Our days require giving mostly in monetary offering as compared to Ancient days where farming was the main source of income. In giving, have it in mind that it is to God and not man. So does God need our money or anything we can give? NO!
Remember God is the creator of the universe and He owns everything in it. In Psalm 50:10 - 12 this is what God says, 'Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains. I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends. If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine.'
So there you go, God does not need our money. And i hear you ask the next question, why then do we need to tithe? Proverbs 3:9 says Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. In other words, we are to first of all bring our tithe to God even before spending on any other thing. This teachers us to put God first in everything we do. If we claim that God is the creator of our lives and we put Him first in everything, why then do we struggle to put Him first in our giving? (Food for thought)
Some have argued that, there are times when the finance doesn't add up enough to be able to give or sometimes an emergency arises and you wouldn't have enough to give. God says to TEST Him in this and see and just as the last part of the verse says, He has also promised to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. So there you go, test Him and see.....after all He is The Almighty right? And nothing is impossible with Him. Therefore take that emergency case or shortage of finance to Him in prayer and watch Him sort it all out........Take of the limitations off God.
Continuing on from our study with Melchizedek, let's look a bit more closer at how His priesthood came about in relation to giving.
Hebrews 7:11-28.
Remember God is the creator of the universe and He owns everything in it. In Psalm 50:10 - 12 this is what God says, 'Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains. I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends. If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine.'
So there you go, God does not need our money. And i hear you ask the next question, why then do we need to tithe? Proverbs 3:9 says Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. In other words, we are to first of all bring our tithe to God even before spending on any other thing. This teachers us to put God first in everything we do. If we claim that God is the creator of our lives and we put Him first in everything, why then do we struggle to put Him first in our giving? (Food for thought)
Some have argued that, there are times when the finance doesn't add up enough to be able to give or sometimes an emergency arises and you wouldn't have enough to give. God says to TEST Him in this and see and just as the last part of the verse says, He has also promised to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. So there you go, test Him and see.....after all He is The Almighty right? And nothing is impossible with Him. Therefore take that emergency case or shortage of finance to Him in prayer and watch Him sort it all out........Take of the limitations off God.
Continuing on from our study with Melchizedek, let's look a bit more closer at how His priesthood came about in relation to giving.
Hebrews 7:11-28.
A Permanent Priesthood
11-14 If the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn’t have been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek. But since it didn’t get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law. There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood, which is why there is nothing in Jesus’ family tree connecting him with that priestly line.
15-19 But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek, not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life—he lives!—“priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek.” The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside; the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.
20-22 The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God. But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise:
God gave his word;
he won’t take it back:
“You’re the permanent priest.”
he won’t take it back:
“You’re the permanent priest.”
This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God—one that really works! A new covenant.
23-25 Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.
26-28 So now we have a high priest who perfectly fits our needs: completely holy, uncompromised by sin, with authority extending as high as God’s presence in heaven itself. Unlike the other high priests, he doesn’t have to offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to us and our sins. He’s done it, once and for all: offered up himself as the sacrifice. The law appoints as high priests men who are never able to get the job done right. But this intervening command of God, which came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect.
This further explains the role of Melchizedek as Christ who lives forever. Melchizedek abolished the law by bringing about a change in the order of the priesthood. This change in priesthood brought people into the presence of God. And just like Jesus, wherever He is, The Law is abolished. The Law takes away but Jesus gives life. Another clear indication that when we give, it is indeed unto The One who lives forever.
Next question, What then is the tithe used for since God will not come down Himself to take the money offered? In those days the tithe was used to support the priest......(Numbers 18:20-21 explains further). And just like those days, the tithe is still used to support Pastors and Ministers in the church. I know for sure that in my church, it is also used for transactions such as paying rent, utility bills, for missionaries and also other charitable works.
Next question, What then is the tithe used for since God will not come down Himself to take the money offered? In those days the tithe was used to support the priest......(Numbers 18:20-21 explains further). And just like those days, the tithe is still used to support Pastors and Ministers in the church. I know for sure that in my church, it is also used for transactions such as paying rent, utility bills, for missionaries and also other charitable works.
Now you have the facts, don't let anything stop you from giving. I have done this and i can testify on the numerous times i thought I could never live with what's left after giving my tithe but God has always been faithful and seen me and my family through. He's the same God of Yesterday, Today and Forever.....He has promised and He'll never fail so trust Him and test Him on this. Have a blessed day.
#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes
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