Once we know the Bible Truth about the Tithe... What do we do Next?

 

The video for this post is available at the URL:

 https://youtu.be/WGau-Wa4c0s

Hello, I'm Pastor Amós and this is the study: Once we know the Bible Truth about the Tithe… What do we do Next?

For years, my studies have guided many of you to see God's truth about the tithe through His Word the Bible.  Now some of you might have come to the point in which you might be asking; What do we do with this information?  The answer depends on where you are with our Lord.

 If you are just starting out (a newborn in Christ) your job is to get to know the Lord and grow.  “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” [Matthew 23:3]  This means that, if you're in a church that demands 10% of your income, you should keep in mind that money is only money.  It will perish.  Your salvation is worth infinitely more.

So, for the time being, stay where you are, learn and grow.  Kick off your spiritual growth.  “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” [1 Peter 2:2]

 Then, just like a child goes from milk to solid food, you too must do the same.  Keep in mind the dangers spoken of in Hebrews chapter 5 regarding those that do not move on to solid food.  “Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.” [Hebrews 5:13]

 When we were children, we spoke as children, we understood as children, we thought as children: but when we became adults, we put away childish things. [1 Corinthians 13:11]  This means that sooner or later, we have to stop speaking, understanding and thinking like children.

 A Christian that does not put away the milk of childhood in exchange for the solid food of adulthood is not growing.  The only way for you to stay spiritually healthy is to grow.  And this is something you must do through the study of God’s Word the Bible.  The only one that can give you growth is God, because “only God makes things grow.” [1 Corinthians 3:7b] 

Therefore, “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” [James 1:5]

 Finally, for those that have reached the stage of spiritual maturity, the time has come for you to “come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.” [2 Corinthians 6:17]  For “you have no need for anyone to teach you, because His anointing teaches you about all things.” [1 John 2:27]  Don't be afraid to be on your own.  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear.” [2 Timothy 1:7b]  Don't be like the folks in John chapter 12 that were afraid of being kicked out of a synagogue.

 Walking alone with Jesus is joyful, pleasant, uplifting, fulfilling, it truly is beyond words.  And your church-walk with Jesus is as simple as getting together with one other believer.  That's all you need to have a church and to worship God and to have communion.  Although, there is some truth to the saying, “the more the merrier,” a more spiritual truth is that all you need to have a church is one other believer because “where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there in the midst of them.” [Matthew 18:20]  “You also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”  [Colossians 2:10]

 So, the idea is not so much a matter of finding a new church to attend.  This is not an argument about what others should do for us so that we can have a church to attend.  We are the church.  Although, if you do find a congregation that teaches the truth about the tithe, it might be a good idea to stay with them.  These studies, on the other hand, are more a matter of getting closer to the Man that died for you and getting to know Him better.  God wants you to have knowledge of Him. [Hosea 6:6]  Even more, He wants you to “know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.” [Ephesians 3:19a]  Understand this, a love that requires your continual payments is NOT a love that surpasses knowledge.

 Just because someone uses the word love doesn't mean that what they're doing is good.  Not all love is good.  The love of money, for example, is a root of all kinds of evil.  And the cash-tithe is one of those evil roots created by money-lovers.  And because the cash-tithe is a root of evil, it prevents believers from knowing and experiencing the fullness of God's love.  The cash-tithe also makes accomplices of all those that, while knowing better, play along with the scheme just to prevent from getting thrown out of their churches.

 I'll leave you with this thought.  What is a church that teaches lies?  “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” [James 3:11]

 Until next time.  May your walk with our Lord be free of those “who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” [1 Timothy 6:5b] 

God bless you.