HOW TO KNOW THE WILL OF GOD

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(Luke 22:42 KJV) Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

(Mat 7:21 KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

(Mat 12:50 KJV) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Ps 121:1-8, 1. I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? 2. My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3. He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4. indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5. The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6. the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7. The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; 8. the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

1 Tim 2:5-6 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-- the testimony given in its proper time.

II Ki 17:35 35 When the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: "Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them.

Isa 46: 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

Gal 1:6-9, 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserving the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

I Jn 4:1-5, 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.

Romans 3:10, 12 "There is none righteous, no, not one... They are all gone out of the way... there is none that doeth good, no, not one...

Romans 3:23 "For all have fallen short of the glory of God."

Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way..."

Romans 5:12, 14 "... passed upon all men, for that all have sinned ... reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression ..."

Romans 5:18, 19 "... by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation..."

Romans 11:32 "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all."

Ephesians 2:3 "...we all had our conversation in times past in the s of the flesh... and were by nature the children of wrath..."

THE GODHEAD'S FULNESS HAS BEEN REVEALED TO US IN CHRIST JESUS

2 Sam 7:20-22, 20 "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. 22 "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

Ps 71:5-6, 5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. 6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

Jer 32:17, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Ezek 12:28 "Therefore say to them, `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.'"

2 Pet 2:1-3, 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-- bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

(Gen 18:14 KJV) Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

(Isa 43:13 KJV) Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

(Jer 32:17 KJV) Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

(Jer 32:27 KJV) Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

(Mat 19:26 KJV) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Romans 8:34 "It is Christ... (who) maketh intercession for us."

*Jesus Christ our risen Saviour is both Lord and Christ. He is omnipotent:

(Dan 7:9-13 KJV) I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days did sit, His vesture was like white snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, it's wheels were a burning fire. A river of fire flowing from Him. Thousands and thousands were attending him.

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Rev. 1:14-16"And His head and his hair were like white wool, like snow; and His eyes like a flame of fire; and His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in the furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. And in His right hand He held seven stars; and out of His mouth came a sharp sword; and His face was like the sun shining in it's strength." (Mat 28:18 KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

(1 Pet 3:22 KJV) Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

(John 3:31 KJV) He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

(John 3:35 KJV) The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

(John 17:2 KJV) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

(Psa 104:30 KJV) Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

"I, Jesus, ... am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star." Revelation 22:16

Isaiah 43:11 "... beside me there is no Saviour."

Hosea 13:4 "... there is no saviour besides me." John 14:6 "... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

John 10:1, 2, 9 "... He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.... I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved ..."

Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

1 Timothy 2:5, 6 "For there is ... one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all ..."

Psalm 61:2 "Only in God is my soul at rest: from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation."

(1 Cor 3:23 KJV) And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

(Rom 12:16 KJV) Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

(2 Cor 13:1 KJV) This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

(Gal 1:6 KJV) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

(Song 1:7 KJV) Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

"All the great outpourings of the past have restored truthes to the church, which were lacking in their day, for the most part. Luther's contribution was Justification by Faith. Wesley's was Sanctification. Baptists taught the premillenial coming of Christ. The Missionary Alliance taught Divine Healing. The Pentecostal outpouring has restored the Baptism of the Holy Ghost to its rightful position. The next great outpouring is going to be marked by all these other truths plus such a demonstration of the nine gifts of the Spirit as the world. Before Jesus Christ returns, we will see a revival which will place a focus upon the fulness of the godhead dwelling in Christ Jesus in bodily form, and in the test for orthodoxy being that Jesus Christ is both Lord and Christ. (i.e. He is both God and man."

(Mat 15:13 KJV) But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

(John 10:1 KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

(John 15:10 KJV) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I d you.

(1 Cor 11:1 KJV) Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.(1 Th 2:14 KJV) For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus:

(Eph 2:13 KJV) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

(Titus 2:11 KJV) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly s, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

(1 Pet 2:17 KJV) Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

(Heb 12:14 KJV) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

(Titus 3:2 KJV) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.

(3 John 1:12 KJV) Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

(Titus 2:13 KJV) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers s and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

GOD'S WILL & DOCTRINE CONCERNING APOSTLES

(Rom 1:1 KJV) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an APOSTLE, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his PROPHETS in the holy scriptures,)

(2 Cor 11:13 KJV) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:12 The things that mark an APOSTLE -- signs, wonders and miracles -- were done among you with great perseverance. (NIV)

THE NEW TESTAMENT HELPS MINISTRY REQUIREMENTS

1 Tim 3:8 KJV) Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;) The deacon office originates in Acts chapter 6, where the APOSTLES needed day-to-day help and administration with the poor and widows. "Seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom" were appointed, so that the Apostles could devout themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

(Acts 6:1 KJV) And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

GOD'S WILL REGARDING ISRAEL'S TITHE MONEY UNDER THE OLD COVENANT:

(There was a First Tithe, The Second Tithe, Third Tithe and the Poor Tithe)

  • We also see: (Voluntary tithing before the Old Testament law was instituted:)

    a) (Gen. 14:20) Abraham paid tithes in Melchizedek. And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

    b) Gen 28:22 Jacob vowed a 10th of all his property to God, long before it was mandatory.

  • 1 Sam. 8:15-17 Tithing was given to: a) Priests: These men were actually in the linege of Aaron. (Heb. 7:5)

    b) Kings: Today, this would mean tithing to President Bush.

  • Mosaic Law instituted tithing:

    a) Jer. 33:13, Ezek. 20:37 As the flocks passed out to pasture, Old Testament believers tithed every 10th animal in their flock, as "holy unto the Lord." Today this means if you raise St. Bernard dogs, you give the pastor as a "priest," or your church that 10th puppy! b) Under the law you don't have to throw in a sack of dog food, or fertilizer for the seed or produce sown. You can if you want! c) The owner of the items being tithed, was not allowed to search among the flock for which to give or keep back. He was just to count every 10th one, and the priests were to be thankful!

  • If you lived too far from Jerusalem, only then could you convert or redeem that sheep or cow (puppy?) for cash, and carry it with you. You could not trade straight across, but you must add 1/5 to the value of the tithed amount. God didn't want you to be eaten out of house and home on the journey, as this would be too much of a burden for some folks!

  • Lev. 27 The tithe was to consist of:

    1Lev. 27:33-Seed of the land.
    2Of the herd or flock.
    3)Of the "corn and wine."

    You say you are praying for new wine for your pastor? It's good to pray this for the whole church. But you mustn't take scripture out of context! If you use Malachi 3:7-15 as your proof text, to prove thaat all should tithe, or so those who don't tithe will be cursed with a curse, then you have to according to the O.T. tithing system, give the "old wine," that was partaken of under the law.

  • Deut. 12:5,6,11,18 Tithes were paid to Jerusalem. This translates in our day and age to something like Rome's Vatican. Jerusalem was where the Old Testament storehouse was. You might say: Isn't the church New Jerusalem? Yes! But tithing is still an Old Testament giving of one tenth of all you possess. New Jerusalem was made new in the New Testament, by the blood of Jesus Christ, and we are commanded to "present our bodies a living sacrifice," and not to simply pay a tithe and say: "Here am I, Lord send them,!" because we don't want to go to the mission field because our job won't give us the time off, or we don't like a warm climate, or aren't partial to snakes.

    SO YOU WANT TO BE A LEVITE?

    Under Malachi 3, Levites have to have special qualifications: a) There were three divisions, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (Num. 3:17) b)These men only lived in special villages assigned after the conquest of Canaan. (Jush. 21, Neh. 12:29) c) They were musicians for temple service. (1 Chron. 23:2-4)

  • There was the first tithe which went to the Levites, who received tithes because they had no inheritance in the land. Of this, the Levites gave 1/10 to the priests.

    There is no way to carry over that which is of the Old Testament law today. But if there were, this would exclude pastors who own a home and property.

  • The Levites were the singers. This is comparable to you tithing to your churches choir members. On at least one ocasion, Israel quit tithing to the singers or musicians and they quit doing the praise and worship! Let's hear it for tithing to the worship team and choir members who have been volunteering so they can all quit their regular day jobs!
  • Ezra 8:15 In the time of the Second Temple, the priests had not wanted to go to Jerusalem, and had to be persuaded by Ezra.
  • There are no Levites in todays church, as the Levitical priesthood has been done away, for a new and better covenant.

  • Deut. 14:26 The second tithe had to be set apart and consumed in Jerusalem, and only food, drink or ointment could be purchased with the money.

  • The third tithe.

  • There was the tithe to the poor. The priests and Levites, if landowners had to tithe to the poor.

    Lev. 27:30-33
    Num. 18:21-24
    Deut. 12:6,7,17-19
    Deut. 14:22-29

    Numbers 18:26-Neh. 10:38 There was a tithe of tithes for the priests.

    (Neh 10:38 KJV) And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. Neh. 10:38-39; 12:44; 13:5,12; 2 Chron. 31:11; Mal. 3:10 Old Testament tithes were stores in the temple.

    Malachi 3:7-15 In "bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse," found under the Old Testament tithing system, we are to understand that in the Old Testament you were to give "all of the tithe to God," or all of what belonged to Him, and this included the 1/7 of it to be given the local poor people, and the balance of the tithe was to go the temple of the Lord, i.e. "The Storehouse,"

    which was in Jerusalem.

    (Exo 20:17 KJV) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. Other Bible verses on tithing..

    (Lev 27:30 KJV) And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

    The tithe is God's not the churches, pastor's, priests, etc.,

    (Lev 27:32 KJV) And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

    (Num 18:26 KJV) Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

    (Deu 12:17 KJV) Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

    (Deu 14:22 KJV) Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

    (Deu 14:23 KJV) And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

    (Deu 14:28 KJV) At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

    (2 Chr 31:5 KJV) And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

    (2 Chr 31:6 KJV) And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.

    (Neh 13:12 KJV) Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

    (Lev 27:31 KJV) And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

    (Num 18:24 KJV) But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. (Num 18:26 KJV) Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

    (Num 18:28 KJV) Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest.

    (Deu 12:6 KJV) And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

    (Deu 12:11 KJV) Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

    (Deu 26:12 KJV) When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

    (2 Chr 31:12 KJV) And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.

    (Neh 10:37 KJV) And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

    (Neh 10:38 KJV) And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

    (Neh 12:44 KJV) And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

    (Neh 13:5 KJV) And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.

    (Amos 4:4 KJV) Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:

    (Mal 3:8 KJV) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 10 Bring ye all ( all ) the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat ( note this food for the workers was the purpose of the tithe) in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

    Basically enforced tithing, like circumcision, is part of the Old Testament Law. As such, it is not legally binding for New Testament believers after the , burial and resurrection of Christ...God does not demand 1/10, but jealously "desires the whole of you," we read in the New Testament.

    (Rom 12:1 KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (1 Cor 6:20 KJV) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Cor 7:23 KJV) Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

    THE INTERIM PERIOD UNDER LAW BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION

    (Mat 23:23 KJV) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

    (Luke 11:42 KJV) But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

    (Luke 18:12 KJV) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

    Jesus told only the scribes and pharisees that they still needed to pay tithes, and this time period was yet "under the law." New Testament believers in our day, give but are not under obligation to "tithe."

    (Heb 7:5 KJV) And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

    NEW TESTAMENT GIVING

    (We see the church respond with voluntary giving, and we do NOT see the leadership "cursing with the curses of the law, if they don't "tithe," as under the Law in the Old Testament.")

    1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God among you exercizing oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.

    2 Cor. 9:7 Let each of you do as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgningly nor under compulsion (tithing under law) for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed, as it is written: He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness abides forever.

    Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for the eater will supply and multiply your seedfor sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for your liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fuly supplying the needs of the saints, but is overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

    (1 Cor 16:2 KJV) Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

    (1 Cor 16:1 KJV) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

    2 Cor. 8:11 Now therefore perform the doing of it, that as there was a readiness to will,so there may be a performance also out of that which you have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. But by an equality, that now at this time, your abundance also may be a supply for their want, that their abundance may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality. 1 Cor. 13:3 Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and have not love it profits me nothing.

    Romans 12:8 He that giveth let him do it with simplicity.

    Acts 5:1-1 Even in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied about the amount they'd given, the Apostle Peter says: While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Nothing is said of compulsory tithing. They were judged for their dishonesty.

    WHAT DID THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH DO WITH THE CHURCHES MONEY?

    (Giving was taught on, and needs made known, but the authority appears to have been the hands of the individual Christians, to decide when and where to give.

    (Support of leaders and ministries) 2 Cor. 11:8 I robbed other churches taking wages from them, to serve you. (Give to those in need-It's a good testimony!) Acts 11:29 Then the disciples every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren in Judea, which also they did by the hands of Barnabus and Saul.

    Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labour working with is hands, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

    (Take care of your folks...)If any man or woman that believes has widows, let THEM relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed (Without family to care for their needs)

    (Money was not to be used to buy religious offices (simony) (Acts 8:12 KJV) But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

    GOD'S WILL REGARDING THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS

    (Mark 9:33 KJV) And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

    (Mat 18:1 KJV) At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or ed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

    (Mat 23:11 KJV) But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

    (1 Cor 2:2 KJV) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

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