Givers

The happiest people are the givers, not the takers.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ... Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ❤

The Sweetest Juice

There is an oriental proverb which says, "The first juice that flows from the grapes, is always the sweetest; crushed grapes are sure to give out the flavor of the skin." Recently my eyes fell upon this proverb and it set me to thinking. How many sermons nature preaches to us! How many things in the spiritual world, have their counterpart in natural things! When I thought of the sweet, luscious grapes cast into the wine press, bursting of their own weight and the sweet juice running out without the application of external pressure, I thought of the difference between two kinds of service.

I thought how many Christians are urged on to service by a feeling of duty. I remembered how many times in my own life I had felt that I ought to do something, or that I must do something and had acted from that consideration. To be sure, there is a blessing in even that kind of service. There is the sense of having done one's duty. There is the sense of having filled God's requirement. There is a sense of being blameless in the matter. 

But ah, how much richer and sweeter and fuller the service that is the outpouring of love, the service that flows out by itself from a heart bursting with love that pent-up love which, when it reaches out and finds an avenue of service, delights in that service! How the heart is enriched by doing such service! How love rejoices at the opportunity! How the joy-bells are set ringing!

On the other hand, the service that is "squeezed out" is like the wine when the powerful pressure is applied to the grapes. There is a different flavor in the wine; there is a different flavor in the service, and that different flavor detracts from the quality, both of the wine and of the service. Service that is based on duty is always in a measure compulsory, but service that is the out-flowing of love runs ahead of duty and is always free. It feels no compulsion, but the compulsion of desire. It is its food to do the will of the Father, its delight to anticipate his will. It seeks opportunity to expend itself. It does not have to be coerced nor constrained. There is no reluctance in it.

Paul laid down a basis for acceptable service saying, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). 

Here we find three elements that enter into service, or three kinds of service. Paul is applying it especially to giving, but the principles apply to every kind of service. We are to give as we purpose in our hearts, but this purposing may be in three different ways: 

1. It may be grudgingly, that is reluctantly, with a feeling that we would be glad if we did not have to do it; that we would be glad if God did not ask it, or that we would be glad if there were no necessity of its being done. Such a disposition of mind would prefer that there were no need for service, but since there is to be service, it will give, but it would prefer to withhold.

There are so many who serve in this way. There are things that must be done for the cause of Christ. There is need of accomplishment, but the lips and if not the lips, then perhaps the heart, says, "Oh, I wish it did not have to be done"; or, "I wish someone else would do it." However, even then they may purpose to do it since it has to be done, but there is little joy or sweetness in such service.

2. Again, there is the service of necessity, a feeling that if I do not do certain things, then God will condemn me and my conscience will condemn me, or my brethren or my neighbors will condemn me; and so, to retain God's favor and the approval of my conscience and the confidence of my fellow men, I feel under the necessity of giving or serving, and thus I serve. 

How many people there are who do things because they feel that they cannot be easy in their conscience if they do not! Well, they have their reward, even for such service. It is the reward of an approving conscience. But how little either of these two forms of service is acceptable, either to God or to ourselves! We have within ourselves a consciousness that such a service is not the kind of service that can be freely given or freely received. It is better than no service, but how much better service than this we are capable of giving!

3. The third sort of service which men purpose to give is expressed this, "God loves a cheerful giver." It is the unforced giving, the uncompelled service, that enriches both the server and the one served. Cheerful, ready, willing service brings immediate reward but such service is never done with a view to receiving the reward, for the service is counted higher than the reward. 

But there is something that lies behind willing service. This is set forth in the eighth verse: "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." Willing service has a background of grace, and that is just the reason willing service is always an easy service. The task may be difficult; it may require the exertion of all our powers and determined perseverance; but if there is a willing mind, then the service is easy, because the ease of the service lies in the willingness with which we undertake the task. 

Often service is hard because there is lack of grace, and grace is lacking because willingness is lacking; but if there first is a ready mind to serve then grace makes service easy. God is able to make all grace abound toward us, and he will do so if there is the ready mind and the open heart to receive it. 

But the reluctant mind is a barrier to grace that leaves the heart void. Whatever service may be rendered is a compulsory service, a wine that has in it the taste of the skins of the grapes.

