Family Freedom
“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33Archive for Giving Discernment
Unequally Yoked: Your Tithes and Your 501c3 Church
Before you pay your tithes this Sunday consider this: Should you pay your tithes to a 501c3 Church? A 501c3 church “simply” means that a church is organized as a tax exempt organization. Here’s a post on HushMoney that explains the facts, history, myths, and dangers of 501c3 churches. For instance, it’s a myth that a church will have to pay taxes unless they receive a 501c3 status. Churches don’t ever need to pay taxes. They don’t need to file for this status. Read the post to get all the legal and other details.
Why do you need to know about this? Read the rest of this entry »
Yes, Christians Today Still Have to Tithe
Christians today are still required to tithe. God does not set aside the command to tithe in the New Testament. In fact, Christ affirms the practice of tithing in the New Testament in these verses:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! 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. (Matthew 23:23) Read the rest of this entry »
The 3% Giving Challenge
Did you know that historically churches would set aside 3% of their monies to give to widows and orphans? When you’re in debt, the thought of any form of giving may seem burdensome. It can be hard just trying to survive in today’s economy. All you can do is pay your tithes. There’s just no more room to give.
We stress alot on this blog God’s commandments to not borrow. We also want to stress God’s commandments to give. Remember,
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. ” (James 1:27) Read the rest of this entry »
Should Christians Still Follow OT Laws?
Some of the objections we’ve encountered regarding Scripture and debt is that (some say) Christians no longer need to follow the laws of the Old Testament. Now, there are teachings in the New Testament on debt and a specific command to “owe no man any thing.”(Romans 13:8). Yet, there are many more commands, teachings, and examples found in the Old Testament. Should Christians ignore those, or are we required to obey the law? For clarification, I’m not talking about obeying the law for justification. We are saved through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone: “Man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ” (Romans 3:28) What are Christians to do today with the commands of God in the Old Testament? Here are teachings from Henry, Gill and Spurgeon which I hope will help you, not only with the debt issue, but Christian living in general:
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:31) Read the rest of this entry »
Is Not Tithing, Idolatry?
There are many who claim that we are no longer commanded to tithe as “New Testament Christians.” We will dedicate future posts to this issue. We truly believe God when He says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 2:16). Therefore, we look to both the Old and New Testaments for guidance on who to glorify God in all that we do, including in our giving.
However, for those of you who only follow the New Testament, consider this verse with the following commentaries by Matthew Henry and John Gill:
“Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?” Read the rest of this entry »
Open Your Pantry to the Poor and Needy
“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” Proverbs 31:10
First, I’ll share a commentary on the verse and then propose an idea for you to try in the New Year:
Crown Uses Rick Warren’s Method to Ask For Money
Howard Dayton of Crown Financial Ministries stated the following on 12/10 in his plea the listeners for money:
“When you give to Crown [Financial Ministries], you’re helping every church, every ministry, because as the generosity tide rises, by giving to Crown, you’re helping fund the work of Christ literally around the world. “
Those of you who are familiar with The Purpose Driven Life will recall this statement:
“No surfer goes into the ocean and creates his own waves. They ride the waves that are there that day.” Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life Read the rest of this entry »
Whose Slave are You?
Whether you’re rich or poor, you can be enslaved to money. If you’re in debt, you already are:
“The borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)
Christians are called to be enslaved to no one (or thing) other than God:
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22)
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”(Luke 16:13)
I recently heard an excellent sermon by Paul Washer called “God’s Will for Slaves.” I encourage you to humbly listen to and hear the Word of God in this broadcast. Prayerfully, examine your hearts and answer the question…whose slave are you?
Our Lord Jesus Christ on Lending
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Luke 6:47
