goshen360:

but we are not to give with [b]main motive [/b]of receiving back. If we do that, that will mean we are trading something for something, therefore making religion out of Christianity.

I agree with you. if the only reason for giving is only because of the harvest, that means if there will be no harvest we won't give, then there will be no more love for God. It will be only a fleshly game. But nothing is wrong with having expectation of a harvest. Thats my point .

FEEDING THE POOR,



If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:10 NSRV

Happy are those who are concerned for the poor; the Lord will help them when they are in trouble.
Psalm 41:1 TEV

If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry will not be heard.
Proverbs 21:13 TEV

God always keeps His promises; he judges in favor of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
Psalm 146:6-7 TEV

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has not works, is dead.
James 2:14-17 NRSV

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Defend the rights of the poor and needy,
Proverbs 31:8-9 NSRV

Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
Isaiah 1:17

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:9-11

"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'

Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'"
Matthew 25:31-40 NLT


When you gather your crops and fail to bring in some of the grain that you have cut, do not go back for it; for it is to be left for the foreigners, orphans and widows, When you have gathered your grapes once, do not go back over the vines a second time; the grapes that are left are for the foreigners, orphans and widows. Never forget that you were slaves in Egypt; that is why I have given you this command.
Deuteronomy 24:19-22 TEV

, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor,
Zechariah 7:10 RSV

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord
require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk
humbly with your God?'”
Micah 6:8

Jesus said to him "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Matthew 19:21 RSV

"But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
Luke 14:13 RSV

"Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."
Luke 18:22 KJV

Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need.
Ephesians 4:28 NLT

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
1 Timothy 6:18-19

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.
James 1:27 NLT

[flash=200,200]http://www.youtube.com/embed/i4OuNAvZI50" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/flash]

I believe God will be happy with me more if I give my money to d needy, orphanages or pay someone sch fees than enriching someone that have mansions and private jets.

@ Joagbaje,

I sent you a adding request on yahoo. I hope we chat and reason together in the word of God. If you are not available now, you can add me and we chat later. mine is goshen360@yahoo.co.uk.

Shalom!

I just got it now but it's like you're offline

I started paying my tithe since I was a student in the university. I continued paying my tithe during my youth service, though things were really tough then. After my service, I got a job which paid less than ten thousand, which I did for a year. I still continued paying my tithe. I left that job and after three months, I got a good job with the Ogun state government last year. I worked for three months, expecting to get paid my first three months' salaries and paying my tithe. But I was sacked in July last year along with two thousand others for political reasons. We were not paid a dime. I lost all the money I had spent on transport and other things. I have not got another job since then. Now tell me, where is God's promise that He would rebuke the devourer if we pay tithes. Fellas, if you pay tithe or give first seed and anything good happens to you, dont deceive yourself that your tithe or first fruit made it happened to you!

Money And Prosperity
01/11/11

It is important for Christians to receive the revelation of true biblical prosperity.
Although we see in the scriptures more evidence in the Old Testament of God materially
and financially blessing His people, the New Testament is also very clear in com-
municating God’s will to abundantly supply all the needs of His sons and daughters. In
truth, God has set laws in motion from the very begining of creation, that when obeyed,
will bring prosperity into the lives of all those that adhere to those laws. To limit
prosperity to money only is to limit God. It is essential at this time that we let God’s
word define for us prosperity.

I) Prosperity Defined
Psalm 35:27
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let
say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which has pleasure in the
prosperity of his servants.

OT Hebrew: Strong’s 7965-shalom, shaw-lome; from 7999; safe. well. happy,
friendly; also welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:

It carries the implication of total soundness and wholeness. The word shalom
carries the equivalence of the New Testament word salvation, or in the Greek,
“soteria”, which is all inclusive. Thus, when the bible, both Old and New
Testaments use the word prosperity, it carries the implication of total
prosperity. Spiritual – (John 3:3, 11; 2Cor. 5:17-21; Rom. 10:9-10) -Mental -
(2 Tim. 1:7; Rom.12:1-2; Isa. 26:3) – Physical (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:17; 1 Pet.
2:24) – Financial 3Jn2; Mal. 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; 2Cor. 6-10; Deut.28:1-14) -
Social (Prov. 3:4).

Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not
from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever
thou goest.

OT Hebrew: Strong’s 7919 – sakal, saw-lal. To have success by making wise
decisions.

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou
shalt have good success.

OT Hebrew: Strong’s 6743 – tsaleach- tsaw-lakh- to push forward or break-
through.

Eccl. 11:6
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for
thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they
both shall be alike good.

OT Hebrew: Strong’s 3787 – kasher – kaw-share. To be straight or right, to
succeed, to be acceptable.

3Jn.2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,
even as thy soul prospereth.

NT Greek: Strong’s 2137 – euodoo – yoo-od-o-o. To help on the road, to
succeed in reaching, to succeed in business affairs.

II) Poverty Versus Abundance
John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come
that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

It is clear, from an overall examination of the entire word of God that He is
a God of abundance in every area of every aspect, spiritual, mental,
emotional, physical, financial and social, in the lives of His people. If God
delights in the prosperity of His servants (Ps. 35:27) and He is no respecter
of persons (Acts 10:34), then it is His will to abundantly supply in all areas of
life for all people at all times.

Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want (be in lack).

The Hebrew names of God, El Shaddai, (the busty one, the God that’s more
than enough) and Jehovah Jireh, (the Lord that provides) tell of His nature as
much as Jehovah Rapha (the Lord our healer).

Examining the lives of Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David,
Solomon, Jesus, to name a few, demonstrates God’s willingness to bless His
people in all areas of their lives.

From John 10:10 it is clear that anything short of abundance, in any area of our
lives is not the will of God. So anything that is stealing from our lives or our
loved one’s lives or anyone’s life spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically,
financially or socially is not God, but identified as the enemy, the devil.

III) The New Testament Provision of Abundance
2Cor. 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet
for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

NT Greek: Strong’s 4145, 4147 – plousious, plouteo. Wealthy, abounding with,
increased with goods, (be made, wax) rich.

The provision for abundance in every area of our lives, in this case financially,
was accomplished by Jesus at the cross.

Hebrews 10:14
For by one offering he hath perfected forever, them that are sanctified.

Jesus is the one perfect sacrifice for all time and eternity. The provision of
the all-inclusive salvation is by God’s grace which we receive by faith in
Jesus Christ.

1) Jesus was punished so we could be forgiven.
2) Jesus was wounded so we could be healed.
3) Jesus was mades sin with our sinfulness so we could be made righteous with
His righteousness.
4) Jesus died our death so we could share His life.
5) Jesus was cursed so we could inherit the blessing.
6) Jesus was made poor with our poverty so we could share His riches or
be in abundance.

Galtians 3:13-14
v13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:
for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree:
v14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Gen. 24:1
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord blessed
Abraham in all things.

It is clear from 2Cor. 8:9 and Gal. 3:13-14 that poverty is a curse. The alternative
provided by Jesus’ finished work on the cross is abundance.

Let us define abundance: It is having enough for your own needs and more
left over to bless someone else. True biblical prosperity has two main
functions. The first is found in Deut. 8:18.

Deut. 8:18
But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth the power
to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware
unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

God intends for us to use the wealth He gives us to establish His covenant on
the earth or another way of saying that is to advance the kingdom of God on
this earth. The second function of God’s intent to prosper is found in Eph. 4:5.

Eph. 4:5
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands
the thing which is good, that he may give to him that needeth.

Giving to those in need is the second purpose for financial prosperity. So,
according to Paul, Jesus on the cross took our poverty that we may have His
abundance as stated in 2Cor.8:9.

Deut 28:47-48
v47 Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with
gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things:
v48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send
against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in unclothedness,
and in want of all things:

We can define poverty, the curse we have been redeemed from, from these verses
of scripture as hunger, thirst, unclothedness, and in need of all things. That is
poverty. However, this curse of poverty was perfectly removed in Jesus at the
cross:

1) He was hungry – He hadn’t eaten for over 24 hours.
2) He was thirsty. John 19:28 – “I thirst.”
3) He hung naked on the cross.
4) He was in need of everything. He had absolutely nothing when He died.
5) He was buried in a borrowed tomb in a borrowed robe.

