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Malaysia Budget 2012 - Church Contributions/Tithes/Giving

Headlines: Tax exemption on contributions to educational institutions and all places of worship. What is this? In the next few hours bloggers, leaders, etc will discuss more on this and you will read more.

Meanwhile it is good to reflect on what the bible teaches us from his word, The Bible. A growing fad among some Christians is to deny tithing under the New Testament. Since there are no specific directions for tithing in the New Testament, they rejoice that they can avoid this duty. So they leap on the no-tithing bandwagon and roll out their rabid rhetoric. It is time to take off their wheels and let the water cover them.

What is a tithe? It is 10% of income or assets returned to God for His faithfulness and mercy.

Did Old Testament saints tithe? Yes, the Law of Moses required tithing. Israelites gave 10% annually to the Levites, 10% annually on feasts for worship, and 10% every third year for the Levites and poor. They gave about 23 1/3% annually (Numbers 18:20-32; Deut 14:22-29)!

Were tithes the same as offerings? No, tithes were required giving. Israel owed the Lord tithes by obligation of His commandments. The soul offering, freewill offerings, sacrifices, and vows were all above and beyond tithes (Ex 30:15; Deut 12:6,17; I Chr 22:5,14; 29:2-5; Mal 3:8).

Did the tithe originate with Moses? No, Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils of his victory to Melchisedec, and Jacob promised God a tenth for His blessings, and these men lived 300-400 years before Moses and the Law (Gen 14:18-20; 28:22; Gal 3:17). Capital punishment, like tithing, originated long before the Law, but the Law systematized its practice (Gen 9:6).

Does the New Testament require a tithe? No, it does not mention tithing by name, except for Jesus correcting the Jews abuse of tithing (Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42) and Paul’s historical description of Abraham giving Melchisedec a tithe (Heb 7:1-4). But there are many useful and godly principles of the Old Testament that are not repeated specifically in the New Testament.

Does the New Testament require giving? Yes, it requires giving by doctrine and precept for the very same things as the Old Testament – the ministry and the poor (Acts 20:35; I Cor 9:1-18; 16:1-3; II Cor 8:1-24; 9:1-15; Gal 6:6; I Tim 5:3,17; 6:17-19; I John 3:17-18).

Did New Testament saints give? Yes, they gave with cheerful liberality and obvious personal sacrifice both in public and private, for their position or assets in this world meant little to them (Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37; 6:1; Phil 4:10-18; Philemon 1:4-7; Heb 10:34; III John 1:5-8).

What do New Testament saints give for? They give to ministers who labor full time in the ministry and to poor saints, including widows indeed, in their own church and in other churches (Acts 6:1; 11:28-30; Rom 15:25-27; I Cor 9:7-14; 16:1-3; Gal 2:10; 6:6; I Tim 5:17-18; II Tim 2:4).

Should Christians tithe? No, they should give more! Israel under the weak and beggarly Old Testament gave more than 10% in tithes and offerings, so we under the blessings of the New should give more than they, and the Spirit-filled examples agree (Gal 4:9; Heb 7:19,22; 8:6; Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37). Remember, the Lord requires based on what He has given you (Luke 12:48).

Should a church require a tithe? No, a church cannot require a tithe without New Testament authority. But a church should preach hard about giving, teach members the origin and nature of the tithe, and exhort members about exceeding the tithe. And a church might use the tithe as a guideline for warning or disciplining members for covetousness (I Cor 5:11; II Thess 3:6).

How much should be given? Saints should give (1) proportionate to income, (2) systematically, (3) liberally, (4) as they purpose in their heart, and (5) cheerfully (Acts 11:29; I Cor 16:1-3; II Cor 8:12; 9:7). God loves cheerful givers. If saints give liberally, they will be blessed liberally (II Cor 9:6). A tithe should be the minimum, since it was the minimum before and during the Law.

Should they give by gross or net income? The question indicates a selfish and stingy heart. In any other situation, this person will always state his income by the highest number; but when it comes to God, he lowers it to give Him less. Gross income is what you were paid; you received many benefits for the taxes deducted. You should give proportionately of your gross income.

What is firstfruits giving? Taken from the first produce of a field or vineyard, it is honoring the Lord off the top, rather than from what remains (Pr 3:9). Therefore, firstfruits giving is more than just a few bucks, is the first use of income, is given from a blessing not for a blessing, and is given from gross income. And the Lord is very pleased with such an approach (Pr 3:10).

What about taking a tax deduction? God raises up governments to provide for His people, and taking a deduction fulfils God’s word. The Bible has many examples of God using pagan governments to provide for His church. Budget 2012? 2013?

But the New Testament does not require a tithe? And the New Testament does not mention corporal punishment, but you use the O.T. principle to train your children (Pr 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15). It does not mention saving money, but you do so from Solomon (Pr 6:8; 30:25). It does not mention many godly rules or principles, which may be assumed from the O.T.

But the New Testament does not require a tithe? But the tithe was not abolished, as was the Sabbath. The Sabbath was not pre-Moses, was for Israel only, and was clearly abolished according to Paul. Tithing was pre-Moses and not rejected by Paul, thus remaining as a guide.

