Lessons on the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles
Lesson No. Thirty-Seven
God Loveth and Rewardeth a Cheerful Giver
An organized system to assist the poor is evidence of the Lord’s Church – In the ancient Church Paul and other leaders “set up a welfare system, geared to the needs and circumstances of the saints in that day” (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, DNCT, II, p. 432). To support this welfare program Paul asked the Saints in Corinth and in other congregations in Macedonia to donate some of their abundance to help other Saints in need. (See 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:6-15)
In modern times the Lord has revealed how He intends to provide for the poor: “I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.
“And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
“But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
“For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
“Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment” (D&C 104:14-18).
The Lord’s organized way to assist the poor “has at times been called living the Law of Consecration. In another period His way was called the United Order. In our time it is called the Church Welfare Program” (Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, May 2011).
“Give not grudgingly” (2 Corinthians 9:7) – In God’s eyes a gift given grudgingly is no gift at all. “God has said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.”
“For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God” (Moroni 7:6, 8).
“God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) – Paul taught that contributions to relieve the poor and for other Church purposes should be based on ability to pay. (2 Corinthians 8:13-15) A giver who has more gives more, not only because he has more, but also because he loves the Lord. He remembers that Jesus taught: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
“God loveth those who will have him to be their God” (1 Nephi 17:40). Those who will have Him to be their God are those who keep His commandments.
God rewards a cheerful giver by answering their prayers – Many bounteous blessing come to cheerful givers as set forth by Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:8-11. Significantly, prayers are answered for those who freely and cheerfully give to the poor, but the heavens are sealed to those who do not:
“If ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need – I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith” (Alma 34:28).
God rewards a cheerful giver by enabling them to retain a remission of sins from day to day – “For the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God – I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants” (Mosiah 4:26).
Those who stand in need – The Book of Mormon teaches that if you love God, and want to grow in the knowledge Him (see Mosiah 4:12), you “will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish” (Mosiah 4:16, emphasis mine).
It is often difficult to determine if those who petition us are really in need. Studies have shown that giving money to “professional beggars” is counterproductive, and increases the problem of panhandling. Therefore, the recommended solution is to give to credible charitable organizations that sponsor things like homeless shelters, food kitchens, and medical/dental clinics for the poor.
One of the important responsibilities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members is to assist those who stand in need, regardless whether they are members or not. Those who donate to the Church’s Fast Offerings or Humanitarian Aid funds can be sure that all of their donation will be used to fulfill the Lord’s commandment to succor those who stand in need.