Partner With Jesus Christ--Without Money

by Van Robison

In the world of churchianity it seems to be a standard to beg for money. Money begging is sometimes dressed up in fancy terminology such as "generous giving", or "the joy of giving" and other such colorful phrases. Almost all ministries, although not all, will have a slogan to "partner with us", or some form of money begging. Different "ministries" want money and will ask for it in different ways such as "donate", "donations", "giving", "partner with us", "contributions", "financial", "gifts", or some other phrase. Most "ministries" ask for money, although there are a few who do not.

Giving, especially to the poor is something that Jesus Christ taught as right and proper living. Jesus taught that if you have two coats and your brother has no coat, then give him one or yours. Christ also taught that when you do your "alms" (giving), do so in private and not to be seen of men. Christians have been led to believe that "tithing" is a form of "worship" and that giving money is such a necessary part of Christian life, that to not give to "Christian" churches and ministries is akin to evil. No follower of Jesus Christ would live their life without giving in some form.

Jesus gave His life for the world and gave the ultimate. There are ways of giving that do not involve money and giving can take place in such ways as:

• Giving of one's time.
• Giving of one's talent.
• Serving the elderly.
• Doing any kind of good deed for another.
• Praying for others.
• Visiting the sick.
• Visiting prisoners.
• Doing work for others for free.
• Giving food.
• Giving clothing.

And the ways in which people can give are endless. Most often people think in terms of giving money as if giving money is a form of "Holiness". Having compassion for other human beings is a vital part of following Jesus Christ and Christ had this to say in Matthew 25: (34) "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (35) For I was hungry, and you gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: (36) Naked, and you clothed Me: I was sick, and you visited Me: I was in prison, and You came unto Me. (37) Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we you hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink? (38) When saw we you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you? (39) Or when saw we you sick, or in prison, and came unto you? (40) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto Me."

Most Christians have the mistaken idea that giving money to non-profit corporations (churches or ministries) equates to giving to Christ, but is that what Jesus said? There is far more personal satisfaction in giving on a one-on-one basis, than ever giving into a corporate fund for which very often a great deal of the money is spent on "overhead" and "corporate expenses". In rereading what Jesus said, He proclaimed that if you do unto even "ONE" of the least of the brethren, you have done so to Christ, and Jesus accepts your service. So then if you feed anyone food, give anyone something to drink (even water), or you take a stranger into your home overnight, or you put clothing or shoes on someone in need, and you visit the sick and comfort them, and you visit the prisoner and comfort them, then you have done so unto Christ, and Jesus said, "Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom." Compassion is paramount in the eyes of Jesus Christ and giving is often not related to money at all, but rather to compassion, kindness, love, time and concern for others. Giving into the lives of others may also take the form of mental and emotional comfort and support, or input into the spiritual needs of others.

Will you lose your salvation if you don't give money to the millions of "Christian ministries" in this world? Jesus said you give to Him (Christ) by giving to even "one" of the least of the brethren and He accepts your service as unto Himself. He also says, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom." Christ does not ask you to "send money" or become a "financial partner" as if salvation hinges upon money. What Jesus emphasizes is compassion which is expressed very often with no money at all. If you give someone who is hungry an apple, or an orange, or a banana, or a sandwich, is that not what Jesus is saying? Yes it is. If you give someone who is thirsty a glass of water is that not what Jesus is saying? Yes it is.

Most modern day "ministries" want "partners" which implies they want your money. Few seem to live by faith that God will provide without the endless begging. Personally, I have far more respect for any ministry that never asks for contributions, but who places their faith in Jesus Christ, that He will supply without resorting to money begging. I am of the opinion that any ministry that asks for contributions is a ministry that does not live by faith, but by their own efforts and work.

Anyone can "partner" with Jesus Christ in many ways and Jesus did not ask for "financial partners", but rather that we live by faith, by compassion, by mercy, by justice, by love, by empathy, by humility, by feeding the hungry and so forth. Nowhere did Jesus Christ ask His followers to donate to corporate ministries, or to organizations, as if following Jesus Christ is equated to supporting television ministries or money-begging operations. That is not to say that some charitable organizations are not doing some good, but money in itself is not the answer to poverty and many other problems in human life.