Christian and money Heres a subject that s not a good deal in the direction of our money. In France , the fact that interest in other peoples money is always disturbing and we do not like you look too closely at our . For us , money is taboo! And this is also true for Christians. However, the Bible talks a lot about money : The one you love : the love of money That we earn and spend : the need for money That we give : the gift of money These are the three themes that I will try to develop today, with the written Word of God. When I talk about money, I do not think only coins, bank notes, checks, credit cards or other form . I also mean the riches of the earth that money can buy our goods here below . The Lord Jesus has set the framework for money and wealth in our relationship with God and others and it is good that we are imbued with his instructions, to escape the traps of money, to free ourselves from his grip, but also how to use it properly in the sight of God. The love of money Its called greed. Loving money for himself , never satisfied desire to possess, greed is idolatry . The Hebrew words : betsa and Greek epithumia and pleonexia mean greed revealed in particular by greed . In the following passages greed is considered idolatry. Proverbs 28:16 , Jeremiah 6.13 , 7.22 Marc , Luke 12:15 , Acts 20.33 ; 2Co 9.5 , 4.19 etc. Eph . Eph. 5.5 and Col . 3.5. The love of money is a root of all evil: which while some , being money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows . 1 Timothy 6:10 It is an insatiable desire : He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with money , and whoever loves wealth is not benefiting . This is also vanity . Ecclesiastes 5:10 Do not indulge in the love of money, content with what you have , because God himself said: I will forsake you , and I will not leave thee . Hebrews 13:5 Jesus said : Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man s life does not depend on his possessions there in abundance. Luke 12:15 Another aspect of the love of money is the love for power it provides: the power to buy material goods according to our desires , sometimes the power to buy people to get benefits or keep our thank you . Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. God is not against being rich . He denounces the love of riches and warns us : Psalms 62:10 When riches increase , set not your heart . Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD has made them both . I take this last word the following thought : If God made you rich is that you should go and meet the poor to help them. Those who are rich must learn to help and rescue those who are not . 1 Timothy 6:17 that are rich in this present world not to be arrogant , and not put their trust in uncertain riches, but on God , who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good , to be rich in good works , for liberality , generosity , 2 Corinthians 9.8 God is able to make all grace abound , so that always having all things will satisfy all your needs , you may have an abundance for every good work , as it is written : He made generosity , he gave to the needy , his righteousness endures forever . He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness . You will be enriched in everything for all liberality , which through us will offer to God thanksgiving . There is a beautiful verse that supported me often in my needs and made me understand , but its personal , it was better for me that I am not rich . This is often my prayer : Proverbs 30.8 / 9 Remove far from me vanity and lies speech , Give me neither poverty nor riches; Give me the bread that is necessary for me . Lest , in abundance , I deny thee , and say, Who is the LORD ? Or in poverty , I do and steal, and take the name of my God . Listen again to what God says : Do not worry to enrich you, Do not apply your intelligence. Would you eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle , it takes its flight to heaven. Proverbs 4.23 / 5 Do not indulge in the love of money, content with what you have , because God Himself has said, I will forsake you , and I will not forsake thee . Hebrews 13:5 The need for money This is the money we earn our work which is necessary to our earthly life, our daily needs. This money is legitimate. It is useful for our food, our clothes, our accommodation and what follows, our daily expenses. We must work to earn it , it is imperative and healthy. 2 Thessalonians 3.10/12 For when we were with you, we commanded you this : If anyone will not work, he shall not eat . We learn , however, that there are some among you who live in the mess, who do not work , but busybodies . We invite these people , and we urge in the Lord Jesus Christ, and eat their own bread , working peacefully. The Lord Jesus exhorts us to have no concerns about our earthly needs , as he said Heavenly Father knows what we need. This does not mean that we should be careless and improvident , as yet the Word of God says : Proverbs 6.6/11 Go to the ant , you sluggard consider her ways , and be wise . It has no leader, overseer, or master ; She prepares her food in summer , and gathers in the harvest food. Lazy, until when will you sleep ? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep ? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep ... And thy poverty come as a robber , And thy want as an armed man . I often watch the birds in mind the words of Jesus: Your heavenly Father feeds them . I notice there are very active search for this food. You understand that this is not to wait smugly that what we need is falling directly from the sky. That is laziness. God wants us to work to live and it will provide us the work and health to do so. There are extreme situations where God miraculously answered , but these are exceptional circumstances. The general rule is work . We need to know we trust God for our daily needs because his promises are true and eternal. For your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8 Do not worry about anything, but in everything, present your requests to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving . And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus . Philippians 4.6 / 7 You unload on him all your worries because he cares for you . 