Epiphany!!

Have you ever had one of those moments where you thought you understood something, fairly well, only to realize in that split second moment, that NOW you TRULY understood? Well, I had one of these recently.

I've been reading a book by John Piper, entitled "Don't Waste Your Life!" and while I was aware of him as a pastor, I was not aware that he was an author, or that his writing was so inspirational and even educational. It was while I was reading this book, and studying the doctrine of tithes and offerings, and how it applies to New Testament Christians, that I had my epiphany moment. You see, I always thought I pretty firm grasp of what the Bible meant when it said "the Lord will provide for your needs". I was fully cognizant of the fact that what I think I need, and what God knows I need are not necessarily the same thing. (To be completely honest, they are probably rarely the same thing. I am a mere fleshly human, after all.)

In the very first chapters of this book, it finally became truly clear to me what the Lord means by our "needs". I guess I always took it for granted that food and clothing were needs, regardless of the situation; and that therefore, I would always be provided with at least that much. I have now come to understand, however, that God will provide these to me, as needs, if I do indeed need them in order to continue to live my life in faith in Him alone. I don't know how I ever thought anything other than that. I admit to being ashamed of not seeing this, even after all the time I have spent studying the Word. But I thank the Lord that now I understand, and now I pray that I can apply it. The Lord does not promise any of us, at any time, that we will be free from poverty or want, even that of food or clothing, in some situations. Think of the severely impoverished believers in Third World countries. They have needs so much larger and more severe than I could ever dream of, in my own life! And yet, they continue in faith, because the Lord has provided that which they need to do so.

That brings me to another truth that this book brought home; and one that I had never really considered before. And that was this: Have you ever noticed that few believers, here in the West, have ever been asked by an unbeliever "what is the reason for your hope?" You know, that question that we are all supposed to be ready and willing to answer, anytime we are asked? The reason, John Piper states, is that unbelievers don't ask, because our lifestyles shout out to them that we hope for the same things they (unbelievers) hope for. We are consumed, as much, if not more, than they are, by our possessions, and our luxuries. We have become, in large part, a society beset by wealth and comfort, unimaginable by those truly in poverty. Sure, we may have difficulty paying bills, and we may not have a new car- or any car at all, we may even have some genuine needs. However, I for one, agree that we are a far cry from those believers in Acts that "sold all their possessions and shared with anyone as had need."

Many of us give the requisite 10% to our home churches, and sometimes more. Others may not tithe at all, because they believe in giving generously without regard to percentages. But here's a thought...how many of us have ever actually considered selling all our possessions, and living only on what we absolutely need, in order to continue in faith? A heart-breakingly few! I ashamedly must include myself in those that had not even considered it before now. I don't know that I could do it. Could you? Could you truly leave behind everything and follow where the Lord leads you? Has your comfort in this life become more important to you than following Him? Just an FYI, in case you're not aware: that makes your possessions and your comfort an idol. It makes my possessions and comfort an idol, as well. I am not pointing my finger at anyone, anymore than I am pointing it right back at myself. (Probably more so, back at myself.)

I have been thoroughly convicted recently of my love of my comfort and financial security. I have become increasingly aware that I live a life that few would be hard pressed not to describe as comfortable, at the very least. More likely, they would describe me and my family as wealthy. We live in a nice 4 bedroom house, in a suburb of a major California city, we have two cars, and more possessions than we ought to have. Is it enough that we give everything we have that is extra to others (whether it be our home church or people in need)? Or should we be looking at how we can enjoy less comfort and luxury, so that we have even more to give? These are the questions I ask myself. Do we truly need a nice house, in a nice neighborhood? Do we truly need a closet full of clothes? Do we truly need a garage full of items just being stored- just in case we might someday want to use them? Do we truly need a refrigerator and freezer full of food, that we don't consume immediately? Do each of our children truly need their own bedrooms? Regardless of whether these are the actual number of possessions we have or not, the fact remains that anything over and above an actual need is just that- a comfort and a luxury.

Though having things, in and of itself, is not a bad thing, it only becomes an idol when we lead others astray by giving them a false impression of who the Lord is, and what He wants for our lives. It's true, the Lord does bless us, and I would say that He enjoys blessing us for our faithfulness. However, when it comes to the point that His glory is no longer the main attraction in your life, and your possessions are, it becomes nothing short of sinful idolatry. Having your lifestyle be the main attraction to others, detracts from God's glory in many ways. The only way that it could give God glory, is if God's love was manifested by how financially blessed He made all believers., and that is just not true.

Despite what many Word-Faith teachers preach, God does not care whether or not you are financially secure. He does not care if your stock portfolio increases in value. It does not even matter to Him what you wear, so long as you keep your faith in Him, and are an effective ambassador for Him. For some, that does mean clothing- but only because it is a NEED. Sometimes, His blessings do manifest themselves as income. However, He doesn't bless because we give...He blesses so that we CAN give.

How many of you have thought about this? I mean truly thought about it deeply and prayerfully? Have you ever wondered if your life and your lifestyle portray a love of God, or just a love of money and things? It's not enough to be a good person, or even a good person that has faith in Jesus as their Savior. There are countless numbers of people in the World that could be considered good, and give even more than many Christians do. The only acceptable means of giving God all the glory is to let your love of Him, manifest itself to all, in every aspect of your life. Including what you own, and what you cherish. How many of us, today, can truly say that we die to self each day; if we will not give up our creature comforts to prove our love of Him above all?

