A believer once asked a question, "Can I support poor relatives rather than tithe to the church?"
Before his conversion, he planned to give financial assistance to his aged relatives, who have no income. However, he, on a tight budget, is struggling to redirect a part of tithings to their needs.
Rev. Liang Zhiyong, from a local church of Henan, answered that his priority should be to financially aid his family members rather than have no pity on them; because, real piety focuses on helping the poor in trouble. This will be beneficial to himself, his relatives and the church. The pastor encourages him not to feel troubled for this. Instead, he must do these good deeds by faith that God, who favors him and the things he does, will give all he needs and strengthen him.
He states that his suggestion is based on the Bible:
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27) It shows that real pious people care orphans and widows in their distress.
Rev. Liang points out that many people show no care to the poor after becoming Christians, which is not in accordance with the Biblical teachings.
"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. " (1 Timothy 5:8)
The verse makes it clear that we shall not look after our relatives because of our religion. Jesus condemned the Pharisees and said, "But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father and mother is 'devoted to God,' they are not to 'honor their father or mother' with it. Thus, you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition" ( Matthew 15: 5-6)
"He said to them, 'If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? " (Matthew 12:11) "Then he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.' " (Mark 2:27)
Jesus claimed that they should do good on Sabbath Day. The distinction between the Gospel and religions lies in the statement 'the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.' Similarly, tithing is set up for man, not man for tithing.
He says that the essence of the Gospel is to set people free rather than be fettered. He advises the believer to first help his relatives, then give what should be offered to the church.
Meanwhile, Rev. Liang believes that giving a hand to the financially disadvantaged relatives works for the good of the believer, his relatives and the church.
For himself, the pastor proposes that he should understand God's grace and know that the Gospel doesn't mean to tie people up. His conscience tends to help them, while religious law confuses him. Moreover, his heart will go numb if he refuses to help them out of religious reasons.
At the same time, his good deed may lead his relatives to know Jesus and have eternal life. When he preaches the Gospel to them, they may be more likely to choose to believe in Jesus for their trust in Him. Besides, he suggests that the believer pray for himself and his relatives and seek wisdom to help them.
Rev. Liang also reminds him not to blame himself if he can't give enough money to them, owing to financial stress. In such circumstance, he can explain to them with wisdom and tell them that God will care for them and him.
For the church, his kind deed will teach believers to sympathize others. Rev. Liang approves the believer who wants to take the church's need into consideration and encourages him to give proper tithing and offering.
"You should believe that God is in charge of His church, who will support the church with donations from other channels." The pastor adds that he shall have faith that God will protect and care him, his relatives and his church no matter what happens.
Translated by Karen Luo
