home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Current Shareware 1994 January
/
SHAR194.ISO
/
religion
/
alphon_3.zip
/
CHRISTNS.S09
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-10-30
|
15KB
|
352 lines
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Study No 9 CHRISTIANS - Part 3
TITHING
Abraham gives us the first reference to tithing in the
scriptures. He was the father of all who believe which
includes believers today.
Genesis 14:18-20 - Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek.
Abraham's tithing was in response to a revelation of
God as 'The Most High God, Possessor of Heaven and
Earth'. The realization of God's greatness brought an
immediate response from Abraham. As Abraham's children
today have the same revelation of God's greatness they
will respond in the same way.
Abraham did not give out of compulsion to a law for the
law came 430 years later. He gave because he had had a
greater revelation of God.
Melchizedek ministered the communion to Abraham. This
is the first mention of communion and tithing and they
are both mentioned together. If it is scriptual and in
God's order to have communion today, it is scriptual and
in God's order to give tithes today.
A tithe is a tenth. This shows that the Lord expects a
specific amount.
Jesus Taught Tithing
Jesus commends the Pharisees for their tithing but adds
'these ought you to have done'. He reprimands them for
what they omitted, judgement and mercy. Matt. 23:23.
"Except your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of
the Pharisees..." Matt. 5:20. The Pharisees were
staunch believers in tithing. One even said, "I give
tithes of all I possess". Luke 18:11-12. If our
righteousness is to exceed theirs, it must also include
faithfulness in tithes and offerings, for tithing is
included in the works of righteousness.
"Render unto Caesar the things which belong to Caesar
and unto God the things which belong to God". Luke
20:25. Included in the things that belong to Caesar was
the tax, while included in the things that belong to God
were the tithes. If tax is withheld - we know the
result. If tithes are withheld from God, we know the
result - the curse.
Jesus gave instructions concerning the third tithe in
Matt. 6:1-4. The alms were for the poor, stranger and
fatherless, ie. the third tithe.
Jesus Taught Giving
"Lay up treasure in Heaven . . . where your treasure is
there is your heart." Matt. 6:19-21.
He observed and commended the poor widow who gave two
mites "all the living she had", Luke 21:1-4. Our giving
is measured by what we have left. The rich still had
much but the poor widow had given all and had nothing
left.
"Give and it shall be given unto you." Luke 6:38.
This is God's Word. Irrespective of motive, God is tied
to His Word. When we give a law is set into motion.
Jesus approved of Mary taking a pound of costly
ointment (a weighed measure) and anointing His feet with
it. John 12:1-8. As we minister to Christ from our
substance, we automatically send forth a sweet smelling
savour.
Four days later another woman broke an alabaster box of
ointment and anointed Jesus' head. Mark 14:1-11. The
weight or amount of ointment is not indicated. In the
first account in John the ointment was weighed. Four
days later, or as the crucifixion drew closer, the giving
was no longer being measured. Similarly today as we draw
nearer to His second coming, there will be an almost
reckless abandonment in our giving to Him.
As a result the whole world will be filled with the
fragrance of the Gospel that goes forth as a result of
Christian's giving.
"What lack I yet?" The rich young ruler was serving
God and keeping the commandments but Jesus said to be
perfect he needed to sell what he had and give it to the
poor. Matt. 19:16. This could be a form of the third
tithe. We may be absolutely obedient to the Word of God
but miss out on perfection because we fail in our giving.
Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35. It is not indicated what He was referring to
here but Paul takes it up and applies it to material
things.
Paul Taught Tithing
1 Cor. 9:1-14, Paul taught that a minister should live
by the Gospel.
1. The Corinthian church was not supporting God's
minister in the scriptual way, v. 12, 15, which is
why Paul gave this word of exhortation. Paul even
had to rob other churches to support himself while
he was there. 2 Cor. 11:7-8.
2. Paul turns to the law to establish the scriptual
way ministry was to be fully supported, ie. by the
people's tithing, v. 8, 9, 10.
3. He upholds the Old Testament teaching that the
Levites were to be totally supported by the tithes,
v. 13.
4. He shows in v. 14, that the same principle also
applies to the New Testament Church, v. 14.
On one occasion Paul laboured with his hands because
there were those in the church who were busybodies and
lazy. He wanted to set them an example even though he
was supposed to live by the Gospel. 1 Thess. 2:9, 1
Thess. 3:6-15.
Phil. 4:10-19. Paul says that offerings are "an odour
of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable and well
pleasing to God." The promise that God wanted to supply
all our needs is given to people who have faithfully
given to God's work first.
Paul Taught Giving
Collection for the relief of the saints. 1 Cor 16:1-4.
This may have been a form of third tithe, which was for
the poor.
1. It was an order. Paul commanded them to give.
It was not left to the believer's own discretion,
but was an order.
2. It was to be given weekly - systematically.
3. Everyone was to lay aside. No one was excluded.
4. They were to give in proportion to what God had
provided them. This system is the government's
basis for income tax.
Tithing Honours God
Proverbs 3:9-10.
Honour God with your substance and firstfruits. This
includes tithes - then your barns will be filled, and
your presses with new wine.
NOTE: Above the regular tithes, were offerings and
firstfruits, Neh. 10:43-37, 12:44. There were also the
gleanings for the strangers. Lev. 19:9-10, Deut. 24:19.
Will A Man Rob God?
