Getting or Giving in the Body of Christ?



When it comes to the biblical body of Christ should we be looking to GET or to GIVE?

 This is a great question we all need to test ourselves to. 

I felt it was important to write about this topic based on a recent situation we encountered with a man who said he was a brother in the Lord but I am not so sure now. I had been bible studying with this man the year before and was helping him through some learning issues and in his marriage; with a feminist wife. She did not want to talk to us at all, at that time. He left bible studying with me to appease her and he never communicated with me again. That was that, so I thought!

 Then recently when things started going crazy in the world via the corona virus in April 2020, out of the blue, we get a phone call and it is both him and her. They both were talking to me about what to do and where to go to be safe as they were in the heart of New York City and concerned about their plight. I was taken back by it all in my flesh to be honest, I knew they were using us. But I rose above that and I gave him godly counsel (they did not like it) and again they both left us to go on their own way. 

 Here is the point and it leads to my article:

 It was obvious they were looking to GET from us as we have a homestead, stability and a place of refuge in the country. But all that time they knew of us, they never looked to GIVE to the body of Christ or see how we were doing at all. This is selfish and sinful behavior that needs to be addressed. Frankly we see it in 99% of those who claim Christ. I feel it is a fruit of the American culture that is a very self centered / look out for my needs mindset and unless your in the Word / obeying it to combat it, you bring that sinful way into the body life and it is leaven for sure!

 As Berean's and having clung to God's Word for many years now; we have always tried to model what we see in scripture. That is a giving of yourself daily to and for others, not seeking to take. It is one of the reasons we post daily to encourage the saints online, we travel to preach and reach others all over the nation and do not take anyone's money/donations nor do we look for people to assist us but we look to assist others. It is our prayer this article will get you to test your own ways in the body for God's glory and your own walk as well. 

 In the book of Acts, we see the early body of Christ functioning as God intended via the Apostle oversight. 

 Acts 2
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 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,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

 Beautiful is it not? People in Christ looking to serve each other, GIVING and helping the needy, NOT just looking to GET. 

 Jesus the Christ is our greatest example and He came to serve and GIVE not to just GET.

 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20 
  
*The word minister there means to "serve others". 

 In this same area of scripture Christ gives us the formula for His body so it will honor Him and function correctly:
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Matt 20

 Sadly this is not what we see today. Again we are VERY cautious as we have been burned by so many who say they are all about Christ but their fruit of just TAKING not GIVING then eventually leaving always exposes it all. We have had to be very wise about who we trust into our body as lip service in these times is NOT reliable. It is fruit we are to look for (see John 14) and then we are to judge the body. (see 1 Cor 5) 

 Now to be clear; I am not saying you should never take from the body. It is there to help those truly in need and it is good to do so. We read about this in the Corinth body where the believers are helping the starving Israelite believers during a famine in Jerusalem. 

 1 Cor 16 
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Paul instructs they lay aside money to GIVE to the needy. 
Most of the money in the early body was used for preaching the gospel and caring for widows and orphans. 

 James 1;27 says that is pure religion along with keeping yourself unspotted from the world! 

 The issue I am raising is when people are out there looking to GET and improve their own safety or needs via the body without considering how they can GIVE to the body in love. Ah, there is that word, love. Jesus said it would wax cold in the last days and we see that playing out all over as well. It is the selfishness and lack of love I am speaking to here.  To glorify God; let us all ponder it and ask ourselves; am I a taker of a giver in the body? 

 Apostle Paul said this in Phil 2:
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 We want to model this in our walk as well as the example Jesus gave us to live out in the body. 

 To be clear, will we help true saints and do. They are welcome in our lives / on our homestead ... IF... they have the eagerness to learn it or a track record / fruit of being His by giving ( not taking ) and looking after others and by investing daily time building godly relationships over time. (not just when they have a NEED) 
So far, we have NEVER seen anyone be able to fake those qualities for more then 3-6 months before their true heart is shown which most often is selfishness and greed, not godly love and care for others. People's sin always exposes them to those who are discerning and wise in the Word. 
Jesus said be wise as a serpent in Matt 10.   

  Can I offer some advise for you after many years in public ministry:

  If you find some true biblical saints online and you have a mind to draw closer to them or even move near them, make sure you pray and seek God first. Then ask yourself; are doing it with a heart to go and give and serve others most of all and NOT to get from them? I can promise you if it is getting (like the man and his wife who called us) you will be rooted out as takers and dealt with in love by those who are biblical and walking in the spirit. 
(see Romans 8)

 I want the best for you and I can testify it is far far better to give then to receive just as Acts 20 says:
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 If I may also offer this advice to you:

  Before you ever think of moving to be near other saints, practice and find ways to GIVE to them, look after them, pray for them, edify them daily, give them place in your daily life and let that alone be the reason to ever consider moving closer to them. This will ensure God is glorified in us, you are looking after others/keeping the model Jesus and Paul showed us and you will then be in a position to indeed have true saints around you.. if ...you ever need real help yourself. Even the lowest, poorest, weakest saint with Gods spirit; has SOMETHING to bring and give to others daily. Find it in you and give it often! 

 To be honest, after years in public ministry and knowing hundreds or thousands of so called born again saints personally, we know very few who show daily care, giving and love for the brethren. It is sad but it is a fact in these last days of so few true believers born of the gospel vs false man made religion. Oh, we know the true New Testament body life is possible today but it is VERY VERY rare and so precious! What it takes is a group of true godly GIVERS about serving Christ and others and not Getter's looking to take from others as that shows a lack love for the brethren. 

  Jesus said:
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 13

 We have learned well and we will only "draw closer" to those who want to learn how to or do already biblically give of themselves in godly love daily. If you want to just take, I say in love, you are not modeling the fruit of being His people. 

The fact is people who really love others in a godly way, want to give of themselves daily, amen? We ourselves had to learn to love others with a godly love in the beginning of our walk and to give as well. If you lack this today ask God to help you in this area, study the Word on it and it will bless you in your walk and faith life. It is also a protection against the takers who you will meet in mass numbers I can promise you. Be an Acts 17 Berean and give your life/time/talents away to God and to others who are His true saints. Then on earth and in heaven, you will be blessed! 

 God be praised

 *******************************************

See our resources below that will help you in the biblical faith.




Labels: , ,