Don't get me wrong. I am fully aware that for some unbelievers, seeing Christians that seem to live nice, comfortable lives, is an incentive to believe. How sad though, that we should have ever gotten to the point that we would give the impression that following Christ will make our lives comfortable, and that our possession would multiply for our own comfort?! That is not a true vision of Christ, nor is it what the Bible clearly teaches for those that would follow Him. Jesus was clear that those that follow Him will have difficulty. That those that follow Him would be impoverished, in many cases. He was clear that our treasure should be in Heaven, rather than here on earth. He was also more than clear that all that we have is meant to further His work, and His message here on earth. It was never meant for us, as believers, to hoard our blessings, and to keep our storehouses full, for ourselves to use.

Having shared my epiphany with you, I invite you to analyze and pray about your own life. Only God can determine the state of your faith, and only God can judge your heart. What will He find is your greater love? Him or what you own and possess? I, obviously, will be praying about how He wants me to use this knowledge, and how I am to apply it to my own life; and I encourage you to do the same. Just imagine how much we could glorify the Lord, if we were willing to give up even a portion of our wants- seeing them for what they are, and not as needs! I pray the wisdom that only God can provide, and the discernment that only prayer and His intercession can bring, over your life and mine today. May you be blessed in all aspects of your life, and may you and I, both, use those blessings to give Him glory above all things.

Joyful and Generous Giving

How many of you tithe to your church? I would be willing to bet (if I were a betting woman) that very few, if any of you, (and I include myself in this statement) tithe biblically. I know, I know, this is an awfully bold statement for me to make, but I'll explain. As many of you may know, tithing is an Old Testament law, that the Israelites were to keep. There are some that teach that we as Christians are to do this as well. If we were to do it in the biblical sense, I would wholeheartedly agree.

Anytime, in the Old Testament, when a tithe is mentioned, it is in reference to food. That's right, food, not money. And the person (or family) bringing the tithe was to eat it, after they had offered it. That's right!!! The tithe was to be eaten by the family that offered it, as well as giving some to the priests, and sharing their bounty with others that may not have had food of their own. It was to be a time of celebration and merriment, surrounded by a bounty of food and fellowship.

You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or your new wine or your oil, of the firstborn of your herd or your flock, of any of your offerings which you vow, of your freewill offerings, or of the heave offering of your hand. Deuteronomy 12:17 NKJV

This verse says "you may not eat" but notice it says that you may not eat it within your own gates. The next reference to tithing states this:

And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. Deuteronomy 14:23 NKJV (emphasis mine)

The following explains that the tithe was to be done every third year, and that they were to do the following with their firstfruits of that year.

"When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year--the year of tithing--and have given [it] to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, then you shall say before the LORD your God: 'I have removed the holy [tithe] from [my] house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten [them]." Deuteronomy 26:12-13 NKJV (emphasis mine)

And for those that may have been given the misconception that the tithe was food then, because that was the currency of the times, let me clear that up as well. Or better yet, let me share with you what God has said.

"But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. "And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household."Deuteronomy 14:24-26 NKJV

I know that there are many that teach that giving to your church is what we are still to do. I agree, that if we have been blessed with extra, that we should share it, so that ministry to others can be best facilitated. I know that one such Scripture that is used to support continued "tithing" or offerings to the church is Acts 2:44-45

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

The operative words here, are: "divided them among all, as anyone had need." I do not think it's a coincidence that Jesus never passed around an offering plate, with the expectation that money would be put into it. The only time we hear of Him asking for anything to be shared amongst all, is when He asks for food. (Think the 5 loaves and 2 fishes.) I think this is very telling. How about you?

Now, before you think that I am saying that we should not give to our churches, let me tell you, I am not saying that at all. However, I am saying that giving a tenth of your salary to further a ministry within your church is not always the best use of the finance God has blessed you with. God calls us ALL to be ministers to others. That's right, I said ALL. If you honestly feel, after prayer and thought on the subject, that giving to your church is reaching the masses with the Good News, and helping to feed and clothe the needy, then by all means continue to do so. If however, you find that the majority of your money tends to fund administrative costs for a church body that is not ministering effectively to Non-believers, or is not giving adequately to the needy, then perhaps you should re-evaluate your giving practices.

Jesus did mention giving in one of His lessons to the disciples. It is the mention of the widow that gave her last coins into the Temple treasury. He states that she gave all that she had, so it cost her more than all the others. He does NOT say, however, that she would be blessed for it, or even that she should have done so. In fact, there are some that believe (and I agree) that He probably was saddened by the fact that she gave to a system that was broken. Remember the "woes" to the Pharisees? Jesus was telling them that they were hypocrites for giving to the Temple, instead of providing for their widows, orphans, and other needy people. They had developed a procedure for giving, so that they didn't have to help others. They used their tithes and offerings as an excuse not to LOVE others, in the way that we are to LOVE everyone. The same way that God loves us. By providing for our needs, to name just one. Please do read the Scripture references for yourself, and pray about it. I'll leave you with these final verses, for you to meditate on.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Matthew 23:14 NKJV

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier [matters] of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Matthew 23:23 NKJV

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV

May the blessings of the Lord be upon you.

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