A Biblical Rebuttal: Misinterpretations on Giving and Rising in the Kingdom

In recent times, messages on giving in the church have increasingly promoted the idea that giving to spiritual authorities or those already “blessed” is the key to personal advancement. Some even suggest that giving to the poor is unrelated to spiritual “rising,” relegating charity to a secondary priority. One pastor recently claimed that giving to a higher anointing or authority, like a pastor or spiritual leader, brings about elevation, while giving to the poor doesn’t contribute to rising in the Kingdom.

While this teaching may sound appealing to some, it contains several critical misinterpretations of Scripture. In this blog post, we will provide a thorough biblical rebuttal of these claims, examining key points in light of the Word of God.

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1. "When you bless a blessed man, you are not helping him but creating a platform to rise."

The pastor’s assertion here is that giving to those who are already blessed or in positions of authority, like spiritual leaders, is the key to personal elevation. While it is true that supporting those who labor in teaching and preaching is biblical (Galatians 6:6), the idea that this is a pathway to personal advancement distorts the heart of Christian generosity.

The Bible teaches that true blessing comes from God, and rising in the Kingdom is linked to humility, faithfulness, and service, not from giving to those in higher positions of authority. Proverbs 19:17 reminds us that "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed." This Scripture shows that God values generosity toward the needy and promises blessings to those who give out of love and compassion for others.

In fact, the Bible warns against showing favoritism based on social or spiritual status. James 2:1-9 directly addresses this, cautioning believers not to treat the rich or those in authority with undue favor while neglecting the poor. Our giving should reflect the impartial love of God, not be seen as a tool for personal gain.

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2. "Imagine giving to the King of all the earth, Jesus... He lifts you to His dimension through your seed."

The analogy here implies that giving to those with greater spiritual authority (likened to giving to Jesus) results in elevation to a higher spiritual level. While giving is indeed a form of worship, the Bible nowhere teaches that this kind of transactional giving results in spiritual promotion.

Jesus Himself explains in Matthew 25:40 that when we give to “the least of these”—the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned—we are giving to Him. This teaching flips the pastor’s analogy on its head. Jesus doesn’t identify with the powerful or blessed, but with the marginalized and vulnerable. Matthew 23:11-12 further reminds us that “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

True rising in the Kingdom of God comes through humility, service, and love for others, not from strategically giving to those in power or authority.

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3. "Charity is when God has helped... rising is not tied to giving to the poor."

This claim is troubling because it suggests that caring for the poor is only for those who have already achieved success or been “helped” by God. It also implies that giving to the poor doesn’t result in elevation. This stands in stark contrast to biblical teaching, which consistently ties blessings and spiritual growth to generosity toward the needy.

Proverbs 22:9 says, "The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor." Here, blessings are directly linked to helping the needy, not to giving to spiritual leaders or those already blessed. In Isaiah 58:6-11, God promises that those who care for the oppressed and feed the hungry will experience breakthrough and healing. There is no suggestion that rising comes from giving only to those in authority.

Biblically, our generosity is most pleasing to God when it is directed toward those in need, and this is where God’s promises of blessing and elevation are frequently linked.

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4. "The poor you will always have with you" (Matthew 26:11)

The pastor used Matthew 26:11, where Jesus says, "The poor you will always have with you," to downplay the importance of giving to the poor. This is a common misinterpretation.

In context, Jesus was responding to the disciples who criticized a woman for anointing Him with expensive perfume. They argued that the money could have been given to the poor, and Jesus replied, "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me." This statement was not a dismissal of caring for the poor but a recognition of the unique moment in history as He prepared for His crucifixion.

Moreover, Deuteronomy 15:11 makes it clear: "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be open-handed toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy." Jesus’ statement should not be used to justify neglecting the poor or prioritizing giving to the powerful.

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5. "You sow into an anointing greater than you... You never give to the poor and rise."

The final claim suggests that giving to those with a higher “anointing” results in spiritual elevation, while giving to the poor does not. This reflects elements of prosperity theology, which promotes the idea that giving to spiritual leaders guarantees blessings. However, the Bible provides no basis for this belief.

In fact, Jesus consistently teaches that true blessing comes from humility, service, and caring for the needy. James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." Rising in the Kingdom of God comes through humility and obedience, not through strategic giving to those in authority.

The early church emphasized generosity toward the poor. Acts 20:35 quotes Jesus, saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Nowhere does Scripture teach that we rise by giving to the spiritually powerful while ignoring the poor.

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6. Misunderstanding the Nature of Jesus: "Jesus is a man, seated at the right hand"

The pastor’s claim that Jesus is “a man, seated at the right hand” misunderstands the full nature of Christ. Jesus did come to earth as a man, but He is not merely a man today. After His resurrection, He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father in His glorified state. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus is "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being."

Referring to Jesus as a mere man to justify giving to human spiritual authorities diminishes His true nature as the exalted King of Kings. Jesus is not comparable to human leaders, and equating giving to pastors with giving to Jesus is a theological error.

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7. Giving to Pastors is Not the Same as Giving to Jesus

The pastor’s analogy—that giving to pastors is equivalent to giving to Jesus—is also flawed. While it is biblical to support pastors and spiritual leaders (1 Timothy 5:17), this is not the same as giving to Jesus Himself. Jesus clearly identifies with the poor, the hungry, and the needy, not with spiritual leaders in positions of power. Matthew 25:40 highlights that we give to Jesus when we serve "the least of these."

Moreover, 1 Timothy 2:5 states that "there is one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." Jesus alone stands as the mediator between us and God, and no pastor or spiritual leader can take His place.

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Conclusion: Re-Centering Our Giving on Christ’s Example

The pastor’s message contains significant misinterpretations of Scripture. While it is biblical to support spiritual leaders, the Bible consistently emphasizes that caring for the poor is central to the Christian life. Rising in the Kingdom comes through humility, service, and generosity toward those in need, not through transactional giving to spiritual authorities.

Jesus is not merely a man; He is the glorified Son of God. Equating giving to pastors with giving to Jesus distorts the heart of Christian giving. Our giving should reflect Christ’s love for the poor, not a desire for personal elevation or favor.

Let us follow the example of Christ, who calls us to serve the least of these, and may our generosity be motivated by love, humility, and a desire to reflect the heart of God.

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References:

• Matthew 25:40 - Giving to the "least of these" is akin to giving to Christ.

• Proverbs 19:17 - Giving to the poor is seen as lending to the Lord.

• Isaiah 58:6-11 - Blessings come from helping those in need.

• Acts 20:35 - “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

• Philippians 2:6-7, Hebrews 1:3 - Jesus' full divinity and glorified state.