"Immanuel - God with us."

Fellowship (Stewardship)

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42) This brief description tells us a lot about the practices of the first Christians in Jerusalem.

The apostles taught the things Jesus had taught them and the doctrines, principles and practices the Holy Spirit revealed to them when Jesus returned to heaven. The “breaking of bread” in this verse (I assume!) refers to the Lord’s Supper. Prayer is talking to God. But what is “fellowship”?

“Fellowship” is a word that is tossed around among believers with no thought given to the original meaning of the words translated fellowship. Most often the present church uses the word “fellowship” to identify get-togethers and pot-luck suppers, women’s and men’s meetings, area wide gatherings, and the like. But these things only skim the surface of New Testament fellowship.

First, we need an informed definition of the word “fellowship”. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines the two Greek words (koinonia and metoche) translated fellowship as “sharing” and “partnership”. William Barclay wrote that fellowship is that “great quality of togetherness”.

Next, let’s take a look at the history of New Testament fellowship.

Jesus and the Twelve were certainly in fellowship with each other as they traveled about Galilee, Samaria and Judea.

In Acts the first Christians shared everything they possessed in order to survive the first months of the life of the church. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts; praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” (Acts 2:45-46)

Later on, in Acts 4:32, we read, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” And verses 34-35 say, “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

A man named Joseph is introduced at this point in the history of the first church. The apostles renamed Joseph “Barnabas” (which means “son of encouragement”). Barnabas sold a piece of land he owned and brought the money to the apostles to be used as they chose to spend it.

On through the New Testament the first Christians continued to take care of each other. Even those who were converted to Christ in Greece and Asia Minor (modern Turkey) brought money to the leaders of their churches each Sunday (I Corinthians 16:2). That money was collected from the churches by Paul and a band of about eight other men and then given to Christians in Judea who were suffering the effects of a famine. The Philippian church is well known for it financial support of the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)

The pattern the Philippian Christians set for the church is this: Christians are in partnership with each other are supposed to share their possessions with each other and to support the preaching of the gospel. James wrote of those who are not in fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ. James wrote, “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed’, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16)

Biblically, fellowship is sharing and partnering with other believers. Paul wrote that this business of “contributing to the needs of others” and “giving generously” is a gift from God (Romans 12:8).

Paul wrote to young Timothy these instructions: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (I Timothy 6:17-18)

I want to acknowledge that Christians give to the Lord and to others in many ways other than contributing money. Volunteers do most of the work of every healthy church.

But I am going to address the issue of giving money to the Lord because the heart of fellowship is sharing and partnering with one’s money. Remember Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The reverse of that is also true: For where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.

So, what are we to do? How much am I to give to the Lord through the church? Can I designate money through my church to missions, homes, colleges, camps, denominational structures, etc.? Can I send money directly to Christian organizations other than the church? And what about giving to other benevolent organizations like the Red Cross, research funds for various diseases, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, etc.?

In order to explain what I believe is Biblical fellowship, I am adding a new Biblical word to this discussion – “stewardship”.

The subject of stewardship deserves a chapter of its own because of the implications of it as the Biblical principle of one’s attitude toward one’s possessions. First I will define the word stewardship, give a brief example of a steward from the book of Genesis, and then answer the questions in the paragraph above.

I believe the following is an adequate definition of Christian Stewardship. This definition is taken from the book, “The Challenge of Christian Stewardship” by Milo Kauffman of the Mennonite Church. “Christian stewardship is the practice of systematic and proportionate giving of time, abilities, and material possessions, based on a conviction that these are a trust from God to be used in His service, for the benefit of all mankind.”

The first thing Christian must recognize is that all we possess belongs to someone else, God. Jesus bought us from the slavery of sin and the penalty of death with His blood. So God owns us and everything we are and everything we possess. We own nothing. Job said it, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” (Job 1:21)

At the funeral of a rich man someone asked, “How much money did he leave to his heirs?” And the correct answer was, “He left it all.”

Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, illustrates this idea perfectly. The story of Joseph begins in Genesis 37 and goes through Genesis 50. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery. The slave owners took Joseph from Canaan to Egypt where he was re-sold to a rich man named Potiphar.

Quickly Potiphar saw the potential for greatness in Joseph and elevated Joseph to be his steward. This meant that everything Potiphar possessed was now in Joseph’s control. Potiphar did not concern himself with his possessions because he knew his steward, Joseph, would manage all his household affairs honestly and with integrity. Nothing belonged to Joseph, but while Joseph lived in Potiphar’s house he was in charge of all Potiphar’s possessions.

It was not long, however, that Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of trying to rape her. And Joseph was thrown into prison. You see, Joseph did not own anything he was managing. He was Potiphar’s slave who held the position of steward. Joseph was right when he said, “Everything Potiphar owns he has entrusted to my care.”

In jail Joseph was elevated to the prisoner in charge of the other prisoners. But again, Joseph was still a prisoner, not the jailer.

Two years later, because Joseph interpreted the dreams of the Pharaoh, the Pharaoh elevated Joseph to the second highest position in the Egyptian government. Pharaoh gave Joseph his signet ring, a robe, a gold chain, a house, a fine chariot in which to ride, and authority over all the land. But Joseph owned nothing.

Joseph was still a steward. Joseph still answered to Pharaoh. Joseph was merely a manager, a very powerful manager, but a manager nonetheless, of possessions that belonged to someone else. The Pharaoh could put him back in prison, or even kill Joseph, with just a word.

