Category Archives: Tithing

Heart, Mind, and Soul

4 Replies

“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7

Today we take a look at Cane and Abel, brothers that Satan tore apart to caused the first murder! Both brothers brought an offering before God; however God was pleased with Abel’s but not Cain’s? Why?

We have to remember God wants our heart,mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37) not just our presence, like quality over quantity. It says that Abel offered his first born sheep of his flock (Firstfruits), this was the best Abel had to offer and because of this God was pleased.  While Cain offered some random fruit from his garden, could have been leftovers or bad fruit, but it surely wasn’t his best, God rejected it!

God doesn’t really care what you are offering him, but what you are offering him should be the best you can provide from your heart. Cain was just going through the motions basically trying to trick God, but God reads our hearts, minds, and soul.

Now this rejection from God obviously upset Cain, and instead of him trying to do better, he became insanely jealous of his brother Abel.  As God said to him “sin is crouching at your door” meaning if you allow this jealousy and anger to manifest in you, it will grow into sin (James 1:15). That’s exactly what happened.

Instead of Cain, repenting, he allowed sin to grow into murder! (James 1:15) God wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37) , not just going through the motions!  Just like the 5 loaves and 2 fish, give God whatever you have and he will bless you in Jesus Name Amen!

Can’t Buy Faith

2 Replies

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6

I love this story in the Bible, as it shows you Peter healed the man by their faith in Christ and not by money.  Isn’t this the approach and attitude our Christian Churches and Ministries should be using? You can’t go to a church service or watch a service on TV without being begged for money. What faith do these Christians really have?  Well they’ll bring up we must tithe. Let’s examine tithing from the Bible.

(Deuteronomy  14:22)” Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year”

There are a couple of Old Testament scriptures about tithing; here Moses gives the command to give 10% of all that you have to God. Problem is this is part of the Old Covenant. If you truly a Christian your part of the New Covenant. Let’s see what Jesus said about money.

(Matthew 19:21) “Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.””

When a man asked Jesus about following the commandments, Jesus told him to sell everything and give to the poor. How many Christian churches follow this practice? My point is Jesus never asked for or required money to spread his Gospel. If you have money and want to praise God help someone in need with it.

(Matthew 6:24) “”No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

I know that it takes money to operate a church or ministry, but in the pursuit of fulfilling the budget needs I think a lot of Christians have lost their real purpose and reason for the Gospel. You don’t need an elaborate Church to worship God, Jesus would spread the Gospel anywhere and everywhere.  This is why I believe Jesus said to just give it all away. He knows once you make money a priority you cannot serve two masters.

(Matthew 7:15,16) “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ant-Church or ministry. My point is don’t lose your focus on Jesus. Instead of putting financial burdens on your members, put your faith in God. He will make a way if you truly have faith in him. And beware there are a lot of false prophets and ministries out there that are will cash in on your faith and generosity.  As Jesus said you will know the false prophets by the fruit there producing. Are they leading people to Christ or leading money to their bank accounts?

I pray for all the churches and ministry’s that they remember the real reason they started was to bring people to Jesus Christ. Please help us seek and see the truth in Jesus name Amen