10/04/12

Christianity brings equality

2 Corinthians 8:17 - For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.


In today's message we read Titus is on a mission to the Church of Corinth requesting them to give generously to the Church of Macedonia. Accompanying Titus is a famous brother, famous as a preacher of the Gospel. His name is not revealed but people assume it was Luke, or Silas or even Mark or Barnabas. The higher possibility is that it was Luke. We see this was a high profile mission backed by Paul and all Churches requesting the people to give unto others of the faith.

Today morning as I got up this same matter was running in my mind. People cry so much, or are burdened greatly when it comes to tithing (giving 10 percent). They do not know that Christians are not called to tithe, but tithing is a step to becoming a Christian. Tithing is just junior school of what a Christian is called for and even this junior school is like a doctorate for most Christians.

Today there are not even a handful of Christians in the whole world that really follow the Word of God when it comes to giving. The early Church grew greatly because they really followed the principles of giving. God was pleased with them and therefore added many unto that Church.

People quote half scriptures and half understandings so as to avoid facing the Truth. It may amaze people to know, if people do indeed really follow Christianity there would be not one poor Christian and at the same time there would be no rich Christians.

Christianity brings equality in all things and Paul speaks on this to the rich people of Corinth asking them to give their earthly wealth and in turn to receive spiritual wealth from the Church in Macedonia.

Even though I wrote on tithing I did not write on next level because people are yet not ready to really follow 'Christianity'. We may look at great preachers around the world, great Men and Women of God everywhere but yet the spiritual growth of all of us is very sad. We are far, far off from what we are called to be.

By today's message the Lord is telling us, we need to grow spiritually. We need to stop being fed on milk and start consuming solid food. Solid food is only given to those who exercise their faith and the best way to start exercising is to give.

Tithing is for the weaned and not for the spiritually mature. Let us learn to go beyond that 10 percent and let us be led by the Holy Spirit in our givings.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You alone are our provider. You alone provide all our needs and your Word says You made all our provision even before You put us here on earth. You have given more to some and less unto others among your children so that the more learn to give unto the less and thus grow in the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Teach us Lord that by giving we also receive and all among us will not lack anything in any way both naturally and spiritually...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
2 Corinthians 8:1-24
Key scriptures (Italics removed)
12 For if the readiness is there, acceptable according as hath, not according as hath not.
13 For not that others may be eased ye distressed;
14 but by equality: your abundance at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become for your want; that there may be equality:
15 as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.

Genesis 14:18-24
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

Acts 2:42-47
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

1 Corinthians 3:2-3
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Hebrews 5:12-14
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)