Mediocrity stands out to mean a nice word - a word not very good and not very bad. People have said many things as regards mediocre, but I keep wondering whether mediocrity signifies lack of ambition to aim higher, even to the highest?
I remember passing through an institution with a bold inscription as its motto - Duc In Altum. In a plain language, what the school is trying to project is that though admittance is open to all qualified candidates, yet there is no offer of hope for the person who is so indifferent as not to want to get ahead in life, and who is not willing to pay the price.
To aim at the highest, there is always a great price to pay. Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria occupies a strategic lace in the outskirts of Orlu town with two imposing architectural buildings that announce to all passersby the presence of a great institution. This is where I had the later part of my college life.
It is a school noted for its academic and moral excellence, which the teachers always try to force down the throat of all the students. The motto says, Duc In Atum (Aim At The Highest), yet not every student is in agreement with that. Many wanted a care-free life, others wanted to sit at the fence, whereas many more students never wanted anything at all.
Friend, no people, or nation succeeds with a government of mediocrity in power. My father was such a wise man. He was not able to decode my chances in life in a village school, and so decided to take me to a college, where I was trained to be a man, where I was called to a good age - the age of reason, knowledge and wisdom. I was taught not to celebrate mediocrity - mediocrity breeds failure, lack and poverty.
To celebrate mediocrity is to die unfulfilled. Fulfillment comes when one aims above mediocrity. Majority of the people I know today who worked against the school motto are living on the wrong side of life. The voice of truth sounds so low in many cases, only those that hear and heed its sounds are saved.
In the areas where you live, there are sounds of truth many of which are warnings, others are advice, while many more are persuasions, targeted to shape and mend your life. It is only left for you to make a choice, to be an achiever or a mediocre - the choice remains your own.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Developing a Positive Mental Attitude - A Task Impossible?
The question that comes up in the mind of any individual that has come across Gordon Brown's book is, can people really develop a positive mental attitude to life? Does it really work?
Well, my aim here is not to give all the answers to the dozen questions that emerge as a result of this, but as long as I have chosen to delve into the matter, I will try as much to alleviate some pains that these questions have created in the lives of people. The book in question caught my attention by its catchy caption and when I tried to read through, my attention was quickly drawn to simply explore the world through imaginative thinking and a proper, careful study popularly referred to as Research and Findings. I was also captivated by another unique avenue which is attending seminars, workshops, symposiums, conferences basically for renewing of the mind. His theory of developing the habit of viewing or listening to information products such as documentary and educative programmes, presentation and reading of inspirational books that would awaken the giants in me, stayed in my mind for a long time.
All the same, I later discovered that it is one thing for a man to go through a thing and come out without that thing going through the man and remaining. I have watched a lot of people passed through an institution, yet they never become a true representation of that institution. What makes a man is the man in the man. Without the man in the man, everything else is an inference. People go to school for the simple purpose of having a qualification attached to their names, not that they want to become what they opted to study about. Little wonder then many people with certificates of great institutions are not making impact in their generations.
Every man, every woman is created to fill a niche. When you make an input in your field and I make another in my field, this generation will be advanced. Creating a positive mental attitude is to ignite the man in the man to perform his niche, assume his rightful position, and build a conducive world for all to live. Development and progress would have been the goal if every man and woman is working towards the development of a positive mental attitude. Gordon has done a nice job, but who among us will bell the cat? Who is to inculcate the true traditional values and norms to our young ones? Who among us has truly developed that positive mental attitude towards himself or another? Take a look at our home-fronts - Divorce has taken the place of love and good relationship. Children born in such homes cannot be said to be 45% balanced, emotionally. They are deranged by the activities of those that could have given them love and care. How could we offer help, when majority of us are living like people without conscience, ambition and purpose? Our institutions of learning have become a place of all kinds of evil activities, instead of a place to call people to manhood. Our religious affiliations have all the same become places division rather than the peace, discipline, love, morality, care, good relationship and worship of God in truth and in spirit. Are we not guilty of the problems of our time?
Friend, the way forward is the way up. Our lives started from cradle to end up in the grave, so we need to re-discover ourselves as individuals, as fathers, mothers, entrepreneurs, agents, civil servants, etc and begin to do what is expected of us. Discovering ourselves is the first step, the next is to position ourselves to our individual assignments and pursue our set goals to the end. However, we must be daring enough to go for not only gold but also for diamond. Let us develop the mindset to climb the mountain, reaching the pinnacle of anything we set our mind to be.
Finally, making good use of our time is of utmost importance. When we manage our time well, we can truly have time to think about ourselves and others. We cannot accumulate time as we do to money or raw materials, because time waits for no one, and the best time we have to develop is NOW, not tomorrow!
Well, my aim here is not to give all the answers to the dozen questions that emerge as a result of this, but as long as I have chosen to delve into the matter, I will try as much to alleviate some pains that these questions have created in the lives of people. The book in question caught my attention by its catchy caption and when I tried to read through, my attention was quickly drawn to simply explore the world through imaginative thinking and a proper, careful study popularly referred to as Research and Findings. I was also captivated by another unique avenue which is attending seminars, workshops, symposiums, conferences basically for renewing of the mind. His theory of developing the habit of viewing or listening to information products such as documentary and educative programmes, presentation and reading of inspirational books that would awaken the giants in me, stayed in my mind for a long time.
All the same, I later discovered that it is one thing for a man to go through a thing and come out without that thing going through the man and remaining. I have watched a lot of people passed through an institution, yet they never become a true representation of that institution. What makes a man is the man in the man. Without the man in the man, everything else is an inference. People go to school for the simple purpose of having a qualification attached to their names, not that they want to become what they opted to study about. Little wonder then many people with certificates of great institutions are not making impact in their generations.
Every man, every woman is created to fill a niche. When you make an input in your field and I make another in my field, this generation will be advanced. Creating a positive mental attitude is to ignite the man in the man to perform his niche, assume his rightful position, and build a conducive world for all to live. Development and progress would have been the goal if every man and woman is working towards the development of a positive mental attitude. Gordon has done a nice job, but who among us will bell the cat? Who is to inculcate the true traditional values and norms to our young ones? Who among us has truly developed that positive mental attitude towards himself or another? Take a look at our home-fronts - Divorce has taken the place of love and good relationship. Children born in such homes cannot be said to be 45% balanced, emotionally. They are deranged by the activities of those that could have given them love and care. How could we offer help, when majority of us are living like people without conscience, ambition and purpose? Our institutions of learning have become a place of all kinds of evil activities, instead of a place to call people to manhood. Our religious affiliations have all the same become places division rather than the peace, discipline, love, morality, care, good relationship and worship of God in truth and in spirit. Are we not guilty of the problems of our time?
Friend, the way forward is the way up. Our lives started from cradle to end up in the grave, so we need to re-discover ourselves as individuals, as fathers, mothers, entrepreneurs, agents, civil servants, etc and begin to do what is expected of us. Discovering ourselves is the first step, the next is to position ourselves to our individual assignments and pursue our set goals to the end. However, we must be daring enough to go for not only gold but also for diamond. Let us develop the mindset to climb the mountain, reaching the pinnacle of anything we set our mind to be.
Finally, making good use of our time is of utmost importance. When we manage our time well, we can truly have time to think about ourselves and others. We cannot accumulate time as we do to money or raw materials, because time waits for no one, and the best time we have to develop is NOW, not tomorrow!
Africa - A Nation in Captivity
A captive is one that is taken prisoner or kept in prison by an authority, legally or illegally, held down or overcome by something but cannot get freedom or exercise its right, either spiritually or physically. Whosoever is held down by anything, habit, sin or spirit is in bondage of that which has trapped him.
Captivity is of two kinds - lawful (legal) and unlawful (illegal) captivity. Lawful captives are those who legitimately, willingly, knowingly and deliberately went into captivity. Besides, they are lawful captives because they are kept in bondage as a result of the evil they committed. In the scripture, the Bible told us how the nation Israel went into captivity - carried into slavery for so many years. The deserved captivity of Israel in the hand of the mighty (Babylonian) tells us how a person or nation can be enslaved. They became a prey and it was not likely that they should be rescued by force. They were lawful captives, by the law of God; every offence is always a legal ground for captivity. In other words, the law of nations has a part to play in the case of Israel. They were justly delivered into captivity because they have been taken in war. They were lawfully detained in captivity till they should be ransomed or be exchanged.
By way of inference, human beings can as well be taken captive by some evil spirit because of their sinful living. The powers resident in them claim legal right because those people deliberately entered into certain agreements with the spirits, whether through secret cults to search for fame, protection, prosperity and power, or through any other means. As a result, the activities of the spirits in these individuals or group becomes lawful or deserved, and the people lawful captives. Those also who deliberately dedicate themselves to the service of Satan and his purpose are among the lawful prisoners. Among the lawful captives, there are unconscious victims - people who did not deliberately become captives, but because of some problems and difficulties that defile solution, except by the possession of these spiritual beings. There are also, unwilling conscious victims - people who are free and not willing to associate themselves with diabolical spiritual powers, but got entangled because they have no choice. The last in this category are the consciously willing victims - people whose priority in life is to appear noticeable whether by hook or by crook. All these are legal or lawful captives.
In the other hand, the unlawful captives are those who are unlawfully held or kept in oppression by what another person has done - their father, ancestors, friends, relatives, etc. Every unlawful captive has a pathetic story to tell. How then did Africa go wrong, and what story has she got for us?
Well, the Bible tells us a story of a servant of God called Noah. He was told by God to build an ark through which He (God) will save a remnant of people that will serve Him on earth. This remnant must be a people of absolute obedience to His will and command. This Noah did, and God blessed him for it. Along the line, the old man took to farming as a way of life. He planted a vineyard, drank of the wine, and was drunk; as a result, he lay in his tent uncovered. His son Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, Noah and reported to his two brothers - Shem and Japheth, who took a garment, laid it upon their shoulders, went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father. And because their faces were backward, they were unable to see their father's nakedness.
When Noah awoke and was cleared from the influence of wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him, and he cursed him: "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren", but he blessed his two sons that covered his nakedness saying, "Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant".
From the Bible story above, we find out that Ham was the name of one of the three sons of Noah, and of the history of Ham, nothing is related except his irreverence to his father and the curse which that patriarch pronounced on him. The sons of Ham are stated, to have been Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan.
The Canaanites were descendants of Canaan. Their language was very similar to the Hebrew. They were probably given to commerce; and thus the name became probably in later times an occasional synonym for a merchant. The name Canaan later on came to denote the country west of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, and between those waters and the Mediterranean; given by God to Abraham's posterity - the children of Israel. Apart from the Canaanites, the other settlements of the sons of Ham are always discussed and known by their respective names. Therefore, the three most illustrious Hamite nations are known today as the Cushites, the Phoenicians and the Egyptians, who were greatly mixed with foreign peoples. Their architecture has a solid grandeur that we look for in vain elsewhere.
Africa was of the stock of Ham through Canaan. History told us that Africa was once at the head of world economy. She discovered the elements of the arts and sciences, founded the study of the laws of nature, civil and religious systems, which still govern the universe today. It is a surprise that Africa after recording such breakthroughs in human history, is seen and viewed as a reject, and an insignificant addendum that managed to find a space in world map. Africa, the very continent that has given the world civilization, the very people whom the Greeks had looked with admiration, has now become the most humiliated and brutalized race - a race of slaves and outcasts. How could a race of inventors and manufacturers become traders and passive consumers of western technology? God forbid bad thing.
As a Christian and a minister of God, I know that the God of heaven and the Father of my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, will never sit down and watch His people who are created in His image and likeness and bought with the blood of His dear Son Jesus Christ, languish in penury simply because of a father's curse to his son. Truly, curses have effect, but there is a limit to it. When God Himself gave His people Israel to captivity, He equally delivered them when they called on Him because of His Name. Africa, for all I know has been a center for God's activity, and God is at work in Africa using Africans. God can never be doing all these things and still hold Africa responsible to a father's curse to his son, for such a long time - many generations behind. That's very unfair and not the character of the God I serve. He told me that those that in Christ have become new creatures and that He will never hold them responsible for their old lifestyles. They have passed away and a new life has begun.
In the case of His people Israel, God knew very well that Israel's captors were right and the captivity of Israel, well deserved because of their evil against the Lord. Their captors, though mighty and terrible, with legal backing, both from the law of God and the law of the nations, yet the Lord decreed that Israel (the lawful captive) shall be taken away and delivered. That is final. The captors of Israel cannot with their impudence outface the deliverance and counsel of God concerning His people. The King of kings, and Lord of lords has spoken - no one can declare otherwise.
This is the God I serve, and I am an African, why must I be under a generational curse? Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law and that is in accordance with God's decision to redeem Africa. God's determination is to deliver and to bring judgment upon the captors and oppressors of His people no matter who they are, and then work out salvation for the oppressed. God's decision on this matter is final, the same way He said to Pharaoh "let m people go". He did not go back until He saw Israel out of Egypt. Africa is a shining star and will continue to radiate till eternity.
Friend, don't be afraid again, because all the satanic arrows of poverty, lack, decrease, financial distress the devil fired against us have been arrested, disgraced and destroyed by God himself. All the instruments of oppression of witches and wizards, all the oppressors of Africa have been scattered, and consumed by fire in Jesus' name. As I pray for Africa, I see the rod of the wicked which has caused great discomfort in the life of Africans being removed permanently, and every power blocking the covenant blessings of God from flowing to us in Africa has been broken to pieces in Jesus' name. Are you an African? Be bold, be courageous for the Lord God of heaven says, "Even the lawful captives shall be delivered", and this day has deliverance come in the land of Africa.
Captivity is of two kinds - lawful (legal) and unlawful (illegal) captivity. Lawful captives are those who legitimately, willingly, knowingly and deliberately went into captivity. Besides, they are lawful captives because they are kept in bondage as a result of the evil they committed. In the scripture, the Bible told us how the nation Israel went into captivity - carried into slavery for so many years. The deserved captivity of Israel in the hand of the mighty (Babylonian) tells us how a person or nation can be enslaved. They became a prey and it was not likely that they should be rescued by force. They were lawful captives, by the law of God; every offence is always a legal ground for captivity. In other words, the law of nations has a part to play in the case of Israel. They were justly delivered into captivity because they have been taken in war. They were lawfully detained in captivity till they should be ransomed or be exchanged.
By way of inference, human beings can as well be taken captive by some evil spirit because of their sinful living. The powers resident in them claim legal right because those people deliberately entered into certain agreements with the spirits, whether through secret cults to search for fame, protection, prosperity and power, or through any other means. As a result, the activities of the spirits in these individuals or group becomes lawful or deserved, and the people lawful captives. Those also who deliberately dedicate themselves to the service of Satan and his purpose are among the lawful prisoners. Among the lawful captives, there are unconscious victims - people who did not deliberately become captives, but because of some problems and difficulties that defile solution, except by the possession of these spiritual beings. There are also, unwilling conscious victims - people who are free and not willing to associate themselves with diabolical spiritual powers, but got entangled because they have no choice. The last in this category are the consciously willing victims - people whose priority in life is to appear noticeable whether by hook or by crook. All these are legal or lawful captives.
In the other hand, the unlawful captives are those who are unlawfully held or kept in oppression by what another person has done - their father, ancestors, friends, relatives, etc. Every unlawful captive has a pathetic story to tell. How then did Africa go wrong, and what story has she got for us?
Well, the Bible tells us a story of a servant of God called Noah. He was told by God to build an ark through which He (God) will save a remnant of people that will serve Him on earth. This remnant must be a people of absolute obedience to His will and command. This Noah did, and God blessed him for it. Along the line, the old man took to farming as a way of life. He planted a vineyard, drank of the wine, and was drunk; as a result, he lay in his tent uncovered. His son Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, Noah and reported to his two brothers - Shem and Japheth, who took a garment, laid it upon their shoulders, went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father. And because their faces were backward, they were unable to see their father's nakedness.