At this point, we want to emphasize that according to 2Cor. 8:9, Jesus be-
came poor with our poverty at the cross at Calvary. Jesus was not poor prior
to the cross. To suggest that Jesus was poor prior to the cross is misleading.
Jesus could go anywhere and demonstrate the provision of His Father in
every aspect of need, and the Father honored His actions. An example was the
feeding of the five thousand. (John 6: 1-6). So on the cross, Jesus became
the poverty curse so we may have abundance.

2Cor. 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having
all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

The grace abounded toward us is on the basis of Jesus’ finished work on the
cross. In 2Cor. 9:8, in the Greek language, the word all is used five times and
the word abound is used twice. Any time you see grace in the bible, it cannot
be merited. Grace is a gift based on Jesus’ finished work on the cross. It
cannot be earned, only received by faith.

People live at one of three levels in their lives.
1) Insufficiency – less than what one needs.
2) Sufficiency – just enough.
3) Abundance – more than enough.
Why does God want all His children to have abundance?

Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak,
and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed
to give than to receive.

There is a greater blessing. God has provided abundance, not that we may only re-
ceive, but give so that we may give and obtain the greater blessing.

IV) Giving is Worshipping God
Ex. 34:20
But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem him not, then thou shalt break his
neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear
before me empty.

Ps. 96:8
Give unto the Lord the glory due his name: bring an offering, and come into
his courts.

Prov. 3:9-10
v9 Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine in-
crease.
v10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out
with new wine.

2Cor. 9:10-12
v10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your
food, and multiply your seed sown,and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
v11 Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God.
v12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the
saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

V) The Law Sowing and Reaping
Gen. 1:11-12, 24-25
v11 And God said, let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the
fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth:
and it was so.
v12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and
the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that
it was good.
v24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind,
cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
v25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their
kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw
that it was good.

These scriptures refer to what is called the “law of seed time and harvest”, or
the” law of increase.” It is important to note that every kind reproduces after
it’s own kind. Apples produce apples not oranges. Dogs produce dogs not cats.
Humans produce humans not anything else except after its own kind. When
applying this to the law of sowing and reaping pertaining to finances, when
you sow finances (money) you get finances (money). We are adamantly
opposed to sowing finances for anything other than finances. In other words,
one doesn’t sow finances in order to reap healing, or deliverance or any
other blessings except for what they sowed, in this case finances.

Luke 6:38
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 you mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

This again is the principal of increase. The term “running over” refers to
God’s abundance or increase. The term “same measure” refers not to
quantity but the kind of seed sown. Again, every kind reproducing after its
own kind.

Gal. 6:7-8
v7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man soweth, that shall
he also reap.
v8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Again, flesh reproduces flesh and spirit reproduces spirit, every kind after its own
kind.

2Cor. 9:6-10
v6 But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he
that sows bountifully shall reap bountifully.

We maintain that the terms sparingly and bountifully refer more to frequency
rather than quantity. The following verses will show this to be true.

v7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
v8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye always
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Please note that chapters 8 and 9 of 2Corinthians is dealing exclusively
with financial giving which Paul expresses as an act of grace. 2Cor. 8:7

v9 (As it is written, he hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor:
his righteousness remaineth forever.
v10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your
food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your
righteousness.

This provision of the spiritual law of seedtime and harvest or sowing and reaping or
increase or action and reaction (these are all synonymous terms for the
same spiritual law) was instituted by God Almighty Himself for all that will
apply this principle to their life in whatever area it is applied. It is an added
benefit apart from God’s provision by grace.

Phil. 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus.

Salvation is by grace. Inclusive of salvation is healing, protection, wholeness,
soundness and yes prosperity.

Romans 8:31-32
v31 What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us?
v32 He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall
he not with him also freely give us all things?

Salvation is a free gift. Healing is a free gift. Prosperity is a free gift. We don’t
pay for the gift of salvation, healing or prosperity. It’s all by God’s grace. To
say that God will heal me by faith, save me by faith, but I have to give to get is
inaccurate. This final scripture will clarify this point once and for all.

