Kingdom 103: The King's Viewpoint of Giving
While the Lord Jesus was here on earth, there was a a very wealthy, financially independent man who approached our King with this question: “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Now, read the Lord's reply to his question: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” The Lord did not say anything concerning paying tithes. The rich ruler replied: “All these things I have kept from my youth.” Hear the Lord's next answer: So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Again, paying tithes wasn't even mentioned in this conversation, nor giving it all to the church or religious leaders. Only to sell all he had and give it to those who were in need. That was the focus!
Giving is a natural characteristic of our God and King. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Once we become born again, it becomes part of our nature to give also. Read what those citizens of the Kingdom, filled with the Spirit, shared with those who were less fortunate. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. There was no mention of tithe or giving a tenth.
They gave it all.
And when it was laid at the apostles' feet, they didn't take the money and go buy a lot of land and a big mansion for the apostles to live in. The emphasis was on sharing and comforting those who were less fortunate (the poor).
Tithing in today's society is used to support the pastor and build the wealth. The question is who do they pay their tithes to? Man or God? Prosperity has become only about amassing material possessions. True prosperity is being free to give on every occasion, as the Holy Spirit leads. Under the Lord God's leadership, the children of Israel never went without food. Can many or our churches state that about their members? Must I remind you that the Kingdom of God is a government, invisible as it is, but full of power and authority? It isn't--and never has been--a religion.
Have you noticed that where many churches are, there is poverty around the corner or even on the same street? That is a religious mindset...one of poverty, not of a Kingdom citizen. There are many religious leaders that lie to their members while they live in fine houses and many even in mansions. They call it God's blessings. They have members without ample food or housing, even homeless while they live materialistically excessive lives. They claim they give, but only from their abundance. They ask, "Where is your faith?" and infer their members don't have because they haven't given enough to the church. Read what the Lord stated concerning giving: And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
Again, notice the Lord Jesus didn't chastise or scold her for giving so little. In fact, her faith in the Lord Jesus was one of total trust. She gave all she had; not out of her abundance (extra), as many have done. There are many religious leaders and pastors who aren't filled with the Spirit, because they are filled with greed and pride. In the United States, all you have to do is look around and you will see all the unnecessary toys they parade to the world and to their members. They want you to believe that you can live in excess too, if you have faith and give more to them. No! This is how you recognize a true follower of Jesus the Christ: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Anything else is just a wolf in sheep's clothing.
So, are we to give a tithe...a tenth of all we have? It is not about being religious-minded, but led by the Holy Spirit when we give. I leave you with what our Lord Jesus said: Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Always remember, your faith in God's Word is your foundation for eternal life.
Luke 18:18, 19-22 John 3:16 Acts 4:32-37 Luke 21:1-4 John 13:34 Luke 6:38
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
Giving is a natural characteristic of our God and King. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Once we become born again, it becomes part of our nature to give also. Read what those citizens of the Kingdom, filled with the Spirit, shared with those who were less fortunate. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. There was no mention of tithe or giving a tenth.
They gave it all.
And when it was laid at the apostles' feet, they didn't take the money and go buy a lot of land and a big mansion for the apostles to live in. The emphasis was on sharing and comforting those who were less fortunate (the poor).
Tithing in today's society is used to support the pastor and build the wealth. The question is who do they pay their tithes to? Man or God? Prosperity has become only about amassing material possessions. True prosperity is being free to give on every occasion, as the Holy Spirit leads. Under the Lord God's leadership, the children of Israel never went without food. Can many or our churches state that about their members? Must I remind you that the Kingdom of God is a government, invisible as it is, but full of power and authority? It isn't--and never has been--a religion.
Have you noticed that where many churches are, there is poverty around the corner or even on the same street? That is a religious mindset...one of poverty, not of a Kingdom citizen. There are many religious leaders that lie to their members while they live in fine houses and many even in mansions. They call it God's blessings. They have members without ample food or housing, even homeless while they live materialistically excessive lives. They claim they give, but only from their abundance. They ask, "Where is your faith?" and infer their members don't have because they haven't given enough to the church. Read what the Lord stated concerning giving: And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
Again, notice the Lord Jesus didn't chastise or scold her for giving so little. In fact, her faith in the Lord Jesus was one of total trust. She gave all she had; not out of her abundance (extra), as many have done. There are many religious leaders and pastors who aren't filled with the Spirit, because they are filled with greed and pride. In the United States, all you have to do is look around and you will see all the unnecessary toys they parade to the world and to their members. They want you to believe that you can live in excess too, if you have faith and give more to them. No! This is how you recognize a true follower of Jesus the Christ: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Anything else is just a wolf in sheep's clothing.
So, are we to give a tithe...a tenth of all we have? It is not about being religious-minded, but led by the Holy Spirit when we give. I leave you with what our Lord Jesus said: Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Always remember, your faith in God's Word is your foundation for eternal life.
Luke 18:18, 19-22 John 3:16 Acts 4:32-37 Luke 21:1-4 John 13:34 Luke 6:38
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you