The Mammon of Unrighteousness
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Yes and that references this:
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
There were tithes for the Levites, because they had no other inheritance in the land, yearly tithes for provision to attend the required feasts, and a third tithe taken every 3 years from the produce of the land - this one was to be put in the storehouses - to be used to feed the poor and the needy.
Is my local assembly the Levites? ((Deut 14:27))
Is my local assembly the provision so that myself and my family can celebrate the feasts ((Deut 14:22-26))?
Is my local assembly the poor and the needy? ((Deut 14:28-29))
And how does this all jive with..
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
"not under compulsion"?
Here Paul happens to specifically be referencing a collection for the poor and needy.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
There were tithes for the Levites, because they had no other inheritance in the land, yearly tithes for provision to attend the required feasts, and a third tithe taken every 3 years from the produce of the land - this one was to be put in the storehouses - to be used to feed the poor and the needy.
Is my local assembly the Levites? ((Deut 14:27))
Is my local assembly the provision so that myself and my family can celebrate the feasts ((Deut 14:22-26))?
Is my local assembly the poor and the needy? ((Deut 14:28-29))
And how does this all jive with..
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
"not under compulsion"?
Here Paul happens to specifically be referencing a collection for the poor and needy.
In speaking about the tithe that was specifically to be put in the storehouse, this within the context of Malachi 3:
Malachi 3:5
"So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
Defrauding and oppressing laborers, widows, fatherless and foreigners: the poor and the needy.
I really think we're talking about taking care of those in need here more than we are about buying new carpet for the church building or a boat for the pastor.
Didn't He say what you do for the least, you do for Him?
So what is the believer, not under Law, not under compulsion, really supposed to be doing with their abundance?
Malachi 3:5
"So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
Defrauding and oppressing laborers, widows, fatherless and foreigners: the poor and the needy.
I really think we're talking about taking care of those in need here more than we are about buying new carpet for the church building or a boat for the pastor.
Didn't He say what you do for the least, you do for Him?
So what is the believer, not under Law, not under compulsion, really supposed to be doing with their abundance?
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Malachi 3:10 was written to Israel, not to the Church. Specifically, it was written to the priests, not to the people. There isn't a single verse anywhere in Scripture that equates "storehouse" (Heb. "outsair") with the local house of Christian worship. The tithe was agricultural produce, which was literally stored in a literal storehouse for later distribution. Biblically, you can't even pay a tithe with money (you can redeem a tithe with money, but must add 20% of the value so it's no longer a tithe anyway).
What Jesus is saying in Matthew 23:23 was said to those under the Law of Moses. Further, if you think that half a verse taken out of the middle of a tirade against the Pharisees should be applied to Christians, you might want to revisit your hermeneutics training.
"Relevant" is misleading term. Of course these verses are relevant; the whole Bible is relevant. However, the whole Bible is not applicable. We are not to go into Jericho and kill every living thing today. We are not to stone adulterers, carve up livestock at an altar, or avoid clothing of mixed fibres either. Given that Paul made it clear in Romans and Galatians that Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, and that adding law to grace actually takes away grace, we do well not to try to mix bits of the old covenant with the new. In Christ we are complete, and we are NOT under the law of Moses... any of it.
Lest you come back with Genesis 14, which was before the Law, I will remind you that circumcision was before the Law too... and that was clearly abolished in Christ.
Christians are to give as they have determined in their hearts, generously, according to their income and ability, to support the Church and help the needy, and occasionally, sacrificially. However, Christians are NOT required to "tithe".
What Jesus is saying in Matthew 23:23 was said to those under the Law of Moses. Further, if you think that half a verse taken out of the middle of a tirade against the Pharisees should be applied to Christians, you might want to revisit your hermeneutics training.
"Relevant" is misleading term. Of course these verses are relevant; the whole Bible is relevant. However, the whole Bible is not applicable. We are not to go into Jericho and kill every living thing today. We are not to stone adulterers, carve up livestock at an altar, or avoid clothing of mixed fibres either. Given that Paul made it clear in Romans and Galatians that Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, and that adding law to grace actually takes away grace, we do well not to try to mix bits of the old covenant with the new. In Christ we are complete, and we are NOT under the law of Moses... any of it.
Lest you come back with Genesis 14, which was before the Law, I will remind you that circumcision was before the Law too... and that was clearly abolished in Christ.