Matt. 6:25-34
v25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life
more than meat, and the body than raiment?
v26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much
better than they?
v27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
v28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
v29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these.
v30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to
morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little
faith?
v31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we
drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
v32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
v33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.
v34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take
thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

What did the fowls of the air, the lilies of the field or the grass of the field do?
What did they sow in order for God to so abundantly supply and cause increase?
How much more will our heavenly Father so abundantly supply for His own by
grace through faith? This is Divine Providence. This is God’s abundance. This
is God’s prosperity. Even the law of sowing and reaping, which is an added
benefit, a spiritual law set in motion by God for all people before God’s provision
of grace through Jesus Christ is a provision of God’s grace.

Joagbaje:

Let me contribute here. There are about 5 major givings in the bible . Such as , Giving to God, giving for projects, giving to the poor,giving to parents etc. We ought to do all these givings without leaving one for the other. They all have their blessings

Matthew 23:23
. . .  for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.


There has to be a balance.

Mark 7:11-12
11 But you say it is perfectly all right for a man to disregard his needy parents, telling them, `Sorry, I can't help you! For I have given to God what I could have given to you.'12 And so you break the law of God in order to protect your man-made tradition. And this is only one example. There are many, many others."

Don't give to God what Is for parents,
Don't give to The poor what is for God
Don't give to parent what Is for God
Don't  give to the poor what is for the man of God.
Don't give to the man of God what is for God.

Mark 12:17
. . Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. .

So according to you and Omo pastor, giving to the poor and needy is quite different from giving to god? if so, can pls pls explain to us what "giving to god" actually means and how you actaully go about gving to god.

[b]THE ''OLD COVENANT'' THAT CONTAINS VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS,(firstfruits.Tithes,offerings,burnt sacrifices) ''ONLY CONCERN'' THE TRIBE OF LEVI (AS PRIETS TO RECEIVE TITHES FROM OTHER TRIBES OF ISREAL,THE LEVI ARE COMMISSIONED BY ''A WRITTEN COMMANDMENT'' AS CONTAINED IN THE 'LAW COMMANDMENT' AS A GODLY STANDARD ONLY TO THE OLD ISREALITES WHO BY BIRTH ARE ''GODS SONS.

HEBREW 7;5

[color=#000099]   Verse 5, And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham.
[/color]
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE OLD CONVENANTS,OR COMMANDMENT THAT DEMANDS VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS,(firstfruits.Tithes,offerings,burnt sacrifices)   ''HAVE BEEN ANNULED BY GOD'' DUE TO REASONS because of its weakness and unprofitableness).read yourself

HEBREW 7;18,19.


18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

HAVING ANNUL THE LAW,(due to inneffectiveness evident in the fact that had it been that the people whom the law was given originally which is the isrealites constantly turn away from God to worship other Gods but only try to observe the law commandment selectively 'as a rite' and 'not obligation'.
GOD NOW GAVE US JESUS AS A SURETEE OF A BETTER COVENANT, AND ''NOT'' THE OLD COVENANT.

HEBREW 7;22.

22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT ALL CHRISTIANS INCLUDING YOU AND I AND THOSE ON THIS TREAD WERE NOT CALLED ''SONS OF GOD'' BY BIRTH, LIKE THE OLD ISREALITES WITH THE COVENANT THAT MAKES THEM SONS OF GOD AUTHOMATICALLY BY NATIVE OF OLD ISREAL, WE CAN ONLY BE REFERED TO AS 'GENTILES' BUT WERE LUCKY TO BE ''GODS SONS'' ONLY IF WE EXERCISE FAITH IN THE RAMSOME SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST,


.HEB 7;24

24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

JESUS NOW HAVE RENDERED THE ''REQUIREMENTS FOR SACRIFICES'' LIKE ''FIRSTFRUITS'' WHICH ALSO INCLUDE FIRST ANIMAL OF THE OLD ISREAL AS FIRSTFRUITS  RESERVED FOR ''BURNT SACRIFICES'' IN THE TEMPLE AS UNNECCESARY NULL VOID AND OF NO EFFECT.THIS HE DID BY;

 (JESUS OFFERING HIMSELF UP ONCE AND FOR ALL)
JESUS NOW REPLACES THE POSITION HELD BY THE  ''LEVI PRIEST'' AS THE 'HIGH PRIEST  BY 'HIMSELF AS THE HIGH PRIEST FOREVER.'