1 Peter 5:7 The offering of money I come here a very sensitive point : who give , how to give , how much to give , why give ? Lets start with why give . The offerings also called sacrifices have always been part of religious practices. I will not speak here of the pagan religions , but offerings which the Bible speaks to us . The first man mentioned for its offerings is Cain Genesis 4:3 And in process of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the earth and Abel , for his part , made a firstborn of his flock and of their fat. Genesis 4:4 The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but he did not looked with favor on Cain and his offering . Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:5 Hebrews gives the reason why God approved of Abels offering as more excellent than his brother. It is by faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain , by the which he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he still speaks , although death. Hebrews 11:4 We might think that faith is the way to receive the blessings of God, but we note that it is also necessary to ensure that what we offer to God approved . Still reading, we find the offerings of Noah Noah builded an altar unto the LORD , and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. Genesis 8:20 Then those of Abraham who built altars to the Lord , so that presented offerings. With Abraham it is mentioned for the first time tithing . Genesis 14:17 After Abram returned victorious Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh , which is the kings dale . And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High. And he blessed him , and said, Blessed be Abram by God Most High , possessor of heaven and earth ! Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand ! And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. From this time we find the tithe as a measure of offering to God , before it becomes a law for Israel. Genesis 28.20/22 Jacob vowed a vow , saying, If God will be with me and keep me in this way that I go , and will give me bread to eat and clothing to put on , and if I return in peace the house of my father, then the LORD will be my God and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be Gods house : and I will give tithes of all that thou shalt give me . This tithe was voluntary offerings included cattle and land products . Later God erected in to Israel. She was, as the offerings that preceded it , an act of worship to God, offered by recognition. Here is a note from the Bible Dictionary : Tithing : The 10th part of the income or spoils that were devoted to God. Lydians ( Herodotus 1.89 ) , Phoenicians , Carthaginians and other ancient peoples also levied tithes to their gods. The Egyptians even had to give one fifth of their harvest to Pharaoh (Gen. 47.24 ) Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings, gave a tenth of all the spoils to Melchizedek , king of Salem and priest of the true God ( 14.20 ) . Jacob promised God to give him the tenth of what he would give ( 28.22 ) . The Law of Moses submitted to tithe the produce of the land and livestock. (Leviticus 27.30-32 ) The donor could redeem part of his tithe consisting crops or fruit provided to add silver fifth value (v. 31) . For cons , the tithe of oxen and flocks could not be redeemed. Were devoted to the Lord every 10th animal without blemish or defect , which passed under the leadership , had left the choice to God ( vv. 32-33 ) and the animal could not be redeemed or exchanged. For agricultural products , the tithe levied on the beaten wheat , wine , olive oil. (Numbers 18:27 ) All these tithes presented to the Lord by raising were given to the Levites (vv. 21, 24) as compensation for their service in the sanctuary, and because they did not have jurisdiction. In turn, the Levites were taken for the Lord a tenth of what they received ( the tithe of the tithes ) , and give to the priests (v. 26-27). Tithing has become a statute for Israel , but next to this tithe , the people had also many voluntary donations. Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel, both man and woman, whose heart was willing to contribute to the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses, brought a willing offering unto the LORD. Deuteronomy 12:6 This is where you present your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes , your premises , your offerings in fulfillment of a vow , your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and of your flocks . The destination of the tithes and offerings were specified : They were to be presented to God in the sanctuary , through the priests and they were used for the maintenance of the priests, the Levites and the sanctuary. We now come to regard us in the New Covenant Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus had repeatedly take the Pharisees about how they practiced tithes and offerings. We read in the Gospels. We also see how he paid tribute to a poor widow who gave her necessary , although the amount seems small. Then he also let the sinner (Lk 7.37 to 48) and later Mary the sister of Lazarus (Mark 14.3 ) to their offering . Luke 21.1 / 4 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. He also saw a poor widow casting in thither two mites . And he said : I tell you the truth , this poor widow has put in more than all the others because it is their abundance all those have offerings in the trunk, but she of her penury , all she had to live. We see here that the offering takes on another dimension : that of love . Luke 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she loved much . But to whom little is forgiven, loves little. This is the rule of the offering in the New Covenant do things out of love, gratitude to God , love for those to whom we give out of love and compassion for those we help. In the teachings of the apostles to the churches, there is no question of tithes, but offerings. If we can observe some rules when these offerings, we note that the motivation of those who always give from the heart. Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods , and parted them to all , according to individual needs. Acts 4.32/35 The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but all things were common between them. The apostles gave their testimony with great power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus . And great grace was upon them all . Because there was no needy person among them : those who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the price of what was sold and laid it at the apostles feet : and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need . God can instantly suppress calculating minds . acts 5 The Paul writes about the offerings on the disciples of Christ Apostle Each one give as he purposes in his heart , not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Here is the state of mind in which we make our offerings to God : A good disposition and a decision from the heart , freely and joyfully . How much to give ? 1 Corinthians 16:2 Let each of you , the first day of the week, lay by him in store , as God hath prospered , so we do not expect my arrival to collect donations . He does not need our offerings are acts of avarice , greed calculated minimum . A good example is given with the brothers and sisters of Macedonia : 2 Corinthians 8.2 / 5 In the midst of many tribulations that have proven their overflowing joy and their deep poverty welled up in rich generosity on their part. They , I testify voluntarily given according to their means , and even beyond their means , wondering with large bodies grace to participate in the ministry to the saints . And not only have they helped as we had hoped , but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Overflowing joy despite their deep poverty ! liberality. Voluntarily according to their means and beyond fervent zeal . It was for them through which they were eager to participate. First, self-giving. They were first gave themselves to the Lord. We find in this example the elements that make an offering to the Lord. Who to ? Christians in Jerusalem brought their offerings to the apostles , and later to those who had been prepared to receive and distribute . Acts 4.35 - 6.1 The apostle Paul was careful to arrange the collection of offerings. 2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go before you, and take care of your liberality already promised to get it ready , so as to be a bounty, and not an act of greed. Everything had to be done properly , transparently , so as not to give rise to suspicion and conflict. It is good , and even strongly recommended that it not be pastors and other preachers who manage money in churches but credible persons established by the church, so that everything is transparent and that the offerings and are assigned to real needs . I note an important point: those who give must give to God . It is the spiritual destination offerings , which we know will be used to meet different needs . the help of brothers and sisters or poor financial distress. Assistance to the saints , which the apostles in Jerusalem and the Apostle Paul attached a great importance , about which he wrote emphatically. compensation of those who serve the church, those who work in the Ministry of the Word, who lead, who have an administrative function and itinerant ministries . ( it depends on the size of the church) relief to poor churches or difficulties, either in the country or in other countries evangelism, spreading the Gospel, by the assembly itself or by participating in outdoor activities evangelistic church. the rental , purchase and maintenance of premises used for church activities We see the subject of money is very large and I feel I have not answered all the questions, but I gave you a canvas you bring items that will you develop on your own belief biblical basis , and share with other instructions. Before closing, I urge you not dependent on men or circumstances for your own needs , but to expect that God knows everything. when you give , do the first to God as an act of love , gratitude and adoration. If you offerings come from the heart , so have the wisdom to determine the amount and destination based on what you think is best before the Lord. You have the right to know how your offerings are used. I even recommend you to be vigilant about it. In conclusion , ponder these words : 2 Corinthians 9.8/11 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly , and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully . That each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound , so that always having all things will satisfy all your needs , you may have an abundance for every good work , as it is written : He hath dispersed , he has given to the poor : His righteousness endures forever . He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness . You will be enriched in everything for all liberality , which through us will offer to God thanksgiving . Why donate? I will develop a little further about the compensation of those who serve the church, those who work in the Ministry of the Word, those who lead , which an administrative function and itinerant ministries. But first, I want to go on an important area for the destination offerings : The assistance of the saints, ie brothers and sisters in Christ. The early Christians were zealous and concerned about the fairness of goods and relief of the poor. Acts 4.34/35 For there were among them lacked: those who owned lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of things that were sold , and laid them at the apostles feet , and it distributions made to each as any had need. Galatians 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor, that I was eager to do. The apostle Paul wrote emphatically about two whole chapters in his second epistle to the Corinthians. Here are a few passages : 2 Corinthians 8.1 / 4 We know you , brethren, the grace of God which was manifested in the churches of Macedonia. Amid many tribulations that have proven their overflowing joy and their deep poverty welled up in rich generosity on their part. They , I testify voluntarily given according to their means , and even beyond their means , wondering with large bodies grace to participate in the ministry to the saints . 8.6 / 7 So we urged Titus to complete in you this grace , as it had begun. Just as you excel in everything -in faith , in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love to us, see that you also excel in this grace . 