What is the voice that speaks in our heart today? What does it say to us? The sense of duty says, "I must." Grace and love say, "I may." In the one case is the urgent necessity, in the other case, is the glad joy of love because its desire is gratified. Which voice is in your heart? Which prompts you to action? Is it I must or I may?

[Charles Naylor]

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Tithing - Not Required

1.  The Levitical priesthood is the only priesthood to be commanded by God to collect a tenth of the product of the land.  Priesthoods before or after had no such command. To be a priest to collect tithes, you had to be a descendant of Levi.

2.  Land limits tithing to grain, cattle, oil, fruit, etc. - the product of the land. God had distributed the land to all Jewish tribes except the Levites; so a portion of the land's production was commanded for the Levites, and to provide for the poor. The tithe was from the yield of the increase of the seed - the produce yielded. So carpenters, masons, store keepers, teachers, wagon makers, well diggers, fishermen, salesmen, tax collectors, soldiers, laborers on a farm, government employees, etc., all had absolutely no requirement to tithe.

3.  Tithes were collected by Levites priests only in a named place selected and specified by the Lord.

4.  Since the produce was food, the people were supposed to eat the food with their children, servants, and any Levites living within the boundaries of their lands, with thanksgiving and rejoicing to the Lord; and this celebratory thanksgiving meal was supposed to be eaten in a place specifically chosen by the Lord.

5. After eating in celebration to the Lord, any excess was to be placed in a storehouse, location chosen by the Lord, to be distributed by the Levite to the stranger, the widow, and the fatherless - the provision for the relief of the poor.

6.  Money was not part of tithing - with one exception. If the distance to the location chosen by the Lord was too far to travel with the tithes of food, the food to be tithed was to be sold for money. Then the person was to travel to the location, with the money buy whatever food he particularly enjoyed, and then eat the food in celebration as in #4 above.

7.  MOST IMPORTANT: Christ eliminated and abolished the Levitical priesthood. He became the new permanent priest and priesthood. So the command given to the Levitical priesthood was eliminated also. Christ eliminated tithing, just as he ended the ordinances and old covenant.

Tithing died with the Levitical priesthood; the only places tithing is referenced in the New Testament is the claim of the self-righteous Pharisee, and the explanation of its death in Hebrews.

The Apostle Paul instructed people to set aside funds from their excess, but that was to relieve the poor, particularly the large numbers of poor brethren in Jerusalem.  Relieving the poor does not include supporting self-appointed pastors or to maintain an un-commanded temple or building.

Tithing died with Christ's resurrection. Christ is the new priest; Replacing the Levitical priesthood for which tithes were commanded. To tithe is to deny Christ's priesthood.  Any minister who asks for money, even other than tithing, is a false prophet and violating the commands of Jesus.


For a pastor who is asking for tithes; to pretend he has such authority, either shows him to be an unqualified, ignorant, blind teacher or worse, dishonest. In either case, you should disassociate yourself immediately with anyone trying to hold up tithing.

[The Writings of George Fox]

Hebrews 7:11-12 ...  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Hebrews 7:18-19 ... For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Psalm 110:4 ... The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Acts 8:20 ... But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Matthew 10:8 ... Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.❤

Perfect Liberty

If you tithe you are under religious bondage and it's time to be set free. The cross ENDED the tithe, and instead, GIVING has become the new covenant with God. It's time to finally allow yourself to be free, free from religious condemnation, religious dogma and instead, walk in perfect liberty to which Christ has set us free from.

 

[Christopher Gregory]

 

 

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Luke 6:38 ... Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 9:7 ... Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

 

 

Galatians 5:1 ... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.




Hebrews 7:18 ...  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 8:13 ... In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

 

 

 

Matthew 10:8 ...  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.❤

Give It Back

Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to him as a love gift.  Offer the blessing back to him in a deliberate act of worship.  If you hoard a thing for yourself, it will turn into spiritual dry rot, as the manna did when it was hoarded. God will never let you hold a spiritual thing for yourself; it has to be given back to him that he may make it a blessing to others.

