Archive for November, 2009
It will be given to us according to the measure we give. See Luke 6:38
The poor widow in Luke 21:1-4 gave a good measure.
Faith is more valuable than gold. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Guarding the tongue brings blessing. “For, ‘whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil’”(1 Peter 3:10).
A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him (Proverbs 28:22).
People often discuss with me the legalism of tithing. There is no condemnation for those in Christ. We are not under the curse of the law. This is all true. However; I think a lot of Christians use this as an excuse not to tithe. These arguments are often made to defend a person’s fear or greed when it comes to money. Most Christian can agree that we are not cursed. Therefore; we certainly are not cursed if we pay tithes and offerings. I also believe there is a blessing for those who tithe and pay offerings to God.
Putting God first with our tithes and offerings is the right thing to do.This shows our trust and love for God. James 4:17 says “Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it sins”. Just because we are not cursed if we don’t tithe doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. Just because we are saved by grace doesn’t mean we should make a habit of not doing good things. I believe we pleases God when we tithe. It certainly doesn’t anger Him and He will not penalize us for tithing.
Many have asked me why some people who do not follow biblical financial principles or even any kind of ethical principles have so much money. My response is, they don’t. They can’t take it with them. I like this verse. “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22).
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10).
If we believe the Word of God, we will do this.
Whoever loves money, never has money enough; Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3
Once we commit whatever we do to God, our plans will succeed. We shouldn’t judge success. Just believe.
Anyone who wants to be trusted with much, must first be trusted with little. Luke 16:10 discusses this.
In Deuteronomy chapter 14 verse 22, the tithe is discussed. Tithing will help us to revere the LORD always. I really don’t think God asks us to tithe just to have a rule to follow. I think it helps bring us and keep us in relationship with Him by acknowledging that God provides for us.
In 1 Kings chapter 17, a widow had a handful of flour and a little oil. She thought it would run out that very day. She trusted God and did as Elijah said. The flour and oil did not run out.
Does God want people to be poor? I don’t think so because of what it says in Galatians 2:10. If God wanted people to be poor He wouldn’t instruct us to help the poor in so many places in His Word.