I have been asked to write on the above subject and I shall attempt to do so in this document. I think that the principle before espoused that all that we have belongs to our Heavenly Father, must apply in every case. There are many persons and organizations that will make a constant demand on what little money we may have to spare; but in every case we must seek the direction of our Heavenly Father as to what He would have us do with what belongs to Him. We must remember that we are stewards of what is not our own, thus we must seek His will in every demand that is made upon us.

We need to remember that when Christ spoke while He was here upon earth He was speaking as a Jew to those who already belonged to the nation of Israel. Thus what He said in some cases had a special application to the members of that nation.

We should also come to understand the compassionate nature of our Heavenly Father, and seek grace to be like Him, in our attitude to need in this needy world. Let us remember that He never treats men, (even Pagans, Hindus, Muslims and others) in the way that they deserve, but He sends His rain on the just and the unjust, and causes His sun to shine of the evil as well as the good. (Matthew 5:45). \In His fairness and His marvellous grace, God does not discriminate. Though men may curse Him, and though for centuries they may give the glory and the thanks that is due to Him for all His goodness, to His enemies in stead, still He gives; blessed be His Holy Name!

Because of this we should not be selfish with what He may entrust to our stewardship, but on the other hand we should not feel duty bound to give what belongs to Him to His enemies. We have come to a time when natural disasters are on the increase. Some disasters are caused by the vile wickedness of men, such as the destruction of the World Trade Centre, the London Underground railway, the Bali bombings etc. But other disasters are the definite result of His might and the power that is resident in His creation. No man can produce an earthquake, yet men are quick to blame God even for their own sins and faults. It is said that a man was standing looking at the devastation that was caused at Ground Zero. He cursed God for allowing such a thing to take place. He turned to a Salvation Army Officer and asked, "Where was God when all this happened?" The S.A.Officer replied with a question "Is God in control of your life?" The man remained silent and thus admitted that God was not in control of his life.

Men are also quick to blame God when disasters come such as at Ache but conveniently forget the millenniums that God has waited on wicked men to repent of their sins and return to Him. Our Heavenly Father is a just God, and He does not have to give an account to any of His dealings. Even when He acts in judgement, as in the case of the Tsunami, the Hurricane in New Orleans, and the earthquake in Kashmir.

Such events call forth the compassion of His true children, for we hate to see lives suddenly cut off, and men (however wicked they may have been), dashed headlong into eternal ruin! We are those that have received mercy, and mercy glories over judgement. God finds no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but longs that men might turn to Him in true repentance, and avail themselves of the salvation that He offers them in His great mercy.

The question comes to our minds, if it was not right to take of the children’s bread and to give it to the dogs, is it right to give what truly belongs to God to those who are not His? The answer lies in how what is given is channelled to those in need. It should be plain to us all that it would be quite wrong to give to any Muslim charity. Let us face it; the Allah whom they worship is not the God of the Bible. He is not my Heavenly Father with a different name. Thus those that proclaim Allah to lost men, deceive them because the Bible tells us that "Neither is there salvation in any other", and the Lord Jesus says no man cometh to the Father, but by Me". (Acts 4:12, & John 14:6). There are those in such places who have been carrying the true Gospel, and ministering the compassion of Christ, (and that in spite of persecution), over many years. God has taken care of such through the trial, and not only people have been spared, but even buildings are still standing. Then let us channel God’s money through God’s servants. Then those in trouble will not only get relief, but with it the offer of salvation also, and if even one soul is saved they are of more value than the whole world. God will surely guide His children to do His will, with His property!

As a foreigner with a white skin most Indian people think that I have abundance of ready cash, and as many seem to get hold of my address, I receive many begging letters. There are some believers who think that we should give to every one that asks from us. A missionary brother, who laboured in Karnastaka for many years, once quoted to me the Lord’s words that we are to give to those that ask from us. (Matthew 5:42) In applying such a passage, we need to remember that it was spoken to Jews, and they were already related to every person that belonged to the nation of Israel. The same should be kept in mind when reading the Epistle of James

One faithful King of Judah was rebuked by one of Jehovah’s prophets, who asked him whether it was right to love those who hate Jehovah, (2Chronicles 19:2). Thus we should be warned against giving to those who do not belong to the Lord, and who may be in a situation of need because of their sin. It would be wise before responding to such appeals to ask brethren who live in the area to contact the person making the appeal to establish the facts of the case. But the Lord will grant wisdom in each case, as it is His will that we must seek in every case

I thought that I would conclude this paper by quoting an article that appears in C.H. Spurgeon’s book of daily readings; as follows_

- Hag_1:9

End Quote

May it please the Lord to bless His word, and to enable His people to rightly use the "Unrighteous Mammon." to make friends therewith, so that when we get to glory, there will be those there waiting to welcome us, who have been brought into the experience of Salvation through the wise use of what money He may entrust to our care!