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That is, the tithe is not of the law...the law reflect the importance of tithe and thus was included but Jesus still says what He says (render to Caesar what is his and to God what is God's) despite Him knowing of the redemption of the cross. If Jesus already know that His work on the cross would stop fulfill all laws including the tithe, why oh why did He need to say that since He will give on the cross all that WE would have given and MORE?
No. The work on the cross would fulfill all the moral and ritual obligations of the Law, but the tithe is to give God what is His, it is not a question of morality but of honour and respect; not an act of the flesh, but an act of the heart. Therefore, we must see tithe as something more of an obligation. There must be a reason why it is there in the first place and despite all the teachings of us being redeemed from the effects of sin, why does the issue of tithings keep coming up?
Ever wonder why Churches are not victorious in a lot of ways and one of the area is in the area of finance? Ever been in a church that kept asking for multiple offerings and givings in one single day?
It may sound like a tit for tat kind of argument but why would some churches blossomed spiritually and subsequently blossomed in other areas as well?
My church new creation church started off poor but they asked for Wisdom, and they got the Grace message and from the Grace message, understand the significance of the tithe and offerings, and also understand that wholeness is given in every area of a believers' life, "unfortunately" for some, that includes wealth as well.
The wealth we are to gather is for the glory of the church through the generous giving to the poor.
If we are to preach that offerings/givings are the only means without the knowledge of the 10% then the body of christ will no doubt stop giving if the flesh of man have a say.
That's the reason why, to give the 10% is such a struggle for many as it is the anti-thesis of the nature of man, that is to keep 100% if possible.
And one of the ways to let go of the struggle is to group the act of tithing as part of the law that Christ has covered.
As Abraham was made righteous because of the Grace of God, and He made the tenth offering from such a position (that he is righteous because God sees him as righteous), then we who are in Christ made righteous are in the same position of Abraham, with promises of Abraham given by God...if we claim God's promises to Abraham through grace, ain't the teaching about tithing, the act of willingness to give AFTER blessings are given to be followed as well?
Put it another way: If Abraham is righteous without doing anything and yet he still tithe, then why we who are made righteous through Christ has to be any different?
Another precursor of the law on tithing is seen in the Garden of Eden. Adam & Eve are allowed to eat from ALL trees, even including the tree of Life EXCEPT for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Isn't that a picture of a tithe since that's what God wants perfect man and woman to do?
If God allows the Tree of Knowledge to be present, there has to be a reason.
The Reason: So that we can exercise our choice. So that we can exercise the choice to honour God. So that God can show the devil that despite the choice, we still choose what pleases God: That shows that our love for God IS REAL.
That's why Job was tested because Satan says that The Lord has excluded all bad things (build around a hedge) so that the only way Job can act is to honor God. Job is tested not just on his faith but also his choice under duress.
Now we are made Holy through Christ and thus is more perfect than Adam and Eve and definitely Abraham, so we are also under the same reasons to give to God what is His too.
A lot of people are harking to the days when the church of Acts are manifesting miracles. And one of the fruits of such strong presence of the Holy Spirit is the generous giving to the poor.
How can a poor church give to the poor? So a church that is rich in the word of Christ will also be rich in other areas so as to be a blessings unto others. And the key to it all is in the act of tithing.
Like I said, if you feel that what I wrote above is wrong then I have no objections. However, if you look at some churches that grows and grows, not just amongst the young but also the old and learned, you can see that their teachings is one that empowers the flock, that make the flock appreciates the work of the cross, thus be able to understand the reasons behind the act of tithing, and thus will give willingly and generously their 10% (some even more!) and offerings because of thanksgiving.
And if their teaching is not of Christ,then the fruits of the Holy Spirit would not be there as well. But the same church that was being accused of prosperity preaching (they teach that the prosperity of the believer is given because Christ is poor on the cross), are also the one that gives generously to the society as a whole.
We all must understand that, we must first see ourselves as redeemed from the effects of sin which is death FIRST, then the discernment of the Holy Spirit will help us to accept the teachings on tithing and its blessings.
Just to share, when I went back to some of my old churches/congregation, all I saw was just superficial friendship amongst brothers and sisters, that the membership of 200 is a miracle and that the offerings from the church should be small! But such examples speaks of a small God and not a big God who creates the heaven and the earth (since the Heaven and the Earth is SO BIG).
In contrast, New Creation Church, have a membership in the thousands (last count 12000 + regular attendees/non-members), have financial resources to support ministries in Israel, India and many parts of the world; broadcasts recorded services to Uganda (Africa), sermons in CDs and tapes are sent in the thousands to a myriad of places, donations in the millions to people including Muslims, starting a NKF dialysis center in Bukit Batok ... all to the Glory of God!
Let me say that I am not boasting in the flesh but that this boasting can show the might of the Lord, that may bring the good news to the world.
Which church is the good steward of the Lord? And this is the same church that teaches the sanctity of the giving of tithing!! If the tithe is wrong, then the giving should be wrong as well since we can give in other ways. But if the teaching is from the Lord, the works of the Lord will be shown brightly so that we might be the salt of the earth, the light on the lampstand.