Now as you think about your relationship to God, put yourself in Joseph’s place. We are all stewards of God’s possessions. Everything in our possession belongs to God. We are merely managers, stewards, of possessions that are not ours. And when we die, we will leave all these possessions behind. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.”

So back to the question, how much should I give?

My own conviction is that a tithe (one tenth of one’s income, i.e., earnings, net profits from business, net profits from investments, bequeaths, winnings, etc.) should be given to God through the general fund of the local congregation. And I believe that any giving, that is not under the direct control of the leadership of the local congregation, or that is given to other charitable organizations, should be in addition to the tithe given to the local church.

One hundred percent of the things in our possession belong to God and the tenth we give back to Him is a recognition of God’s ownership of the other ninety percent we keep in our possession. We will still give account to God of what we do with everything left in our possession, so we cannot be foolish or selfish with what is God’s. But the tithe should be given to God through the local church.

Tithing (giving one tenth) was a part of the Mosaic Law to be sure, but Abraham and Jacob practiced tithing four hundred years before Moses gave the command to tithe when they gave a tenth of all they possessed to the priest Melchizedek. (Genesis 14:20 and Genesis 28:22)

The only person ever compared to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the priest Melchizedek (Hebrews 7). The writer said that Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek. Then the writer said that Melchizedek blessed Abraham, the father of all the Israelites, and then said that a lesser person is blessed by a greater person. (The point is that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.)

Now the descendants of Abraham, the Israelites (through the tribe of Levi) collected tithes from other Israelites. The Hebrew writer draws this conclusion. It can be said that the Israelites paid their tithes through Abraham to Melchizedek, who is like Christ.

Then the writer makes this interesting statement: “In the one case, the tenth is collected by men (the Levites) who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living” (Hebrews 7:8). Who is the one declared to be living? I believe the writer is referring to Jesus Christ, the One to whom we Christians give our tithes.

I know all this is complicated but I want you to know where I get this thinking of mine. I believe Christians ought to tithe to God by giving the tenth to Christ through the local congregation without any strings or designations.

But here is a very simple answer to the question, “How much should I give?” It is found in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, a passage cited earlier in this discussion.

In this passage Paul holds up the Macedonian Christians (the disciples at Philippi in particular) as the model for Christian giving. Paul gives us four steps to reaching the proper level of giving to the Lord. 1) “They gave themselves first to the Lord.” 2) “Then they gave themselves to us.” 3) “They gave as much as they were able.” 4) “And even beyond their ability.”

Here is the way I understand this passage.

1) First, one must commit himself to the Lord and recognize God’s ownership of all he possesses. And he must commit himself to giving a portion of his possessions back to God.

2) Then one must commit himself to a worthy (seeking, saving, serving) work. The Philippians were committed to the work of the apostle Paul and expressed that loyalty by supporting his missionary work.

3) Now to the actual giving of one’s money. One should give as much as they think they can afford to give. Giving at this stage should be by percentage rather than by a dollar amount. Incomes rise and fall. This percentage will vary from person to person.

4) Lastly, one should take a step of faith and give just a little more than one thinks he can afford. This is the step of faith. Eventually, by raising the percentage just a little every six months or so, in time one will reach the level of 10% – tithing.

Several years ago I discussed this matter of giving with a man who was about to become a Christian. I told him about tithing and that I believed the Lord expects His disciples to give 10%. And then I explained to him how to reach that goal gradually. About two years later, this man with a wife and four children walked out the front door of the church after worship and said, “I made it.” And I knew exactly what he meant.

David, of whom God Himself testified, was a man after His own heart. (Acts 13:22) When David found a threshing floor and the surrounding land on which his son, Solomon, would build the altar and the Temple, the owner of the property wanted to give the land to David. The owner also wanted to give David the threshing equipment and the oxen so David would have wood for a fire and an animal for sacrifice. But David said, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” (I Chronicles 21:24)

David set the standard for giving to God. He would not give anything to God unless it cost him something. Sometimes we call this a “sacrifice”. It is giving up something that we want or need in order to give to God. There is an old saying that sums up this method of giving. “Give until it hurts.” Actually what this means is, “Give until you are living on faith.”

What will happen is this: A person will gradually increase his giving as he adjusts his spending habits to his giving. When one constantly gives in faith, that is, gives just a little more that he thinks he can afford to give, his giving will gradually increase to the level of the tithe and beyond. I’ve seen this happen in the giving habits of many new Christians.

I am going to close this chapter with a personal illustration of what it means to fellowship, to share, to partner, to be a steward of God’s. Earlier I told you that my father and mother reared nine children. My dad had a sixth grade education and mom dropped out of school in the eleventh grade. But, on the wages my dad earned as a journeyman printer, they sent all nine children to college. Three of us were in college at the same time! How could they afford this?

It takes confidence in Jesus to actually put His kingdom first believing that God will take care of our food, clothing and shelter (Matthew 6).

My parents, Ralph and Aleta Bliffen were tithers. In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s I had to sit between Ralph and Aleta during church. Dad would give me his offering (no envelopes then) to put in the plate. I always checked to see what was inside the one-dollar bill on the outside. I never saw less than a twenty-dollar bill on the inside. One Sunday I went to church with no sole on my right shoe, but the twenty-dollar bill was still given to the Lord.

My father and mother believed Jesus who said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Again Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” What “things”? Food, clothing and shelter. These are wonderful promises to every believer who practices meaning of the words “fellowship” and “stewardship”.