Tithing and Offering has been controversial subjects for a very long time.
Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees for accepting Tithes and leaving the righteousness and mercy. He says both should be practiced.
We see Abraham Tithing to Melchizedek. Then Jacob enters into a unilateral agreement with the LORD to tithe.
Following that, Tithing is given as part of the law in Numbers, Leviticus and Dueteronomy
Jesus also said, You cannot serve God and Money.
We see in our times, how the word of God is interpreted to receive more and more offerings and serve money rather than God.
How many churches are transparent on their income and expenditures?
It is rare to see a Minister of God who says "No I don't want Money." I say it is rare. As LORD said to Elijah, there may be umpteen ministers who don't bend backwards for money.
My first hand experience
I received my Salary and as a faithful Christian I took 10%, I met one of the minister of God and gave the money in an envelope. He took it, gave thanks to the LORD and gave the full envelope, along with money back to me. I told him, this is Tithe which I gave you.
He said, The LORD commanded me to give it back, as you have a need to address! “
Wow… Have you ever encountered such a minister who gave back your tithe! I have met quite a few! In the interest of length of the article, I am quoting only one instance.
Yes in that particular instance, I needed new clothes, as my clothes were fading and I was in a Sales job, which required me to dress smart. However I had never shared to anyone about this need.The LORD knew my need and made the minister to return the Tithe to me to meet my need.
Another witness, Yesterday I was reading an article where in one of the Churches in USA stopped collecting offerings during their service. They instead used that time for Praying for the needy and Elders would lay hand on the needy and sick in the congregation and pray. They just placed the offering box in the entrance had seen that the collection from the offering box had increased than the collection by passing the plate. That's God's Providence. (See their witness in http://bit.ly/2dEX7VD)
Will our local Churches follow that? Most of our churches have offering box, as well as collect offerings during Service! So its just they need to stop collecting offerings.
We know it’s controversial and people will start rebutting and even quoting the scriptures to justify the offerings and Tithes. My only point is let's be honest to the LORD and dedicate wholly to HIS service. If we dedicate WHOLLY, we would live a life HOLY unto GOD and that's all he wants.
HE created all the universe and he doesn't expect us to give anything material.
For the people, ministers, Pastors who would like to rebut the collection of Tithes and offerings with scriptural references, Go back and read the Pentateuch which elaborates the Tithing and offering methods in Deut 12, Duet 14 and Duet 26
One of it states, you eat along with your family and distribute to the widows, orphans, the levite who sits at your door!
Also read what Paul says when he teaches about Law in Galatians 5:18 "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Being faithful in your offerings and Tithes are abiding to the Law. If you are not obeying the LORD it is deemed as disobedience. If he asks to give, obey and give whatever he says, it could be 100% as he told the rich scribe. If you disobey LORD may not accept your argument that you gave tithes.
Most of all, please remember LORD is YHWH YIREH. He is the provider and HE shall provide. Don't doubt in God's providence.
Whatever you possess, assets, money, declare that they belongs to the LORD. Now what you have is LORD’s. Be led by the Spirit of God and expend it. That’s all is required.
LORD Provides, LORD nourishes, LORD takes care of every need. This needs a faithful declaration and some may see you rebellious. Understand that this is living as led by the spirit of the LORD.
Lead a Holy Life unto the LORD for HE is HOLY.
May the LORD lead you to give where HE wants you to give. Be it orphans, be it Pastors and Ministers (deemed to be the modern Levites), be it other service organisations, or be it your own need.
Be led by the Spirit of God in spending GOD's money. That’s the key.
Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees for accepting Tithes and leaving the righteousness and mercy. He says both should be practiced.
We see Abraham Tithing to Melchizedek. Then Jacob enters into a unilateral agreement with the LORD to tithe.
Following that, Tithing is given as part of the law in Numbers, Leviticus and Dueteronomy
Jesus also said, You cannot serve God and Money.
We see in our times, how the word of God is interpreted to receive more and more offerings and serve money rather than God.
How many churches are transparent on their income and expenditures?
It is rare to see a Minister of God who says "No I don't want Money." I say it is rare. As LORD said to Elijah, there may be umpteen ministers who don't bend backwards for money.
My first hand experience
I received my Salary and as a faithful Christian I took 10%, I met one of the minister of God and gave the money in an envelope. He took it, gave thanks to the LORD and gave the full envelope, along with money back to me. I told him, this is Tithe which I gave you.
He said, The LORD commanded me to give it back, as you have a need to address! “
Wow… Have you ever encountered such a minister who gave back your tithe! I have met quite a few! In the interest of length of the article, I am quoting only one instance.
Yes in that particular instance, I needed new clothes, as my clothes were fading and I was in a Sales job, which required me to dress smart. However I had never shared to anyone about this need.The LORD knew my need and made the minister to return the Tithe to me to meet my need.
Another witness, Yesterday I was reading an article where in one of the Churches in USA stopped collecting offerings during their service. They instead used that time for Praying for the needy and Elders would lay hand on the needy and sick in the congregation and pray. They just placed the offering box in the entrance had seen that the collection from the offering box had increased than the collection by passing the plate. That's God's Providence. (See their witness in http://bit.ly/2dEX7VD)
Will our local Churches follow that? Most of our churches have offering box, as well as collect offerings during Service! So its just they need to stop collecting offerings.
We know it’s controversial and people will start rebutting and even quoting the scriptures to justify the offerings and Tithes. My only point is let's be honest to the LORD and dedicate wholly to HIS service. If we dedicate WHOLLY, we would live a life HOLY unto GOD and that's all he wants.
HE created all the universe and he doesn't expect us to give anything material.
For the people, ministers, Pastors who would like to rebut the collection of Tithes and offerings with scriptural references, Go back and read the Pentateuch which elaborates the Tithing and offering methods in Deut 12, Duet 14 and Duet 26
One of it states, you eat along with your family and distribute to the widows, orphans, the levite who sits at your door!
Also read what Paul says when he teaches about Law in Galatians 5:18 "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Being faithful in your offerings and Tithes are abiding to the Law. If you are not obeying the LORD it is deemed as disobedience. If he asks to give, obey and give whatever he says, it could be 100% as he told the rich scribe. If you disobey LORD may not accept your argument that you gave tithes.
Most of all, please remember LORD is YHWH YIREH. He is the provider and HE shall provide. Don't doubt in God's providence.
Whatever you possess, assets, money, declare that they belongs to the LORD. Now what you have is LORD’s. Be led by the Spirit of God and expend it. That’s all is required.
LORD Provides, LORD nourishes, LORD takes care of every need. This needs a faithful declaration and some may see you rebellious. Understand that this is living as led by the spirit of the LORD.
Lead a Holy Life unto the LORD for HE is HOLY.
May the LORD lead you to give where HE wants you to give. Be it orphans, be it Pastors and Ministers (deemed to be the modern Levites), be it other service organisations, or be it your own need.
Be led by the Spirit of God in spending GOD's money. That’s the key.
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