Let those who has eyes let them see, those who have ears let them hear.
No. The work on the cross would fulfill all the moral and ritual obligations of the Law, but the tithe is to give God what is His, it is not a question of morality but of honour and respect; not an act of the flesh, but an act of the heart. Therefore, we must see tithe as something more of an obligation. There must be a reason why it is there in the first place and despite all the teachings of us being redeemed from the effects of sin, why does the issue of tithings keep coming up?
Ever wonder why Churches are not victorious in a lot of ways and one of the area is in the area of finance? Ever been in a church that kept asking for multiple offerings and givings in one single day?
It may sound like a tit for tat kind of argument but why would some churches blossomed spiritually and subsequently blossomed in other areas as well?
My church new creation church started off poor but they asked for Wisdom, and they got the Grace message and from the Grace message, understand the significance of the tithe and offerings, and also understand that wholeness is given in every area of a believers' life, "unfortunately" for some, that includes wealth as well.
The wealth we are to gather is for the glory of the church through the generous giving to the poor.
If we are to preach that offerings/givings are the only means without the knowledge of the 10% then the body of christ will no doubt stop giving if the flesh of man have a say.
That's the reason why, to give the 10% is such a struggle for many as it is the anti-thesis of the nature of man, that is to keep 100% if possible.
And one of the ways to let go of the struggle is to group the act of tithing as part of the law that Christ has covered.
As Abraham was made righteous because of the Grace of God, and He made the tenth offering from such a position (that he is righteous because God sees him as righteous), then we who are in Christ made righteous are in the same position of Abraham, with promises of Abraham given by God...if we claim God's promises to Abraham through grace, ain't the teaching about tithing, the act of willingness to give AFTER blessings are given to be followed as well?
Put it another way: If Abraham is righteous without doing anything and yet he still tithe, then why we who are made righteous through Christ has to be any different?
Another precursor of the law on tithing is seen in the Garden of Eden. Adam & Eve are allowed to eat from ALL trees, even including the tree of Life EXCEPT for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Isn't that a picture of a tithe since that's what God wants perfect man and woman to do?
If God allows the Tree of Knowledge to be present, there has to be a reason.
The Reason: So that we can exercise our choice. So that we can exercise the choice to honour God. So that God can show the devil that despite the choice, we still choose what pleases God: That shows that our love for God IS REAL.
That's why Job was tested because Satan says that The Lord has excluded all bad things (build around a hedge) so that the only way Job can act is to honor God. Job is tested not just on his faith but also his choice under duress.
Now we are made Holy through Christ and thus is more perfect than Adam and Eve and definitely Abraham, so we are also under the same reasons to give to God what is His too.
A lot of people are harking to the days when the church of Acts are manifesting miracles. And one of the fruits of such strong presence of the Holy Spirit is the generous giving to the poor.
How can a poor church give to the poor? So a church that is rich in the word of Christ will also be rich in other areas so as to be a blessings unto others. And the key to it all is in the act of tithing.
Like I said, if you feel that what I wrote above is wrong then I have no objections. However, if you look at some churches that grows and grows, not just amongst the young but also the old and learned, you can see that their teachings is one that empowers the flock, that make the flock appreciates the work of the cross, thus be able to understand the reasons behind the act of tithing, and thus will give willingly and generously their 10% (some even more!) and offerings because of thanksgiving.
And if their teaching is not of Christ,then the fruits of the Holy Spirit would not be there as well. But the same church that was being accused of prosperity preaching (they teach that the prosperity of the believer is given because Christ is poor on the cross), are also the one that gives generously to the society as a whole.
We all must understand that, we must first see ourselves as redeemed from the effects of sin which is death FIRST, then the discernment of the Holy Spirit will help us to accept the teachings on tithing and its blessings.
Just to share, when I went back to some of my old churches/congregation, all I saw was just superficial friendship amongst brothers and sisters, that the membership of 200 is a miracle and that the offerings from the church should be small! But such examples speaks of a small God and not a big God who creates the heaven and the earth (since the Heaven and the Earth is SO BIG).
In contrast, New Creation Church, have a membership in the thousands (last count 12000 + regular attendees/non-members), have financial resources to support ministries in Israel, India and many parts of the world; broadcasts recorded services to Uganda (Africa), sermons in CDs and tapes are sent in the thousands to a myriad of places, donations in the millions to people including Muslims, starting a NKF dialysis center in Bukit Batok ... all to the Glory of God!
Let me say that I am not boasting in the flesh but that this boasting can show the might of the Lord, that may bring the good news to the world.
Which church is the good steward of the Lord? And this is the same church that teaches the sanctity of the giving of tithing!! If the tithe is wrong, then the giving should be wrong as well since we can give in other ways. But if the teaching is from the Lord, the works of the Lord will be shown brightly so that we might be the salt of the earth, the light on the lampstand.
Let those who has eyes let them see, those who have ears let them hear.
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