How do the scriptures speak of what we do for/give to, God? (Prov.19:17).
Matt.6:3 "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing".
No distinction is made there, about the giving being material or spiritual. How does that compare to the "buying and selling" of spiritual food, in exchange for one's obedient works and conformation to the organization's "arrangements" and "theocratic orderliness"? (Isa.55:1-2; John6:27; Rev.3:18; 13:17; Isa.28:10;)
How does Matt.6:3, compare to the list of the names of the pioneers, posted on the bulletin board?... or the requisites for "moving up" the ladder within the hierarchy of the organization?
James2: "2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"
Are we to think that this principle applies only in a physical way, and not in a spiritual way also? If causing distinctions is evil over such mundane things as clothing... would not causing distinctions over a showy display of one's devotion to God, be all the more evil? (See Matt.6:5).
When a Circuit Overseer visits a congregation, there are "special meetings" for pioneers. Attendance at those meetings, is considered a "privilege". Yes... though the information discussed could benefit any so-called "publisher"... such distinctions (including the "Pioneer Book" and "Pioneer Service School"), are among the perks, which those who submit to this man-made system of spiritual class distinction, are rewarded with. But as Jesus said... those who seek the approval of man rather than of God, are "having their reward in full" (John5:44; Matt.6:5).
Mark12: "41 And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Does Jesus and his Father look at how many hours of field service are on each one's service report? Do They make appraisals, according to how men make judgments and distinctions? (See Isa.55:8-9)
In contrast to the evil and unkind judgments made by those who are the wicked,
God can read the heart, which none of the wicked may do.
Clearly, God sees the devotion, love, and loyalty toward God and neighbor, that each of us feels and expresses, according to our own ability and capacity. Clearly, we are not judged by God on the physical basis of what can be measured (or recorded and reported), by men. Such a wicked religious system is a worldly travesty of worship, and according to God's Word, is not of God.
Frankly stated, it is no one's business but our own, what gifts we dedicate to our heavenly Father. Jesus said that what we have received free, we freely give. No human agent should reach into that sacrifice for God, to impose a spiritual tax or tariff, which is exactly what the many arrangements of the organization, do impose.
Otherwise... if we subject ourselves to become slaves to a spiritual commerce set up by men, we become slaves, to men. The spiritual devastation which results, was expressed by apostle Paul...
"Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, *I would not be Christ’s slave.*" (Gal.1:10).
We learn from God's own Word, about the sacrifices that He is pleased with.
Three scriptures come to mind... 2Cor.9:7-13; 8:11-12; Philemon 1:14.
They contain the lesson that our gift is decided in our own heart, between us and God alone. No compulsion should be felt, but our gift is rooted in love and joy. God then blesses our charitable work, by supplying all we need to continue in it, while we also reap abundant blessing for ourselves. Through such a relationship with God's truth and the life that results, all, are refreshed, sustained, and built up. There is no sense of burden, comparison, competition, or failure. Such things come from the wicked one, and those who assist Satan to shackle men with a bondage to Idols.
Rules, standards, human expectations, and counting, do not serve the will, truth, or purpose of God (Matt.15:9; Mark7:13).
Those things only serve the unlawful, worldly power and desires, of men, and the purpose of Satan.
"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John8:32)
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