HEB 7;27

27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

JESUS BLATANTLY CURSED THE ISREAL OR JEWISH PHARISEES AND HIGH PRIEST WHY?

IT WILL BE RECALLED THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT,FROM JESUS ERA,TITHE PAYING IS NOT PRACTICED,AND JESUS EVEN REBUKE OR CAST WOE ON THOSE WHO PAY IN THE NAME OF TITHE,

WHILE LEAVING THE GREATER THINGS THAT TITHE WAS FORMALLY INTRODUCED TO CORRECT 'UNDER THE FORMER MOSES LAW WHICH IS;

JUSTICE(to the fatherless and poor),MERCY AND FAITH.JESUS CHALENGED THEM THAT LETS ASSUME THAT PAYING TITHE UNDER THE FORMER MOSES LAW IS WHAT THEY STILL HELD AS BELIEF,THEN THEY ARE HYPOCRYTES APPLYING PARTLY A LAW THEY CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN A SELECTED MANNER, LEAVING THE PURPOSE THAT THE LAW{TITHE UNDER MOSES}WAS ESTABLISHED. Read Mathew 23;23

Mathew 23;23,

23 “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. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!  

THIS ABOVE FACT CLEARLY STRESSED THE POINT THAT RENDERS THE OLD LAW COMMANDMENT 'INNEFFECTIVE' AND TO BE ANNULLED AND REPLACED,

JESUS FURTHER DECLARE THE ''THE CHANGE'' TO THE PHARISEES AND THE HIGH PRIEST WHO STILL HELD TO THE OLD LAW COMMANDMENT,TITHE OFFERINGS FIRSTFRUITS ETC THAT;

MATHEW 21;43-45.

43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.

AND TO BUTRESS MY POINT THAT 'THE OLD LEVI PRIEST PATTERN' THAT DEMANDS TITHE,FIRSTFRUIT,OFFERINGS FOR SACRIFICES WAS TOTTALLY MEANT TO BE  ABANDONED,

GOD MONITORED THAT JESUS WILL NOT COME THROUGH THE TRIBE THAT 'OFFICIATE AS PRIEST' WHICH IS LEVI,BUT JESUS NOW CAME FROM ''A TRIBE WHICH IS NOT LEVI,A TRIBE THAT DO NOT HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN ANYWAYWHATSOEVER TO RECEIVE TITHE,OFFERINGS,FIRSTFRUIT,ETC.

HEBREW 7;12-15.

 
12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

PLS NOTE,

{A}DID JESUS NOT COME FROM THE TRIBE OF JUDAH?,(Verse 14,)SHOWS THAT TRIBE OF JUDAH NEVER OFFICIATE AS PRIEST UNDER MOSES LAW,
{B}MELCHIZEDECH WHO OFFICIATE AS PRIEST,BECAME A PRIEST BY AN OATH,AND NOT BY INHERITANCE{LEVI}

NOW WITH ALL THESE GLARING PROOFS,IT IS NOT A STANDARD FOR TRUE CHRISTIANS TO PRACTICE FIRSTFRUITS TITHE AND OFFERING CONCEPT WITH ''THERE IS NO BIBLICAL BACKING'' THAT PRONOUNCE THAT THESE TANGIBLE GOODS SHOULD BE CHANGED TO ''CASH''

IT WILL BE RECALLED THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT,FROM JESUS ERA,TITHE PAYING,OR FIRSTFRUITS WERE  NOT PRACTICED,IF YOU DOUBT ME QUOTE IT NOW.

DONATIONS WERE PRACTICED HOW?

 THE CHRISTIANS DURING PAUL'S ERA CONTRIBUTED MONIES,NOT TITHES AND OFFERINGS BUT THE NEW METHOD UNDER CHRIST 2 COR 8;12

2 COR 8;12

12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

THATS WHY THE WIDOW THAT DROPPED 2 TWO COINS OF LOWER VALUE IN THE TEMPLE WAS PRONOUNCED AS''PUT IN MORE THAN ALL'' HER ''WILLINGNESS WAS APPRECIATED'' AND NOT THE SMALL VALUE OF THE COINS.

''LUKE 21:1-3

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;







IS THIS BEEN PRACTICED IN CHURCHES  TODAY?

