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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness Gal 5:22 |
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Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for collecting daily manna), make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Today's Passage : Today's Passage:Subjecta:Giving to the Church Bible Verse:1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (ESV) "Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me." Message:
It comes as no suprise that one of the first things churches instituted was passing the collection plate. The early church was poor; it would not be until much later, when churches became entangled with the aristocratic systems, that they would hold income-producing properties and become the repositories of gold and precious stones, made into precious artwork, or generate the kind of money that would build the great cathedrals.
Once local expenses were paid, the rest was stored and sent to Jerusalem, where it was used to support the Council and pay for missionaries.
Paul says nothing about how much of one’s income should be given to the church, but he does say that every person is to “put something aside . . . as he may prosper,” that is, set aside a portion of wealth proportionate to one’s income.
The tithe, not mentioned in the New Testament, comes from the Jews. The first mention comes in Leviticus 27:30, “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.” Tithe means, most literally, one-tenth, and giving up ten percent of one’s income to God has seemed to be a universal standard for the devout. Even the least insitutionalized of the world’s religions, Buddhism, will often speak of “Buddha’s ten percent” and encourages giving to temples: “If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving and sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of selfishness overcome their minds.” Itivuttaka Sutra.
But it is hard to justify the ten-percent tithe in terms of New Testament theology. Paul actually seems to disapprove of it. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7). In some circles, the ten-percent concept has become so attenuated that people speak of “tithing” as any significant donation to a church based upon their income.
Churches themselves, being run by human beings, can become greedy for money (and earthly power). We have seen plenty of examples of Christian churches or ministries run for the profit of the leadership, ranging from various Popes in the Middle Ages to modern-day televangelists. (It is hard not to mention Creflo Dollar, who, in 2014, urged his listeners to give freely so that he might buy a $60 million Gulfstream jet.)
Most fundamentally, it is hard for us to justify our faith when our actions show that our primary concerns are human. One cannot grow in Christ when attached to money. Christ himself was especially clear on this matter: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
When we feel torn, we should do what we should always do: pray diligently, for God’s wisdom is available anytime we pray in honesty and humility. (James 1:5). Above all, whatever one offers should be given with pure intentions, as a service to the church of Christ and an act of submission and love of God.
Meditation : Prayer : O Sovereign and almighty Lord, bless all your people, and all your flock. Give your peace, your help, and your love unto us your servants, the sheep of your fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in your divine and boundless love.....Amen |
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