Subject: PROVE ME: God's challenge to tithers |
Bible Note: capemimi The fact of the matter for a ministry to survive it must have money to operate. Too many people today feel no responsibility, no commitment and view it almost a badge of honor to get something for nothing. That is why in so many cases the church is unable to fully serve the community as God intended. Christians talk of brotherly love but few show it and therefore the government had to step in and handle the issues the church ought to be doing, caring for the sick and poor, the widows and children. Once the government got involved giving, backed off even more. In any case the church today is operating at reduced function because people refuse to pay for their seats. They will go to a ball game, show, or whatever and pay whatever is asked, but ask them to support a ministry and they start fighting kicking and screaming. Yelling most loudly they aren't under the law etc etc etc. However the principle of tithing started, it has basis, if everyone gave 10 percent the churches today would have enough to stand up to the problems that face our communities and society. Tithing was seen in the Old Testament long before the law as way to show honor, it was included in the law as a way to honor God and to support ministry. Jesus clearly said you ought to doing it (tithing), on the only occasion he ever talked about it. Matt 23:23. The principle of being blessed for giving to the Lord as revealed in Malachi 3 is still in effect today as many can and will testify. Yet we hold on to our money screaming we are not under the law etc etc etc. I tithe and more and I know what it has done in my life for me. I don’t do it under compulsion or duress but rather as an example given to me, to support what I hold worth of support. I know God has blessed me in many ways and I feel the blessing in my financial life is a direct result of my tithing. I was also taught by my parents you get what you pay for there are no free rides in life. I have learned in life the ones that protest the loudest are usually the ones that stand convicted of whatever they protest about. I know many many people that give generously to the church and I have never heard one of them argue you don’t have to give because tithing is under the law. In each case to a man they all support tithing. Then I look at the ones that argue endlessly that tithing is not for today, ALMOST to a man they are the ones that are less generous in their giving. You tell me where their heart is. There are many people that have starved their pastor and forced ministry out of existence and to them I say they will stand before God one day. I want to hear them so proudly and boldly proclaim then that they were no longer under the law, that they didn’t have to give, that they gave what their conscience lead them to give, etc etc etc. I have said probably more than I should on this subject and I have said all that I had to say. I say one last thing in parting, if you want to know financial freedom in your life, real freedom begin tithing if you haven't already and continue if you do, you will no longer be a slave to money. EdB |