ITS VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT CHRIST PORTRAYED AS ''MONEY FRIENDLY'',THAT YOU CAN ONLY ENJOY CHRIST OR FEEL HIM THROUGH MONEY DEMANDS, IS JESUS LIKE THAT? HEAR HIM WHEN CONFORTING THOSE THAT THE PHARISEE LOADED DOWN WITH THE LAW COMMANDMENT DEMANDS;

Mattew 11,28-30.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

FOR CHRIST TO BE REAL TO YOU,FOLLOW AND SEARCH  HIS WRITTEN WORDS CAREFULLY.





''LUKE 21:1-3

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;





[/b]

Let the Holy Spirit guide you whenever you want to give but my checkbook is ready for action this morning. glory to God for ever! halleluyah

OmoPastor:

Let the Holy Spirit guide you whenever you want to give but my checkbook is ready for action this morning. glory to God for ever! halleluyah

Amen, am in support of action of faith, you have giving the devil a blow. Well don

I started paying my tithe since I was a student in the university. I continued paying my tithe during my youth service, though things were really tough then. After my service, I got a job which paid less than ten thousand, which I did for a year. I still continued paying my tithe. I left that job and after three months, I got a good job with the Ogun state government last year. I worked for three months, expecting to get paid my first three months' salaries and paying my tithe. But I was sacked in July last year along with two thousand others for political reasons. We were not paid a dime. I lost all the money I had spent on transport and other things. I have not got another job since then. Now tell me, where is God's promise that He would rebuke the devourer if we pay tithes. Fellas, if you pay tithe or give first seed and anything good happens to you, dont deceive yourself that your tithe or first fruit made it happened to you!

You sound like the Israelites heading toward the promise land but because the journey through the WILDERNESS (your situation) became stiff and was longer than you thought then you complained!!!! Those who complained and grumbled PERISHED in the Wilderness!!!! Joseph spent 13 years in prison did not complained


"Believe what your heard in the light when you are in the dark"


Look I don't pay tithe but if you believe in it why stop and complain?

OmoPastor:

Let the Holy Spirit guide you whenever you want to give but my checkbook is ready for action this morning. glory to God for ever! halleluyah

You give the impression that God, the omnipotent, is impressed by your checkbook.

Never knew God was Like that.

Very impressive.

I Wonder how much I need to give him to wipe away my sins!!!!

Questions/Matters Arising


1. Must the first fruits be given only to or in "church"?

2. Can people give the first fruit to their parents?

3. Can people give the first fruits to the poor and needy?

4. What is the difference between giving to God and giving to the needy?

5. Is giving first fruits to the needy not THE SAME as giving first fruits to God?

6. Is generally giving to the needy not THE SAME as generally giving to God?

7. If a person gives the whole of January salary as first fruit, does the person still have to "tithe" for January or should he expose himself to the devourer? Remember the first fruit does not guarantee protection against the devourer --- only "tithing" does that!

@ Omopastor

Please just answer me this question in clear terms and language (you can use scriptures to back it up): HOW DO YOU GIVE TO GOD?

@ enigma:

I love these question u put up here. I wish to see answers from people (especially Omopastor) before I make comments.

God, I love being a catholic, where the poor, the needy, the downtrodden, the old, the helpless and the deserted come first before any sweet talking con-man who is a self titled "man of God".

Pentecostalism is leading to the downfall of Christianity. Just look at this mess of a thread, theories and counter theories, when God's word should be as clear as glass.

It's a pity really that this is what Christianity has been relegated to.

Ur failure and hardship starts from de day u starts looking into how church money is spent, when u sow ur money as a seed, sow it with all ur heart nt minding whether de pastor eats de money or not, look and fight not for God. Do your part and let God do his part

@Bernimoore,i read from the beginning of the forum till the end because i want to be informed,i think your contribution stood out followed by numo86 and Goshen360,Everything we have is being giving by God and nothing should hold it back if he wants it,i deduce so far that:

1. God loves a cheerful giver and not of compulsion.
2. We have been freed from the course of law and we should not unnecessarily put ourself in bondage again.
3. We must give for the course of Gospel and for the evangelizing and winning of lost souls.
4. The poor,needy and downtrodden should be planned for in our salary or wages.
5. God is not a magician and money doubler.
6. Giving should be with a sense of obedience and discipline.

