THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Two fairly-well-to-do friends crashed their private plane on a desert island. One of them went scouting around the island to see what was there. He came back very disappointed and said, "There is nothing on this island. There's no food, no water, and we are doomed."
The other man said, "No. It'll be ok. I make over $250,000 per week."
The first man said, "You don't understand! Without food or water, we are going to DIE!"
The other man said, "No. It'll be ok. I make over $250,000 per week."
The first man, really upset, shook as he said, "THERE IS NO WATER, NO FOOD! WE ARE GOING TO DIE!"
The other man said, "No. I make over $250,000 per week. And I tithe. My PASTOR will find us!"
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1 Cor 16:2
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
KJV
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Giving to God's work, through God's church, is a natural part of our relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, tithing was given as a law of the Lord. In Deuteronomy, chapter 12:5, God explained that the tithe should be brought "unto the place which Yahweh your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there." Malachi 3:10 declares that place of God's choice to be the "storehouse" of the Lord. It is the place where God's people direct usage of God's funding for God's directed work. Malachi also teaches us that God's people are ROBBING God, when they do not give (Malachi 3:8-9)
A tenth was to be given from: the seed of the land, the crops, the fruit of the tree, the oil and wine, and the herd or flock (See Leviticus 27:30-33).
Most people consider "tithe" to be ten percent. But researching in the Old Testament, the people of the Lord were giving about THIRTY-FOUR percent!
In our text above, we find that Paul says we should bring to God's house as "God has prospered." And that is to be brought "on the first day of the week."
We are to constantly monitor our earnings, and give as we receive direction from the Lord. Giving is as much a natural part of our relationship with God as prayer, Bible study, attendance, and witnessing.
Is giving a natural part of your relationship with God?
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org
We don't change the message, the message changes us.