Tithe Challenge – Week 9 – What Did Jesus Say?

Posted on November 17, 2011 by dkoop

When it comes to tithing, I thought it might be interesting to look at what Jesus said.  As I read the gospels I am blown away how Jesus takes any subject and gets to the heart of the matter.

For Jesus, there was no question whether a person should give to God.  The question was how much? He said things like, “look at this widow, she gave everything” (Luke 21:2-4) as he commends her before the disciples for her giving.   He says things like, “whoever does not give up everything cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33)   He said in the Sermon on the Mount, “you cannot have two masters, you cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24)

There are so many other examples but the point is, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter to reveal that God owns it all.  Giving back to the One who gave it in the first place is a given, and money cannot be first place in your life.

So what does He say about tithing itself?   We see in Matthew 23:23 where he nails the Pharisees for their hyper religion that leaves out some major issues:

23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Matthew 23:23

When I read this used to think, “How ridiculous!” to tithe out each item from the garden.    But then Jesus says, “You Should” He doesn’t even make fun of them for this attention to detail in giving.   This is very convicting to me.   The life, sacrifice and teachings of Jesus have impacted me greatly.

Now I am going to share what we are doing personally (and this has taken some time for us to get here).

  • In our family we give our tithe from the Gross, (before the Government gets any God gets his).
  • We tithe on money we receive from birthday or Christmas presents (from a $100 gift, $10 goes back to God) or any extra income, we give 10% of it to God.
  • We are increasing our giving amount beyond 10% which is currently around 20% of .

We are so blessed.  We have found it to be true, you can’t out give God.    Compared to what Jesus gave, what we give is really small. We also pray that we are rich in justice, mercy and faith as well.

So when I used to think, “Ridiculous,” now when I reflect upon Matthew 23: 23 and beyond to the cross… I am giving so little in return.

Thanks for stepping out in this journey.   Jesus is our example.  I pray you have meaningful, reflective and powerful walk with Christ.

Until next week, Darrell

Tithe online at www.ridgefellowship.com

Posted in Tithe Challenge | Leave a comment

The Hypocrite

Posted on November 14, 2011 by dkoop

The word hypocrite is based on the Greek theatrical word that means “actor” or “to play a part.” Hypocrites pretend to be something they are not. Psalm 26:4 calls them “false men” (RSV), but in the Gospels the implications are more specific: Hypocrites pretend to be model of righteousness but in reality they are unrighteous to the core. They honor God with their lips, but their heart is far from him (Mk 7:6).

The Pharisees are the classic hypocrites of the Bible.  It’s easy to paint a picture of them from Jesus’ description of them.

  • They are showy when they give money with the intent that people will praise them (Mt 6:2).
  • They pray publicly in a flashy way so people will take note (Mt 6:5).
  • When they fast, they disfigure their faces (Mt 6:16).
  • They tithe their garden produce but neglect “the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith” (Mt 23:23).
  • Jesus says they, “clean the outside of a drinking cup but ignore the filth inside it (Mt 23:25).
  • They are self-righteous (Mt 23:29-30)
  • They teach people false religious beliefs (Mt 23:16-22)
  • They pretend to care about tough issues, but actually want to discredit Jesus (Mt 22:15-22).
  • They prevent people from entering the kingdom of heaven (Mt 23:13-15).
  • Jesus pictures them as “whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Mt 23:27).
  • Jesus says they have a special place in hell (Mt 24:51).

God’s people must constantly beware of the dangers of hypocrisy.

Here are some red flags:

How can a Christ follower avoid hypocrisy?  Six times the New Testament stresses that we live with sincerity, (instead of hypocrisy.)   (Rom. 12:9; 2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Pet. 1:22,1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:5; Jas. 3:17)  

 For more about the series Scary People, go to www.ridgefellowship.com

Sources:
Dictionary of Biblical Imagery
Holman Bible Dictionary
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
The AMG Concise Bible Dictionary

 

Posted in Scary People | Leave a comment

Addressing Questions about Communion

Posted on November 11, 2011 by dkoop

Communion is an object lesson that represents a great spiritual truth for believers.   Because of the various beliefs and traditions held about the subject here is an explanation of what we believe and some answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” about communion:

1.       What Is Communion?  (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

  •  It is a SIMPLE ACT. (there were no golden chalices etc.)

“The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread…” (vs. 23)

  •  It is a REMINDER.

“…And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; eat it in remembrance of me.’” (vs. 24)

  •  It is a SYMBOL of His Body and Blood.

“In the same way, He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; drink it to remember me.’” (vs. 25)

  •  It is a STATEMENT OF FAITH.

“For whenever you eat the bread and drink from the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes back.” (vs. 26)

 

2.       Who Should Take Communion?

  • Those who are already BELIEVERS (Mark 14:22-26)

 Jesus performed the first communion with his closest followers (hisdisciples).  He did not observe communion for the multitudes.

“For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment upon himself.”  1 Corinthians 11:29

 

3.       How Do I Prepare Myself For Communion?

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.  A person ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”  1 Corinthians 11:27-28

4.       When and How Often Should We Observe Communion?

Jesus never said when or how often believers should observe The Communion.  He instituted it on a Thursday night (at Passover).  Since it is a “supper”, it may seem more appropriate to observe it in the evening and we do from time to time at our church.

Currently at Upwards Church we currently observe Communion once a month on Sundays as it fits with the Sunday message.  For more about what we believe about Communion, click here.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Sources:
New International Version
Saddleback Resources, CLASS 101 
Posted in Our Beliefs | Leave a comment

Tithe Challenge – Week 8 – Before Anything

Posted on November 11, 2011 by dkoop

Two months down, one to go.  I am so proud of you.  I am praying for God to bless you and your finances as you continue this journey called the Tithe Challenge.  

Today we will look at a passage from Genesis, the first book of the bible which means “beginnings.”   In Genesis 14 we find a man named Abraham who would become the father of the nation of Israel.   This passage records Abraham’s nephew Lot and all his belongings being a captured by an invading army.  Abraham recues him and defeats the army that plundered the area.  As Abraham and his men are returning with all their loot, they are met by “Melchizedek, king of Salem who brought out bread and wine and blessed Abraham.  Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” 

A tenth of all of his loot, riches, and possessions right there on the spot! Who is this? Listen as Hebrews 7:2-3 describes him, “Melchizedek means king of righteousness, without beginning of days or end of life, a priest forever”   Most biblical scholars agree that this either a type of Christ, which means it is meant to illustrate a lesson about Christ OR an appearance of Christ himself.   Abraham gives Christ, 10% of everything he just earned.  Christ brings bread and wine, a picture of the sacrifice He would one day make, “this is my body… this is my blood, which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt 26:26-27) And He blessed him. 

Notice…

  • Before the Abraham had a son and became the father of Israel, he gave ten percent. 
  •  Before there was a nation of Israel, there was the giving of the tithe. 
  •  Before there was the law, there was giving the tenth. 
  • Before there was a recorded Bible there was giving the tithe. 
  • Before any of that; in the beginning there was the tithe.  

So don’t let anyone try to convince you that tithing is from the law, it’s before.

Or that tithing is something the early church or modern church came up with, it’s before. 

Or that tithing was only for the nation of Israel, it’s before.  

 Before anything, there was Christ. Before we pay ourselves, we give back to the One who has given us everything.  Christ is the one who gave His body and blood for us, the one who blesses us in every way.

 Thank you Jesus for all you have given and before anything we want to give back to you.  

Until next week, 

Darrell

Tithe online at www.ridgefellowship.com

Posted in Tithe Challenge | Leave a comment