Believers as Benefactors - Generosity vs. Greed

Believers as Benefactors - Generosity vs. Greed

Introduction

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship explores the crucial attribute of generosity for believers and contrasts it with the destructive nature of greed. Matthew Vander Els introduces the concept by reflecting on the importance of discussing generosity within the Christian walk, noting that it is a topic sometimes avoided despite its significance. He emphasizes that believers are called to be benefactors, individuals who give to others.

Defining a Benefactor

The teaching delves into the definition of a benefactor, explaining that in the first-century context, it primarily referred to someone who gives money or provides support. Synonyms like patron, supporter, backer, sponsor, donor, contributor, and subscriber are also relevant. The speaker highlights the example of Phoebe in Romans 16:2, whom Paul commends as a deacon and a benefactor of many, including himself. Paul recognized Phoebe’s official role in the church and her worthy actions as a generous supporter, urging the Roman believers to care for her.

Biblical Examples of Generosity

The teaching further illustrates the concept of benefactors through the example of women who supported Jesus and his disciples out of their own resources, as mentioned in Luke 8:1-3. These women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, provided financial support for Jesus' ministry. This act of contributing from their possessions demonstrates a form of benefaction. The speaker notes that even though Jesus could have miraculously provided for his ministry, he accepted support from these women, highlighting their generosity. This was significant in a cultural context where rabbis typically did not have female disciples.

The Early Believers and Generosity

The example of the early Christian community in Acts 4:31-35 is presented as a powerful illustration of generosity in action. After being filled with the Holy Spirit, the believers were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of their possessions. Instead, they shared everything, ensuring that there was no needy person among them. Those who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles for distribution according to need. This radical generosity was a result of their spiritual unity and their commitment to caring for one another.

Generosity as an Attribute of a Believer

The teaching argues that generosity is an essential attribute of a believer filled with the Spirit of God. Just as God is a giver, those who follow Him should also be characterized by generosity. This attribute is not natural to human beings, who often operate under self-preservation instincts. However, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome this natural inclination and to reflect God's generous nature.

Evidence of Generosity

Several key pieces of evidence demonstrate generosity in a believer's life:

• The Holy Spirit: Generosity is linked to being filled with the Holy Spirit, as seen in Acts 4:31 where the believers were filled with the Spirit before their acts of sharing.
• The Mission of the Gospel: Generosity fuels the mission of spreading the gospel. The early believers used their resources to support teachers, pastors, and those in need, enabling the continuation and expansion of the Christian message. Supporting a mission through one's resources reveals where one's heart truly lies. As Yeshua said in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
• Unity: Generous people tend to build unity within a community. Acts 4:32 describes the early believers as being of one heart and soul, and generosity played a role in maintaining this unity. Givers foster togetherness, while takers can breed divisiveness.
• Love: Generosity is an expression of love. The early believers ensured that there was no needy person among them, demonstrating their love in practical ways. Love is often shown through actions and giving, addressing the needs of others.
• Leadership: Generosity is a crucial attribute of a leader. Barnabas is introduced in Acts 4:36-37 as an example of a leader who sold his field and gave the proceeds to the community. A leader's generosity sets an example for others to follow.

The Opposite of Generosity: Greed

The teaching starkly contrasts generosity with greed, using the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. This couple sold a piece of property but secretly kept back some of the proceeds while pretending to donate the entire amount. Peter confronts Ananias, stating that Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. The consequence of their deceit and greed was their sudden death.

Greed and its Consequences

The story of Ananias and Sapphira illustrates several negative consequences of greed:

• Thievery: Greed can lead to thievery. The act of Ananias keeping back part of the money was described as pilfering or stealing, as it was a deception regarding what they had vowed to give.
• Satanic Tendencies: Greed can open the door to negative spiritual influences. Peter's statement that Satan filled Ananias' heart highlights the spiritual danger of greed. This is reminiscent of Judas Iscariot, who was also a thief and ultimately betrayed Jesus for money.
• Lying and Deception: Greed often involves lying and attempting to deceive others. Ananias and Sapphira tried to appear generous while secretly holding back, highlighting the deceptive nature of greed. Their motivation seemed to be the praise of people rather than genuine generosity towards God.
• Revelation of the Heart: Greed reveals the true condition of one's heart. The actions of Ananias and Sapphira exposed a heart that valued their own gain over their commitment to God and the community.
• Death: In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, greed literally led to their death, serving as a severe warning. This demonstrates the ultimate destructive power of greed.

The Concept of Tithing as Tribute

The teaching addresses the topic of tithing, reframing it as an act of giving tribute to God. While acknowledging that the specific laws regarding tithing to the temple in the Old Testament cannot be directly fulfilled today due to the absence of the temple, the principle of giving a tenth of one's abundance as a tribute remains relevant. Old Testament examples like Jacob's vow in Genesis 28:22 and Abram's giving a tenth to Melchizedek in Genesis 14 illustrate this concept of tribute long before the establishment of the temple.

Application for Everyday Life

• Examine Your Heart: Regularly audit your priorities by looking at where your time, energy, and money are directed.
• Support a Mission: Identify the causes and ministries that align with the gospel and actively support them with your resources.
• Foster Unity: Be generous in your interactions with others, actively working to build unity within your community.
• Show Love Through Giving: Look for opportunities to meet the practical needs of those around you.
• Lead by Example: If you are in a leadership position, model generosity for those you lead.

Conclusion

The teaching concludes by emphasizing that believers are called to be benefactors, representing God's kingdom through their generosity. This attribute is a reflection of the Holy Spirit within, fuels the mission of the gospel, fosters unity and love within the community, and is exemplified by godly leaders. By consciously choosing generosity over greed in their daily lives, believers can live out the teachings of Yeshua, Paul, and Peter and have a lasting positive impact on the world around them.

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