|
Post by hearingGod on Nov 26, 2012 16:39:13 GMT -5
Someone asks the community here via YouTube::::::Your input is greatly valued!
|
|
|
Post by warrior on Nov 27, 2012 14:04:50 GMT -5
God loves a joyful giver.
It’s the way I prefer to look at it. I have no intention of getting bogged down in the Malachi, Hebrews, Pauline debate about tithing/offerings and legalism. All I know is that God is generous and we are made in His image; He loves a giver. We had been giving at 10% and found and still do find that our money enjoys a somewhat elastic quality. Exactly a year ago we came to a point where I wanted to carry on giving but Christmas was approaching with 3 birthdays to fit in before that and in the real world our money was going to fall well short. My solution was to have a puritanical Christmas which was not popular with my wife or 5 children. My wife wanted us to take a rain check on giving. I didn’t argue. I can’t give to the detriment of the oneness of my relationship with my wife, which honors God. I can’t not give so I gave the problem to God, to change my wife’s mind. I fasted and prayed. The next day we got in from work and opened the mail. There was a tax rebate for £3,779. Her mind was changed and we had a good Christmas. We laughed, cried, praised God and told the children what God had provided. We did give 10% of all including the rebate. Is 10% the right amount? Next month my pay had £380 more than normal in it – the exact amount we had offered from the rebate.
We have been blessed in so many ways. I do believe that God honors the practice of sowing and reaping, not just financially. We bless what we give and trust in God that the blessing will return in some way.
I will now tell you where I stand. I don’t hold with legalism and guilt. I want to be a joyful giver in everything I give. There have been two months this year when money was tight, I prayed and felt right to give 8% and God knew my heart. Both months I somehow made it up to 10% or more, once with a £1,000 gift coming to us. Provision is not my job, it’s what God does. I don’t waste money and so I have nothing to feel guilty about. I think it is a good idea to let God know your heart and to recognise that there is more than money to give. God loves it when we give time, love and praise.
|
|
|
Post by hearingGod on Nov 29, 2012 10:29:36 GMT -5
did u ever getta chance to read 'blessing or curse, you can choose' by derek prince? if u r feeling a curse may be there, that may bring something to light. i can say you have to be careful tho' regarding others comments & what you say.... if you are confessing it's a curse...agreeing w/ it---- can't do that. when the attacks come, the only stuff outta your mouth is what the Word says about you 'blessed only...above & not beneath....everything I do prospers'--scripturally based professions. so remember what Job professed.... Job 1:5 When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.
and he did it continually... it's root is worry. worry is sin. this was the access point for satan to begin w/. we can get into problems when we make vows... let me point you to this scripture: Mat 21:28-31 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, Son, go work today in the vineyard.' "And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and went. "The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, 'I will, sir'; but he did not go. "Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. so if you could see no way to pay the tithe and talk to Him about it & your desire to please Him...and instead planned for the 20% in a legalistic way then that's like making a vow & satan will hold you to it. especially if you believe you do 'a', you get 'b'.... because if you put $ in the machine & candy doesn't come out--- if he can damage your faith....drag you into confusion... if he can damage your example:....he's fighting alright! See it for what it is and fine tooth comb over what you've done & said...make right with God, turn it all over to Him and begin confessing who you are. if you don't have the tithe but want to give...just ask Him how.... i love 'warrior's' share... in it, there is recognition of that desire...not seeing the way...but turning it over to Him who holds all things. It's amazing when you think of it....HE's the one that can make it happen FOR us. and yes, how can we give? is it only money? "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27 blessings!
|
|