Christians are to give as they have determined in their hearts, generously, according to their income and ability, to support the Church and help the needy, and occasionally, sacrificially. However, Christians are NOT required to "tithe".
Well, on second search and meditation on the scripture, you will discover that tithing didn't begin with the Law or the Levitical priesthood.
Scripturally, Tithing is Pre-Law, 'In-Law', and Post-Law. Tithing started by faith, continued in the Law and continues after the Law.
Here is what I mean, our father Abraham(the Father of Faith), was not under the Law, but he paid Tithe to Melchisedec, the priest of the Most High God. Then In the Law, it was also integrated into God's commandments. Then after the Law, the word of God tells us that Jesus was made a priest after the order of Melchisedec. And of course, Melchisedec, collected tithe. Hence, the bible tells us that Jesus also receives our tithes above.
I am not assuming this or philosophizing let's see what the word God says concerning this:
Hebrews 7:
[FONT="]1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 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;[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, 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:[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.[/FONT]
[FONT="]7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.[/FONT]
[FONT="]8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.[/FONT]
[FONT="]9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.[/FONT]
Hence, to say Tithing is under the Law, and therefore no longer relevant in the new covenant is not scripturally true.
Scripturally, Tithing is Pre-Law, 'In-Law', and Post-Law. Tithing started by faith, continued in the Law and continues after the Law.
Here is what I mean, our father Abraham(the Father of Faith), was not under the Law, but he paid Tithe to Melchisedec, the priest of the Most High God. Then In the Law, it was also integrated into God's commandments. Then after the Law, the word of God tells us that Jesus was made a priest after the order of Melchisedec. And of course, Melchisedec, collected tithe. Hence, the bible tells us that Jesus also receives our tithes above.
I am not assuming this or philosophizing let's see what the word God says concerning this:
Hebrews 7:
[FONT="]1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 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;[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.[/FONT]
[FONT="]5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, 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:[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.[/FONT]
[FONT="]7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.[/FONT]
[FONT="]8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.[/FONT]
[FONT="]9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.[/FONT]
Hence, to say Tithing is under the Law, and therefore no longer relevant in the new covenant is not scripturally true.
9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
10 He who is faithful in whatis least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in whatis least is unjust also in much.
11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?
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.”
What test is used in the bible to see if you are in faith?
Answer...Luke 16:9-13
Christians are tested with the least in the Kingdom of God which is money.
Considering what Jesus has said here (Luke 16:9-13 NKJV), I think it would be difficult to overstate the significance of this down to earth, practical teaching, that applies to everyone. If a person cannot be trusted with money, and in any capacity, Jesus plainly says, he cannot be trusted with Salvation, i.e., "true riches." In view of the seriousness of what is being said, we would do well to heed carefully.
In these passages (Luke 16:9-13), Jesus is saying that irrespective of how loudly and how often we profess our Godliness, if it does not show up in our practical, every day living, and especially in the matters of money, and our responsibility toward others, our profession is vain. This statement is plain and clear, if we are unfaithful in these things. "Who will commit to our trust the true riches?"
The scripture says, "Jesus watched as they placed their money into the treasury (Mark 12:41)." Question? Is He watching today?
Jesus has a large fan club but few followers.
10 He who is faithful in whatis least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in whatis least is unjust also in much.
11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?
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.”
What test is used in the bible to see if you are in faith?
Answer...Luke 16:9-13
Christians are tested with the least in the Kingdom of God which is money.
Considering what Jesus has said here (Luke 16:9-13 NKJV), I think it would be difficult to overstate the significance of this down to earth, practical teaching, that applies to everyone. If a person cannot be trusted with money, and in any capacity, Jesus plainly says, he cannot be trusted with Salvation, i.e., "true riches." In view of the seriousness of what is being said, we would do well to heed carefully.
In these passages (Luke 16:9-13), Jesus is saying that irrespective of how loudly and how often we profess our Godliness, if it does not show up in our practical, every day living, and especially in the matters of money, and our responsibility toward others, our profession is vain. This statement is plain and clear, if we are unfaithful in these things. "Who will commit to our trust the true riches?"
The scripture says, "Jesus watched as they placed their money into the treasury (Mark 12:41)." Question? Is He watching today?
Jesus has a large fan club but few followers.
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