THE ATTITUDE OF GIVING IN THE EARLY CHURCH:

There is striking contrast between today's attitude, motivation and appeal for giving and that of the early church. 

The Texts:

"They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. (Acts 2:45 NIV)

"...that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need." (Acts 4:34, 35 NIV)

"காணியாட்சிகளையும் ஆஸ்திகளையும் விற்று, ஒவ்வொருவனுக்கும் தேவையானதற்குத்தக்கதாக அவைகளில் எல்லாருக்கும் பகிர்ந்துகொடுத்தார்கள். (அப்போஸ்தலர் 2:45)

"நிலங்களையும் வீடுகளையும் உடையவர்கள் அவைகளை விற்று, விற்கப்பட்டவைகளின் கிரயத்தைக் கொண்டுவந்து, அப்போஸ்தலருடைய பாதத்திலே வைத்தார்கள். அவனவனுக்குத் தேவையானதற்குத்தக்கதாய்ப் பகிர்ந்துகொடுக்கப்பட்டது; அவர்களில் ஒருவனுக்கும் ஒன்றும் குறைவாயிருந்ததில்லை."  (அப்போஸ்தலர் 4:34, 35)

"और वे अपनी अपनी सम्पत्ति और सामान बेच बेचकर जैसी जिस की आवश्यकता होती थी बांट दिया करते थे। (प्रेरितों के काम 2:45)

"और उन में कोई भी दरिद्र न था, क्योंकि जिन के पास भूमि या घर थे, वे उन को बेच बेचकर, बिकी हुई वस्तुओं का दाम लाते, और उसे प्रेरितों के पांवों पर रखते थे। और जैसी जिसे आवश्यकता होती थी, उसके अनुसार हर एक को बांट दिया करते थे।" (प्रेरितों के काम 4:34, 35).

Motivation for giving in the early church:

The early church gave to meet the needs of the fellow disciples, since they all lived as one big family.  They knew the purpose and also the way the fund was utilized. 

There was no "100-Fold-Assured-Return," tag attached with their giving.  They gave with no expectation of manyfold return of material blessings.

The disciples of the early church generously and continually gave ("time to time," - good translation in  Hindi "बेच बेचकर"), in spite of the fact that they were severely suffering unlawful  (often state-patronized) confiscation of their business and properties, burning down of their homes, and even the martyrdom for the very simple reason of being the followers of the Way.  AND STILL THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE.  There was no deal with God while giving to the church family. 

The Contrast Today:

Oh boy (and girl)! What a contrast we see today!  We do business - invest small and gain big material dividend.   "We trust in God" as long as we get in dollors.  :)

Promotional Testimonies:

This materialistic mindset is evident in all through the pages of the Testimony Columns in magazines, the TV shows (mostly in the footages for appeal), and in meetings. It is sort of a tutored repetition (and in magazines, cut-n-paste): "I gave to this ministry and am blessed with lot of properties, fat salary, big bank balance, flourishing business, promotions, my son is highly posted in USA, my daughter got a rich boy...blah blah blah blah."      

Use, Misuse and Abuse:

And sadly this materialistic mindset of the people is craftily manipulated and encashed by some (or many) preachers, pastors, missionary organization and christian institutions.  The appeal and motivation for giving is to get back manifold, and that too, in materialistic means.  Where is the spiritual and biblical aspect? 

Prayers for Back to Root:

Sighing and praying for returning to our root - to the organic lifestyle and the conceptual maturity of the early church.