A Marvelous Opportunity
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
Under the Old Covenant, tithes were paid to the Levitical priesthood. Under the New Covenant, many things have changed. Tithes were/are no longer due to the priesthood because now we have the priesthood of all believers. Therefore the giving of material possessions, including money, now is (or should be) based upon need, not position or function.
When we believers read those verses, we tend to ignore them as not being relevant for our day and time. Therefore we tend to acquire life insurance, health insurance, car insurance, house insurance, and any other kind of insurance in an attempt to prolong our well-being on earth. This is not meant to be critical or judgmental of any believer in any way ... just some food for thought. If that is being judgmental then I must judge myself first. I must admit that we personally have used some, but not all, of those "safety-nets." However, the time is coming when we will be forced to depend solely upon the Lord for everything.
Further, let us think about the difference between the three sets of verses above and the way modern-day charismatics/Spirit-filled believers view those verses and all others in the New Testament. The early Church, as recorded in the Book of Acts, did not have a New Testament to read, to memorize, to discuss, to try to understand, or to argue about the meanings of the various verses. All they had was a living relationship with the Lord through the power of the Holy Ghost. That is somewhat analogous to Abraham. Pity poor Abraham ... he did not have a Bible to read; he had to depend upon what the Lord told him. Is there a difference between then and now?
Of course the Lord desires for us to be good stewards of all that He freely gives to us, including the mammon of unrighteousness. And there is no substitute for hearing the voice of the Lord in all situations. Scripture seems to be rather clear that our first responsibility, after the Lord Himself, is to our own family.
Does that verse imply a difference between "his own" and "those of his own house"? If there is no difference then why repeat the two? Can it be that "his own" refers to those within the local church?
Next in the priority list of our giving appears to be our fellow believers. That seems to have been a priority with the early believers, as recorded in Acts 2:42-45 and Acts 4:34-35, as stated above. A good question to ask is WHY? Why did the early believers sell all of their possessions and part to every man as every man had need? because the nature, the character, the essence, the glory of God is marked by loving, giving, and sharing. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ... And on the day of Pentecost, those early believers were immersed in that Spirit of loving, giving, and sharing. They had no thought for themselves but only for the Lord and for those in need.
Perhaps the most tender, the most compassionate story in all of the Bible of loving, giving, and sharing is found in Jeremiah, Chapter 38. We will not here go into that account but we will be happy to send a detailed word concerning Ebed-Melech (which means servant of the king) to anyone who may be interested. Jeremiah was not exactly the most popular man in all of Judah. He never made any converts to the word of the Lord spoken through him. After Jeremiah was thrown into the pit, he was likely to die; he could do nothing for himself. But Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch, interceded for Jeremiah in that he helped and rescued Jeremiah when Jeremiah could not help himself. I believe the principle is clear for us. We must help those who cannot help themselves. That is the nature and character of God Himself. (That does not imply that we must help those who CAN help themselves or those who refuse to help themselves.)
The time is coming, and perhaps sooner than we think, when our money will be worthless; when our silver and gold will be worthless; when the food that we store up selfishly for ourselves will rot. Why? Because sooner or later the Lord will bring about circumstances in our lives when we must trust and rely upon only the Lord Himself, just as the early Christians did. That will indeed be a marvelous opportunity for us. Of course we have two choices: we can either fall on the Rock now or else the Rock will fall on us later (Luke 20:18). Although the nature of God is loving, giving, and sharing for those who walk in His ways, God is also a God of judgment for those who walk in their own ways. No one will like the latter event. Therefore,
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. Acts 2:42-4534 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:34-35Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:28
When we believers read those verses, we tend to ignore them as not being relevant for our day and time. Therefore we tend to acquire life insurance, health insurance, car insurance, house insurance, and any other kind of insurance in an attempt to prolong our well-being on earth. This is not meant to be critical or judgmental of any believer in any way ... just some food for thought. If that is being judgmental then I must judge myself first. I must admit that we personally have used some, but not all, of those "safety-nets." However, the time is coming when we will be forced to depend solely upon the Lord for everything.
Further, let us think about the difference between the three sets of verses above and the way modern-day charismatics/Spirit-filled believers view those verses and all others in the New Testament. The early Church, as recorded in the Book of Acts, did not have a New Testament to read, to memorize, to discuss, to try to understand, or to argue about the meanings of the various verses. All they had was a living relationship with the Lord through the power of the Holy Ghost. That is somewhat analogous to Abraham. Pity poor Abraham ... he did not have a Bible to read; he had to depend upon what the Lord told him. Is there a difference between then and now?
Of course the Lord desires for us to be good stewards of all that He freely gives to us, including the mammon of unrighteousness. And there is no substitute for hearing the voice of the Lord in all situations. Scripture seems to be rather clear that our first responsibility, after the Lord Himself, is to our own family.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy 5:8
Does that verse imply a difference between "his own" and "those of his own house"? If there is no difference then why repeat the two? Can it be that "his own" refers to those within the local church?
Next in the priority list of our giving appears to be our fellow believers. That seems to have been a priority with the early believers, as recorded in Acts 2:42-45 and Acts 4:34-35, as stated above. A good question to ask is WHY? Why did the early believers sell all of their possessions and part to every man as every man had need? because the nature, the character, the essence, the glory of God is marked by loving, giving, and sharing. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ... And on the day of Pentecost, those early believers were immersed in that Spirit of loving, giving, and sharing. They had no thought for themselves but only for the Lord and for those in need.
Perhaps the most tender, the most compassionate story in all of the Bible of loving, giving, and sharing is found in Jeremiah, Chapter 38. We will not here go into that account but we will be happy to send a detailed word concerning Ebed-Melech (which means servant of the king) to anyone who may be interested. Jeremiah was not exactly the most popular man in all of Judah. He never made any converts to the word of the Lord spoken through him. After Jeremiah was thrown into the pit, he was likely to die; he could do nothing for himself. But Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch, interceded for Jeremiah in that he helped and rescued Jeremiah when Jeremiah could not help himself. I believe the principle is clear for us. We must help those who cannot help themselves. That is the nature and character of God Himself. (That does not imply that we must help those who CAN help themselves or those who refuse to help themselves.)
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 John 3:17
The time is coming, and perhaps sooner than we think, when our money will be worthless; when our silver and gold will be worthless; when the food that we store up selfishly for ourselves will rot. Why? Because sooner or later the Lord will bring about circumstances in our lives when we must trust and rely upon only the Lord Himself, just as the early Christians did. That will indeed be a marvelous opportunity for us. Of course we have two choices: we can either fall on the Rock now or else the Rock will fall on us later (Luke 20:18). Although the nature of God is loving, giving, and sharing for those who walk in His ways, God is also a God of judgment for those who walk in their own ways. No one will like the latter event. Therefore,
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.Philippians 3:13-14Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:317 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
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