2 Corinthians 9:1 it is superfluous for me to write you concerning assistance to the saints . I suggest you read through these two chapters to consider the importance of this instruction on the help that we need to make those of us who are in need. Again we read : 1 John 3:16 / 19 We know love by this , that he gave his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. If anyone has this worlds goods , and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him , how does the love of God abide in him ? Little children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. By this we know that we are of the truth , and shall assure our hearts before him ; There was a rule in the churches concerning aid to destitute widows , which is inscribed on a list for this purpose. 1 Timothy 5.9 1 Timothy 5:3 Honor widows who are widows indeed . 1 Timothy 5:5 This is a widow indeed , and remained in isolation, has set her hope on God and continues night and day in supplications and prayers . It was important that I specify this teaching so that we learn to exercise true charity towards our brothers and sisters poor . The remuneration of those who serve the church : pastors , deacons, those who teach, directing , itinerant ministries ... We can have personal views , but well see what God says in His written Word , which I believe with all my heart is still perfectly valid today, if we apply it in the spirit and not according the letter. It is the living and abiding word of God abideth for ever . And this is the word which was preached to us by the Gospel. 1 Peter 1.23/25 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of letter but of the spirit : for the letter kills, but the spirit giveth life . This is insofar as we apply spiritual lessons that God gives us in His written Word that it will produce life in us . For compensation of the servants of God , there is a rule of doctrine , as everything is done in the Church of Christ, a rule of doctrine that we are called to follow faithfully. Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin , but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you . What we say or write must be consistent with the doctrine of the Lord. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine . Titus 2:1 Now we see more and more strange theories , each according to his own thinking, about everything . It is also a sign of the times that we live. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine , but having itching ears pleasant things , they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, turn away their ears from the truth , and shall be turned unto fables. I know the arguments of those who under many pretexts challenge this teaching, as they also challenge the legitimacy of the churches, but what I teach here , is neither more nor less than what is written in the Word of God. So according to the instructions of the scriptures that we will consider what is appropriate about the wages of the servants of God who serve the churches. Already, under the old covenant, those who served in the temple were paid by the people brought offerings . All tithes presented to the Lord by raising the Levites were given as compensation for their service in the sanctuary, and because they did not have jurisdiction. In turn, the Levites were taken for the Lord a tenth of what they received ( the tithe of the tithes ) , and give it to the priests . Nombres18.24/28 I have given to the Levites the tithes of the children of Israel offer unto the LORD in elevation , which is why I say to them : They have no inheritance among the children of Israel. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying : 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 , you offer an heave offering unto the LORD , a tithe of the tithe and your offering you will be counted as wheat fee that area and as the fulness of the vessel fee . This is how you offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes which you receive of the children of Israel, and you shall give to the priest Aaron offering that you have taken for the Lord. With regard to the Church, there are also rules for the remuneration of those who serve the Lord. 1 Timothy 5.17/18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in preaching and teaching . For the scripture saith , Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain. And the laborer deserves his wages . The apostle Paul defended his ministry gives a long statement to the Christians of Corinth about the wage of those who work in the Lords work . 2 Corinthians 9:6 14 Will I only and Barnabas we do not have the right to not work ? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who is he who plants a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit? Who was it who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? These things I say , do they exist in the ways of men ? the law does not say it too? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain. God it makes for oxen , or he speaks only because of us ? Yes, it is because of us that it was written that he who plows should plow in hope , and he who thresheth with the hope of partaking . If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things . If others partake of this right over you , are not we rather enjoy it ? But we have not used this right , on the contrary , we all suffer , so as not to create obstacles to the Gospel of Christ. Do you not know that they which minister about holy things eat from the temple, and those who serve at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Still read some other passages equally clear: Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches . Jesus sending his disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God said: Luke 10.5 / 7 Into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this house ! And if the son of peace be there , your peace shall rest upon it: if not , it will return to you. Stay in that house , eating and drinking such things as they give : for the laborer deserves his wages . The Lord himself, who had no earthly possessions , not even a stone for a pillow , was attended by women who followed .
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 18:43:10 +0000
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