11/04/2012 - Storing up as you may prosper

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On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

I Corinthians 16:2

Making offerings has always been customary of the people of God. Even The Lord Jesus used to raise offerings at His gatherings as He had an elder to collect money (John 13:29). In the Old Testament as people turned to a priest they had been instructed not to do so empty-handed (Exodus 34:20). Both the one for the sin offering and that for the end of the safekeeping season, families had to offer a lamb; yet, if they were poor they could take two turtledoves and two young pigeons instead (Leviticus 5:7). Why do some people advocate the idea that in The New Testament one does not have to give offerings? It is good to remember that Jesus told the leper, the one He had healed, to offer what Moses had dictated previously (Matthew 8:4).

The devil fills out some preachers with a fake sanctification so they will not go through the issue of offering at the pulpit. So, the enemy becomes happy due to the fact that they are not teaching people that so blessed precept and, in doing so, he can keep Christians in misery which, as we know, is the source of a series of evil works. The lack of resources to meet the basic needs of a family or to pay for the fees of a good school for their children; to purchase clothing and household appliances and furniture, causes the members of that family to continuously be in disagreement and to lack love for each other. Yet, that is not what The Word promises.

The reason why many Christians live a wretched life is their neglecting giving offerings to the work which causes them to be cursed. Now, how can the people of The Lord be under a curse? That is what God Himself tells us through Prophet Malachi (Malachi 3:7, 8). A pastor who does not love his sheep does not teach them how important it is to hand back their tithes and their offerings. My brother, you had better keep away from those who pretend to be men of God.

Paul, the great counsellor of the Christian church, taught our brothers in Corinth that they should put aside what they could assemble. Today that is still mandatory indeed! In my youth, when I was a real state broker, or when I was a door-to-door clothing salesman, it felt so good to collect what I had achieved during that week and, on Sundays, being able to take it up to the altar of The Lord. How joyful I was as I had reached my goals in terms of tithes and offerings, those I had previously proposed myself! Those who are taught to walk with The Father never lack anything (Psalm 37: 25), and The Word of God is straightforward in saying that He craves for His servants’ prosperity (Psalm 35: 27). In addition to that, His blessing makes one wealthy and it does not add any sorrow with it (Proverb 10: 22).

A Christian that does not get involved with evangelism does not have their heart really settled in the hand of The Lord. To save the lost He gave what was best in The Heavens. Today, if we want to do the same things that Jesus did in His days we also have to think likewise and prioritize The Master’s thoughts and what He considered to be the main work. The Son of man came to save what had been lost (Luke 19: 10). The Most High becomes content with those who decide to do the same works He did.

Making offerings for the divine work is about proving that you love God more than your assets. Whenever you feel like closing your hands as not to be helpful in some meetings you must be certain that that feeling is a product of Satan.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares