RE>>As you can see, there are Churchs that are not in a big fancy building<<
I have never been in a church that had a "big fancy building" except for one and in that one they had such a high mortgage that they expected the pastor to work part time. Yet they were paying $1200 a month for the building.
The church I go to right now rents from 7th day adventists as they do not worship on Sunday. Actually we rent their school building... now they have money and I bet they teach the law of the tithe.
They rent to us really quite cheap and it is likely more trouble for them than it is worth. We have about 10 families so we barely support the pastor with our tithes.
The main churches send us a little each month to get us by.
RE>>Don't talk to me about being the least in the Kingdom of Heaven<<
I do not hope for anyone to be the 'least' in the Kingdom of God my hope is for us all to grow in the unity of the faith and to love and teach God's Law.
I was quoteing what Jesus said about the 'least' of His moral laws.
I find it sad that men are in such depths when it comes to understanding the Law of God.
I am not by any means trying to offend you James.
The Sabbath Law was given by God... not Brian Valentine...
The verse you quoted about men esteeming one day above another is not concerning the perpetual Sabbath is was concerning the times of transition from the Old Covenant to the New in the times from the resurrection of Jesus to the destruction of the temple.
It was concerning Jewish converts who did not have the faith to not observe what God had commanded under Aaron.
Paul was not talking about the 4th Commandment at all nor giving cause for any to think that they can esteem every day alike concerning the gathering together of the saints.
I think you have other problems perhaps being a part of a local body that I am sensing... I am not trying to judge you or harm you but the Word of God is very sharp and we should hope to be cut ot the quick by it.
Look at the Commandment:
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Why do Christians fight against God's Blessing??
What gives??
What kind of FREEDOM are they hanging on to that leads to a 7 day work week???
That is not freedom that is Egypt and Bondage.
Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
It states that it is a sign...
Until the last 50 years America respected and observed the Sabbath on Sunday..
Other countries knew that God was in our Land because we would not do business with them that day but rather we were about the business of Serving the Lord in Corporate Worship not matter how small the congregation yes even 2 or 3... It was a SIGN between us and our God for EVER !!
The verse says that GOD Himself was REFRESHED...
When a Land observes the Sabbath they bear witness the God created the Heavens and the Earth in SEVEN DAYS and that we "remember" Both Him and all that He has done for us in keeping the day Holy unto HIM.
Why if Christians truly love the Lord can they not spend one day out of seven forsaking seeking their own? In the end it is the Christian who benefits as we can give nothing to God seeing He is the giver of all things.
RE>>. Every thing was about giving more than your tithe<<
God has given us freedom from that kind of usury. We owe to God's House 10% after that we can give to and how we please.
Many 'prosperity' teachers have empties the widows bank account in this land BECAUSE they were not taught about the tithe properly and were therefore easy prey for such evil self serving men:
Mark 12:40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 ô And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
People using God for gain is nothing new James but in the same breath we should not deny those who labour in the Lord a good wage:
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
I know men who spent 7 years in University learning Greek and Hebrew and studing the Word and theology only to recieve the wage of a car wash boy...
What other profession can we see that takes so long to master and yet receives such an attitude that they should be grateful no matter how poorly paid??
We cannot let those who have abused the things of God spoil our attitude toward those who have not.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
I think that the Lord's Pastors in a land as rich as ours should make more than the average person in the congregation.
God ordained that the Levites receive no Land in the inheritance of Israel but rather that the other 11 tribes give to them 10%.
That works out to 110% compared to the others 90% that was left. The Levites also tithed however and remained with about 10% more than any of the other tribes or professions.
If God counts His priests worthy of receiving the highest honor even in carnal things why do we suffer from the Roman concepts of unlawful vows of poverty and the such.
Now there you have will-worship. There you have "touch not taste not":
Colossians 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
That is called MONASTISM ( as in monastery )and it is not of God.
James I really hope you take this to prayer and at least suffer long enough to hear what I am saying. I am teaching that Christians are still called to obey the Ten Commandments and that they need see that those Law are for our aid and not our harm. God does not give us laws to hurt us it is our rebellion in the flesh that fights against them.
God's Laws are not Grievous but they are good and holy.
The keeping of One day Holy in Seven is to our GOOD and the good of the Body of Christ as a whole.
The giving of the tithe is to our Good and the good of the body as a whole as well..
Are these hard things to give to God?
Why are men inflamed at the thought of obeying what God has commanded...
How many of us are going to join in the chorus...
" We will not have this man to rule over us - Crucify Him "
Do not give up on the Church because of the wolves you have met in the past... help us to build it as Jesus wanted it built. |
