stephen R Harrison

While planting a new church, I would continually share vision to our church and pray for God to supply the finances necessary to do so. One family stopped me early on and said, “God told us to give $10,000”. Then another did the same. Another lady showed up at my door with a $10,000 check. But most importantly there were countless sacrificial gifts of $1, $5, $10, and $20. While praying one day, I was challenged as I read a Scripture and had the thought, “What are you going to sacrifice for this Kingdom work?” We were challenged to give more than we have ever given before. One little boy even gave me his piggy bank money one Sunday – $1.47. God was truly honored that day.

When it comes to meeting a need, we should always, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but we should remember “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). Sometimes we pray for God to move somehow when He desires to move through someone – and that someone could be us. As we pray, we should ask, “God, are the resources to accomplish my prayer or a certain need found in me?” If we are open to God working through us at all times and believe prayer is simply God communicating to us (and not just us communicating to Him), then God will show us how He wants to use us to meet a need. I remember one Sunday someone told me about a family with kids who didn’t have coats that winter. Honestly, my first thought was, “I hope someone supplies that need”. During prayer that day, I was reminded God had supplied that need through the church, I just needed to make them aware of it so someone could meet it. I asked for people to come lay coats on the altar and we collected over 400 coats that weekend to give to those in need. It was a joy to give the one I had just bought.

I was working one night late at church and heard a knock on
the door. It was a man who was traveling from Arizona to Florida, primarily by hitchhiking and walking. It was snowing and cold that day and all he had was a long sleeve shirt and a thin jacket. My first thought was to send him on his way “be warm and be fed” but Scripture warns us against that kind of inhospitable behavior (James 2:16). I gave him some of the pizza I had, packed him a bag of essentials, gave him my coat and sweater, found him a pair of gloves and toboggan in our lost and found and offered him a ride. As we sat and talked over some coffee he gave his life to Christ and thanked me. He said he had been turned away from every other church he had been to before us. Wow! At that moment I thought, “Church is people. People turned him away, not a whole church.” What a blessing I received that night.

While Jesus said to give to everyone who asks of you (Luke 6:30; Matthew 5:42), He didn’t say to always give them exactly what they asked for. I think this is where prayer and wisdom come into play. Sometimes it’s more loving to give counsel and prayer than money or resources. Sometimes people need our time, prayers, company, contacts, patience, mercy, talents or listening ears more than they need our money. I rarely give money directly to individuals who ask for it. I usually ask if I can go buy the food, pay the bill direct, etc. so I ensure the money is spent wisely. Perhaps the person isn’t needy, honest, or capable of handling money wisely? A good rule of thumb is to err on the side of grace but never check wisdom and discernment at the door of compassion and love.

Jesus sent His disciples out to do ministry but cautioned them to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” because of being sent out among wolves (Matthew 10:16). I’ve given “blindly” before, but I usually ask questions about my giving because I want to be a good steward of what God has given me. Asking loving and thorough questions helps me determine if the need is legitimate and the best way to offer long term help. I remember buying a lunch for a man holding a sign near our church. The sign said he had no money and was hungry so I gave him a list of job openings and a sack lunch as well. He later dropped by the church to say thank you as he got a job. Another time I didn’t give to someone who asked me for money because I found out they were able but refused to work. Sometimes I’ve given when it didn’t seem right and other times I’ve not given when I should have.

Giving requires faith as well as wisdom. Remember, God doesn’t always give us what we ask Him for out of love and when we give or withhold giving it is always done towards Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:35-36). But whatever you do, never lose trust in the Lord as you give. I try to ask myself, “Will my giving glorify God, further his kingdom, spread his gospel, and love people in his name?” If so, I give without hesitation. Above all, remember because Jesus has given us so much, we should be generous with others and help meet whatever level of need it is for His glory as His church.