Word 4 U 2day/TITHES

[ladylovesJesus]

TITHES

'We have ... enough ... and plenty to spare' 2 Chronicles 31:10

Kristen Stewart didn't just stroll up to the Twilight set and grin for the camera. And it's unlikely that Christian Bale found the keys to the Batmobile on his doormat. Like all actors, they have agents behind the scenes working up deals, securing auditions and negotiating contracts. Without a good agent, an actor can say 'goodbye Hollywood, greetings coffee shop'. That's why actors pay agents a minimum 10 per cent of all they earn. Think about this - every day God is working behind the scenes, securing your needs, negotiating your living conditions, enabling every part of the universe to function in order that you can go about your day-to-day.

It's no wonder the Bible suggests we show our 'agent' a little gratitude. Church lingo calls this a 'tithe'. Malachi 3:10 talks about it: 'Bring to the storehouse a full tenth of what you earn so there will be food in my house. Test me in this...I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need.'

God has the heavens and universe stretched out before Him, He really doesn't need our scraps to live off. But what tithing demonstrates is our gratitude and faith. Giving back to God acknowledges where the original gift came from and it shows we have faith that God will continue to provide for us.

What now? How are you doing with your giving? Make a plan to give generously, to those around you and to your church.

written by Bob Gass

 

[farout]

embezzlement and larceny

Hundreds of thousand's of dollars are being stolen each week. The theifs are organized in such a way it is impossible to track this larceny. The FBI and local police won't investigate "there is not the slightest clue". These robbers are undectable. How such a wide spread organized larceny can go undected has baffled officals for decades. However there seems to be common thread. This crime is mainly committed in churches with very poor church members. Officals all agree their church members are very poor. Based on a ten percent tithe given to churches by members, Pastor's and Ministers all say the average church family is making below minium wage. Private Investigators have come to the conclusion that the thievery is taken place after the offering has taking place, somehow after the offering plates are collected and the offering is counted. Even with close observation the amount people have pledged, and the amount received is substantially less. Knowing that church members are committed Christians, and they would never lie or renege on returning to God what is the Lords. As of today the mistry continues unsolved and the thievery go unsolved.


This is a little story made up by me. But the story has right on truth! In Malcchi 3: 8-11 says it in very clear terms. If you are not tithing, you are robbing God!

For many years I stole from God. There are consequences for not giving back to God, what He has given us. But that's the negative way, but truthful way to put it. Here is a way I found out , my wife and I can't wait to give back to the Lords work. There is such a peace and joy in giving back to the Lord.

Please remember this is Gods money. You might see it as a test, will you obey God, or think you just can't live with out that 10% . Giving God back what is His, is a big step of faith for some. This may be especially true if a person is in heavy debt. There are a billion excuses as to why we can't tithe. and all of the excuses make perfect reasoning.....to you.

For me it was a step of obedience to tithe. I had more reasons than you can imagine, and they were true, but I gave no way for God to work things out in my life. When a car needs some part and the only money left is the tithe, there is just no way to tithe right? That just is not true at all. God will make a way! We are toled to walk by faith. Walking by faith is hard, it's a real challenge. Will we be obedient and rely on the Lord. or take matters into our own hands? For many, many years I relied on my ability to resolve things, my way. I just did not have the faith. I felt guilty every Sunday, I was ashamed!

Recently I heard Dr. Michael Youssef say he was a pastor for a considerable length of time before he began to tithe. That was on TV and it took guts and a heart of repentance to tell his church that he did not tithe for a good while. Let me say he was not alone. I too did the same thing, and I was deeply aware what I was supposed to do, it bothered me all the time. I was a pastor of two churches that paid so little there was no way to tithe. That was the lie I believed . I missed so many blessings, and felt so gulity, I was afraid to take that step of faith. So you might ask how did you find the courage and the way to tithe?

My wife and I started watching Kay Arthur on TV. She is a fantastic Bible teacher. She says if you are getting something from this teaching, then please support this minisrty. So my wife and I started giving. We were so excited we started supporting another ministry. And before we knew it we made the choice to tithe, We did not give to get. We now will give God back what is His now matter what. We are so excited to give when our retirement comes each month. We at last have peace. God has made some changes in us that are unbelievable. Read Malachi 3:8-11 begin to wald by faith. May God be with you and take this step of faith. Blessinsg brother's and sister's!

 

[Boanerges]

As a New Testament believer I am not a tither but a giver. There is no place from the Book of Acts and forward (the birth of the church) that mentions tithing except the Book of Hebrews in reference to the Aronic priesthood. Not one place is a born again believer told to tithe. That being said I am a cheerful giver and I fell 10% is a good place to start giving.