The following narrative was my response to a Facebook post written by a dear sister on the issue of tithing, I begin by quoting one of her statements:
“You are not their judge God is?” – Speaking of the ministers who insist on the validity of the tithe and who live lavish lifestyles presumably off the tithe.
I am sorry to make this statement... Actually I’m not: A lot of ‘Christians’ tend to be lazy about the pursuit of knowledge, sadly ignorant of God’s ways, followers of men instead of the Word, judgmentally biased, and mediocre in their outlook, behaving more like servants than like sons. This is why the so-called ‘unbelievers’ are thriving and doing so much better than the children of God! Because sadly sometimes they are actually more knowledgeable about the principles of God then we the children of God are.
I believe that this issue of the tithe is a simple one. It constitutes one of the most fundamental principles of Christianity that Paul enjoins us to move on from, onto maturity. The Old Testament depended on The Law, and it failed which means that the ‘tithe’ as it was, under the old testament failed but the New Testament is a testament of grace and actually demands a lot more then The Law does, in that it is based on RELATIONSHIP. THIS is one of the reasons why the Bible says that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of God. Do not get me wrong, I absolutely believe in Kingdom giving, but the giving should be solely directed by the King of our hearts who is the Holy Spirit. He is the one who should, and who speaks to our heart about the things we should do and the way that we should go, in all things.
Furthermore, The Kingdom of God is an eternal kingdom, and it is limitless, boundless, endless, without beginning and without end. Anything that is sown into the Kingdom with the right motive regardless of its value takes on that eternal quality of God’s Kingdom and becomes limitless, boundless, endless, without beginning and without end. This means that regardless of whether I give one dollar or $1 million, it matters not a thing unless I give with the right mindset - not by power, nor by might, but by the Spirit of the Lord.
This is for me and not for everyone: If The Lord asks me to give more than I feel that am able to give, I should feel comfortable giving above and beyond, trusting that God will provide for me according to his HIS riches in glory. On the other hand, when he tells me to rest in HIM and refrain from giving, I should also be comfortable in this, trusting that HE knows best, because He sees all things, and knows the beginning from the end.
Again the kingdom of God is based on The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and does not follow the law of this world including the law of seasons and times, and that of seed-time and harvest. Though these entities exist and will not cease, as long as the earth remains, in the Kingdom which is in this world, but not of this world, seasons and times, seed-time and harvest exist, but they do not follow the laws of the world, but rather the laws of the kingdom of God.
What I’m about to say here can only be understood by those to whom it is given to understand, and that is that in the kingdom of God, seed-time may precede harvest-time, seed-time may come after harvest-time, and may also occur at the same time as harvest-time. This is because, in God’s Kingdom, time is not a dimension. As a matter of fact, time does not determine what happens in the kingdom of God. This is why Sarah had a baby at age 90 years, out of sync with the timing of the world, and why water could be turned into wine in a moment, out of sync with the seasons of growth and maturation.
The kingdom of God is based on the will of God and not on time. So whether you reap before, or after, or at the same time as your seed, it matters not except as it fulfills God‘s will! In addition, he who gives because he expects a return does not understand Kingdom principles which are based on the belief in, allegiance to, and submission to the will of the King. This means that everything in the Kingdom gets its sustenance and its ability to thrive from The King, and He who sees all things will make sure that all everything flourishes and grows in His presence.
Psalm 92:13
“Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
If we are still grappling with the issue of money in the Kingdom which is milk at most, how can we handle the weighty issues of the kingdom, i.e., Strong meat?
Hebrews 5:12 -14
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Anyone who uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness for he is a babe.
Let us move on from being babies who cry over not getting milk or having to give milk, and move on to the meat of the kingdom where our will is to do The Father’s will, and to finish His work. Only servants argue and vacillate over what and what not to give to their master; The heir of the house, however, knows that The house belongs to him and he must preserve it to be able to enjoy his inheritance and to preserve it for future generations. Jesus said that he no longer calls us servants, but he calls us friends and joint-heirs with him. This means that he has given us the privilege of being one of the ones to take care of his Kingdom and to preserve it till he comes again. Let us stop behaving like servants, arguing about whether or not to maintain to maintain the assets of The Kingdom. He that is of the Kingdom will be about the business of the kingdom. And as for not judging, we should judge! God has made us stewards of his assets as Jesus demonstrated over and over again, in the parables. God only rewards the stewards that ‘do’ Kingdom business with the assets that the master has given them. These are the ones The master Rewards.
We must be about the Father’s business.
PS The first mention of the tithe originated from the heart of man and not from God's heart. It was an expression of honor, gratitude, awe, and the cementing of the covenant between the blessed and the ‘blesser’. Contrary to what is now preached, Abraham gave a tenth AFTER, and not before Melchizedek blessed him.
Genesis 14:18-20
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand. Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free! I apologize for the long post, God bless!!!
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