Observation:@omopastor,the initiator of the thread,you are free to give anything to God especially since you said it was by direct revelation and don't expect everybody to be on the same page of your revelation,maybe thatz the angle God want to manifest himself in your life,but some of  your reply seems to be so abusive and insulting e.g ''to end your pains and misery''.
Pls,this God we are all seeking is a good God and whateva might be anybody ignorance today,God could even enlighten him tmr.
Pls i love yu all and i am actually bless with this thread and will want to be educated more.SShalom|_

Must u tell us you are giving your first fruit to GOd,
Are u the first person to have done it,
Just clap for urself,u will go to heaven

@ everyone just dropped my first fruit check now. what a honour and privilege. grace has been multiplied to me for unusual miracles this year. am over excited about this. watch me all i am flying! thank you Jesus am very grateful Sir

^^^^^^

Please help me ask your Mog;

How much does God need for my sin record to be wiped away?

Also, How much is the current rate for blessings?

Thanks.

@ dare2think
Maybe you are the one referred to in Acts 8:18-23. Sorry ooooooo

^^^^^

Lol, Actually the verse is referring to your kind.

You wrote;

OmoPastor:

@ everyone just dropped my first fruit check now. what a honour and privilege. grace has been multiplied to me for unusual miracles this year. am over excited about this. watch me all i am flying! thank you Jesus am very grateful Sir

And you are are told;

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Especially the bold part.

But you requested for it then your answer is in that scripture you quoted. Ask and you shall receive lol

Dude, it's not my fault you dont understand sarcastic rhetorics.

Any way, ponder more on the verse you referred to and see why you cant buy your way to blessings or heaven.

Good riddance.

Whenever you study the Word allow the Holy Spirit teach you instead of using your mind then you will understand what I have been saying

If some pastors were God-the would turn us all to slaves! First-fruit was never mentioned by Jesus Christ, never practiced by the early church.I just wonder why people kept quoting the old testaments whenever the want to collect money from others. Our churches now have over-bloated overheads and for them to meet up with their financial obligations. They keep digging up some now irrelevant old-testaments laws and practices, that Jesus died to deliver/free us from.

Well whatever you want to give (you can call it any fancy name you like), give to God from your heart, not because the law says so, but because you love God. That is the new testament spirit, 2Co 9:7  ''You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.''   Giving out of a sense of duty is against the spirit of what Jesus did for us, that is why I look at tithing,first-fruit,etc as not necessarily the will of God for us in this age, but if you believe in them,nothing stops you from giving.

@ cja4real Are you aware that tithe and first fruit came before the law? now cos Jesus did not mention much about it does not necessarily mean it has been erased. let God guide you. no man called by God will prey on monies given by members.

WHY THE ''FIRST FRUIT'' CONCEPT SHOULD NOT BE FOLLOWED BY TRUE CHRISTIANS AS IT  IS NOT MEANT FOR CHRISTIANS,BUT USED BY 'SOME INDIVIDUALS WITH HIDDEN CRIMINAL MOTIVES' TO MISLEAD AND EXTORT THOSE WITH GOOD MOTIVES  TO SERVE GOD BUT HAVE LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GODS REQUIREMENTS.

HOW DO I MEAN?

WHAT IS THE ''FIRSTFRUIT'' AS USED IN THE BIBLE CONTEXT?

ANS; THE HEBREW WORD OF 'FIRSTFRUITS'  (re.shit) and greek (a.par.khe)

refers to; first ripe fruits of;

(a)Man,, ( Must be male firstborn, and must be redeemed for Gods temple services, kept sacred never to marry throughout his lifetime)

(b) Animal,, (firstborn male animal will be slaughtered and the blood sprinkle around the alter in the temple and special attention is directed to the priest to remove the fats in the belly and burn towards heaven.

(c) fruitage of the ground, (The firtfruits of fruits and seeds will be brought to the doorstep of the temple,and must be receive the levi who according to the ''law covenant'' are entrusted with the oversight.

Read Exodus13:1,2and 13;

1, Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

2 “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.

