To Whom Shall We Give

The Lord calls for our first fruits, but to whom shall we give? Must we give these fruits to the local church? I believe that Deuteronomy 26:13 stands as an example that our first fruits should go to
(1) the Levite: i.e., the Lord's representative to the people. Today this would be the clergy or those who are doing the Lord's work
(2) the Stranger/Alien: to those who are in need and out of place in our society
(3) the Orphan & Widow: To those who cannot defend nor provide for themselves due to cultural or physical limitations

My wife and I have been to a church recently which claimed that our giving should be to our local church first (10% minimum) and then to "parachurch" organizations. I believe this instruction is in error and because it is so self serving may be interpreted as dishonest.

We should use our resources to take care of those in need as we see them in need, not simply to hand it off to the clergy (the "Levite") and forget to be hospitable to those who are in need around us.

Created almost 4 years ago