Re: Tithing Challenge
It is true that we cannot 'buy' God's favor. To be honest, God doesn't need anything from us 'materialistically'. He only wants our hearts.
'Tithing' in its self is not bondage; no it's not.
The bondage is in the heart of one that doesn't want to trust God and let it go. Money means a lot to people... a GREAT Lot. Folks go to great lengths to get it / keep it / spend it / on what they want to spend it on. Money is such a 'god' in people's lives that folks will kill, steal, lie, cheat.... and withhold ... to have it in their possession to distribute at their will.
For one to give up
which is truly such a small part -- i.e. 'The Tithe' -- of what is so cherished in our lives, such as money, shows that we choose to put God first and ourselves after. For is this not what God did? He gave what He cherished most... a part of Himself to save us; to protect us and to heal us and recue us from ourselves in sin.
Another gift God has so lovingly given us is His Gift of 'Free Choice' (Free Will). Totally free and one of which He will never interfere nor trespass nor trample upon.
One's choice not to tithe is that and only that. It is One's most treasured, Free choice...God's gift to each of us. It is not God's Word to
not tithe.
No where in God's Word does it say not to tithe and Jesus, Himself (who is God -- in the flesh) did indeed say that it is right to tithe
and to continue to do so. Therefore, no one can say -- in God's Truth -- that tithing is 'Old Testament' and no longer a part of the New.
To use the Old Testament as an 'escape' clause, still does not change God's word that tithing is indeed what He says to do in both redemptions, the Old and the New Testament.
Humans will go to great means to alter God's Word to justify / validate what they do not want to do. ESPECIALLY when it comes to their money which is their life (which is actually God's money for it is He / God who has blessed and has given us the power / the ability / the energy and the strength to obtain wealth.
The gay activists are using this very same tactic (untruth) to validate their gay lifestyle and gay marriage. They misuse the Bible and declare with such heresy with 50-11 Jesus never 'saids' ... that Jesus never talked about marriage being solely between a man and a woman when indeed Jesus did make this clear regarding marriage as between a man and a woman. All to validate their choice of lifestyle rather than acknowledge what God truly says.
It's the same strategy by those who oppose tithing. They seek to validate their choices by altering the true meaning / rebelling against the truth of God's Word to validate their choices.
No one can alter God's Word. It's not changing just because someone chooses to do the opposite of what He says.
If someone doesn't wish to tithe, that's fine, it's their choice, however leave God out of it. Humans must simply admit that it's
their choice and not try to ease one's conscience by saying God's Word doesn't support it. God's word is not changing to appease one's life's decisions.
God is not going to force Himself nor His word upon any of us, not even the consequences of our choices will He enforce. Consequences simply happen, for each seed produces after its own kind. The seeds of life we plant, nurture and water are the fruits one will harvest.
With that being said, the blessings of tithing come naturally which is why they cannot be bought for Jesus already paid the price for them as part of our redemption. Therefore the blessings of tithing are not bought nor bargained. They are simply the consequence of putting God first.
Jesus said...
Render unto Caesar what's Caesar and unto God, God's. (Mark 12:17)
Caesar has been cleaning up and cleaning people out far and long enough.