13 But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.


NOW, QUESTIONS BEGGING FOR ANSWERS ARE;

HOW DO YOU QUANTIFY THESE FIRSTFRUITS (a,b and c above) AS APPROPRIATE IN PROPORTION TO CASH VALUES WHEN NOTHING IS SAID ABOUT ''AN ALTERNATIVE OR CONVERSION OF FIRSTFRUIT  TO CASH VALUE AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL INSTRUCTION?

HOW DO YOU QUANTIFY (a)above, HUMAN FIRSTBORN MALE WHO AUTOMATICALLY MUST BE REDEEMED TO TEMPLE AND BARED FOR LIFE NOT TO MARRY.HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR A WHOLE HUMAN AS FIRSTFRUIT?

WHY DONT PEOPLE PAYING FOR FIRSTFRUIT ALSO DONATE THEIR FIRST MALE CHILD FOREVER NEVER TO GET MARRIED BUT SERVE THE LORD THROUGHOUT LIFE IN CHURCHES.

TO ACCEPT AND BENEFIT FULLY  FROM THE RAMSOM SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST,WE MUST ACCEPT WHAT JESUS HAS REMOVED AS ''YOKES AND BURDENS'' OF REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE LAW COVENANT,

JESUS NOW HAVE RENDERED THE ''REQUIREMENTS FOR SACRIFICES'' LIKE ''FIRSTFRUITS'' WHICH ALSO INCLUDE FIRST ANIMAL OF THE OLD ISREAL AS FIRSTFRUITS  RESERVED FOR ''BURNT SACRIFICES'' IN THE TEMPLE AS UNNECCESARY NULL VOID AND OF NO EFFECT.THIS HE DID BY;

 (JESUS OFFERING HIMSELF AS SACRIFICE UP ONCE AND FOR ALL)
JESUS NOW REPLACES THE POSITION HELD BY THE  ''LEVI PRIEST'' AS THE 'HIGH PRIEST  BY 'HIMSELF AS THE HIGH PRIEST FOREVER.

SO JESUS ''DOES NOT NEED THESE FIRST FRUITS,OR OTHER SACRIFICIAL REQUIREMENTS,'Read pls

HEB 7;27

27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.


AND TO CONFIRM JESUS SUPERIORITY OVER THE LAW COVENANT;

HEB 7;22-24.;

22,  by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR EVERYBODY TO STAY ALERT AND NOT FOLD THEIR ARMS,THINKING THAT THEY ARE SERVING GOD BY ALLOWING UNDUE EXTORTION OF THEIR MONIES INTO THE WRONG POCKET .

CHRISTIANS ARE TO TAKE THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY TO ''TEST MAYBE THE SPIRIT THEY OPERATE WITH ORIGINATE FROM GOD,THIS THEY CAN DO BY WIDENING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND READ THE BIBLE BY THEIRSELF

READ THE WARNINGS YOURSELF,1 John 4:1

1, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

”1 Samuel 15:22-23

22 But Samuel replied:

  “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
  as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
  and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
  and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
  he has rejected you as king.”


Matthew 7:21

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.


(2 Peter 2:1-3)

However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among YOU. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. 2 Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. 3 Also, with covetousness they will exploit YOU with counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering.

BE WARNED AND MAKE SURE YOU DONT FALL INTO THE TRAP ANYMORE, DONT BE CARRIED AWAY BY CHEAP PRE-MEDIDATED ''TESTIMONIES'', IT IS NOT EVEN USED BY JESUS BUT MODERN DAYS PASTORS. ASK QUESTIONS,AND NEVER STOP ASKING QUESTIONS AND DONT GIVE IN TO ''EMPTY THREATS''

THANKS.

BERNIMOORE:

WHY THE ''FIRST FRUIT'' CONCEPT SHOULD NOT BE FOLLOWED BY TRUE CHRISTIANS AS IT  IS NOT MEANT FOR CHRISTIANS,BUT USED BY[color=#990000] 'SOME INDIVIDUALS WITH HIDDEN CRIMINAL MOTIVES' TO MISLEAD AND EXTORT THOSE WITH GOOD MOTIVES  TO SERVE GOD BUT HAVE LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GODS REQUIREMENTS.[/color] . . .

Na Teevs!