Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:13
Money is possibly one of the most misused issue in the Church from all sides. The tithe (10 percent of income) instituted in the Old Covenant has been taught by the institution existing in the New Covenant. Most churches today teach the ‘tithe’ concept so that they can maintain all of their business needs. Rarely is 10 percent of that budget given to needs beyond their own business expenses. The new covenant in my interpretation has a different perspective on giving. No longer is 90 percent of our money ours — but in fact we now own nothing. 100 percent of our money now belongs to the Lord, and is His if we accept Jesus as our Lord (Master / Owner). Why? In 1 Corinthians Paul says we were ‘bought with a price’, in that by His blood everything we have is now His. So what does this mean when it comes to our money? Everything you own is now His and should be under His direction. So if He says give it to … whomever, whenever, we do it. This actually means we have to be able to recognize His Voice and instructions within our souls and mind. And then be obedient to His prompting, and give freely with joy knowing deep within ourselves He actually is our Source of all. Do you give freely when He asks you to give — or are you just following a ‘ritual’ and religious formula? Do you give with certain perimeters that are comfortable to you? Reread the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts chapter 5. So MANY people now give only what is “comfortable” or nothing. Jesus wants us to have radical obedience to His promptings. When Jesus asks us to give we often choose the ‘lower’ amount (something we are comfortable with) rather than the number we really ‘heard’ in our heads from the Holy Spirit. But most people will say, “I don’t hear the Holy Spirit.” And that’s the issue and problem in the American Church today. Are you generous when He tells you to give? How do you know when and what He is telling you to give? It’s a lot easier just to be “religious” and give by formula and ritual. It takes real faith to give as the Holy Spirit prompts.
The Greek translation of ‘and seek to show hospitality’ is interesting. The direct translation is “hospitality pursuing”. The word διώκω diókó means to aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch (prize). And the Greek word φιλοξενία, ας, ἡ philoxenia means properly, warmth (friendliness) shown to strangers; (figuratively) the readiness to share hospitality (generosity) by entertaining in one’s home, etc. Are we showing that type of openness and excitement to have people into our homes? Are we showing friendliness to strangers? This might be as difficult as the first part of the verse to practice especially as our communities have become more dangerous with those seeking our demise and those only seeking selfish wants. I can definitely see the need for direction by the Holy Spirit with this instruction as well. We definitely need His discernment and instruction when it comes to ‘strangers’. But we also need to be together in fellowship / koinonia beyond the religious ritual.
How is it these simple instructions can be so difficult to carry out? At the heart of the matter it revolves around our heart / core and how much Jesus really does direct our lives? Are we becoming more like Him by the instruction and discipleship under the direction of the Holy Spirit? Or are we just going through life doing what we want saying we are ‘righteous’ because of our religious rituals? How much is the Holy Spirit changing our character by His fruit and gardening / work in our souls? How of what we actually do is by His instruction and prompting in the moment? Is He asking you to be generous, friendly, and hospitable beyond with what you are comfortable?