Malachi 3:6-12.
1. "For I am the Lord, I change not." v. 6. Some seek
to change God and claim that tithing no longer applies.
It is significant this passage on tithing begins by
stressing the Lord doesn't change." This reminds us of
our high priest Melchizedek who never changes but abides
forever.
2. Israel was accused of robbing God in tithes and
offerings. Note 1 Cor. 6:10. No thieves will inherit the
kingdom of God. This is sin.
3. Ignorance was no excuse. "Wherein have we robbed
thee?" v. 8. They were not aware that they were
thieves.
4. Cursed because they withheld that which belonged to
God. The curse that is causeless shall not come. Prov.
26:2. Here there was a cause for the curse.
5. Tithes are to be brought into the storehouse. They
are not to be given to the poor, sent overseas, or some
place the donor feels, but brought to the place (local
church) where one is spiritually fed and cared for.
6. That there may be meat in My House. They are for the
support of the priesthood, God's ministers who tread out
the corn in the storehouse and for the work of the Lord.
7. Prove me now! Here God challenges men to prove Him
regarding the rewards and blessings from giving tithes
and offerings.
8. v. 10-12 indicated the blessings and rewards for
those who give God tithes.
9. Aachan robbed God and died as a result. He stole
that which was consecrated to God. Joshua 6:19.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Every true believer in Christ, in due time, must
consider the question of Church Membership. Many times
church membership is looked upon negatively because of
various reasons. Let us consider what the Scriptures
have to say concerning this area.
Was There Some Record of Membership in the Early
Church?
The Gospels and the Book of Acts imply that there was
some definite evidence of church membership. The
disciples of Jesus and the early believers were actually
numbered and accounted for.
a. Jesus chose 12 apostles, named and numbered. Luke
9:1-2
b. Jesus later chose 70 others as His own. Luke 10:12.
c. Over 500 brethren saw Jesus in His Ascension. 1 Cor.
15:3-4.
d. Before Pentecost 120 disciples gathered in the upper
room. Acts 1:15 (The number of the names
were about 120).
e. At and after Pentecost multitudes were brought to
Christ and into the church which He said He would
build.
f. There were added unto them (the 120) about 3,000
souls. Acts 2:41, 47.
g. About 5,000 believed also in Acts 4:4.
h. The number of the disciples multiplied greatly in
Jerusalem. Acts 6:7.
i. At least 10,000 believers were numbered in these
scriptures.
How Does One Become a Member of Christ's Church
There are two aspects to church membership in the book
of Acts.
a. Spiritual Membership
One cannot join Christ's Church, like joining a club,
etc. Acts 5:13. In the early church the members were
added (Greek "prostithemi" - to put to; to add; or to
to place beside) to the Lord. Acts 5:14; 11:24.
One must join in the Spirit, by the Spirit, to the Lord
to be added to the church, universal and spiritual. This
is of first and primary importance!
b. Practical Membership
There must also be a visible and practical expression
of church membership as seen in Acts. This is seen in
belonging to "the local church". Acts 2:41, 47.
1. Added to the Lord - Acts 4:14, 11:24.
2. Added to them - Acts 2:41.
3. Added to the Church - Acts 2:47.
One can have Church Membership in any local church or
denomination, but one must be added to the Lord first,
otherwise Church Membership is not recognized by Christ.
However, a practical expression of membership is
evidenced in being added to some New Testament local
church.
Acts 2:37 & 38 lays down the standard and evidences for
New Testament church membership. These have never
changed in God's mind! These evidences were tangible and
visible.
Is It Scriptual to Have Some Kind of Church Roll or
Record?
Yes! Old Testament and New Testament refer to books
where the names of God's people were kept for records.
It would be impossible to fully take care of God's sheep
if no one knew where they were, or if they really
belonged to some local church.
Old Testament
1. The Israelites had their names in the Books of
Genealogy of the Nation. They were numbered before
the Lord. Num. 1-2.
2. The Levites were also numbered before the Lord before
they could minister in the priestly offices. Num. 1-2.
3. Every one numbered in Israel had to be redeemed with
silver. Ex. 30:12-16.
4. The remnant from Babylon had to be registered in the
book in order to minister in the priesthood. Ez. 2:2-
63, Neh. 7.
New Testament
1. The church of the firstborn have their names written
in heaven. Heb. 12:22-24.
2. The redeemed of all ages have their names also written
in the Book of Life. Phil. 4:3, Rev. 13:8, 20:12-15,
21:27.
God keeps records! God keeps the names and numbers of
the saints in His roll. If God Himself does this, then
there should be no problem if finite man does likewise.
God knows who is in His book and who is not.
NOTE: Legal requirements stipulate that proper records
of membership be kept in relation to church funds,
holding of property, taxes, etc. This cannot be just an
invisible, mystical method of record keeping!
What Are Some Advantages of Practical Church
Membership?
a. Security - The family of God; protection from "wolves".
b. Fellowship; sense of belonging; company.
c. Spiritual nourishment of the Word.
d. Discipline, - correction if necessary.
e. Ministry of life, healing and health by members of the
Body.
f. Communion table, life.
g. Love, care and concern in a practical way.
One cannot expect to receive all the blessings and
benefits of the Lord's Church when one is not willing
to be committed to the responsibilities of
membership. Membership may be transferred to other
local churches if the person moves.
END of STUDY NINE - CHRISTIANS
