Biblical Rationale for Financial Partnerships

From the beginning, God has provided everything to everyone. Our Heavenly Father commanded us to subdue the earth, and His hand blesses us with everything necessary to fulfill that mandate (Gen 1:28ff; Gen 9:1-3). This theme continues throughout Scripture, with many psalms extolling the beneficence of the Almighty Creator, who possesses cattle on a thousand hills (Ps 50:10-11). From ravens (Job 38:39-41) to lions (Ps 34:10; Ps 104:21), even animals know to look to God for support.

So does that mean we look only to God for provision directly? No. This is clear with the Holy Spirit giving (spiritual) gifts for the common good (1 Cor 12:7). It is intuitive that if we are friends/brothers born for adversity (Prov 17:17) into one body of many parts, with equal concern for each other, sharing suffering (Phil 4:14ff) or rejoicing depending on whether one part has or has not, then it stands that God provides everything to everyone for everyone.

What happens if we miss the opportunity to support our own body? Apostles cautioned would be-supporters – urging preparations (2 Cor 9:5); questioning how God’s love could be in us if we didn’t care for brothers/sisters in need (1 John 3:17). Jesus was even more pointed, admonishing that the Master would not be pleased, because it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of why God gave us anything to begin with, and worse, evidence that we do not know/love God Himself (Matt 25:38-40; 1 John 4:20). Those who receive from God but don’t give back to God, risk dying (Luke 12:42-47), not entering heaven (Matt 19:21-23), or being thrown into the darkness (Matt 25:44ff).

What happens if we maximize the opportunity? Solomon advises that those who refresh others will be refreshed (Prov 11:25). Malachi prophesied abundant blessings (Mal 3:10). But Jesus went further and encouraged that supporting His people was tantamount to seeking His kingdom – resulting in enduring righteousness (Ps 112:3-5), treasure in heaven (Matt 6:19-21; 1 Tim 6:18-20), and most importantly, sharing of the Master’s happiness (Matt 25:21).

The bottom-line is that we can choose either. But it is best to choose to sow generously, by calling for and offering the best of what He gave us from His own hand – willing attitudes, loyal hearts, and spirits filled with the Holy Spirit Himself (Exod 35:5; Exod 35:21; 1 Chron 29:9). These will allocate the material resources (Exod 25:1-2), skills/abilities/talents (Exod 36:10; Exod 36:29), and hours of toil that we received as gifts from God (Eccl 3:13; Eccl 3:22). Sometimes it will be 2 coins, beyond one’s ability (Mark 12:43-44; 2 Cor 8:2-5); and sometimes it will more than enough (2 Chron 31:10) and supporters have to be restrained (Exod 36:6-7). But it will always be the grace of committed giving (1 Cor 16:2-3; 2 Cor 9:7-8), free and wholehearted offerings to the Lord in thanksgiving (1 Chron 29:9; Phil 4:18ff), so that others will praise God (2 Cor 9:13ff) and He will be glorified (Matt 5:16) because He is the One who is giving through us (1 Chron 29:14).