot imagine not praying and giving.

“But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus