General CHRISTIAN GIVING

Matthew 6:1,2 Is an example of the incorrect way to give. The Pharisees would have their servants blow a trumpet to attract attention then would drop a coin in a beggars cup so that people would think they were holy and righteous. This would be their only reward and they had no reward with the FATHER.

Matthew 6:3,4 This is an example of the GODLY way for a Christian to give. It is spontaneous and unplanned. It is like a spiritual natural reaction.

The Pharisees did deeds to be seen an receive praise from men. Matthew 23:5

GOD loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7 , who gives from the heart not seeking to be noticed or praised by men but preferably in secret.

The churches of this world perform many acts of giving but love to take credit for it. They have sermons and commercials on TV showing their good deeds. They have their reward. Christian giving is unplanned and spontaneous coming from the heart and is not desiring anything in return, their motivation is GODLY love for their neighbor. Christian giving is not anything like, “I gave at the office” , it is not a group thing, it is one on one, the giver to the recipient. Agape cannot be legislated by law and the law was not of love because it takes agape from GOD to us to fulfill the law. Romans 5:5 Romans 13:10 Attitude, the thoughts and intents of our heart, is what GOD looks at and judges us by. Hebrews 4:12,13 Everything a Christian thinks, speaks or does must be in agape because sin is whatever is NOT of GODS love.

 

[Outcast]

I recently had a conversation with a guy much senior to me who had been "in church" most of his life. He was lamenting that things he wished he could have done but had no funds to do them. He did, however, give his tithes to the church instead. When I asked him how much money God needed in order to evangelize, he was stunned. He, like many, think that the large beautiful buildings, sound systems, and parking lots were "of God."
Organized religion is not "of God."

 

[LeeB]

GOD does not dwell in temples made with hands but in temples HE made with HIS hands, HIS saints. The ancient annual holy day of tabernacles was a shadow of this. The Israelites were to dwell in a temporary booth for seven days. GOD dwells is temporary booths of human beings. GOD does this over the seven difference eras of the church from Ephesus to Laodicea. Just as GOD leavens each era of the seven churches so those truly chosen can hear what the spirit says to them.