[Oswald Chambers]

Genesis 12:2 ... And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Luke 12:48 ... But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 18:29-30 ... And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,  Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Luke 6:38 ... Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.❤

At The Proper Time We Will Reap

We never know how little benefactions of ours, may bless a life and stay in it as a blessing forever! We know not, how even a small word may bless a life. We should always keep our heart and hands ready for whatever little ministry we may have an opportunity to render. The least word of good cheer may start a song in a heart which shall sing on forever. The good may drop unconsciously from your lip and hand and you may never think of it again, and yet it shall not be lost. It carries in it the life of God, and is immortal.

 

There is a difference in the way various people give though the gift or favor or act be precisely the same. One gives the help only; the other gives part of himself in the help. There are some very beautiful flowers that have no fragrance but how much more a flower means which has in it perfume as well as loveliness! We should give ourselves with our gifts. We should let part of our own lives flow out with every deed of kindness we do.

 

 

Love is the fragrance of the flowers of the heart, and what we do in love, love for Christ and love for man, shall never be lost. The world will be richer and better for even the smallest deeds of Christlike love. We may not reap the harvest in this world but beyond the skies, we shall gather the sheaves in our bosom! So then, though our lives are imperfect and evil, and our work is marred with sin we know that the Master will accept the humblest thing we do for Him. He will cleanse our work and use it, even though it is only a fragment, in the building up of His kingdom!

 

[J. R. Miller]

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Hosea 10:12 ... Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.


2 Corinthians 9:6 ... But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

 

 

Galatians 6:9 ... And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.❤

Give

No one has ever become poor by giving.

[Anne Frank]

Proverbs 28:27 ... He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.


2 Corinthians 9:6 …But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.


Luke 6:38 … Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.❤

The Treasures in You

There are treasures in life, but owners are few. Of money and power to buy things brand new. Yet you can be wealthy and feel regal too, if you will just look for the treasures in you.

These treasures in life are not hard to find, when you look in your heart, your soul, and your mind. For when you are willing to share what's within, your fervent search for riches will end.

The joy and the laughter, the smile that you bring; The heart unafraid to love and to sing; The hand always willing to help those in need; ones quick to reach out, to labor and feed.

So thank you for sharing these great gifts inside; the caring, the cheering, the hug when one cried. Thanks for the energy, encouragement too, and thank you for sharing the treasures in you.

[Author Unknown]

Luke 3:11 ... He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Hebrews 6:10 ... For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Philemon 1:6 ... That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ♥

Give Unto the Lord

An eyewitness account from New York City, on a cold day in December…

A little boy about 10 years old was standing before a shoe store on Broadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the boy and said, “My little fellow, why are you looking so earnestly in that window?”

“I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,” was the boys reply.

The lady took him by the hand and went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel he quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet and dried them with a towel.

By this time the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy’s feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes, and tying up the remaining pairs of socks, gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, “No doubt, my little fellow, you feel more comfortable now?”

As she turned to go, the astonished lad caught her by the hand, and looking up in her face, with tears in his eyes, answered the question with these words…

“Are you God’s Wife?”

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Proverbs 19:17 … He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. ❤

The Wise Woman’s Stone

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone in the wise woman’s bag, admired it, and asked the wise woman to give it to him. The wise woman did so without hesitation.

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the jewel was worth enough to give him security for the rest of his life.

But a few days later he came back, searching for the wise woman. When he found her, he returned the stone and said, “I have been thinking. I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back to you in the hope that you can give me something much more precious. If you can, give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.

[Author Unknown]

Acts 20:35 … I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2 Corinthians 9:6 …But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Luke 6:38 … Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

1 John 3:17-18 … 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? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. ♥

Sow and Reap

A person can never truly appreciate the bloom of a rose without the work of another hand. There is always someone who has planted a seed, watered the seed, weeded the garden, taken care of the soil, and harvested the plant.

We all need to make sure that in the act of our sowing, we are sowing for the Lord. He is the One who sees our heart and knows our intentions.

May we sow out of the overflow of goodness that God has done in our own lives. May we plant seeds of joy, peace, and love. May we not look for the harvest, but know that God has plans that far exceed what we can comprehend.

[Author Unknown]

Luke 6:38 … Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

John 4:36-37 … And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

2 Corinthians 9:6 … But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Galatians 6:8 … For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

James 3:18 … And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. ♥

Freely Give

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8 ♥