Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Tithe: Our Celebration of God's Love

I guess a lot of you will think that the title of today's blog comment is rather crazy! In your mind you will say, we are under a new grace covenant and that we need not tithe because it is not commanded by God for us now. Well, that is true, except that everything you have is already God's in the first place. Did you ever stop to think of that? By the grace of God, you have life, family, wealth, health, wisdom, knowledge, gifts etc. all are from the Lord God Almighty, creator of all things. My pastor gave the most wonderful sermon tonight on the tithe. It was about the old testament tithe and how it is still applicable today for us. We have also been talking about how we have lost out in our relationship with God by chasing the American dream of wealth. We have let the ways of the world change us in our pursuit of God. Do we ever just look around and see that there are people who need our help? I know that all of you know that when you die, you will not take one thing with you from here. God is the keeper of all things here and in heaven. Our material possessions should hold no place in our hearts.
Prov.28:6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Prov.28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. Prov.11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Matt. 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Lord, I pray for our hearts to be captivated by You and You alone. In Your word give us courage to be content with what you have given us. Lord, let it be in our hearts to love people in Your name and to meet their needs by Your grace. Amen

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