The Heart of Giving

Gen 14:20 And he gave him a tithe of all.

Tithing is a hot, debatable topic in the church. Some say it was Law and therefore Christians are not bound to it; this despite the fact that Abram giving tithe to Melchizedek was before the Law.

Giving is not mandated by a law – giving comes from the heart and a need to help someone.

In my research on the subject one commentator said that Abram did not tithe to Melchizedek of his own resources but with the spoils he took in the rescue of Lot.
The Bible does affirm this but can you make it a legitimate excuse not to tithe because of it?

Years later, Abraham’s grandson, Jacob said, “…of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” Gen 28:22
His decision also predated any law to do so.
His decision was also based on the resources God would bless him with.

There is no easy answer to whether you believe in tithing or not. You either do or you don’t.

Despite the fact that it’s in the Law, do you think God would demand less of His people today – the people He fills with His own Holy Spirit?
If God demanded 10% from His people under the Law – do you think He would now be happy with you giving 1% under Christ?
Does God move backward or forward?
Does He lower His standards or raise them?

There is more to be said and so I shall.

Abba, I ask for guidance in giving. You have abundantly blessed and I should never be stingy or greedy with what wasn’t mine to begin with. I am just a steward. In Jesus’ name, YES&AMEN

Handwriting Analysis

John 8:8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

What did He write? I know, but to explain takes a look back. Continue reading

Chained to Christ

chain2Philem 13 – I am in these chains for preaching the Good News
Eph 6:20 – I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador.
2 Tim 2:9 – because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. Continue reading

Law of Moses 106 – A Christian Perspective

torahSo here is the question one of my youth asked, “Do we still have to follow the Law of Moses?”
That is an excellent question and a sensitive one.
I have Christian friends that I respect that follow Torah, which, for all practical purposes, is the Law of Moses. Torah actually means Law and often refers to the first five books of the Bible, all written by Moses. Continue reading

The Forgiving Husband

Mars Hill PDXIt is quite evident that your relationship with God is like the relationship between a married couple – for your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name (Isa. 54:5) and husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. Eph 5:25

Just as God has said, “You must not have any other god but me” (Ex 20:3) then you Continue reading

Washed!

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.” Ex 19:10
Think of how difficult it was to wash clothes back then. You can moan, groan, and complain but you have it made today compared to the standards of 1000 years ago or even 100 years ago. Continue reading

Keep Passover? Or not?

What is the responsibility of the Christian when it comes to the Mosaic Law?
Is it something we should follow or not?
I pose these questions because of some Facebook posts that I’ve seen lately about following Torah or even celebrating Passover instead of Easter. Continue reading

The Promise of Tamar

There is probably nothing that will bog down your Bible reading down like the begets!
Though an important part of the genealogical record of Jesus Christ, it does make for some slow reading.
The begets can be found in Matt 1:2-16 Continue reading