When Noah awoke and was cleared from the influence of wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him, and he cursed him: "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren", but he blessed his two sons that covered his nakedness saying, "Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant".
From the Bible story above, we find out that Ham was the name of one of the three sons of Noah, and of the history of Ham, nothing is related except his irreverence to his father and the curse which that patriarch pronounced on him. The sons of Ham are stated, to have been Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan.
The Canaanites were descendants of Canaan. Their language was very similar to the Hebrew. They were probably given to commerce; and thus the name became probably in later times an occasional synonym for a merchant. The name Canaan later on came to denote the country west of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, and between those waters and the Mediterranean; given by God to Abraham's posterity - the children of Israel. Apart from the Canaanites, the other settlements of the sons of Ham are always discussed and known by their respective names. Therefore, the three most illustrious Hamite nations are known today as the Cushites, the Phoenicians and the Egyptians, who were greatly mixed with foreign peoples. Their architecture has a solid grandeur that we look for in vain elsewhere.
Africa was of the stock of Ham through Canaan. History told us that Africa was once at the head of world economy. She discovered the elements of the arts and sciences, founded the study of the laws of nature, civil and religious systems, which still govern the universe today. It is a surprise that Africa after recording such breakthroughs in human history, is seen and viewed as a reject, and an insignificant addendum that managed to find a space in world map. Africa, the very continent that has given the world civilization, the very people whom the Greeks had looked with admiration, has now become the most humiliated and brutalized race - a race of slaves and outcasts. How could a race of inventors and manufacturers become traders and passive consumers of western technology? God forbid bad thing.
As a Christian and a minister of God, I know that the God of heaven and the Father of my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, will never sit down and watch His people who are created in His image and likeness and bought with the blood of His dear Son Jesus Christ, languish in penury simply because of a father's curse to his son. Truly, curses have effect, but there is a limit to it. When God Himself gave His people Israel to captivity, He equally delivered them when they called on Him because of His Name. Africa, for all I know has been a center for God's activity, and God is at work in Africa using Africans. God can never be doing all these things and still hold Africa responsible to a father's curse to his son, for such a long time - many generations behind. That's very unfair and not the character of the God I serve. He told me that those that in Christ have become new creatures and that He will never hold them responsible for their old lifestyles. They have passed away and a new life has begun.
In the case of His people Israel, God knew very well that Israel's captors were right and the captivity of Israel, well deserved because of their evil against the Lord. Their captors, though mighty and terrible, with legal backing, both from the law of God and the law of the nations, yet the Lord decreed that Israel (the lawful captive) shall be taken away and delivered. That is final. The captors of Israel cannot with their impudence outface the deliverance and counsel of God concerning His people. The King of kings, and Lord of lords has spoken - no one can declare otherwise.
This is the God I serve, and I am an African, why must I be under a generational curse? Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law and that is in accordance with God's decision to redeem Africa. God's determination is to deliver and to bring judgment upon the captors and oppressors of His people no matter who they are, and then work out salvation for the oppressed. God's decision on this matter is final, the same way He said to Pharaoh "let m people go". He did not go back until He saw Israel out of Egypt. Africa is a shining star and will continue to radiate till eternity.
Friend, don't be afraid again, because all the satanic arrows of poverty, lack, decrease, financial distress the devil fired against us have been arrested, disgraced and destroyed by God himself. All the instruments of oppression of witches and wizards, all the oppressors of Africa have been scattered, and consumed by fire in Jesus' name. As I pray for Africa, I see the rod of the wicked which has caused great discomfort in the life of Africans being removed permanently, and every power blocking the covenant blessings of God from flowing to us in Africa has been broken to pieces in Jesus' name. Are you an African? Be bold, be courageous for the Lord God of heaven says, "Even the lawful captives shall be delivered", and this day has deliverance come in the land of Africa.
Forget About Women Liberation: Ours Is A Woman’s World
Women command a large number of world population, yet it’s very hard to find a nation whose government will come up boldly to say that they have more women in their nation than men. Take a look at the record of birth in any community, the number of female children tend to outnumber that of their male counterparts. In every angle you look, you see women in their great numbers – schools, Churches, armed forces, markets, playgrounds/beaches, offices, hospitals, etc. Women have taken up some challenging roles and performed better in certain offices than the men themselves. In the field of medicine and engineering, women thrive and as such, are looking up to seizing political powers, yet it is a wonder that many people come up in our generation to complain about the ill-treatment of women. Women themselves were later forced by the prevailing situation to delve into a struggle that is enshrined in malice.
The Bible said a lot about women. It gave a down-to-earth story of how she came to be, the challenges before her and her future reward as a mother. Jesus Himself regarded and treated women with respect. After observing the actions of Jesus towards women, Charles Seltman commented: “Jesus was a feminist to a degree far beyond that of His fellows and followers… No other western prophet, seer, or would-be redeemer of humanity was so devoted to the feminine half of mankind”. Women suffered humiliation at the time that Jesus walked upon the earth. At that time, both pagan culture and so many other cultures (Jewish inclusive) insisted that women be kept in “their place” – and that place was clearly spelled out. Avenues open to men were closed to women. Such opportunities for self-fulfillment, personal development, and for achievement and leadership in public life or organized religion were greatly prohibited. Women were required to stay behind the scenes, keep the home fires burning, bear and rear children, and remain apart from the “busy, important world of men”.
Nevertheless, Jesus’ personal attitude towards women gave promise to liberation from the chains of custom. Women who followed Him, spoke with Him, and listened to His teaching, could not help but contrast His treatment of them with the way other religious leaders regard them. Could it be that His message of God’s love and redemption contained the seeds from which could sprout possibilities for human dignity and authentic personhood for all people – regardless of sex, class or race? Could it be that He was the women’s liberator? We shall not hesitate to say yes!
Speaking in terms of change of role, liberation and developing awareness for every women especially Christian women, we are not thinking in isolation of an organization or movement, but rather a state of mind in which a woman comes to view herself as Jesus Christ sees her – as a person created in God’s image whom He wants to make free to be whole, to grow to learn to make proper use of her God-given talents to the fullness as a unique person. It is a realization that men and women together may be freed from sex, role stereotypes and traditions which hinder development into the true humanness that was God’s original plan at the dawn of creation into male and female in His own image to delight in cordial fellowship with Him and with one another.
Early enough, women were considered to be inferior to slaves, in the sense that the slaves are the possession of their masters who may legally represent their will while the women could not. In the Jewish world, the male Jew, for instance, was taught by the rabbis to thank God that he was made a man and not a woman. In the patriarchal Roman family, the man alone possessed the legal rights of the family while the wife and children had none. Among the Greeks, women were part of the household property of the man.
The life of woman in many societies was greatly and gravely dominated by men. For the purpose of marriage, girls were captured from neighbouring clans in the primitive times to continue the family line. Daughters were then transferred from being the property of their fathers to being the property of their husbands. At any rate, what changed the position of women in marriage was war. Because men fought wars and women and children kept the homes, their social status brightened up. In other words, women became queens in children’s environment – a dreary situation.
The Scripture appears to confirm the lordship of men over women and other creatures in the Genesis’ account of creation story in some measure. God built the ribs He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man (Genesis 2:2). The story was not different in Christian era. Most Christians had the negative views about women such that monks were advised to flee their company.
Women had through the years been treated as a thing that needs a constant “purification” whereas everything masculine is believed to be sacred. In most parts of the world, certain places are forbidden to women; they are not allowed to touch certain men and more so immediately after or before some religious rituals. It is not surprising that after many centuries of such taboos a couple of women still ask such questions as – “Do women enter here?”, “Do women touch it?”
Women are bared by retrogressive native laws from sharing in the estates, of either their fathers or husbands, simply for being women. Women whose husbands are torn away from their embrace by the cold hands of death often face terrible situations from their husband’s relations. They roar into their brother’s home even before the woman’s eyes are dried of the tears of mourning, and turn the heat on the “stranger” – his widow. That shows an eloquent demonstration of the fluidity of the status of women to borrow a time – worn cliché – in a male dominated world.
However, you find out that such women become at once complete strangers in the home they helped to build, losers who had no claims to the sweet trappings of victory. Such is the woman’s lot, especially in developing countries where a quaint mix of queer customs and traditions rule the lives of the who set goals as well as the pace and pattern of development. Up till now, women are yet to be accepted to stand bail for suspects at police stations in many parts of the world.
In different places, women are seen but not heard. There are a lot of variables involved in determining the status of women in the primitive or modern society. Women are considered almost as property in some primitive societies whereas among the non-Christians, their status is radically infradig. Most of their practices portray the absolute subordination of women to men. Thank God for Christianity whose birth became the turning point in the history of women. Christianity proclaims the equality and unity of men and women, converging all human differences towards a single supernatural goal (Galatians 3:28). No previous civilization had accorded inalienable rights to women and children.
However, today’s women, unlike their mothers and grand-mothers of yesterday, are all true aware of their roles. They do not only know that the world is larger than their kitchens and homesteads, but also want to reach beyond the kitchen and the homestead and get into the world entrusted to creatures by the Creator, to cultivate and harness. This awareness on the part of the women folk is one of the forces behind their present drive to get into every area of life. Jesus did not come to raise up stiff-necked people, drug addicts, armed robbers and prostitutes. He only came that people who are in such activities should abandon them and receive a new life which only Him can give.
Today, most women are cheated out of God’s plan for their lives. They are totally out of order, taking hold of almost everything they can get at. Women allow themselves to be used in such a way that they advertise and commercialize their feminity in beds, boardrooms, or classrooms. They over-react to issues by doing violence to their naturally good feminine qualities. Almost everything has the tincture of woman power. Talking liberation of womanhood is completely out of the question here, because in everything women rule. They globe-trot, and challenge issues alongside the male counterparts thereby making it difficult for some people to consider them as serious minded people. This ugly trend has forced most Christians to see women as unqualified to handle certain offices in the Church. In true terms, no sensible person can entrust God’s business in the hands of an amazon, or a half-man half-woman, but to a composed person with good and authentic feminine qualities. Apart from that, nothing else can suffice.
The Bible said a lot about women. It gave a down-to-earth story of how she came to be, the challenges before her and her future reward as a mother. Jesus Himself regarded and treated women with respect. After observing the actions of Jesus towards women, Charles Seltman commented: “Jesus was a feminist to a degree far beyond that of His fellows and followers… No other western prophet, seer, or would-be redeemer of humanity was so devoted to the feminine half of mankind”. Women suffered humiliation at the time that Jesus walked upon the earth. At that time, both pagan culture and so many other cultures (Jewish inclusive) insisted that women be kept in “their place” – and that place was clearly spelled out. Avenues open to men were closed to women. Such opportunities for self-fulfillment, personal development, and for achievement and leadership in public life or organized religion were greatly prohibited. Women were required to stay behind the scenes, keep the home fires burning, bear and rear children, and remain apart from the “busy, important world of men”.
Nevertheless, Jesus’ personal attitude towards women gave promise to liberation from the chains of custom. Women who followed Him, spoke with Him, and listened to His teaching, could not help but contrast His treatment of them with the way other religious leaders regard them. Could it be that His message of God’s love and redemption contained the seeds from which could sprout possibilities for human dignity and authentic personhood for all people – regardless of sex, class or race? Could it be that He was the women’s liberator? We shall not hesitate to say yes!
Speaking in terms of change of role, liberation and developing awareness for every women especially Christian women, we are not thinking in isolation of an organization or movement, but rather a state of mind in which a woman comes to view herself as Jesus Christ sees her – as a person created in God’s image whom He wants to make free to be whole, to grow to learn to make proper use of her God-given talents to the fullness as a unique person. It is a realization that men and women together may be freed from sex, role stereotypes and traditions which hinder development into the true humanness that was God’s original plan at the dawn of creation into male and female in His own image to delight in cordial fellowship with Him and with one another.
Early enough, women were considered to be inferior to slaves, in the sense that the slaves are the possession of their masters who may legally represent their will while the women could not. In the Jewish world, the male Jew, for instance, was taught by the rabbis to thank God that he was made a man and not a woman. In the patriarchal Roman family, the man alone possessed the legal rights of the family while the wife and children had none. Among the Greeks, women were part of the household property of the man.
The life of woman in many societies was greatly and gravely dominated by men. For the purpose of marriage, girls were captured from neighbouring clans in the primitive times to continue the family line. Daughters were then transferred from being the property of their fathers to being the property of their husbands. At any rate, what changed the position of women in marriage was war. Because men fought wars and women and children kept the homes, their social status brightened up. In other words, women became queens in children’s environment – a dreary situation.
The Scripture appears to confirm the lordship of men over women and other creatures in the Genesis’ account of creation story in some measure. God built the ribs He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man (Genesis 2:2). The story was not different in Christian era. Most Christians had the negative views about women such that monks were advised to flee their company.
Women had through the years been treated as a thing that needs a constant “purification” whereas everything masculine is believed to be sacred. In most parts of the world, certain places are forbidden to women; they are not allowed to touch certain men and more so immediately after or before some religious rituals. It is not surprising that after many centuries of such taboos a couple of women still ask such questions as – “Do women enter here?”, “Do women touch it?”
Women are bared by retrogressive native laws from sharing in the estates, of either their fathers or husbands, simply for being women. Women whose husbands are torn away from their embrace by the cold hands of death often face terrible situations from their husband’s relations. They roar into their brother’s home even before the woman’s eyes are dried of the tears of mourning, and turn the heat on the “stranger” – his widow. That shows an eloquent demonstration of the fluidity of the status of women to borrow a time – worn cliché – in a male dominated world.
However, you find out that such women become at once complete strangers in the home they helped to build, losers who had no claims to the sweet trappings of victory. Such is the woman’s lot, especially in developing countries where a quaint mix of queer customs and traditions rule the lives of the who set goals as well as the pace and pattern of development. Up till now, women are yet to be accepted to stand bail for suspects at police stations in many parts of the world.
In different places, women are seen but not heard. There are a lot of variables involved in determining the status of women in the primitive or modern society. Women are considered almost as property in some primitive societies whereas among the non-Christians, their status is radically infradig. Most of their practices portray the absolute subordination of women to men. Thank God for Christianity whose birth became the turning point in the history of women. Christianity proclaims the equality and unity of men and women, converging all human differences towards a single supernatural goal (Galatians 3:28). No previous civilization had accorded inalienable rights to women and children.
However, today’s women, unlike their mothers and grand-mothers of yesterday, are all true aware of their roles. They do not only know that the world is larger than their kitchens and homesteads, but also want to reach beyond the kitchen and the homestead and get into the world entrusted to creatures by the Creator, to cultivate and harness. This awareness on the part of the women folk is one of the forces behind their present drive to get into every area of life. Jesus did not come to raise up stiff-necked people, drug addicts, armed robbers and prostitutes. He only came that people who are in such activities should abandon them and receive a new life which only Him can give.
Today, most women are cheated out of God’s plan for their lives. They are totally out of order, taking hold of almost everything they can get at. Women allow themselves to be used in such a way that they advertise and commercialize their feminity in beds, boardrooms, or classrooms. They over-react to issues by doing violence to their naturally good feminine qualities. Almost everything has the tincture of woman power. Talking liberation of womanhood is completely out of the question here, because in everything women rule. They globe-trot, and challenge issues alongside the male counterparts thereby making it difficult for some people to consider them as serious minded people. This ugly trend has forced most Christians to see women as unqualified to handle certain offices in the Church. In true terms, no sensible person can entrust God’s business in the hands of an amazon, or a half-man half-woman, but to a composed person with good and authentic feminine qualities. Apart from that, nothing else can suffice.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
THE HARD TRUTH MARKETERS WON’T TELL YOU
Are you in business? I want to authoritatively reveal to you a hard truth that marketers will never tell you if you must succeed in business. That truth is centered on the Supreme Being - GOD. Do you believe in GOD?
Well, it is good you do, because without your believing in Him, the truth remains that He exists! Okay, if He exists, then what? In business God has the Power and the Influence over every Successful Businesses. As a matter of fact, I don't think any marketer would bother telling you about Him. Why? Because they are being too careful not to mix business with religion. I've a feeling they would be embarrassed if someone saw their students carrying Bible to the lecture room and commented: "Eh, what do we have here: a church or what?"
I don't know that for sure. But no matter what, I think every marketer is missing a huge opportunity to make greater impact on their clients/customers. The power and the influence of God in making any business where He is honored to grow and prosper is undeniable.
So it is a monumental mistake, in my carefully considered opinion, for any business, not least Internet/Online Marketing, to ignore this vital area of study. The Living God is the only One that can guarantee enduring success in business. Master Jesus said, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" [John 15:5].
When an entrepreneur abides in God, and God's words abide in the entrepreneur, he can be rest assured that he will enjoy all the following benefits and more:
Salvation: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" [John 3:16].
Healing: "...if thou will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee" [Exodus 15:26].
Bring forth fruits: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His flaw doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither; and I whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" [Psalm 1:1-3].
Steady supply: "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" - [Philippians4:19].
Protection: "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone" [Psalm 91:10-12].
Increase: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" [1 Corinthians 3:6] that He may establish His covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day" [Deuteronomy 8: 18].
Sorrow-free riches: "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" [Proverbs 10:22].
Good success: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" [Joshua 1:8].
Yes, God does all these things and more. I know it and you should know it too. I'm a living proof! I've irrefutable evidence to prove it. And on the pages of this blog, you will discover what the Lord had done [and is doing] for me. For me to be alive and my business to be where it is today is the grace of God. Just as Master Jesus said, without my Father in heaven, I could of my own do nothing.
Each time the enemy came like the flood to overflow and wash me and my business away, the Spirit of the Lord was always showing up to deliver me by lifting a standard against him. Really, I think every business owner, and all marketers all over the world, should consider inculcating in their clients/customers the study of the part that God plays in the sustenance of business. The magnitude of the role God plays in business from start-up to maturity is so enormous than for it to go without acknowledgment. As the Psalmist say, "all glory must be unto God".
There this other thing I would like to inform you about. The thing is called: experience. The only place you can acquire experience is in the marketplace. That is where you can lay your hands on the original one. No amount of case studies can replace the practical, hands-on experience you'll get from the marketplace.
So let me sound a note of warning to you as you read this message. Bear it in mind that, like the tons of case studies that you will be loaded with, it's not meant to take the place of practical experience. I'm saying this here just to prepare your mind for the type of things you might encounter when you announce your arrival in the marketplace and take your position in any of the market segments.
As you will discover, your own experience might be totally different from mine. It doesn't really matter. What is most important is that you already know what lies ahead of you and you're prepared for it. It's not going to be a tea party. Be absolutely sure of that. So brace up yourself for hard work.
Now, every business owner and marketer is concerned with the word: HARDWORK. Well, that is good, but that without God is true FAILURE!
Gilgal Vitus
www.webskippers.com
Well, it is good you do, because without your believing in Him, the truth remains that He exists! Okay, if He exists, then what? In business God has the Power and the Influence over every Successful Businesses. As a matter of fact, I don't think any marketer would bother telling you about Him. Why? Because they are being too careful not to mix business with religion. I've a feeling they would be embarrassed if someone saw their students carrying Bible to the lecture room and commented: "Eh, what do we have here: a church or what?"
I don't know that for sure. But no matter what, I think every marketer is missing a huge opportunity to make greater impact on their clients/customers. The power and the influence of God in making any business where He is honored to grow and prosper is undeniable.
So it is a monumental mistake, in my carefully considered opinion, for any business, not least Internet/Online Marketing, to ignore this vital area of study. The Living God is the only One that can guarantee enduring success in business. Master Jesus said, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" [John 15:5].
When an entrepreneur abides in God, and God's words abide in the entrepreneur, he can be rest assured that he will enjoy all the following benefits and more:
Salvation: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" [John 3:16].
Healing: "...if thou will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee" [Exodus 15:26].
Bring forth fruits: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His flaw doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither; and I whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" [Psalm 1:1-3].
Steady supply: "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" - [Philippians4:19].
Protection: "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone" [Psalm 91:10-12].
Increase: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" [1 Corinthians 3:6] that He may establish His covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day" [Deuteronomy 8: 18].
Sorrow-free riches: "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" [Proverbs 10:22].
Good success: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" [Joshua 1:8].
Yes, God does all these things and more. I know it and you should know it too. I'm a living proof! I've irrefutable evidence to prove it. And on the pages of this blog, you will discover what the Lord had done [and is doing] for me. For me to be alive and my business to be where it is today is the grace of God. Just as Master Jesus said, without my Father in heaven, I could of my own do nothing.
Each time the enemy came like the flood to overflow and wash me and my business away, the Spirit of the Lord was always showing up to deliver me by lifting a standard against him. Really, I think every business owner, and all marketers all over the world, should consider inculcating in their clients/customers the study of the part that God plays in the sustenance of business. The magnitude of the role God plays in business from start-up to maturity is so enormous than for it to go without acknowledgment. As the Psalmist say, "all glory must be unto God".
There this other thing I would like to inform you about. The thing is called: experience. The only place you can acquire experience is in the marketplace. That is where you can lay your hands on the original one. No amount of case studies can replace the practical, hands-on experience you'll get from the marketplace.
So let me sound a note of warning to you as you read this message. Bear it in mind that, like the tons of case studies that you will be loaded with, it's not meant to take the place of practical experience. I'm saying this here just to prepare your mind for the type of things you might encounter when you announce your arrival in the marketplace and take your position in any of the market segments.
As you will discover, your own experience might be totally different from mine. It doesn't really matter. What is most important is that you already know what lies ahead of you and you're prepared for it. It's not going to be a tea party. Be absolutely sure of that. So brace up yourself for hard work.
Now, every business owner and marketer is concerned with the word: HARDWORK. Well, that is good, but that without God is true FAILURE!
Gilgal Vitus
www.webskippers.com
Friday, May 1, 2009
THE HARD TRUTH MARKETERS WON’T TELL YOU
Are you in business? I want to authoritatively reveal to you a hard truth that marketers will never tell you if you must succeed in business. That truth is centered on the Supreme Being - GOD. Do you believe in GOD?
Well, it is good you do, because without your believing in Him, the truth remains that He exists! Okay, if He exists, then what? In business God has the Power and the Influence over every Successful Businesses. As a matter of fact, I don't think any marketer would bother telling you about Him. Why? Because they are being too careful not to mix business with religion. I've a feeling they would be embarrassed if someone saw their students carrying Bible to the lecture room and commented: "Eh, what do we have here: a church or what?"
I don't know that for sure. But no matter what, I think every marketer is missing a huge opportunity to make greater impact on their clients/customers. The power and the influence of God in making any business where He is honored to grow and prosper is undeniable.
So it is a monumental mistake, in my carefully considered opinion, for any business, not least Internet/Online Marketing, to ignore this vital area of study. The Living God is the only One that can guarantee enduring success in business. Master Jesus said, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" [John 15:5].
When an entrepreneur abides in God, and God's words abide in the entrepreneur, he can be rest assured that he will enjoy all the following benefits and more:
Salvation: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" [John 3:16].
Healing: "...if thou will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee" [Exodus 15:26].
Bring forth fruits: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His flaw doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither; and I whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" [Psalm 1:1-3].
Steady supply: "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" - [Philippians4:19].
Protection: "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone" [Psalm 91:10-12].
Increase: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" [1 Corinthians 3:6] that He may establish His covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day" [Deuteronomy 8: 18].
Sorrow-free riches: "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" [Proverbs 10:22].
Good success: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" [Joshua 1:8].
Yes, God does all these things and more. I know it and you should know it too. I'm a living proof! I've irrefutable evidence to prove it. And on the pages of this blog, you will discover what the Lord had done [and is doing] for me. For me to be alive and my business to be where it is today is the grace of God. Just as Master Jesus said, without my Father in heaven, I could of my own do nothing.
Each time the enemy came like the flood to overflow and wash me and my business away, the Spirit of the Lord was always showing up to deliver me by lifting a standard against him. Really, I think every business owner, and all marketers all over the world, should consider inculcating in their clients/customers the study of the part that God plays in the sustenance of business. The magnitude of the role God plays in business from start-up to maturity is so enormous than for it to go without acknowledgment. As the Psalmist say, "all glory must be unto God".
There this other thing I would like to inform you about. The thing is called: experience. The only place you can acquire experience is in the marketplace. That is where you can lay your hands on the original one. No amount of case studies can replace the practical, hands-on experience you'll get from the marketplace.
So let me sound a note of warning to you as you read this message. Bear it in mind that, like the tons of case studies that you will be loaded with, it's not meant to take the place of practical experience. I'm saying this here just to prepare your mind for the type of things you might encounter when you announce your arrival in the marketplace and take your position in any of the market segments.
As you will discover, your own experience might be totally different from mine. It doesn't really matter. What is most important is that you already know what lies ahead of you and you're prepared for it. It's not going to be a tea party. Be absolutely sure of that. So brace up yourself for hard work.
Now, every business owner and marketer is concerned with the word: HARDWORK. Well, that is good, but that without God is true FAILURE!
Well, it is good you do, because without your believing in Him, the truth remains that He exists! Okay, if He exists, then what? In business God has the Power and the Influence over every Successful Businesses. As a matter of fact, I don't think any marketer would bother telling you about Him. Why? Because they are being too careful not to mix business with religion. I've a feeling they would be embarrassed if someone saw their students carrying Bible to the lecture room and commented: "Eh, what do we have here: a church or what?"
I don't know that for sure. But no matter what, I think every marketer is missing a huge opportunity to make greater impact on their clients/customers. The power and the influence of God in making any business where He is honored to grow and prosper is undeniable.
So it is a monumental mistake, in my carefully considered opinion, for any business, not least Internet/Online Marketing, to ignore this vital area of study. The Living God is the only One that can guarantee enduring success in business. Master Jesus said, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" [John 15:5].
When an entrepreneur abides in God, and God's words abide in the entrepreneur, he can be rest assured that he will enjoy all the following benefits and more:
Salvation: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" [John 3:16].
Healing: "...if thou will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee" [Exodus 15:26].
Bring forth fruits: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His flaw doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither; and I whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" [Psalm 1:1-3].
Steady supply: "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" - [Philippians4:19].
Protection: "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone" [Psalm 91:10-12].
Increase: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" [1 Corinthians 3:6] that He may establish His covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day" [Deuteronomy 8: 18].
Sorrow-free riches: "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" [Proverbs 10:22].
Good success: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" [Joshua 1:8].
Yes, God does all these things and more. I know it and you should know it too. I'm a living proof! I've irrefutable evidence to prove it. And on the pages of this blog, you will discover what the Lord had done [and is doing] for me. For me to be alive and my business to be where it is today is the grace of God. Just as Master Jesus said, without my Father in heaven, I could of my own do nothing.
Each time the enemy came like the flood to overflow and wash me and my business away, the Spirit of the Lord was always showing up to deliver me by lifting a standard against him. Really, I think every business owner, and all marketers all over the world, should consider inculcating in their clients/customers the study of the part that God plays in the sustenance of business. The magnitude of the role God plays in business from start-up to maturity is so enormous than for it to go without acknowledgment. As the Psalmist say, "all glory must be unto God".
There this other thing I would like to inform you about. The thing is called: experience. The only place you can acquire experience is in the marketplace. That is where you can lay your hands on the original one. No amount of case studies can replace the practical, hands-on experience you'll get from the marketplace.
So let me sound a note of warning to you as you read this message. Bear it in mind that, like the tons of case studies that you will be loaded with, it's not meant to take the place of practical experience. I'm saying this here just to prepare your mind for the type of things you might encounter when you announce your arrival in the marketplace and take your position in any of the market segments.
As you will discover, your own experience might be totally different from mine. It doesn't really matter. What is most important is that you already know what lies ahead of you and you're prepared for it. It's not going to be a tea party. Be absolutely sure of that. So brace up yourself for hard work.
Now, every business owner and marketer is concerned with the word: HARDWORK. Well, that is good, but that without God is true FAILURE!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Reflections of a Small Publisher
It must be a thrill to work for Random House, the large New York publisher. Their presses turn out a dizzying 1,700 new titles a year.
Most small publishers strain to bring out 10 or 20. That’s like the difference between a spawn of salmon eggs and a single chicken egg: if safety is in numbers, there is no doubt where security abounds.
But for tender loving care of books and authors, for esprit de corps, and for efficiency, a small organization may be optimal. I'm sure a publishing concern can be too small, with so few titles that the essential overheads consume the little profit that good books generate. But smallness can work well, too.
Know Your Purpose
At our small publishing house, there are unique challenges we've had to face. But let me suggest what has helped us to cope.
For us, growth has been agonizingly slow. If I knew a way to grow fast I would try it. When I first came into management, the top priority was survival. Our little company, idealistic and mission-minded as we were, pursued survival, nothing more.
Of course, survival may not be worth the struggle. Not every enterprise deserves to survive, and not every method of survival is worthwile. We learned that the owner or sponsor of a publishing effort must define its mission as sharply as possible. Then it falls to the staff, large or small, to put that mission into practice.
This leads us to a subject many Christians find uncomfortable: money.
Seek profit
I've often said around the office that I don't love money; I just hate the lack of it.
Unprofitability means we have to brood about unpaid bills, poorly paid employees, cash crises, and missed opportunities. Adequate capital expands our options and elevates our morale. We may not always be good stewards of the money, but at least we are free to think about books more than bills.
In other words, profitability means we can do what we ought to do, and give the world good reading experiences.
As a manager, then, I must regulate spending more than anyone else. I must work more than anyone on our budgets, watching proportions, rations, balances and imbalances.
Publish the right books
When you’re small, you don’t have the luxury of a lot of mistakes. In publishing, this rules out big author advances, large print runs, unprofitable small print runs, high visibility promotion campaigns, long-term projects, and a sizable payroll. And it requires that the handful of new books be selected with care.
Commonly, a small press mushrooms from a single author or even a single successful book (which got published out of luck, wits, or providence.) But after that, all good, small publishers require a year-in, year-out consistency.
Dramatic success one year puts pressure on the firm to come up with another big one next year or else live with a roller coaster sales cycle. I've heard large New York publishers say they lose money on 80 percent of their books and make it up on the other 20 percent. We could never suffer such a lopsided ratio. Selecting good books has to be the chief skill in our sort of publishing. Everything else is downstream from that skill—what we call acquisitions. Everything else flows out of it, and that means thinking ahead.
Think Ahead
Indeed, thinking ahead is the chief role of management in any enterprise. Top management must think ahead years; middle management must think ahead months; and the staff must think in shorter time frames, sometimes only hours.
When I worked on monthly magazines, I learned how quickly the issues would roll around. The cupboard would be bare if we did not commission articles for them.
Now, with the help of staff, I am conscious of how quickly a new publishing year will be upon us. Since new books pull along old books, we must keep the pipeline full. No new books means, usually, that the old books will weaken and wane. And for a small company like ours, that can mean the difference between death and survival.
By Stephen Board
Copyright ©2007 Cook Communications Ministries International
Small Team Attitude Checkup
“The trouble with small teams is the people.” Have you caught yourself thinking that?
If you have (and who hasn’t at some time?), it may be time for an attitude checkup. How we relate to people reflects what we believe about God and His Word.
Matthew 22:37-38 says the most important thing we can do is to love God with all we are and all we have. Nothing else is more important or more life-changing.
If we hold anything back in loving God, we certainly will not be successful in the second priority: Loving our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
Are you still working on that one? I am too. Slowly I have learned that the closer I draw to God, the easier it is to love others, because He puts the love in my heart. As I grow in intimacy with Him, God expands the capacity of my heart to love.
Valuing Your Team
Even as we struggle with the command to love others, we can choose to value our team members. We can see them as worthy of our respect and our trust. That single attitude adjustment can have a profound impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of your team.
When I was a daily newspaper editor, it was quite common for the college-educated editors to take a superior attitude to the trade union workers. They looked down on the workers and considered them less important. Of course, the workers recognized that bad attitude, so they were uncooperative when those editors were interacting with them.
By simply choosing to treat the union workers as equals, I had their full cooperation, and I was more successful than the other editors in getting the newspaper to press on time. And if this was the result of treating them as equals, how much better would our work have been if I had truly valued them as more important than myself?
How to Add Value
Here are some ways communicate to your team members that they are valuable:
Listen. Choosing to truly listen to your team members affirms their value. Instead of concentrating on what you are planning to say next, listen actively to your co-workers. Pay attention not just to their words, but to their tone, expressions, and body language. Formulate your response after you have heard them out, not before. Remember the Bible warns: “He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame.” (Proverbs 18:13)
Focus. Lay aside what you are working on when a team member comes to you. Give your undivided attention instead of continuing to work on your project. When a woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, he stopped in his tracks and asked, “Who touched me?” (Luke 8:45) He understood that the woman reached out because she wanted something from him. What do your team members want from you? How can you help them?
Communicate. Make sure the members of the team have the information they need to do their jobs. Few things are more frustrating than attempting to accomplish a task without the necessary resources. Remember how the people of Israel felt when Pharaoh said, “You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks” (Exodus 5:18)? Listen to what your team members say and make sure you have similar expectations regarding the tasks you want to accomplish.
Be real. Be genuine. Tell the truth about your capabilities, limitations, resources and deadlines. “Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body,” writes Paul (Ephesians 4:25). Lead by example. By being honest, you give your team members the freedom to be honest in return.
Evaluate without judging. Recall Jesus’ words: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2). Accept others. Look for ways to collaborate rather than condemn. Look for results, not for someone to blame. Be a problem-solver. Recognize your team members’ efforts.
Celebrate. Remember what the older son said to his father? “Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.” (Luke 15:29). Even diligent and faithful workers lose perspective or get discouraged. Do what is in your power to communicate how much you value them. Be quick to offer public praise and rejoice over their accomplishments. Encourage them. Cheer them on in their tasks.
Valuing others is just the start of obeying the command to love others. God wants us to love others just as much as we love ourselves! That’s a tall order, but He is present with us at every moment to help us do our best.
By James A. Ferrier
Copyright ©2007 Cook Communications Ministries International
TITHES AND BLESSING
Folks, here’s another guy with a different view. My aim is not to generate a controversy, but to present a balanced, true Bible teaching – saying and doing it as it ought to be said and done. Happy reading!
TITHES
Should a Christian pay tithes? The answer is 'Yes'. However the reason for doing it is not all that clear to many Christians. There is a huge debate raging among Christians as to whether tithes should be paid or not. Besides, many Christians give very little and sometimes nothing at all to support the work of God. Addressing the issue of giving and tithing will go a long way in meeting one of the important needs of the church.
WHAT IS THE TITHE?
Giving a tenth of one's income as an offering to God. It is an Edit emanated from God Himself to mankind to support the activities of God on earth (feeding of the Clergy, workers in the house, building and developmental needs, the poor people and other needs of the church Ministers of God's words). How come about the issue of 'Tithe'? Abraham was the first man ever recorded in the bible to give tithes to God. Read the full account in Genesis 14. And remember that a righteous man always come out with righteous ideas. It is only a righteous heart that can please God because the righteous heart moves with the directions of the Holy Spirit of God to do good instead of evil. For there is no way a wicked heart can think of righteous things.
GEN.14:17-20
Vs 17 -"After Abram returned from defeating Kedolaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the king's Valley)". 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 blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything, NIV. Melchizedek was the priest of the Most High God. The dC-bread and the wine he offered to Abraham has a close resemblance to the Lord's Supper. Luke 22: 14-23. Hebrews 7 sheds more light on Melchizedek. He ;w the priest of the Most High God. He was the only on qualified to receive tithes from Abraham. All this happened before the law was established. There is no record of Abraham, who at this time was still called Abram, being told to give tithes to God. Nor is any explanation give It seems as if the tithes were a free will offering th Abraham instinctively knew he should give. He did it willingly. Jacob give us the second reference to paying tithes when he made a vow to God, see Genesis 28:22.20. The Jacob made a vow, saying, "if God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey' am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear, 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
OFFERINGS
This giving of free will offerings to the Lords is as old as mankind. We all remember the story of Cain and Abel. Remember it was an offering that started all the trouble. Read Genesis Chapter 4. Samuel warned the Israelites, when they .asked for a king, that he (the king) would a tenth of the income (I Samuel 8:15-17). The giving of tithes would seem to be an offering that demonstrates our acceptance of God as our Lord. It is a way of saying thank you to God. It has nothing to do with a the law but everything to do with a grateful heart and a love for God.
TITHES AND THE LAW
The biggest argument against paying tithes seems to be with its association with the law. Although godly men before the Law fulfilled the practice of tithing, the Law of Moses made it mandatory. But the stingy ones even though they know the truth still argue to the core. I call them stingy because I don't see why a learned believer who suppose to teach other the truth displaces the truth simply because he or she cannot part with certain part of his or her live (money) for God, and wants God to increase his or her wealth (favour)? Leviticus 27:30-32 states that 30 "A tithe of everything from the Iand, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LOR[1. 31 if a man redeems any of his tithes, he must add a fifth of the value to it. 32 The entire tithe of the herd and flock -every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod-will be holy to the Lord. 33 He must not pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. It he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed."' NIV The OT talks about 'flocks and crops because these were their main occupation from the old. Nowadays that we
are in engaged in different trades, tithes could be paid from anything we are doing for a living. Being you a government worker, private; big small business/what ever you do that could yield results, part of it MUST be set aside for God through His Ministers of the particular church you are attending. This is different from arms-giving.
WHO ENJOYS THE TITHES?
The law of Moses also mentions tithes in Numbers 18:21-29 in relation to it supporting the Levites (i.e. Rev. Fathers, Pastors, etc) the tribe dedicated as priests of God. 21 !II give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work do while serving at the Tent of meeting. 22 From now on the Israelites must not go near the Tent of Meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. 23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. 24 lnstead, I give the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: .-rhey will have no -3 , inheritance among the Israelites."' 25 The LORD said to Moses, 26 "Speak to the Levites and say t them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord's offering. 27 Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 281nthiswayyou also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD'S portion to Aaron the priest. 29 You must present as the LORD'S portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.' NIV Let us look at something here to comprehend. Payment of tithes by Christians is the same way as ordinary citizens pay social tax to the Authority (Government) through the village Head. This should be regarded as paying tribute to our own God who is the most high.
Secondly, the Priests have no other means of income as they only work for God, see Numbers 18:23-24. And when you look at vs. 29 we must not be selfish when giving any thing to God and must be the best part if it is food items, goods from our stores and neat money (notes) if cash. Things of God must not be roughened but must be cared for. One thing today we may argue is that, are some of the Pastors today qualified to receive tithes in relation to vs. 24 above. I mean those who not full time Pastors. Although I don't have any ministrations about this from the Holy Spirit but I thing they who receive tithes enquire from God and know how to use for the purpose it is intended. Hew the tithe is used is non of our business but God, but he claims to be God's servant. The judgement of how the tithe is used is not for the give but the receiver (Priest/ Pastor) but the blessings attached to tithe increases or favour the giver (believer). What is even more interesting here is the purpose for which the tithes were given. Read the above verses from the Book of Numbers again and you will realize that the tithes goes towards supporting the Ministers who in turn give part of it as an offering to the Lord. When we take that in context with Leviticus 27:30-32, it become clear that the tithe had two purposes.
1. Supporting the work of God
2. Providing for his laborers (the Levites) and
3. To support the alien (Stranger, homeless or disadvantaged) the fatherless and widow is also established in Deuteronomy 26.
Read the following Deuteronomy 26:9-12.
9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; 10 and now I bring the first-fruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me." Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. 11 And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household. 12 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow,
so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. NIV A third reason for paying tithes is introduced here. To support the alien (stranger, homeless or disadvantaged) the fatherless and widow. God who appoint the Ministers as our head knows that with the fear of God in them coupled with. the fact that they have no other business on earth except that of God would be in better position to
judiciously use the tithes Christians pay. No one can argue against the value of paying tithes. It's purpose is well established in the law. Indeed without the law the value of tithing would have never been established. Notice the term 'first fruits' are mentioned in Deuteronomy. Indeed this is what tithes are. They are the
first portions that we take out of our income and offer in gratitude to God. Giving it in the support of His ministry.
THE FIRST FRUITS
When God brought Israel into the land of Canaan the first city they took was Jericho. God told them not to touch any of the spoil. (Joshua 6: 17 -19) it was the Lord's. It was the first fruits of battle. it was their tittle. The next city to fall was Ai. Here they were allowed to take as much spoil as they needed. (Joshua 8:1-2). They had paid their first fruits of tithes with Jericho. Hence the difference. Do you set aside your first fruits for the Lord? Malachi 3:3-12 give God's mind with regards to paying tithes "will a man rob God? Yet you robe me. "but you ask, 'How do we rob you? "In tithes and offering. 9 you are under a curse-the whole nation of you because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," Says the LORD Almighty, 1. and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vi~". in your fields will not cat their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. NIV.
WHAT DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT SAY ABOUT TITH ES
Not a lot. In fact the only references to tithing in the New Testament are Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42, Luke 18:12, and Hebrew 7:5-9. So where does this leave tithing? The answer is - where it began. Please make sure you have read the previous notes above before continuing. Tithing started as an instinctive offering of gratitude by Abraham". All godly men would have done the same thing. Whether we call it first fruits, tithes or worship. There is something planted in the heart of man that knows it is right to give worship to God. Offering up to God part of what He has blessed us with is how we demonstrate and acknowledge His Lordship over us. Some people will say that it was an Old Testament law; Jesus had himself a living sacrifice unto God. Such a person has forgotten that it is the same God who directs the payments of tithes. Jesus Christ even though the beginning of the New Law worshipped in the Temple. Why didn't said that it was an old Temple? Rather he said that he (Jesus) did not come to abolish the Laws abolish the Laws but to fulfill and blend it to make it perfect. Where is the base of our arguments. I term it to be stinginess and love of money and materialism and wisdom of the devil rather of God. For devil knows the blessings attached to this 'Golden Rules' and therefore fights the Christians not to obey. Anything you give out or do without causing you pains, check it very well. The giving of the law helped to establish the importance of many of the unwritten truths already known by god-fearing men. But when Jesus brought us faith there is no longer the need for the supervision of the law. Let’s here it from Galatians 3:23-25. And the same faith cannot survive without good work. Galatians 3:23-25 reads 23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. NIV In other words, the law was given t make thing clear. With- out the law we would not understand sin. Sin was around before the law but the low exposed it. Read the whole book of Galatians to get more insight into this truth. The giving of tithes was also around before the law. Again the law helped in the establishing its importance and relevance. The law did not invent tithing, it only exposed it. We could say the same of sacrifice and obedience.
HOW SHOULD WE TITHE?
The absence of any direct command for a Christian to pay tithes in the New Testament does not relieve us of this great privilege of worship and acknowledgment of the Lord we serve. For this is what tithing is all about.
Tithe is a helpful hint of where the dedicated believer should start his or her giving. Tithing is not an act to f\AI~1I law but love, Love of God. The need for tithing in the Household of God has not ceased. Remember tithing fulfills three needs in the kingdom of God:
1. Supporting the work of God -Acts 4:32- 35
2. Providing for the laborers and the work of the kingdom I Corinthians 9:14, Galatians 6:6
3. To support the disadvantaged (strangers, homeless, fatherless etc) Roman 15:26, I Corinthians 16:1-2, Acts 11:27-30 - Everything we have belong to God (Matthew 19:21) Jesus commands us to give in Matthew 6. Giving is not the issue. Most Christians, like Abraham, know instinctively that they should give to the work of God. The law of tithing shows us where to start. So the requirement of tithes/and giving offering are correctly the act of God.
BENEFITS INCLUDE
2 Corinthians 9:6-8.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sow generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his hear to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all time having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. N IV How much has God laid on your heart to give each month (or week as the case may be) for His work: Those who are doing this obtain favour from God. God cannot force anyone to do something even though it is lawful because of the above stipulated. But don't jealous those who know the secret of giving as God blesses them.
2Corinthians 8:12
12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. NIV A starting place for all of us is one tenth. Nothing less. We are not under law. We have a better covenant. God's love has been poured into our heart. As God speaks to your heart you will find the amount you give to His work increase. Jesus taught us to give. Tithing teaches us how to measure our giving. Let me try and summarize this teaching on tithing in one paragraph.
SUMMARY
Tithing started before the law. It was an act of worship income and secondly, it should be the first fruit. In other words, the first thing you pay, an' offering to God not subject to the other bills and needs you have. Remember, He owns it all. Tithing is your act of worship. Let’s end with the words of Jesus Luke 16:13-16. 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. NKJV John Wesley once said - Give ten percent, save ten percent and do what you like with the rest. Become a share-holder in the work of God's ministry here on earth. Start tithing. It's a great investment for your future.
QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION
1. Who was the first person to tithe?
2. What is the relationship between tithes and offering?
3. What does the law have to do with tithing?
4. What were tithes used for in the Old Testament?
5. Do we still have these needs in the body of Christ today?
6. What do 'first fruits' and 'tithes' have in common?
7. What does the New Testament say about tithing?
8. Should a Christian give money to the work of God?
9. How much should a Christian constantly give to God's work?
10. What blessings are there to giving money to God's work?
11. Should we give less or more than they did in the Old Testament?
12. If we give ten percent of our income, could we, even with God's grace, still manage to survive on the rest?
13. Is God's work worth ten percent?
14. Can you explain Luke 16:13-16?
15. Why do some Christian find it hard to give to God's Jc work? ,
Tithing started as an instinctive offering of gratitude by Abraham.
All godly men would have done the same thing. Whether we call it first fruits, tithes or worship. There is something planted in the heart of man that knows it is right to give worship to God. Offering up t God part of what He has blessed us with is how we demonstrate and acknowledge His Lordship over us. The giving of the law helped to establish the importance of many of the unwritten truths already knows by god-fearing men. But when Jesus brought us faith there is no longer the need for the supervision of the law. Let’s here it from Galatians 3:23-25.
Galatians 3:23-25.
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. N IV In other words, the law was given to make thing clear' Without the law we would not understand sin. Sin was around before the law but the law exposed it. Read the whole book of Galatians to get more insight into this truth. The giving of tithes was also around before the law. Again the law helped in the establishing its importance and relevance. The law did not invent tithing, it only exposed it. We could say the same of sacrifice and obedience. How should we tithe? The absence of any direct command for a Christian to pay tithes in the New Testament doest not relieve us of this great privilege of worship and acknowledgement of the Lord we serve. For this is what tithing is all about. Tithe is a helpful hint of where the dedicated believer should start his or her giving. Tithing is not an act to fulfill law but love. Love of God. The need for tithing in the Household of God has not ceased. Remember tithing fulfills three needs in the Kingdom of God.
1. Supporting the work of God -Acts 4:32- 35
2. Providing for the laborers and the work of the kingdom -I Corinthians 9:14, Galatians 6:6
3. To support the disadvantaged (strangers, home less, fatherless etc.) - Romans 15:26, I Corinthians 16:1-2, Act 11:27-30. Everything we have belongs to God (Matthew 19:21).
Jesus commands us to give in Matthew 6. Giving is not the issue. Most Christians, like Abraham, know instinctively that they should give to the work of God. The law of tithing shows us where to start.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times; having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. NIV How much has God laid on your hear to give each month (or week as the case may be) to His work?
2 Corinthians 8:12.
12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. NIV A starting place for all of us is one tenth. Nothing less. We are not under law. We have a better covenant. God's
love has been poured into our heart. As God speaks to your heart you will find the amount you give to His work increase. Jesus taught us to give. Tithing teaches us how to measure our giving. Let me try and summarize this teaching on tithing in one paragraph. Tithing started before the law. It was an act of worship and dedication to God. It confesses His Lordship. Godly men (and women) tithe as they were led. The law made the need for tithing obvious. Malachi highlighted some of the blessings associated with tithing. The New Testament admonishes us to give. Tithing lets us know where to begin. There are only two real requirements with regards to tithing, firstly it should not be less than one tenth of your income and secondly, it should be the first fruit. In other words, the first thing you pay, an offering to God not subject to the other bills and need~ you have. Remember He own it all. Tithing is your act of worship. Let’s end with the words of Jesus. Luke 16:13-16. 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. NKJV - John Wesley once said - Give ten percent, save ten percent and do what you like with the rest.
As usual, do not fail to drop your comments. Thanks.
TITHES & OFFERING - To Pay Or Not To Pay!
Beloves Friends, I was browsing through a book one night and my eyes caught a picture of man trying to throw away an age-long Christian practice. I was so sorry on the boldness of the man to stand tall despite the contranry views of many others. This I decided to do: to bring in the man's argument and sample your own opinion. Do, write down your own view and get me posted. Good luck.
PREFACE
The issue of payment of Tithes and Offerings has been dragging for too long. Many collectors and payers of tithes have been at sea on how they can exist and prosper without it. The collectors buried their fears and uncertainty in the nonchalant attitude and laxity with which many took free will offerings more than the obedience to the Word of God. Truly, some regard free will offering before God as the position of weakness on the part of God and his servants. Some contribute peanuts and some offer tattered notes rejected in marketplaces!
Be that as it may, the truth of the gospel must be strictly taught and adhered to in order for the worker to reap the desired reward.
This teaching on Tithes and Offerings offered an insight into the issue. It is believed that if these laws of liberty in Christ are stressed and encouraged, the better is the response and the merrier for the elect.
A CASE STUDY
GOD LOOKED ON WHILE THEY BROUGHT THEIR GIFTS OF LOVE
This article, was written in 1948 by J. Arthur Mouw, (now deceased), a former missionary to West Borneo (now Kalimantan, Indonesia) and is reproduced from the April 2001 edition of Herald of His Coming. It will instruct and encourage readers on the issue of tithing.
The story I am about to relate is concerning the work of the Lord in the Belitang area of West Borneo. This region was opened to the gospel in the early months of 1935 and four years later, there was a total number of 2,640 baptized believers. When I speak of these I do not mean mere professors, but real possessors of the divine life that comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, accepting Him wholly and finding Him wholly true. In short, they were truly born-again.
It is not my purpose in this article to tell how the gospel was preached or how it bore fruit but, suffice it to say that, added to the number above, there were 1,400 more believers in 1948 than in 1939. I mention 1939 because that was the year, under God, that the Church finally became one hundred per cent self-supporting. I say “finally” because this did not take place over night nor was it easy.
It took the leading of God and the positive conviction that an organization could not long exist if founded on the sand of foreign finance. We were convinced that no structure so built could long endure when foreign help ceased to be a reality.
At this writing (1948) in a region within a radius of fifty miles of our home and as a monument to the power of the Gospel, there stand ten churches, each with parsonage, where the pastor and his family live. The churches and the parsonages were built by the Christian Dyaks; there is not one cent of debt nor did any money come from America to help erect these church buildings.
Better than this is the fact that the pastors are completely supported by their respective church groups and, at this date, there is enough padi (unhulled rice) in the church granaries to feed the pastors and their families for more than a year, with harvest time only six months away.
How did this miracle take place? To begin with, let me say that absolutely nothing concerning this work has been original. The call, the preaching, the teaching, the pattern, are all found in the Word of God. They were given and proven long before I was born.
One Sunday morning in 1935, while walking from our house up to the rubber grove to give the message to some 900 Dyaks who had gathered under the shade of the trees, God spoke by His Spirit to my heart and asked, "Why are you here?" I was startled but quickly replied, "Because Thou hast called me".
Again the question came, "Why are you here?" I answered in my heart, “Why, Lord, You said, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel’ (Mark 16: 15); the heathen are all about us; they need to hear and that is why I came."
For the last time the question came again, "Why are you here?" Then my heart broke, and I knew the only reply that mattered was one. I cried to the Lord, "Because I love You!"
As scales dropping from my eyes, I saw the 900 awaiting my coming, awaiting my message, awaiting my enthusiasm and my spirit. In a flash I saw they were leaning too much on me, and I cried out to the Lord and said, "Lord, forgive me."
I thought I loved these Dyaks and I believe I did in a way. I prided myself in the fact that they also loved me. But did I love them with a true love? True love is tender; it is also firm and strong. God's love is like that.
I walked on to the grove and the message I intended to give left me. With all my heart I endeavored to teach these Dyaks to look to God - and not to me. I do not remember the message, but do remember one statement I said:
“The day will come when I, as a foreigner, will not be permitted to stand before you as I am standing now; when I am gone, to whom will you look?"
I did not know I was prophesying, but seven years later, in January 1942, I fled with my wife and family and escaped from the invading Japanese.
I had long believed in self-support and had a vision for the future of an indigenous Church in this part of West Borneo. But believing and teaching are not enough - there must be action.
Then I gathered around me the two native workers who had come from our Bible School in Makassar. These were not Dyaks, but native workers from other islands who came to help in the work. I gave what I thought was a good message on the subject of self-support. I was having a good time teaching these two workers. My heart was warm and enthusiastic on the subject.
I showed them that "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7); "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35); "Thou shalt not muzzle the…ox that treadeth out the corn" (I Corinthians 9:9); "The labourer is worthy of his hire" (Luke 10:7).
These and many more Scripture verses I brought to their attention, and they nodded their heads in assent. I noticed this and it added fuel to the fire. I felt the message was really reaching their hearts. Finally I brought for my concluding argument the third chapter of Malachi, verse 10:
"Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it".
I closed with words like these: "And the reason I have given you this account from the Scriptures is because I believe God wants and intends us to help the Christian Dyaks to become self-supporting. I want you to teach the Dyaks to give to the Lord".
Faith Versus Human Reason
The answer on the part of these workers was, to say the least, disappointing. With one voice they responded: "It is impossible to teach the Dyaks to give. They are too poor". They were very poor, that was true; they could put all their earthly belongings in one five-gallon tin can. Rubber (their livelihood) was only one and a half cents per kati (one and one-third pound) at the time.
Everyone was looking for work and one could hire all the coolies he wanted for four cents per day if food was furnished, or eight cents per day if they furnished their own food.
The argument "too poor" was not from the Scripture, however. God had said, “Bring ye all the tithes”, or one-tenth of what you have. We could only ask one-tenth, but the workers reasoned, "Tuan, the Dyaks now go hungry four to six months out of the year; dare we ask them to give and make them hungrier than they are?"
This was sound human logic and the word "impossible" was used frequently. But logic is not faith, and faith cries, "It can be done!" I was frustrated - my own native workers did not believe the message given from the Word of God!
As far as they were concerned there was only one way - the old way - to continue to receive the monthly money from headquarters; headquarters received it from America; why worry?
I pled; I showed other Scriptures to them. I finally realized it was no use to try to inspire or create faith in the hearts of these workers, for "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). They heard it, but there was no response, no willingness to obey God's command. So faith was not gendered in their hearts. They were cold toward the subject and finally said, "Tuan, we know it is impossible; we can't teach the people to tithe, they are too poor. But if you believe in it so much why don't you teach it yourself?"
I made one final statement saying, "God has promised in His Word to bless if people tithe; the Dyaks do not know about tithing or the promised blessing; they do not know how to read or write. They can only learn about tithing from us. If we do not teach them to tithe, we will withhold the blessing God wants to give, and God will hold us responsible!"
The argument did not work, and I was reminded again by my workers, "If you believe in it so much, why don't you teach it yourself, Tuan?"
"I do believe in it", I replied, "but I want you to teach them so that you will receive the blessing that will come by telling them". The workers looked at me with queer, questioning glances and I could tell from the expression on their faces that they were perfectly willing for me to receive all the blessing!
The Tithe Is The Lord's
I believed in tithing. I had tithed since I was eight years old, for my dear father and mother had taught it to me, and they practiced it. The tithe was the Lord's (Leviticus 27:30). No matter how poor we were, it was not touched.
I believed David when he said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37:25). My father never begged, and we never went hungry one meal in our lives. I believed in tithing, but there was the test: “Do it yourself!”
I began to visit the Christian Dyaks, going from village to village. I had at least two "doubting Thomases" (workers) with me to begin each service. Because of this, I must confess that I started out with fear and trembling, remembering some words of the workers, "We can't take away food from these hungry people".
In the first place, I asked the Dyaks if they knew how I got to Borneo. The answer was simple, of course: "By boat". America is a long distance away and it cost four hundred dollars for boat fare. Where did the money come from? Simple again was the reply: "Tuan is rich, has lots of money", they said.
We had humble enough furnishings in our jungle home, yet to the Dyaks, our table and four chairs, our set of dishes, our cutlery, etc., was wealth that they had never seen before. Thus the reply was, "Tuan is rich!"
They believed I was, and the argument I expected to use was not as valuable as I thought it would be. What I was leading to and wanted to tell them was that Christian men and women in America, through sacrificial giving, provided our outfit and paid our fare so we could go to Borneo.
Simple Faith in God's Word
My introduction had failed, and in desperation I held my large Bible high, and said, "Everything I have taught you has been from this Book. From it you have learned about creation, about the origin of sin; but, best of all, you have learned of God's love, redemption and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have believed it. Is this Book true?"
With one voice they answered, "It is true!" Holding the Bible still higher I asked, "Although you cannot read this Book, has it ever told a lie?" "Never a lie, Tuan, only the truth", they responded. I said, "Now I will teach you something new", and turning to the third chapter of Malachi, I taught them the rudiments of tithing.
As their alert faces looked at me, I continued and finally, to make it very plain, I said, "Tithing really means this: if you have ten chickens, one belongs to the Lord; if ten eggs, one belongs to the Lord; if ten measures of rice (precious rice to them), one measure belongs to the Lord.
“And yet”, I continued, “upon the authority of the Word of God, I can tell you God says He will bless, will open the windows of Heaven, and will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, that He will not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field”.
I could say no more. Most of them wore only a loincloth made of the bark of a tree. Many of the women’s skirts were made of the same material. I sat down feeling I had utterly failed to get the message across.
It is always hot in Borneo, but that night it seems hotter than ever. The perspiration rolled off me. The two native workers sitting on the floor knew I was having a hard time; they hadn’t said "amen" once; they didn't even grunt.
Finally the Dyaks began to talk, some very deliberately, others with haste. Their dialect was a different one and I had difficulty in catching many words. After a half hour they were quiet and sat waiting for me to say the next word. I asked, half doubting, what they thought about the message from God's Word and the plan He set forth.
Very simply they said, "Tuan, we have decided to adopt this plan. God has done so much for us; we have been wondering how we could show a little gratitude to God for giving His Son to die for us. This is a way."
The speaker continued, "Tuan, we have chosen three men whom we know to be honorable. They will accept our gifts, and once each moon, if it will be all right with you, they will bring them to your home". Just as simple as that - and it was all accomplished in their half hour of discussion. Would it be all right with me? Would it?
I almost flew through the shake room and up to the clouds. My two "doubting Thomases" gave me side glances, and I scarcely dared to look at them. I could not say, "I told you so," for I did not have very much faith myself.
What made the Dyaks so responsive? It was because these people's hearts were still warm; they had only a few months before learned for the first time of a God who loves, who gave His Son. They were still in their first love, a love pure, trusting, believing!
"This Is God's Portion"
We journeyed from longhouse to longhouse where there were Christians. Our message was the same, and praise God - so was the response! We returned home and in a few weeks the "new moon" arrived, and so did some Dyaks. One morning we awakened to find them on our front porch; some had traveled two days.
Some dozen chickens were tied to the railing; there was a high pile of cucumbers, many eggs in a basket, and two or three rattan carrying bags full of rice. With a slight wave of the hand, pointing to all which was on the floor, the three men simply stated, "Ini Tuhan Allah punja" (This is God's portion). "We trust it will be all right; we'll be starting back today".
My heart was full of praise and my eyes filled with tears, and I could hardly see my way around on the porch - cucumbers, eggs, chickens, rice, fruit, vegetables, precious food to these Dyak Christian. That morning that old front porch became a cathedral. Each month it was so. Our front porch groaned under the weight of squash, cucumbers, potato roots, rice and chickens.
Our hearts rejoiced, but trouble came as well. The Dutch administrator called me to his office seventy-eight miles away. He was angry and said, "I understand you are taxing the Dyaks ten percent. This is unlawful; only one can tax, and that is the government. I command you to cease teaching this at once".
I respectfully replied: "It is true we teach the people to tithe and give ten percent of their produce, but it is compulsory. It is given freely and of their own volition. It is not for me, but is for the support of their own Christian work".
Taking my New Testament from my shirt pocket, I held it up and said, "I have never mixed in politics nor do I intend to. I came here to teach God's Word. In God's Word, as you very well know, tithing is taught. I would not tell you how to run the government; please do not tell me how to teach the Word of God".
Soon I found myself on the gravel path, walking toward my little one-cylinder motor boat. I never heard from the official again. Each month God's "portion" came. We sold the produce, chickens and eggs to Chinese merchants and bought nails with part of the proceeds. Then we started to erect Churches, a story too long to tell here.
God Looked on as They Brought Their Gifts of Thanksgiving and Love
Ten long months, and then came harvest - and what a harvest! More rice than they had ever seen before. The pests had not bothered, and they gathered their precious life-giving grain. I waited and hoped that some Dyak would come to me and say, "Tuan, it works. We have tithed and now the increase". But I waited in vain. I thought they would be surprised, and there was keen disappointment on my part because no one came and said, "It works".
They showed no surprise. The Bible, they said, had never lied to them before - why should it lie now? God said He would do it, and He who never lied fulfilled His promise. They just took it for granted in simple faith. I was the one who was surprised and perhaps you, my dear reader, but not the Dyak!
Not long after this, the people began to come to meetings in nice clothes. It happened almost overnight. The enterprising Chinese businessmen took advantage of the "miracle" harvest and began telling the Dyaks, "It isn't good to go to Church without clothes".
This advice worked, not only because of the Chinese, but because the Dyaks had secretly been ashamed of their near nakedness. Soft bark is too hot in this tropical climate if worn above the waist; besides it scratches and irritates and will not stand frequent washings.
Now the Christians had extra rice, legal tender in the jungle, and it was traded for clothing. We had always hesitated to tell these people to wear clothing, first, because they were too poor to buy; secondly, we did not want them to think that a change of garb made Christians of them. We were glad to see them in their new attire, but happier because they did not try to imitate our mode of dress, but adhered to the native attire.
Soon the first Church was erected, then another. Everyone helped to build the Church building in which was to congregate the body of Christ. One large Church, Bethel, had been built. There were 1,315 members. On the outside by the side of the path was a big crate. People pulled a latch with one hand and shoved a chicken into the crate with the other.
At the top of the steps was a large box, three and a half feet high, two feet wide, and eighteen inches deep, with a small hole in the top. In this was poured their precious tenth of rice. Mothers would lift their children as they put their cupful into the bin as well.
Close by stood the basket to receive the eggs and a little farther on was the empty five-pound butter can with a slit in the top for the few coins someone might have. Such is offering time in a Dyak Church in West Borneo.
None of that which was given was used by the missionaries themselves unless the proper equivalent in money was placed in the general treasury. This was sacred money coming from poor people and was used entirely to build the Church buildings and support the native workers.
Not long afterward a burden came upon them for those who had never heard the Gospel. For many months before Pearl Harbor they sent and supported as their own missionaries four full-time workers to the regions around about them.
Natives Carried On!
Today (1948), thirteen years after this story began; the war has come and gone. We fled in 1942 after the Japanese came, and in the providence of God, were able to reach America safely. For six years these Christians were without a foreign missionary, but the natives workers carried on.
Today all of the original Churches, but one, are still functioning as self-supporting Churches. Once the people here were poor, but now, according to Dyak standards, they are prosperous.
The native workers seem very happy. They receive a certain amount of cash per month, plus all the rice that they, their wives and children can eat. Besides this, the Dyak Church members bring eggs, vegetables, chickens, fruit, etc., to them. God honors His Word and obedient hearts. His Word was the only pattern; this Word accepted by warm-hearted, trusting Dyaks - made the recording of this narrative possible.
TITHING IS OF GOD
Salvation is what brings you to the place of responsibility. When your heart is treated, you learn to honour agreements. It is very sad that a lot of our Church members today are not saved. They are just playing religion. They have not been transformed. They only had a change of name, and not change of life. A complete Christian must have the assurance of salvation and the joy of salvation. This is important, because no man can serve the Lord with all his heart unless he is sure about his own salvation.
When you are not sure of your salvation, you do things without knowing why. You go to Church only to fulfill obligation. You give offerings to God out of a sad heart. You don’t feel happy when you give to God. You see yourself being part of the Church because you feature in almost every activity in the Church, yet inside you, you know that you are not part of the Church. So many people in the Church today are like you. They have been welcomed in the Church, baptized and confirmed, carrying the label “born again” all over the place, thinking that they have arrived. Yet Heaven is far away from their line of thinking. Are you like this? It’s time to get serious! It is time to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ with visible changes. To be born again you must have the assurance of the Holy Spirit that you are saved - that inner conviction must be there.
A born again Christian is the one who upholds the Word of God. When he comes in contact with God’s command, he delays not to obey it. Born again Christians are those who have made up their mind to grow up spiritually and take their position within the rank of full grown men and women in order that God’s will be done in the places where they are. Born again is a growth God-ward. But it is sad that majority of the people answering “born again” Christians today are those who have refused to grow up spiritually. These categories of people are the ones causing most problems in the Church. They come to Church, pray, make positive confessions, listen to countless number of sermons and have turned themselves into modern day Methusellahs who have failed to show any sign of growth or maturity.
Many Church leaders have been disappointed by the way Christian adults degenerate into babies. No body likes to be identified with a full grown adult who fails to abandon childish behaviour. In their little wisdom these Church leaders decided to help the adult-baby assume his rightful position. The print tithe or offering cards to help the adult-babies honour their words by ticking for them every month else they forget. It is now obligated on every Church member to write down his/her name and what he/she is giving. It is people who are not saved that are being forced to give to their father's work. It is those who are not saved that ask questions like "what do Pastors do with the offering money". The answer is very simple. If you want to give your offering and you do not trust the Pastor, take it to God yourself, as far as it gets to him no problem. If you think that the Pastor will not handle it well, just take a bus or an aircraft and say "God I have come to pay my tithe, and now you can have it live and direct from me". It is when people are not saved that they look for Church posts. They want to be Church treasurers – Judases in the making! When you have salvation you have the greatest gift of all. All other things become less important. If you are not careful, all those other things will even put your salvation in trouble. You cannot put your all into the service of the Lord, when you have some doubts in your heart whether you will go to heaven or not.
THE TENTH IS HOLY UNTO GOD
When you tithe, God goes into business with you. The Bible teaches that the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD (Leviticus 27:32), and never has that teaching been changed. Tithing is taught in both Old and New Testaments. In fact, when you look at all the marvelous privileges we have under grace, you would think we should be paying more than ten percent. Those in the Old Testament, before the Law and during the Law, did not have the benefits, the blessings that we have through Christ Jesus: a crucified Savior, a resurrected Lord and a soon-coming King. If anyone were ever obligated to tithe, it should be the people who live under grace. Why take God as your partner and then rob Him? The partner has asked for only ten percent off the top; in return He makes the remaining ninety percent go farther than you could have ever stretched the whole amount. Again and again this has been proven. When it comes to God, two plus two makes more than four. Two plus two can make sixty-six or a hundredfold. The devil has deceived many in the area of tithing, causing them to fail God and then wonder why they're not being blessed. The Lord visited me one day, letting me know that in this final hour I was to deliver the Word of God in its fullness to all people with whom I would come in contact. God said He has taken the blame in the past for many things He was not guilty of. People did not measure up to His Word, and He was blamed because He didn't move for them. God said that in this final hour He would not shoulder the blame. He will uncover. He will send His light forth so people will know the truth about the God who made them.
SOME CANNOT HANDLE PROSPERITY
Do you want to prosper? Many yearn for prosperity, but are unwilling to pay the price of living all-out for God. Some people tithe if their income is one hundred dollars a week, but when it jumps to a thousand, they think the tithe is too much. They will not look to God when they have finances to depend upon. Every prayer is "Give me, give me, give me more." They don't know how to really talk to God, how to depend upon Him, how to trust Him. Some people can handle prosperity, continuing to remain humble before God, giving freely to Him, but others cannot. God would be doing you an injustice if He granted you more spiritual power, more - financial power and more physical power than you can handle; it could ruin you and others around you, even destroy your soul in hell. The more God gives to me, the more I am able to give back; and I give Him far beyond ten percent. He is my partner.
UNPROTECTED MONEY
Think what a blessing the disciples received by merely casting their nets on the right side-a catch much greater than their wildest expectations. Those who refuse to tithe are not casting their nets on the right side and are in danger of losing everything they have. Their money is not protected. Any untithed money is unsafe. I tremble for you who keep untithed money; sooner or later you'll wake up to the fact that you have robbed God. You'll pray prayers that never will be heard, prayers that would have been answered had you been obedient. People have died ahead of their time because they didn't obey God. Although many are sick and afflicted as a result of disobedience, it doesn't mean all sick or afflicted are disobedient or haven't tithed. Nevertheless, many people are sick and afflicted because they have failed God in giving unto Him in tithing. People fail God, not realizing that their troubles are because of this failure. In fact they blame God for their troubles, rather than accepting the blame themselves. "God, why don't you move?" they cry. He can't move because they've tied His hands throu:: their lack of obedience. If you're sick and ~cted, the first thing you must do IS check your standing before God--check YO~I ~ heart. Is your heart pure? Are you casting your nets on the right side? Have you obeyed God in everything? The reason I can come before God using faith is because I obey Him in all things I know to obey Him in. If I am omitting any obedience, I ask God to show it to me.
GOD WANTS YOU TO PROSPER
Beloved, I wish above all ~ that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (ill John 1:2). God wants you to prosper in health, in finances; and He desires your soul to prosper-that's God-talk. He longs for you to prosper in every way, but lIrst He expects obedience from you in everything. He wants you to love Him above all else. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy GOO: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). The Lord gives people power to get wealth. He gave it to the Israelites when they left Egypt; He gave them favor with the Egyptians. The Israelites spoiled the Egyptians, borrowing their best garments, jewelry, their most expensive gems. With the wealth of Egypt, the Israelites headed for the Promised Land. God had made them wealthy. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35, 36).
How sad that Israel wasted the wealth God had so graciously provided! And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 32:3,4). God has revealed His will for mankind: perfection in all things. We living outside the Garden of Eden do not have this automatic perfection; God must wait for us and work with us. At times this takes long indeed; for God can only move as people yield to Him. He has limited Himself with humanity by giving them free choice. In the Garden before sin entered, God did not have to wait until Adam cast his nets on the right side so that He could move for him; God had created Adam to be a perfect being. The right side was the only place then that Adam would cast nets. God is standing on the right side waiting to help you at all times, ready to move for you; but when you cast your nets to the left, you're going your own way; your own stubborn spirit is working. "You say you don't believe in tithing? Just because you don't believe in tithing doesn't mean it's not God's plan. The Lord's Bible teaches the tithing plan whether you accept it or not. Cast your nets on the right side and be prepared for the blessing.
ADAM AND EVE ONE DAY CAST THEIR NETS ON THE WRONG SIDE
In the Garden, Adam and Eve had everything, when they cast their nets on the wrong side they driven out. Man learned the meaning of poverty, of sickness, disease, tears, sorrow, heartache and despair. Why? Because sin had entered Adam and Eve through their disobedience to God. God cannot look upon sin; He separates Himself from it. Those disobedient to God are open to sorrow, tragedies because they have tied God's hands by choosing not to obey Him.
The earth was perfect inside the Garden of Eden - everything wonderful -but then the earth was cursed because of man's sin. Until the curse is lifted by God in the Perfect Age, we will have much to battle against. Only obedience to God will bring you victory in dangerous waters. Unless you can hear the voice of God, you don't know where to cast your nets. Casting your nets indiscriminately heaps sorrow, heartache and despair on your head, brings tragedy to you and yours. In the light of the Holy Scripture, find what God has said about disobedience.
NOAH OBEYED GOD
Before the great flood, God repented that He had made man; but then He saw one man casting his nets on the right side. Noah obeyed God; he found grace, help, as God became his Provider. Have you ever wondered how God prospered Noah? Just one man and his three sons built an ark. It took over one hundred years; God supplied his need during that time. Then after the ark was built and set afloat, Noah and his family stayed inside for over a year. Everyone except Noah and his family had been destroyed - and think how God provided for those in the ark! He conditioned them to face a world in which they would cast their nets on the right side.
It wasn't an accident that they stayed in the ark over a year. God could have taken the waters from the face of the earth overnight; but God was working with man, and God had to wait until Noah and his family were prepared to re-enter a world in which all other mankind had died. God is ready to help you now, ready for your ark to land; but some of you are not prepared, and He has to wait. Why aren't you being blessed? I'm telling you why. You're in and out, up and down with God; and God cannot move. You must be consistent in serving God. Anything less than diligent obedience means you're casting your nets on the left side. If you're not being blessed, if you don't feel that closeness with God, find the sort of obedience God expects from His Children and put that obedience into action in every aspect of your life.
Why keep fishing in the waters of life never catching - anything when the Lord has promised you so much, so many blessings? Have you ever stopped to think how many promises in the Bible cover just you? ALL the promises of God are for you as an individual. Why does nothing happen when you cast your nets? Have you no blessings spiritually, physically or financially? Something is wrong. Cast your nets on the right side into the promises of God, and obey Him. Have you obeyed God in everything? Have you really obeyed the Lord?
GOD WILL PROVIDE
Abraham was made rich. The key? Believing the Lord would provide. Now the LORD had said unto - Abram ...I will bless thee, and make thy name great (Genesis 12:1,2). And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold (Genesis 13:2). Spiritually Abraham was blessed as well as financially. Genesis 15:6 relates that Abraham believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Physically strong even at one hundred years old, Abraham became the father of Isaac. The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things (Genesis 24:1). Abraham was blessed spiritually, physically and financially-now that's prosperity. Some people have prospered financially but are physically too ill to enjoy it; consequently, they do not feel they are being prospered.
Remember when Abraham was on his way to offer Isaac as a sacrifice as God had instructed? And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am 1, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood but where is the Iamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide (Genesis 22:7, 8). Knowing that God would provide was a foundation stone in Abraham's life. Abraham, in his greatest crisis on his way to sacrifice his beloved son, loved God so much that he was able to use God's faith. God's faith told him that since God had promised a nation from that one seed, if that son were killed, he would have to be resurrected. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (Hebrews 11:17-19). Now that’s real faith! Abraham loved God so much he was able to use His faith in time of crisis. God will provide (Genesis 22:8).
WHO WAS MELCHISEDEK?
Abraham paid tithes over seven hundred years before the Law was given. God gave Abraham that beautiful plan. In Genesis 14:20 we read that he gave him tithes of all. When the King of Sodom offered Abraham money, he refused, saying, I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich (Genesis 14:23). Fully aware that God was his source of supply; Abraham gave God all the glory. No wonder God blessed him! No wonder he is called the Father of the Faithful! To whom did Abraham pay tithes? To Melchisedec. There has been much false teaching about Melchisedec. The Bible and history as well tell us who he was. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham f returning from the slaughter of the kings, and [ blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace (Hebrews 7:1,2). Melchisedec was a righteous man and also the king of Salem. Down through thousands of years Salem was understood to mean Jerusalem. Although Melchisedec was a real man, he is described as being without father, without mother, , without descent, having neither begriming of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually (Hebrews 7:3). Without mother and father doesn't mean that Melchisedec wasn't born. Of course the man was born. In Jewish history a person not of the lineage or the stock of Abraham was considered to be without father or mother. If a man could not supply descent information, he was said to be without a father. It didn't mean no one had fathered him I say again; someone fathered him or he wouldn't have existed. According to Jewish history, Gentiles don't have a father because they are not Abraham's children. However, the Bible says with Christ the Gentiles have been adopted in; Abraham is our father. Thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness, of the ~Iive tree,(Romans 11:17). We havebee~" Igrafted into the Vine; we're a branch of Jesus. Isn't : that wonderful ! c,'~ We know that Melchisedec was greater than Abraham because Abraham paid tithes to him, gave him honor and tribute. Melchisedec was a priest before we have record of anyone else being a priest. He was somewhat of a universal priest. Christ is on the same order; neither one was of the order oGk~ the priesthood that came from Aaron. In Psalm 110:4, The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is the person prophesied about in this Psalm. The Jews accepted the prophecy of i!; the Messiah; they just didn't accept Jesus as the one fulfilling this wonderful prophecy.
To be a priest required certain qualificationsK~ Through Moses, God commanded that the high priest .1 be chosen from among the brethren, from the family of Aaron, the tribe of Levi. Because Jesus had not come from the stock of Levitical priests, in the eyes of the Jews He could not be a priest. The book of Hebrews makes clear, however, that it was not necessary for the priest to come from a particular stock. Melchisedec, a priest of the most high God, didn't come from the stock of Aaron; and Jesus was the Son of the most high God. To understand the book of Hebrews, connect it with Jewish history. Melchisedec was a Canaanite, and yet he was a priest.
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIESTS
Leviticus 21:10-14, And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garmen~, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes; Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his GOO; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. And he shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife. The priest had to meet qualifications, he had to marry a virgin and that's good for a preacher, too. A preacher should marry a virgin, nothing less; I did. God was careful with the priesthood, and He is just as careful with the true ministry today. A priest could not marry a widow. He couldn't be divorced or married to a divorcee, to one of another nation, or to a harlot-those were rules for the Jewish priesthood. People were excluded from the priesthood entirely if they didn't meet these qualifications no matter if they were of the household of Aaron. The Lord tried to keep the priesthood clean so He could bless them. A priest had to prove that he was of the descent of Aaron. If he could not, he was cast out. Ezra 2:62, These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the pri~. Nehemiah 7:63,64, And of the p~the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of BarziIlai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name. These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, ~ polluted, put fnxn. the priesthood. I love the Word of God. If there is anything in there you don't understand, stick with it until you understand it all. The Bible is not a book to be understood after you get to glory; it's to be understoodCIC no~
A DIVINE PRIEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Melchisedec, remember, the priest first mentioned in the Holy Bible is of the same order as Christ, a priest of the divine will of God, a priest of righteousness and holiness. He reigned in Salem for one hundred and thirteen years history tells us. He died a righteous man and a bachelor; he never married.
You can't be righteous - and the Bible declares .a~ Melchisedec was-without divinity, divine blood. Melchisedec had that divine blood in his soul, for he was a priest of the most high God. The two great priests of all time are not recognized by the Jews. This demonstrates only one way man has hindered God.
Jesus is the priest of the most high God, bringing a new covenant and doing away with the old. Plainly the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus did away with the old covenant and became the only priest. God changed the law of the priesthood because it didn't work. He sent the priest Jesus, the King of kings, in a takeover by the Gospel; but the Jews, I say again, would not accept the takeover that was offered to them. When the Jews rejected Jesus, God turned to the Gentiles and grafted them in. By now I hope you understand who Melchisedec was-a Canaanite, a righteous man and priest of God. He reigned for 113 years. Keep in mind that Jesus came in the same order of the priesthood of Melchisedec and not the order of the Jewish priesthood that had been set up under the Law. Jesus was far beyond the Levitical priesthood, far greater. Had the Jews accepted Jesus, the history of their nation today would be a different story; but they keep failing God.
Through Moses, God commanded that the high priest be chosen from among the brethren, from the family of Aaron. Hebrews 7:5,6, Verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesth{)(Kf, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he wh~ descent is not counted from - them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. The priest whom Abraham paid tithes to, Melchisedec, did not come from Abraham. Abraham had the promises, but this priest had a higher place in God than Abraham. Hebrews 7:7, And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. Abraham was less and he was blessed of the better, God's priest of righteousness.
Hebrews 7:8-10, And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. Levi paid tithes through Abraham and Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec. Hebrews 7: 11, If therefore Perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Perfection did not come through the Levitical priesthood, through the order of Aaron, but through Jesus. Jesus is not called after the order of Aaron. The devil has wanted people to skip the book of Hebrews, to be without knowledge. Some people have been serving God for years, but have never taken the time to really study, search and find out about this priest Melchisedec. Some people have their own opinions, but most just have skipped over the two different orders of priesthood and thought, Well, it has nothing to do with me. It does have something to do with us; it shows the greatness of God for the Gentile race as well as for the Jews. We're just as dear and precious to God today as the Jews are. We're all chosen by God; He wants us all now.
GRAFTED IN
There was a time that the Jews alone were the chosen race-and look how the Lord treated the other nations. He drove seven nations out of their land to give Israel the land of Canaan. Now it's a different story. I say again, we have been grafted into the family of God. God is-sending us to the nations; He's sending us to the heathen, sending us with the same Gospel message that Jesus brought. It's time for us to move.
Hebrews 7:12, For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. The Levitical priesthood was changed in Christ Jesus: He did away with it. There are no more animal sacrifices to be made. Christ Jesus was the one supreme sacrifice, the only one needed for salvation.
Hebrews 7:13,14, For he [Jesus] of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe M~ spake nothing concerning priesthood. Moses, giver of the Law, spoke nothing of the priesthood of Judah; the priesthood was from the tribe of Levi, I say again. Hebrews 7:15, And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest. Another priest, Jesus, arose. There are just two priests we're concerned about today; those other priests, for the most part were a failure before God. God couldn't stand the sacrifices they made; animal sacrifices were repulsive to Him. But then Jesus, the second great priest of righteousness, holiness and purity came, pure as God Himself. Divinity had come down. God did not replace that first priest to whom Abraham paid tithes until Jesus came to take the priesthood Himself.
Jesus is our high priest at the right hand of the Father interceding for us twenty-four hours around the clock; our prayers go through Him. Pray in the name of Jesus; use His Name. We have a high priest who is touched with the feeling of our in6nuities (Hebrews 4: 15). The priests under the Law were not always touched by the feelings of the people, but Christ is touched; He loves us. Our High Priest is so close to us that there are no boundary lines, no walls, nothing between us. When the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom on Crucifixion day, mankind was free to go in to our high priest Jesus at any time. Isn't that wonderful! I adore Jesus; I love Him, and I know He always understands me. I walk with Him, talk to Him; He reveals Himself to me in many beautiful ways. He's walking with you who are born again, so why worry about others, even your own kin - what does it matter what they think? Why should it hurt you if they don't want to associate with you, if they don't like your salvation? You have one thing to think about: bringing in the harvest of lost souls so we can go home. Keep focused on the Jesus "go ye"; let it burn on the altar of your heart, take over your mind daily. Souls must be paramount in your mind. When you wake up each morning, pray Lord, I give us souls! Give us souls!
JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW
Thou [Jesus] art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7: 17). Forever Jesus is our priest; there will never be another priest; He has fulfilled the Law. The old is over; the new is ours. You 're not judged by the old whatsoever; you're judged only by the new.
Hebrews 7: 19, For the law made nothing perfect, but the brlnging in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Although the Law and the blood of animals made nothing perfect, that didn't mean certain people didn't use holy blood. It just wasn't offered to everybody as it is today, offered to whosoever will. Christ had to die to pay the price for the whole human race, die to become their high priest. As far as those holy prophets of old were concerned, their high priest was in the righteousness and holiness of God.
Hebrews 7:20-25, And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For th{R priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by mHm that said unto him, The Lord sware and win not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec). By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. This priest Jesus can save everybody who wants saving; no other priest could. Take Jesus away as high priest and no one could get saved, for there would be no - blood of Calvary offered, no sacrificial blood.
The holy men of old were not saved through sacrificial blood; they were saved through divine blood that hadn't yet been sacrificed. This is the same divine blood Jesus later brought to earth and spilled on Calvary. In the Old Testament we have no record whatsoever of the divine blood being sacrificed.
JESUS DISPELS THE SHADOWS
It's no longer a time to walk in shadows. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4). Jesus, our shepherd in living reality, came to erase all the shadows of death for us. There will be no shadows of death in the valley, for the whole valley will light up with the life of Jesus when He comes for one of His own. I know of a godly woman who had an unbelievable fear of death. Her son-in-law had never seen anyone who was saved with such a great fear of it. But he was there when she was dying. With her last breath she looked up at him with a big smile and said, "Claude, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be!" Then she was gone. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be! Isn't that wonderful! You will find out that death is not to be feared if you have salvation because your high priest Jesus will be there; He has taken care of it all. There will be no dark valley for you, no tunnel to go through. Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave.
Hebrews 7:26,27, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who - needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Jesus our sacrificial Lamb never sinned. His sinless blood was sacrificed once and for all; He never will sacrifice it again. Whosoever will, let him come to Jesus; all nations are included.
Hebrews 7:28, For UtHe law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. How marvelous is the truth! Recognize the truth; don't listen to anyone who would contradict it.
JACOB PAID TITHES
Five hundred years before the Law, Jacob made a covenant with the Lord. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee (Genesis 28:20-22). God heard his vow, and Jacob went with the favor and the promise of God. He knew how Father Abraham had become rich.
Jacob traveled to his uncle's house, worked seven years so that he could marry Rachel. His deceitful uncle gave him Leah instead, and Jacob had to work seven years more for Rachel. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years (Genesis 29:30). Then Jacob labored another seven years for cattle. Although his father-in-law was trying to cheat him, Jacob was blessed with armfuls on purpose from God. Why? He had made a covenant with God and he kept his end of the bargain.
When you walk with God in loving obedience, you need not worry. If you have tithed, given unto God, obeyed God in all things and still lose your job, God has obligated Himself to get you another job. When you tithe, give unto Him and obey Him in everything else, God is obligated to help you pay your bills.
PATRIARCHS
PART I
THE AGE OF THE
PATRIARCHS
A. TITHE
The payment of Tithe under the age of the Patriarchs, that is, before the Law of Moses, was conditional but not a rule. From Adam to Moses, only two figures, our fathers Abraham and Jacob had to do with it.
1. Abraham gave the tenth of the spoil of war to Melchizedek, King of Salem (Genesis 14: 17- 20).
2. Jacob vowed to give the tenth of his wealth on condition that he was protected and blessed; on the journey he embarked on (Genesis 28:20-22).
Tithe payment could have passed on to the generations after Jacob before
Moses, if God had commanded it. It is not known if he (Jacob) actually paid it,
and how it was paid. Jacob, now Israel, later went to Egypt with his household.
Israel even died in Egypt. There is no record neither he nor any of his household
paid tithe. If they did, to whom and how? The record is not there because it was
not a decree of God. No regulation about it. The strength of the issue is that God
trusted Abraham that he will teach his house-hold to do his will. The Scriptures
testify thus:
1. Abraham chosen to direct his children and' household to do the will of the Lord (Genesis 18:19).
2. Abraham obeyed and kept the requirements, commands, decrees and the law of God (Genesis 26:5).
If the payment of tithe was one of the requirements of God given to Abraham, he
could have passed it on to his children.
CONCLUSION: Where there is no law, there is no sin (Romans 4:15). The Patriarchs who did not pay tithe either in Canaan or Egypt were not under such, law from God in their dispensation.
B OFFERINGS
Our fathers, from Adam to Israel, made sacrifices of blood. The pattern shows that it was the way they believe God could be approached. It is not by accident or sudden that Cain and Abel had to make sacrifices to God. This practice was passed down from generation to generation. This only pointed to our days, so that, without us, they were not made perfect.
1. Cain offered rejects of the fruit of the soil to God. He was rejected (Genesis 4:3, 5).
2. Abel offered fat first born of the flock. He offered choice and the best among his flock, ' and he was well received (Genesis 4:4).
3. Noah sacrificed after the flood (Genesis 8:20).
4. Abraham did sacrifice on purpose besides free-will offerings. He almost sacrificed his son Isaac (Genesis 15:9).
5. Isaac built altar to call on the name of the Lord (Genesis 26:25).
6. Israel also did offer sacrifices (Genesis 35:14; 46:1).
Note: An Altar in the days of old was the place elements were offered as sacrifice to God.
It is believed that Lamb was the major element presented to God. This became known from the question Isaac asked his father Abraham: "...the fire and the wood are here", Isaac said, "but where is the Lamb for the burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:6, 7). Record shows that after Israel, none of his children built altar nor sacrificed to God in Egypt. Why, because it was not a decree from God, in their own dispensation.
CONCLUSION: The law and dispensation of the Patriarchs were for the Patriarchs. Whichever part of such law needed at another dispensation, must be clearly written in the new law books. If not, all believers in God are bound to observe all the patterns of worship in other dispensations in addition to theirs
PART II
OLD TESTAMENT – LAWS OF MOSES
A. TITHES
1. What is Tithe?
Tithe is the tenth part of a whole. Tithe is also the tenth portion of produce, herd, flock, or livestock due to God under the Law of Moses:
a. Tithe of produce belonged to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30).
b. Tithe of herds and flock (livestock) that passed under a shepherd's rod, good or bad, was holy to the Lord (Leviticus 27:32).
2. Who received the Tithes?
The Levities received all tithes in Israel, under the law. They, too, paid a tithe of tithe to the High Priest, I the house of Aaron (Numbers18:2l -29).
Note: Levi and Aaron, in Israel, are the same. Levi is one of the 12 sons of Israel whose descendants were chosen as Priests. Aaron is one of the descendents of Levi, whose family was chosen as the High Priest. Hence it is called -The Levitical Priesthood.
a. The tribe of Levi in Israel was given to Aaron as priests (Numbers 3: 5- 7).
b. Aaron's family to act as High Priest perpetually (Exodus 29: 29, 30).
3. Who paid the Tithes?
Eleven tribes out of the 12 tribes in Israel paid tithes to the Levitical Priesthood (Numbers 18:21; Hebrews 7:5).
4. When were Tithes due for payment?
a. Tithes were due for payment yearly, before the Feast of Ingathering or Weeks when produce of the field had been harvested (Exodus 23:16).
b. At the turn of the financial year, just like the annual tax returns to the Government of the day (Exodus 34:22).
5. What Relates The Feast Of Ingathering Or Weeks With The Tithes?
a. Hebrew Calendar commands waiving or offering of the sheaf of the first fruits to the Lord before new grain could be eaten in Israel. This is the Feast of First fruits (Leviticus 23:9-14 (14.)).
b. The Feast of Ingathering or Weeks must follow first fruits offering 50 days later (Leviticus 23:15, 16).
c. It is decreed that celebration of the Festival of Ingathering must begin after yearly harvesting (Exodus 23:16).
d. First fruits must be offered to the Lord before Israel eats of it, as in (5a) above. The tithes must be paid before the next 50 days, as in (5b) above. The tithes paid before the Festival of Weeks supplied the food and drinks for the Levites and others during the Feast. Therefore, the payment of tithes on produce and livestock before and for the Feast of Ingathering or Weeks was paramount. These facts relate the Tithes with the Feast of Ingathering or Weeks (Deuteronomy 14:22, 23, 27).
Note: Feast of Pentecost of Acts 2:1 is the same as the Feast of Ingathering or Weeks here. Pentecost derives its name from Greek language. .Pentecost is 50 in Greek, and refers to the 50 days in Leviticus 23:15, 16.
6. Three Tithes
- Facts begging for reconciliation
Facts
There were three different tithes in the Law of Moses:
i. Tithes of everything from the land, herd or flock belonged to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30, 32).
iia. Setting aside of another tithe out of the remaining ninth for merriment during the Festival of Ingathering or Weeks.
iib. The power given to the payer to sell and convert it (iia) to money to ease the burden of transportation if the Ark/Temple was far away from the celebrant.
iic. The power of the payer to buy with the money, whatever pleased him and his household to eat, drink and make merriment wherever the Ark or Temple of God was (Deuteronomy14:22-27).
iid. Evidence confirming iia-c: Tithe money for payer's merriment brought about the purchase of elements for the festival and the conversion of currency by money changers. Many visiting worshippers to the Temple in Jerusalem, especially those from abroad must have been short-changed. Corruption and malpractices were rampart. These took place under the nose of the priests. This wickedness informed the anger of Jesus and his subsequent dislodgement of the Temple merchants and money changers. "It is written", he said to them "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a 'den of robbers’” (Matthew 21: 12, 13).
iii. The 3 yearly tithe stored in towns for the Levites, aliens, fatherless and widows makes the third tithe (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29).
Note: that the Ark was carried from place to place before David proposed to build a permanent house for the Ark of God. This house, known as the Temple, was eventually built by King Solomon his son. This same temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Roman Army led by Titus.
a. King David proposed to build a temple - a permanent house - for the Lord (II Samuel 7:1,2).
b. God restrained him because he was a man of blood and war (II Samuel 7: 12.13, I Chronicles 22: 6, 10).
c. King Solomon - David's son - built the temple in Jerusalem. II Chronicles.3: 1, 2; 5-1.
Reconciliation:
The first (i) - tithe of produce and flock; and the second (iia-d) - tithe of the festival - are understood. Let the tithe payers ask themselves if they obey these aspects of the law! The third, as confirmed by Josephus, was yet another tithe. It is called "The Poor" tithe. Flavius Josephus (c) 37-100 A.D. was once a Levitical Priest, a general, then a historian, etc. He summarized the Law of Moses in Antiquities of the Jews - Josephus Chapter VIII. He said, “Besides those two tithes, which I have already said you are to pay every year, the one for the Levites, the other for the festivals, you are to bring every third year a third tithe to be distributed to those that want; to women also that are widows, and to children that are orphans…" (Ant. VIII: 22 p. 98).
7. Tithes - Redemption and Substitution
a. Produce could be redeemed by adding one-fifth to it (Leviticus 27:30, 31).
b. Livestock could be substituted by adding substitute to it, not having back the substituted (Leviticus 27: 32, 33).
B. OFFERINGS UNDER THE
LAW OF MOSES
Offerings under the Law of Moses were the presentation of prescribed elements before the Altar of the Lord. This is in form of elements from the herd, flock, and produces; birds, drinks or wine (Exodus 29:40), oil, salt and frankincense. It is not the matter of gold, silver or money. Offerings were pure sacrifices of elements on the altar of fire in the Temple. All elements must be without blemish or defect. There were many of them, but few are listed below:
1. Burnt Offering:
-Bull, sheep, goat, dove or young pigeon (Leviticus 1:3, 10, 14).
