Tithing is not a law for Christians... FREEWILL GIVING IS!

"...for God loves a cheerful giver"

Old Covenant Tithing
In the Old Covenant, the Israelites were instructed to follow a lot of laws which included tithing. We are not taught to follow the rest of the laws they were given and neither should we try to follow the law of tithing.

Old Covenant Giving
The Israelites were asked to give what their hearts prompted them to give and on both occasions, the amount of gifts they gave was overwhelming.

Robbing God
In order for believers to be robbing God today, we would still have to be under all the laws God gave to the Israelites. The Bible tells us we are clearly not under those laws. In fact, the windows of heaven are not closed to Christians according to Ephesians 1:3 and 2 Peter 1:3.

Before the Law
Some say the tithing came before the law in an attempt to justify teaching it now. I'll show you that it is not a valid reason. Two incidents of tithing came before the law. Neither one is valid to use as justification that Christians ought to be 'tithing' now.

New Covenant 'Tithing'?
If we are taught to tithe in the New Covenant then there would be no issue. We are clearly not taught that we should tithe. Jesus told the Scribes and Pharisees that they should continue to tithe and keep all the other laws too! Jesus was not talking to us!

New Covenant Giving
The things Jesus taught about money and what the rest of the New Covenant continues to teach is what we need to do today. Freewill offerings is the only way demonstrated in the New Covenant.

Study of Hebrews
Hebrews chapter 7 is studied to determine what it really teaches concerning the law and concerning tithing. The conclusion is that it does not teach that Christians should be tithing and instead repeats what other scriptures also state - that Christians are not to attempt to follow the laws God gave to the Israelites.

We should be following the instructions outlined throughout the New Testament.

What should you do?


2 Cor 9:7
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.(NIV)

As indicated in verse 7 above, you simply need to decide for yourself how much you can freely give. Whatever that amount is, give it cheerfully.

Am I being too critical?

Nope!

As leaders, much is expected from us. Consider this:

"...Every one

to whom much is given,

of him will much be required;

and

of him to whom men commit much

they will demand the more."

Luke 12:48

There is no room for mediocrity, disunity and pride in our community. If you can't work together, well, let those who can - serve the community.

BAD TO WORSE?

o o O o o 

Gather with people who love to give praise and thanks to God. That's why charismatics go to prayer meetings. 

o o o o o o o O o o o o o o o

Sirach 5:7 

Do not delay to turn to the Lord, nor postpone it from day to day

We are now on the second week of the second month of 2009 and still no gathering even just to Pray, Praise and Worship. So, whatever happened to the supposed meeting twice a month for prayer meeting and teaching night?

BRING BACK "CHARISMATIC" INTO THE COMMUNITY AND LET'S BE LED BY THE SPIRIT - AGAIN!

Are you afraid of doing God's work?

In one of our HH sharing, I once said:

"If Christ just died yesterday and we are the first Christians, it will take a very long while before we can produce the first martyr."

There's a big difference between "being a bold leader" and "being an irresponsible leader". We are all called to be WITNESSES, so why be afraid of being caught doing God's work? Aren't we supposed to be CHARISMATIC - being led by the SPIRIT!

Mabuti pa iyong mga nababalitaan nating nahuhuli, humihinto ba sila? Kung minsan halos kada buwan nababalitaan nating nagkakahulian, natigil na ba sila? Meron nga akong officemate dati na-deport dahil sa gawain nila pero kailan lang nakabalik at walang kadala-dala ayon dating gawi naglilingkod pa rin ng walang takot. CONVICTION ba tawag dun? So tanungn ko kayo, ano unahin ninyo?

• HH o Party?
• LCS o HH?
• EC o LCS?
• Confess Now or Next time?
• Glorify God o Security muna?

DARE TO BE DANIEL?

BAD START...

It's now February.

We are now on the second month of 2009, so what happened? Why wasn't God glorified by the gathering of the MCG for the month of January?

Questions, questions and more questions?

Well, it is indeed a... bad start.

o o O o o

Gather with people who love to give praise and thanks to God.

That's why charismatics go to prayer meetings.

o o o o o o o O o o o o o o o

Sirach 5:7

Do not delay to turn to the Lord, nor postpone it from day to day