What is Matthew 25 offering/giving ?
Please share your Matthew-25 Giving experience with THE FELLOWSHIP by filling this card and putting it into the offering basket.
In Matthew 25, Jesus laid out a principle of directly giving to Jesus by helping people in need directly. We at THE FELLOWSHIP adopted his teaching from Matthew 25 to encourage the disciples to practice radical generosity by giving directly to those in need around us. We do not believe that all the monetary offerings of Christians should be given to the church. We also don’t think our generosity should be given a percentage, as in the case of tithing. There is no obligation of financial giving but only a plea to live a generous life of obedience. THE FELLOWSHIP encourages the disciples to give to God by living the life of generosity.
Matthew 25:34-40
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Please share your Matthew-25 Giving experience with THE FELLOWSHIP by filling this card and putting it into the offering basket. Or simply use this website to do it online.
Practical Points to Remember when You are Ready to Obey the Call…
It is a very honest and common struggle. Engaging in "people’s mess" is risky—it takes time, emotional energy, and often leads to disappointment.
However, the Bible provides profound wisdom to help shift our perspective from fear to faithful action. Here is some biblical wisdom to help you or others take that first step:
1. The "Washing Feet" Perspective (John 13:14–17)
In Jesus’ time, washing feet was the messiest, lowest job because streets were filled with animal waste and dust.
The Wisdom: Jesus didn’t just command us to love; He demonstrated that love is inherently "dirty" work. By washing the disciples' feet, He showed that getting our hands dirty is not a side effect of ministry—it is the ministry.
Actionable Thought: Don't wait for a "clean" way to help. Accept that messiness is the environment where Jesus’ love is most visible.
2. The Boundary of Stewardship (Galatians 6:2, 5)
Fear often comes from the thought, "If I help, I’ll be swallowed up by their problems." The Bible makes a brilliant distinction here:
Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other’s burdens (heavy boulders)."
Galatians 6:5: "For each one should carry their own load (daily backpack)."
The Wisdom: We are called to help people with "boulders" they cannot lift alone (crisis, grief, sudden need). We are not called to take away the "backpack" of personal responsibility that they must carry.3
Actionable Thought: You can help without taking total ownership of the outcome. You are a partner, not a savior.
3. Love as an Investment, Not a Debt (Romans 13:8)
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another."
The Wisdom: When we fear getting involved, we are often protecting our "assets" (time, peace). But the Bible views love as a debt we already owe because of what Christ did for us.
Actionable Thought: We aren't "donating" our extra time to people; we are "repaying" the grace we've received. This shifts the focus from our sacrifice to our gratitude.
4. Moving from Fear to "Perfect Love" (1 John 4:18)
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..."
The Wisdom: Fear is self-focused ("What will happen to me?"). Love is other-focused ("What is happening to them?").
Actionable Thought: When you feel afraid, ask God to increase your empathy. It is hard to be afraid of someone's mess when you are deeply moved by their pain.
5. Wisdom in "Small Starts" (Zechariah 4:10)
"Do not despise these small beginnings..."
The Wisdom: You don't have to solve a person's entire life story in one day.
Actionable Thought: Start with presence. Sometimes "getting involved" just means sitting with someone for 30 minutes or praying with them. You don't have to provide all the answers to start obeying the command to love.
Practical Steps to Overcome the Hesitation:
Pray for "Proximity": Ask God to put someone in your path who needs help that fits your current capacity.
Set "Healthy Guardrails": If you are afraid of being overwhelmed, decide beforehand how much time or resource you can give, and stick to it. This prevents "burnout fear."
Go in Pairs: Jesus sent the disciples out two-by-two (Luke 10:1). Involvement is less scary when you have a brother or sister in Christ walking into the mess with you.
