The general argument is that if they don't spend that penny then maybe they are not really numbered among the elect. It seems to me to be a back-door approach to the idea that you are saved by works.
It seems to me that if a Calvinist truly believes in election that discussing it would make about as much sense as thinking the weather is affected by our opinion of it.
Marlowe: The general argument is that if they don't spend that penny then maybe they are not really numbered among the elect. It seems to me to be a back-door approach to the idea that you are saved by works.
Your analysis is correct and I would strongly disagree with any Calvinist who told you this, IF he or she was speaking from the perspective of the hypothetical giver. If, however, the perspective was from a third-party onlooker, then it could be said that absence of works shows some evidence of a heart that has not been changed. My Reformed answer would be that we support missionary work because as believers we have been given new hearts of flesh that WANT to obey God. I would say that financially supporting missionary work would be well within the spirit of the Great Commission so the heart of an elect believer will want to help without even thinking of it being to "cover" himself works-wise.