Bible Questions Answered: Offerings-Church

Bible Questions Answered:
I see how in Bible days, the disciples, did not raise offerings, etc. they trusted God to take care of them.
Why don't churches follow that today. I'm tired of hearing about money raising in the church! Surely this is the work of the devil, let's throw the money changers out!
Arnold/ Cryodon, U.K.

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is:

Matthew 10:1-10 KJV (Commission of the Twelve.)

[1] And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
[2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
[3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
[4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
[8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
[9] Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
[10] Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves:
for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Why is it that you do not understand these last few words.
For our Lord, stated that the people that were ministered to by the disciples, (the workers), owed compensation to them, for their work!

What was the reasoning behind this requirement of taking no provisions?
*God would show Himself strong on their behalf (through the hearts of Godly people).
*The “works-of-God,” were not for sale, i.e...to the highest bidder-i.e..giver.

Luke 10:1-9 KJV (Commission of the seventy)
[1] After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He himself would come.
[2] Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.
[3] Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
[4] Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
[5] And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
[6] And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
[7] And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for
the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

(Notice how that it was the responsibility of Christian people,to give to the disciples, so that they could continue to do the work of the ministry.)

[8] And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
[9] And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.


Galatians 6:6 KJV (The Apostle Paul.)
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Galatians 6:6 NLT
Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.

Galatians 6:6 NIV
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

Galatians 6:6 AMP
Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support].


Philippians 4:14 KJV (The Apostle Paul)
Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Philippians 4:14 NLT
Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

Philippians 4:14 NIV
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Philippians 4:14 AMP
But it was right and commendable and noble of you to contribute for my needs and to share my difficulties with me.


I Timothy 5:18 KJV (The Apostle Paul.)
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And,
The labourer is worthy of his reward.

I Timothy 5:18 NLT
For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

I Timothy 5:18 NIV
For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and
"The worker deserves his wages."

I Timothy 5:18 Amp
For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain, and again, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

Luke 22:35,36 KJV
[35] And He said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
[36] Then said He unto them, But now,
he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and
he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Luke 22:35,36 NLT
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or extra clothing, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied.
36 “But now,” He said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!

The living God, has never called the stingy, and the selfish, to be His followers, but He has called His people to be His loving, giving, children.

I Corinthians 9:14 KJV
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Malachi 3:10 KJV
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Malachi 3:10 NLT
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!

Malachi 3:10 AMP
Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Two kinds of people, in the church and the world,, the stingy, and the liberal.

Proverbs 11:24 NLT
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

Luke 6:38 KJV (Jesus)
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 10:25-37 KJV
[25] And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
[26] He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
[27] And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
[28] And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
[29] But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
[30] And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
[31] And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
[32] And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
[33] But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
[34] And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
[35] And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
[36] Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
[37] And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

II Corinthians 9:6 KJV
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Amen