And Ye Shall Be The Children Of The Highest; For He Is Kind Unto The Unthankful And To The Evil - Part 2505

There is a lot of dialogue these days about tithing and charity. From the believing standpoint, we consider both to be of relevance, because this is what we are called to do. Not necessarily tithing (as we will see from the scriptures below) but rather to show the benefits of standing in the offering plate.

A prime example of charity can be found in Acts when Peter (standing with the apostles) on the day of Pentecost gave the salvation message. (Acts 2:36-47)

That is, to repent and be water baptized in the precious holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins -- everyone of us -- so that we too can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. On that day, the first 3,000 souls saved on the new testament side went onto change the world. (Acts 1:19)

For purposes of context, we know that people from every nation had gathered together in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven (as a rushing mighty wind) and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire and it sat upon each of them. "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4) The multitude that came together were confounded because these heard them speak in his own language. The question asked (which in its own right is interesting) -- "Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?" (Acts 2:7)

As we know from the scriptures, this event was spoken earlier by the prophet Joel -- "and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and on my servants and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of My Spirit and they shall prophecy." (Acts 2:14-19; Joel 2:24; Acts 10:44-48; Isaiah 44:3)

They that believed, gladly receiving His Word (Jesus) were baptized. But their faith journey did not stop there. As we see from the scriptures -- "they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together and had all things common and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men] -- as every man had need. (Acts 2:41-45)

"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his won; but they had all things common." (Acts 4:32)

And again, none of the people among them lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold so that distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. (Acts 4:32-37)

We witness several connecting necessities happening here. First, when we are water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, we are taking on His name, becoming a witness to the world for Him. And, as said many times in this blog before -- when we are water baptized, He puts His cloak of righteousness onto us. In so doing, He no longer sees our sin and transgressions, our wrongdoings (because we are still human) but rather as a member of His body -- the body of Christ church.

Second, when we are believers, charity to one another should flow from His love, goodness, mercy and grace to one another -- so that no one within the body of Christ is without. If we further consider that charity is the greatest of the three -- faith, hope and charity -- we begin to see the significance of being a conduit for the gospel. (I Corinthians 13:13)

Note that these new testament scriptures are not referring to tithing (even though those believers who do tithe will testify that they are mightily blessed from doing so). Mightily blessed in the world? However, when we begin to see the world from the eyes of the same Lord God who is currently searching the world (to and fro, all the time), looking for hearts that are focused on Him, we begin to see that the charity spoken herein extends far beyond the world's token offering (sacrifice? idol?) of money.

Scripturally, tithing is an old testament instruction, wherein ten percent of the first fruits (10 % of the gross wages, as we would say in today's world) would be given to the Lord. The scripture oft cited comes from Malachi 3:8-10.

That is, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, "Wherein have we robbed Thee?" In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith," saith the Lord, ""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." (Malachi 3:8-10; Malachi 2:2; Genesis 7:11; II Kings 7:2)

While man-made, institutionalized religion often focuses on the tithing within Malachi's prophecy, note that the Lord God is saying here -- tithes AND offerings. It is the latter -- offerings -- or more specifically, standing in the offering plate that is the focus of this day, and blogs going forward. For those long-time readers of this blog, standing in the offering plate has been the ongoing mantra, noting how the world will change when believers get beyond the idea that they are the sole owners of their worldly (personal) possessions -- to the rightful place wherein our hearts dictate that everything we have belongs to the Lord.

As the first commandment dictates, "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with a thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all th strength; this is the first commandment." (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-30)

Therefore, just as He has given us everything that He had -- God becoming flesh (and dwelling among us) and then willingly shedding His precious, holy blood so that we might have abundant life in Him -- we who believe should likewise be willing to bring offerings to His storehouse. The offering of ourself and everything we are -- giving willingly to present His good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is much more to come on this topic -- and an in-depth study of the scriptures as well. But in the interim, it is our hope that in delving into this subject, we begin to understand that our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ only wants the very best for His children. He does not withhold the bread when we come knocking at His door in the middle of the night -- does He? (Luke 11:5-8) And indeed, there is nothing that we can give Him (or build for Him) -- the earth being His footstool.

Jesus said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together; and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)

Stand in the offering plate.