The Devotional – 1096 – Foot Steps in Second Corinthians, On Going

The Devotional – 1096 – Foot Steps in Second Corinthians, On Going

The New Testament does not discuss tithing yet there are many New Testament churches that do. The issue has become very confusing to many people who are the children of God by faith in the death and resurrection of their LORD. Now it is not the Holy Bible that has caused this confusion, it is religion, religion approved of by man. Now it is not my intention to scold or bless the tither or the one who says TITHE, God will judge all false religion including this daily devotional if it is in error. Have we not forgotten the straight forward comments of the LORD Jesus, or how often do we spend time searching the words of the Holy Bible on the issue of money? Have we not become callous in the area of giving?

CHALLENGES & COMMENTS – 2 Corinthians 8:4-16

There is an earthly treasure and there is a heavenly one as well, or we could say it this way; what is temporary on earth is permanent in heaven. Jesus in Luke 21:1-4 observes the two treasuries as He watches the rich and the widow. “And he looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury (earthly) and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites (small copper coins). Being close or far Jesus knows the amounts of both the rich and the poor when it comes to giving.

The point – God knows the intentions of the heart, the response of the heart of giving is the treasury (heavenly). Notice what He says to His disciples: “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all: For all of these (rich) out of their abundance have put in offerings, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had”. What faith would it take to give all of our livelihood to the treasury in heaven? Don’t miss the point! The key is in the word “livelihood”.

The poor widow first gave of herself, while the rich gave only of what they had. You see then if we first give of our self in faith to Jesus, than all that we have belongs to Him. We discuss this sort of faith giving in nearly every message heard from the pulpit. Yet, when the added word of funds or money are placed in the mix, many turn their backside to the message. How much of a saint does Jesus expect us to be? I expect that you know as I do the answer. Thus if we are givers of self than all of our livelihood will have a clearer and more meaningful path to the heavenly treasury.

1 Corinthians 8:16-18 – this is the thanks to God that the apostle expresses regarding his friend and companion, Titus. The same earnest care for the souls of the Corinthians that Jesus has, is the same earnest care that Titus and the apostle have for the church at Corinth. We need to see that the men who are placed in the position of Pastor and Teacher are men who are looking to increase our treasury in heaven and not their treasury on the earth. 

1 Corinthians 8:19-22 – administration of church giving is necessary, choosing people to govern over the gifts and offerings for general and temporal needs is not a task for children (babes) and it is not a task for someone who does not understand that the resources of funds given properly is more than a quantity of money in the daily or weekly offering. In every case the funds travel near and also travel far. The folks who are far, rely on the mature accountability of those near to be faithful.

1 Corinthians 8:23-24 – Today we do not have the office of apostleship; the church is a representative of Jesus Christ, the Pastors and Teachers are partners and fellow workers with Christ. These men work diligently with the LORD to mature the children of God in FAITH, without faith it is impossible to please God; Now we almost always quote that verse without looking at the context of Hebrews 11:4-7, but we should notice that Enoch, who gave of Himself to God in all things was so pleasing that he (Enoch) did not experience death. 

In conclusion; it is not that we do not have pastors and teachers who do not care for our soul, we do. The problem is that many of us do not care for our soul because we spend most of our time and resources in the flesh and this promotes giving with a wrong concept of faith; while God says… “do not worry about tomorrow” – Matthew 6:22-34. Remember the lamp of the body is the eye, we cannot serve God (the giving of self) and riches (giving by compulsion) and do not worry, seek first the kingdom of heaven.