2. Grain Offering:
-Fine flour, Oil, Unleavened Bread or Wafer seasoned with salt; incense (Leviticus 2:1-16).
3. Fellowship or Peace Offering
-Lamb or Goat (male or female).
Lev. 3: 6,7,12.
4. Sin Offering
-a. Priest and Community - Young bull. Lev. 4:3,13,14.
-b. Leader/Ruler - Male Goat. Lev. 4: 22,23.
-c. Citizen - Female Goat or Lamb; or 2 doves; or 2 young Pigeons or Flour, the tenth of an Ephah (Leviticus 4:27; 28, 32; 5:5-7, 11).
5. Guilt Offering
-Ram and restitution according to the offence (Lev. 5:15-19, Lev. 6: 1-7). Curses and Blessings for doers of the Law. After stating the standard set by the law on Tithes and Offerings, it is good to look at the good and evil forces behind it:
1. The Law demanded 100% (One hundred percent) compliance. Failure in part, failure in all, which attracted the curses attached to it (Deuteronomy 27:26; James 2:10).
2. The curses were many and terrifying (Leviticus 26:14-39, Deuteronomy 28: 15-68).
3 .The blessings were many and priceless (Leviticus 26: 3-13, Deuteronomy 28: 1-14).
4. The curses and blessings were summarized in Malachi, the post exilic prophet (Malachi 3: 8-12).
5. No wonder, Apostle Paul called Moses' Law the ministry of death and wrath (II Corinthians 3:7-9; Romans 4:13-15).
Conclusion: Tithes and Offerings, under the Law of Moses, were not the matter of gold, silver or money. Tithes were paid yearly after harvest, while Offerings, made up of various elements e.g. bull, Iamb, grain, etc., were sacrificed before the Lord according to individual's circumstance. There was no number of times attached to offerings. To qualify for the blessings under the law of tithes and offerings, then, one must pay the three types of tithes and make blood, grain and other offerings before the Lord. The failure to pay the tithes and offerings as prescribed by the Law of Moses, and as explained earlier, Malachi called "robbing God" (Malachi 3:8-12). These should also be in accordance with the situation and status of the individual or body. It is not, once again, a matter of gold, silver or money. As we know, present-day tithe payers and collectors hammer on monetary aspect alone which is not. They will never teach their followers that the offerings demanded in Malachi were of blood, grain, frankincense, etc.
PART III
NEW TESTAMENT
GENERAL VIEW ON TITHES AND OFFERINGS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Tithes and Offerings, according to the Law of Moses, were not commanded anywhere for Christians to obey. What we have are things that took place under the law or references to the law in the New Testament books. Jesus came to fulfill the Law of Moses and then, to set it aside as a fulfilled prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:18 cf. Acts 3:22, 23; Galatians 4:4, 5). Jesus is the end of the law (Romans 10:4). Now, no one can be justified before God by obeying the law (Galatians 5:4). The four books of the gospel are pivotal. These are: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They are the stepping stones from the old to the new. They are like the pin on which the Old and the New Testaments revolves. They have what relates to the Law of Moses and the practice of it by Jesus and his disciples. They have also what relates to the New Testament, in what it called the foundation of a new order -The New testament.
A. TITHE
Tithes And Offerings – New Testament References:
It is a settled matter that the Old Testament preceded the New References in the New Testament to events in the old do not necessarily mean they are laws in the New. Such are the following:
a. Tithe of the spoil of war paid by Abraham to Melchizedek on his return from the defeat of Kings is to illustrate the exalted office of the latter (Hebrews 7:1-4).
b. Emphasis on the right of the Levitical Priesthood to collect tithes from Israel and not from themselves is to illustrate some of the reasons for the abrogation, of the law (Hebrews 7:5, 11-19).
If Hebrew 7 is used as approval of tithe payment by Christians, which one? The tithe of Abraham of spoil of war? If so, let us go to war that we might pay tithes to Christ! If it is the Levitical order, let us go to Jerusalem that we might fulfill the Law of Moses!
c. Emphasis laid on the gains of the tithe, extortion of the masses at the expense of justice, mercy and faithfulness is to illustrate the greed and covetousness of the Teachers and Pharisees. They commanded the people to pay tithe on everything not hitherto commanded. This included the seed, the leaves and the stalks -mint, dill and cummin. Hence it is written: "You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:23, 24).
Tradition of the Patriarchs
Why should someone mislead himself and others insisting Christians should pay tithes as Abraham the Patriarch paid on the plunder of war to Melchizedek? Was it only tithe then, Christians should emulate if the traditions of the Patriarchs stand? And, if the traditions of the Patriarchs are binding on Christians, let us commit incest, practice polygamy and prostitution among others.
These are some of the traditions of the Patriarchs. What do you say then to these posers?
Tick Yes or No to signify your stand.
1. TITHES: Can a Christian pay tithes as Abraham, the Father of faith did? (Genesis 14:18-24, Hebrews 7:1-4). Yes___ No___
2. POL YGAMY: Can a Christian marry the maid(s) of his wife(ves) or another woman(en) as Sarah, Leah and Rachael gave theirs to their husbands? (Genesis 16:1-4; 30:1-13). Yes______ No_______
3. INCEST: Can a Christian marry his sister, the daughter of the same father as Abraham married Sarah? (Genesis 20:11, 12). Yes_____ No______
4. INCEST/POLYGAMY: Can a Christian marry two sisters of the same parent like Jacob did with Leah and Rachael? (Genesis 29:16-30). Yes______ No_____
5. PROSTITUTION: Can a Christian patronize a prostitute as Judah did with Tamar? (Genesis 38:15-20; I Corinthians 6:15-17). Yes_______ No___________
6. PROSTITUTION: Can a Christian widow or woman practice prostitution under any guise or circumstance? (Genesis 38:13-30; I Corinthians 6:15-17). Yes____ No________
7. CIRCUMCISION: Should a Christian be circumcised as a condition of inheriting the promises of Abraham and the grace of Christ? (Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12:1-3; Galatians 5:2-4; Romans 4:9-15). Yes_______ No_______
If you approve one and discard the rest, it exposes your hypocrisy or simplicity or both. The answers to all the posers are NO! They all were the traditions of the Patriarchs. They did them voluntarily as Abraham voluntarily paid tithe. For this reason, it is emphasized that any tradition or law relevant in the old must be specifically stated in the new. Hence, Moses repeated the law of circumcision not relying on the strong covenant God made with Abraham on it (Genesis 17:10-14; Leviticus 12:1-3; John 7:22). And for the cases of incest and prostitution, he condemned them (Leviticus 18:6-8; 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17, 18). As regards polygamy, he did not frown at it, as one could deduce from the law of incest.
The law on tithes and offerings by Moses had the same liking with the above. Where it was required in the Law of Moses, it was explicit, not casual like the Patriarchs'. The seven traditions were not given to Christians, tithes inclusive.
Today, there is no justification for any Christian who practices the traditions of the Patriarchs or observe a dot of the Law of Moses (Galatians 3:11). Christians who desire to be justified by grace turn their backs to what are obsolete. They live their lives in the Law of Liberty, the perfect Law of the Spirit (James 1:25; II Corinthians 3:3).
Conclusion: These references to the acts of old, whether from the Patriarchs or the Law of Moses were no commands at all for Christians to observe. Did Jesus receive tithes? Did any of his Apostles receive tithes? No! Jesus, the new Melchizedek came, and he did not receive tithes. His Apostles who could have received tithes on his behalf did not do so. These were the 12 charged with the great Commission: "Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…" (Matthew 28:18-20). Where then, I suddenly, O blind Guide, have you derived your authority to receive tithes! On whose foundation are you building? That of Jesus or that of yourself, only to fill your belly?
B. OFFERINGS
1. Offerings In The Tenure Jesus In The Books Of The Gospel.
The Law was still in place when Jesus was in flesh and blood. It is his blood that was used to establish the New Testament. We all know and believe this (Hebrews 9: 15-17). Therefore, when a new law had not come into force, he must obey the current law which was that of Moses. This, exactly, informed Jesus' recommendation of sacrifices of blood according to Mosaic Law in the gospel books.
a. He recommended to the healed leper to offer sacrifices commanded by Moses (Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 5:12-14; - cf: Leviticus 14:1-32.)
b. Other offerings and sacrifices of the type of the Old Testament mentioned in the New Testament are for comparison only. As Christians cannot use any of them as an excuse to offer blood, sacrifices, so the references to tithe is, If it is not so, where is the power in the blood of Jesus? (Hebrews 9:9-14).
2. Foundation of Offerings by Jesus.
The foundation and training given to the Apostles by Jesus lived with them throughout their mission. They had no share in the tithes and offerings brought by the people to the Levites. They did, not covet it neither. In the same manner, they did not regul1lte a similar law like tithes and offerings of old in order to fill their pockets and bellies. When they lacked, they did not renege by coveting their disciples' wealth (II Corinthians I 1:27, 28; Philippians 4:11-1-3).
a. The foundation laid by Jesus made salvation and healing come free. Jesus says: "freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10: 7.8).
b. The Apostles were trained not to take advantage of no one, nor make demand from anyone, nor be a burden on anybody. All supports must be voluntary "for the worker is worth his keep". In other, words, godly spirited member or congregation supported the ministry of the Apostles (Matthew 10:9-14).
c. He (Jesus) too had no share in the Levitical food. Generous people were inspired to voluntarily support his ministry (Luke 8:1-3).
d. In the same manner, Apostle Paul jealously guarded the legacy of preaching the gospel, free of charge (I Corinthians 9: 18, Acts. 20: 33-35).
e. Apostle Paul's action is in line with the Lord's command (Luke 22:35, 36).
f. As long as it is voluntary, it is the right of the gospeller to live on the gospel (Matthew 10:10; I Corinthians 9:11-14).
3. How the Support began
Let us remember that the New Testament Offering is not the matter of sheep, lamb, goat or oil on demand. Offering of the New Testament is voluntary according to what a man has. The Church at Antioch showed the way. The brethren at Antioch decided voluntarily, to send relief to the brethren in Jerusalem when there was severe famine in the Roman Empire. This they did through their representatives, Barnabas and Saul (Paul) – Acts 11:27-30.
4. When was it gathered?
Apostle Paul organized the contribution throughout the Churches of Christ. He commanded that contribution for the Saints be collected every first day of the week. This is different from the yearly tithes or periodical offerings which the Law of Moses commanded (I Corinthians 16:1-2). This practice has since been adopted by the Churches of Christ to prepare ahead for the time of need.
5. Offering - Under the Law of Liberty.
Offering of the Saints on every first day of the week (Sunday) is not based on curses, intimidation and fears. It is built on confidence and individual understanding of the love of God for man. It is built on sincerity of purpose, earnestness to serve God, and the sense of gratitude. There is no limitation to the proportion an individual contributes; it depends entirely on the spirit of the giver.
a. Liberty to choose how much or the proportion to contribute. Apostle Paul rightly described it as a gift but Dot an extortion (II Corinthians 9: 5).
b. Liberty to contribute according to your income or what you have (I Corinthians 16: 2; II Corinthians 8: 12).
c. Test of sincerity of love and gratitude towards God, and Christ (II Corinthians 8: 8, 9).
d. Sense of sacrifice and" submission to Christ, not eye-service (II Corinthians 8: 1-5).
6. More Grace and Blessings.
Apostle John testifies: "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another (grace upon grace). For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:16, 17, NIV). So, in Jesus, it is grace and blessings all the way, how little or much you are able to afford in your offering. Unlike the law, the one who sows a little still receives a little more blessing. If he who contributes little is still blessed in a little way, how much more he who contributes bountifully'? It cannot be compared with curses. Again, the blessings attached far outweigh material wealth. Both material and spiritual blessings shall be added.
a. The quantity you sow (contribute) shall be blessed. You are not compelled. You are expected to give cheerfully (II Corinthians 9:6, 7).
b. Your contribution will make grace to abound for you in every good work (II Corinthians 9:8).
c. You will be greatly rewarded with righteousness, riches and generosity (II Corinthians 9:10, 11).
d. Your contribution (gift) is an expression of thanksgiving to God according to the value you attach to his goodness (II Corinthians 9:12).
7. Does the Amount Contributed Matter?
Yes! The amount contributed matters. This could be easily illustrated as follows. One man earns a profit of N10, 000 and contributed N100 only. Another contributor earned N100 and contributed N20. Though N100 is greater than N20, he who contributed N20 out of N100 profit gave 20 per cent to the Lord, while the former who contributed N100 out of N10, 000 earning gave only one per cent to the Lord. The former has sowed little while the latter sowed bountifully. This is the comparison Jesus gave in the matter of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4).
Note: First day of the week or Sunday weekly collection does not spell the end of our financial, material and spiritual ob1igaboD to the Lord. In fact, it propels us to do this and more.
These are:
a. Generosity towards the ministers (servants) of God (Galatians 6:6).
b. Generosity towards the saints (brothers and sisters in the Lord) (James 2:14-17; I John 3:17, 18).
c. Generosity towards all and sundry (Galatians 6:9, 10).
d. Generosity in offering our bodies in service as a living sacrifice to God in love and holiness (Romans 12:1, 2; John 3:16).
This is a true testimony. It is working for those who believe in the grace of God.
As long as it is within our power, all these we must do without lacking in zeal in the rest.
Conclusion: The Patriarch did not receive any law or regulation on tithes and offerings. What they did came out of volition. It was not binding on their children, neither Christians. Their era was different from that of Moses who had laws and decrees on tithes and offerings. It was so strict that curses and blessings were attached to it. Moses' era, known as the Levitical priesthood, came to an end when the lineage of priesthood passed on to Judah through Jesus, the new Melchizedek. Immediately the priesthood changed, the law of Levitical Priesthood was set aside (Hebrews 7:11, 12).
Christians are now the priests (I Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). Regarding the Tithes, serving priests in Israel were not supposed to pay tithes from their labour but to live on the wealth of non-priests. If Christians are priests then, they are free from the law of tithe. As for the offerings, Christians are forbidden to offer blood and incense. Jesus paid the price many times over with his blood. Christians should, instead, offer themselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1, 2). So, Christians who worship under the Law of Liberty are instinctively endowed with the spirit of generosity towards God and man. This they do, not through compulsion, curses, intimidation nor fear, but joyfully and voluntarily. It is in their nature to do so. They first present themselves to God and Christ, and then their wealth (II Corinthians 8:1-5).
The final say is that the eras of the Patriarch and Moses' Levitical Priesthood are gone. Christians are to live under grace brought about by Jesus. There are no more tithes or blood offerings as in the old law just as it is repeated in (Malachi 3:8-12). The law of liberty is binding on every Christian and it must be followed strictly in spirit and in truth. It is rewarding to covet the blessings of offerings in the New Testament.
Jesus declared: "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem, You Samaritans worship what you do not know, we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21-24).
Whoever pays or receives tithes and offerings according to Moses today is accursed. He is just like those Samaritans who worshipped ignorantly. In the first place, he has not such right to collect it because he is not a Levite, and secondly he has no temple where to offer the relevant sacrifices. Thirdly, he is bound to keep the whole law. If he fails, he is accursed. Painfully, on the other side, he is fallen from the grace of Jesus the Saviour and separated from that eternal life which he thought he is sweating for Apostle Paul says: "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace" (Galatians 5:4). Tithes and offerings under the Law of Moses came with curses requiring adherent to keep the whole law. This is opposed to the Law of grace in Christ Jesus which makes adherents increase from grace to grace, and glory to glory. Again it is written: "But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (II Corinthians 3:14-18).
Choose life, this is the final pleading.
NB: This is an opinion of the writer, let me hear from you. What do you have to say?
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