Getting Biblical in Daily Life
Charity
Someone—you can figure out who—once said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (source).
But still, giving is tough. People generally like to hold onto their hard-earned cash while others go without. How does the Bible try to sort this all out? Are we required to help others financially if we can? How much do we have to give? And how many iGadgets can we buy before we cough up some charity?
What Do John's Epistles Say?
The elder addresses wealth and charity in a few verses:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15-16)
Okay, so the elder specifically calls out love of money—"pride in riches"—as a bad thing. He equates it with loving the world. Basically, he's just saying that it's pretty tough to be close to God when you're super focused on raking in the dough. Jesus and almost every other disciple seem to agree.
How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? (1 John 3:17)
The elder is pretty clear that if you do happen to amass a fortune (or even just regular old worldly goods), you should be willing to give it away at the drop of a hat. After all, how can you call yourself loving and godly if you're not willing to help a brother (or sister) out?
So wealth is out and charity is in, right?
Not So Fast
While the elder is clear that people shouldn't cling to their cash, he's also pretty specific about which people deserve to get it. The elder isn't advocating for general charity for all who are in need. He only calls out "brothers and sisters" as the folks deserving of generosity. But not just anyone who believes in Christ will do.
He writes that being generous to certain Christians who are outside the community (yet still Christian) ain't good:
Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person. (2 John 1:10-11)
Potential house guests, beware! The elder's hospitality only applies to folks who toe the spiritual line.
So What Does This Mean?
How are Christians today supposed to sort this all out? Should they only give generously to their fellow believers? How about only fellow Protestants? Or only fellow Lutherans? Or only fellow Missouri Synod Lutherans who happen to live in Minneapolis on Main Street? The circle of giving is shrinking by the minute…
The elder might frown upon generosity to non-believers and outsiders, but Jesus is much clearer on the subject. Want to really make God happy? "Go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor" (Matthew 19:21).
Luckily, for needy folks of all faiths, this verse ended up being way more popular.