But the New Testament does not require a tithe? That is right, but Paul did appeal to the Law of Moses for principles of financial giving, which shows the remaining validity of the principles pertaining to giving (I Cor 9:8-9; II Cor 9:9; I Tim 5:18).

But anything like a tithe becomes a mere ritual? Worship becoming a dead ritual depends on your heart, for systematic giving can be done cheerfully, as Moses required of the Jews, and Paul required of the Gentiles (I Cor 16:1-3). Does attending assemblies every Lord’s Day or daily reading of the Bible become a dead ritual merely by its discipline or habit? No!

What if I do not give? You rob God, and you will suffer (Hag 1:1-11; Mal 3:8-12; II Cor 9:6; Gal 6:7). Everything you have is from the Lord, and you should willingly give some back. It is often the love of money that causes some to oppose tithing and/or giving, but disciples of Jesus Christ give liberally, for they reject covetousness and the love of money (I Tim 6:6-10,17-19).

What if I cannot afford to give? You must be in financial trouble, so you cannot afford not to give! Joseph and Mary, though poor, brought two turtledoves for our Lord’s dedication (Luke 2:22-24; Lev 12:8). Jesus took note of a widow giving two mites over rich men giving much (Lev 12:1-4). Moses required a soul offering of every citizen without regard for ability to give (Ex 30:5). The Philippians gave generously, though they were comparatively poor (II Cor 8:1-5).

What about money-grubbing televangelists? They should be rejected as false prophets, for they are not sent by God, do not preach God’s words, steal widows’ houses through fake prayers, promise lies about getting rich, and sell trinkets without shame (Matt 23:14). But their heresies, lies, and scams do not negate the need to generously support God’s ministers (I Tim 5:17-18).

What about giving to get? Our blessed and merciful heavenly Father has repeatedly promised His reward upon those who give liberally, and these promises encourage our obedience, as long life encourages parental honor (Eph 6:1-3). But great men with great hearts, like David, give out of delight and love for God rather than what they might receive as a result of their giving!

What if I give hypocritically? That is your wicked choice, but it has nothing to do with a proper understanding of tithing and giving. Financial giving will not sanctify your life or make up for wickedness in other areas (Is 58:3-7; Hag 2:10-19; Jas 1:27). Jesus Christ taught you to do both – to live a righteous life of mercy, judgment, and faith and to give financially (Matt 23:23).

What is the bottom line? The Lord is a great king, and He deserves your best (Mal 1:14; Heb 12:28-29). If you want the heart of David, you better give more than a tithe (I Chron 22:5,14-16; 29:2-5). Let the lovers of filthy lucre argue about tithing. Since the world began, God has blessed liberal givers (Gen 13:2; 26:12; 32:10; Pr 3:9-10; 11:24-26; Mal 3:8-12; Luke 6:38; II Cor 9:6). The most exciting use of your money should be generous giving to the Lord, off the top, often!

Measuring Growth

When a high school student tried using a thermometer to measure a table, his teacher was dumbfounded. In 15 years of teaching, Dave had seen many sad and shocking situations. But even he was amazed that a student could make it to high school without knowing the difference between a ruler and a thermometer.

When a friend told me this story, my heart broke for that student and others like him who have fallen so far behind in their education. They can’t move forward because they haven’t yet learned basic lessons of everyday life.

But then a sobering thought came to me: Don’t we sometimes do the same thing when we use wrong spiritual measuring devices? For example, do we assume that churches with the most resources are the most blessed by God? And do we ever think that popular preachers are more godly than those with few followers?

The proper measure of our spiritual condition is the quality of our lives, which is measured by such attributes as lowliness, gentleness, and longsuffering (Eph. 4:2). “Bearing with one another in love” (v.2) is a good indication that we are moving toward God’s goal for us: “the measure of . . . the fullness of Christ” (v.13).

Our spiritual maturity
Is measured by the quality
Of attributes that others see
Produced in us by Christ. —Sper

Our love for God can be measured by our love for others.

Source: http://odb.org/2011/09/06/measuring-growth/

NGC Movie Nite @ 20th August 2011

Inspired by a true story. A young boy fighting cancer writes letters to God, touching lives in his neighborhood and community and inspiring hope among everyone he comes in contact. An unsuspecting substitute postman, with a troubled life of his own, becomes entangled in the boy's journey and his family by reading the letters. They inspire him to seek a better life for himself and his own son he's lost through his alcohol addiction

Come and join us at Nilai Gospel Chapel Movie Nite' on Sat, 20th August from 7.00pm onwards and do bring your family and friends too. Letters to God - The Movie is from one of the producers of Fireproof and Facing the Giants. Given the right address, anything is possible. Remember...hope is contagious.

His Manna Supply?

This week's friday prayer meeting was led by bro Teh and he turned our focus in scriptures to Exodus 16:1-36.

This is in response to our theme for August which focuses on God's supply. In response to the grumbling of the Israelites in the wilderness, God furnishes them with manna in the morning and meat in the evening between dusk and dark.

Interestingly the catch was that they were only to gather enough manna for that particular day i.e. the Sabbath, for the two days. If they attempted to save manna, it soured or became infested with maggots. If we consider deeper into this instruction it requires total reliance on God and God alone for provision.

The challenge that this poses for us are enormous. But we also know in our heart how difficult this kind of trust is. So many experiences in our lives make trust hard to come by. Deep down all of us want security and at times it seems not necessarily the security of God's promise, but we want a security we can hold in our hands and tangible in nature.

In today's context can we live on "manna and quail?" All to often the answer is, "I don't know. I'm scared. Help me believe. Help me trust." It is in the wildernesses of our lives, the Dark Nights of the Soul, when everything else is stripped away, that these questions become most real; that they take on their greatest weight.

Many of us struggle with the same attitudes. Not necessarily about food, but about emotional needs, money, love, security. Behind each of these struggles is a story of loss or trauma or pain. In the grumbling in the wilderness the Israelites at least brought their story to the conversation. Mind you they didn't bring it up front and clearly. They didn't say, "we've been enslaved for so long that it's hard to trust God to care for our needs. It's easier to look back through the past with selective memory or to lean on old ways of soothing our pain." But they were talking-and that's the starting point.

As long as you and I can stay in the conversation talking about our fears of living on whatever our version of God's "manna and quail" is....we can trust that God will meet us in the dialogue. God will not abandon us or condemn us because of our fears. God wants to keep the conversation going.

Do join us at NGC this month as we consider the following questions.

Aug 7 : Why is a christian still in need?

Aug 14 : Can we have spiritual sufficiency?

Aug 21 : How are we one in the bond of love?

Aug 28 : The theory of "ENOUGH"

Our breaking of bread / Lord's Supper service starts from 10am every Sunday and thereafter Morning Ministry and Discovery Moment.

Do join us and discover God in the process. And if you desire more, do join our Family Camp from Aug 31 till Sept 3 as we consider God's way always.

When You Need to be Strong

I look at the days ahead and wonder what they hold.
Don't we all?

And then these words make their way to my heart:
"Go in the strength you have...am I not sending you?"

Judges 6:14

What is EVERYTHING?

The front cover of the Newsweek magazine dated April 12, 2010 reads “What’s so great about the iPAD? With the background of the sky and the bold letter EVERYTHING stood out indeed. Well Steve Job has indeed revolutionise our reading, watching, computing, gaming and many more.

Today, this hype continues coz people just expect big things from Apple perhaps due to the success of its iPod and later iPhone and now iPad. So much so little children/babies today knows how to SLIDE to Unlock and swipe thu’ pictures on these gadgets. Apple managed to change our mind to Think Really Different. Let's face it we all think these tools are particularly brilliant. We are mesmerized by all that they can do. Not sure about the cost but I have heard people are willing to skip meals just to buy one. Incidentally I do not own even an iPod but I knew many of my colleagues are talking about getting their iPhone 5 and iPad2 and indeed I must say I may get stuck into these craze too.

Now Apple is coming out with iCloud. It is so much more than a hard drive in the sky. It’s the effortless way to access just about everything on all these devices. iCloud stores your content so it’s always accessible from your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac or even PC. It gives people instant access to their music, apps, latest photos and more. And it keeps their email, contacts and calendars up to date across all their devices. No syncing required. No management required. In fact, no anything required. iCloud does it all for you that is their new tag line.
Six months has passed us by and many incidents and events has changed us, inspired us and/or discouraged us. Our theme for the year lest we forget is “God’s Way Always”. Fact is it is easily forgotten as coping with the anxiety of life overwhelm all of us. We should take time to take stock.

Did you know the Bible says God is recording “Everything you and I say”, good or bad? He employs no one to “edit out” the embarrassing or condemning things we say. Every “idle words” that men shall speak said our Lord in Matthew 12:36 ‘they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgement’. If everything we have ever said will be introduced as evidence against us in a future day it is pretty frightening prospect wouldn’t you say?

The Greek word that was used in this passage is “argos” which simply means unprofitable. It also means what it implies in the English: “Idle” or “not working”. The identical word is used in Matthew 20:3 where Jesus spoke of labourers “standing idle in the marketplace” They were free from work, unproductive. They are “weeds in the garden patch of speech”. They serve no good purpose.

The month of July and August is critical for all of us to learn. Consider carefully the Morning Ministry and Discovery Moments topics as His word will truly warn us and guide us. We need to learn and be encouraged by and thru God’s word, the Bible and be inspired by the many things that God is promising us. Do not be discouraged and give up at this stage of your Christian Walk as you find carrying the cross of Jesus heavy to bear. Take time off and be refreshed by joining our NGC Family Camp from Aug 31 to Sept 3. Start saving RM3 a day from now onwards and you could be on your way. More important create the desire in you that it is the right things to do and sign up by July 24 so that the organisers of the camp could plan more easily. Remember EASY payment is available and it is worthwhile and value for money. No iCloud, iBible or iCamp can ever replace the time well spend with God and His people. Let’s not be idle with our words and time.

Jehovah Jireh – God is Our Provider ! God is EVERYTHING. God’s Way Always.