ArchivedA House DividedAngel- I am not trying to argue either. But if I don't respond to your incorrect comments, how do I care? This is not something about a superior doctrine or belief to me. It is only about the truth and encouraging others not to be deceived by the false. Now let me go through this for you Angel and I hope you are able to accept these things. Firstly, the verse in John is not talking about tithes. It is talking about someone trying to get to God by any means other than Christ. Nehemiah- what group of Levites are you giving these tithes to. I'm sure you don't consider Christian preachers Levites? Are we still under the levitical system where our preachers are forbidden to work so that they can be in Temple service? No. But we are told to give freely as we have recieved. We are told to work with our hands so that we may be a burden to no one and also we are encouraged to take nothing from the Gentiles. If you need scriptures, I can provide them. Luke- have you sold all that you have and given to the POOR. Luke is no wise is talking about tithes, but giving up what YOU have so that the POOR may have. This does not deal with tithes. So I would encourage you to give to those in need, rather than simply to a business organization (church). Duet- Again what Levites are you paying your tithes too? So that you can be in obedience to this precept. If you are not paying your tithes to Levites, regardless of what scripture dealing with tithes you pull up, all of them are meant to be paid to the Levites. Pual at times collected money from the different churches. But the money was for the church in Jerusalem who was poor and had need. He did not keep a percentage of the money for himself so that he could further his ministry. But what does Paul say time and time again. Working with my own hands as he was given (freely) so he gave. Malachi- I love this scripture here. Lets break it down. Malachi 3:7-9. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. (They left from his ordinances [plural] and are told to return) But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Now, he says they have robbed Him in tithes and offerings (which are paid to the Levites, correct?). If you read the whole book and not just a few verses or a chapter. You will see that they were giving, but they were giving lame and sickly animals. So was it not giving that was the robbery or was it that they were giving something unsuitable or profane? Didn't God implement the new covenant because their offerings had become an abomination to Him because of their disobedience? read Hebrews and corresponding prophets. It was not the material that was commiting the robbery against God b/c they gave something, but it was the heart that was the problem. God does not need finances. There is more than enough in Malachi to show these things. If the heart is not in the right place, the offering is void. Look at what Christ said about if your brother has something against you, what you should do before offering. From that one can see, that the condition of your heart is more imporant than any tithes. God doesn't want the tithe if the heart is not right. This was the case with those in Malachi. Will a man rob God? Is not focused on giving material possessions primarily, it shows how the material possession were more precious than God to them. Pray about these things friend. So in closing, I'd like to say again. That if a building is more valuable than the people in need, that ministry who acts in this way is truly not of God. The problem is that without the building, the business is not successful. To the contrary, if the building is sacrificed so that the brethren may have, it is blessed and in order. Is brick more valuable then the life of a brother in Christ? Certainly not, but the world will value their source of revenue over others. What did Peter say to the handi-capped man. Money I do not have, but what I have I will give you and Peter healed him. Nowadays, it's if we have money we will help. If we have enough we will give more. Notice, that the money is the main concern. "We must have to give" as the carnal mind perceives it. But those who are filled with the spirit do not see as the world. They have bread, and the world looks for material food. They have riches, but the world looks for material finances. They give and nurture without money. Why? Because they truly have the power of the spirit and do need more to give. They gave what they already had. As stated in Luke, go and sell all. Speaking generally, not directed at you Angel from this point but to all. Are you willing to follow the church's example and let go of your material possessions to help those less fortunate? Or is the pleasure of your life too precious to give up the worldly pleasure? Will a man rob God? Will a man have a compassionate heart and mercy? What is here that God has not created? Anything that you withhold from one in need (not speaking of organizations but people) is robbery. Did not God give you all that you have? Give freely as you have received. If a person puts self first with little, they will with much... With Love, Snipe... |
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame