Wisdom has greater value and teaches proper respect. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9 nkjv)

In Psalm 111:10 (nkjv) God tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. 

What is our society really lacking today? That. 

Have you chosen to fear, to reverence, and to walk with Christ? 

Fearing God means that we have reverence for Him. I like this definition of it: “a wholesome dread of displeasing Him.” It isn’t so much a fear of retribution; it’s a dread of displeasing God. It’s a dread of dishonoring the Lord or disappointing Him.

Hebrews 11:7 tells us that “by faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (NKJV).

Noah moved with reverence and godly fear. Smart man! We should be like he was and never lose our reverence for God.

I just finished up on the topic of Stewardship and am now lookin' forward to hearing Kenny in six days, and am prepin' to teach through Proverbs at Prestonwood.

So, “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?” That's the question that was asked by the late British poet T.S. Eliot. Also, “Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”

You and me, we indeed be living in the “information age,” but we certainly ain't living in the “age of wisdom.”

Many people seem to be wizards with their computers (far more than I am), and yet seem to be amateurs when it comes to making a wise success out of their lives while here.

You know how computers can store up gobs of data and even obey signals, but they just can’t give any of us the ability to use that knowledge wisely. What’s needed today is wisdom, discernment, the holy fear (respect) of God and a tight relationship with thee wisest Person - Jesus.

The Book of Proverbs is about godly wisdom, how to gain it, how to understand it, and how to efficiently use it and bear fruit. It’s all about priorities and principles, not get-rich-quick schemes, lame religious gimmicks, or "success formulas." Personally, how do you typically prioritize? Ask for wisdom.

It's better than

gilt,

halcyon, 

platinum, 

aureate, 

aurelian,

palladium,

auric,

auriferous,

aurous,

gilded and

rose-gold.

“How much better to get wisdom than (yellow gold, white gold, or rose) gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good (fools always have their own unique application that helps no one), and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 16:16-25 nkjv #emph.mine

Never give heed to God’s powerful words like a fool does, but do so wisely. Then you’ll be rewarded.  

Wise King Solomon was rewarded and he desired that we all have the kind of wisdom we really need in order to be skillful in making the most of this life (God put that in him, so that we could glorify the Lord and bless others too). In Proverbs the King explains to us:

* What wisdom is and where to find it

* How to choose the right path of life

* What happens when you choose the wrong path

* How to make the best use of time and money

* How to make and keep the right kind of friends--how to be and stay in connection with the wisest Friend.

* How to build a happy marriage and successful home 

This is exactly what we need in our day! Way better...

..is God’s kind of wisdom. We often think of old people in regards to this wisdom -- it has nothing to do with age at all. There are a whole lot of old fools and rich fools too. You can learn wisdom early on in life! See things from God's perspective and act accordingly.

Show me your choices that turn into habits and we'll see your life. Ya gotta be super tough if you're going to be a stupid fool. But why have to be?

Lord, we want You and ask for Your discernment. You are worth far more to us! Q: Will people even be able to one day buy bread with platinum, yellow, rose or white gold?

How much? WAY much -- because it's hard to describe how much better it really is to gain God's wise Son and His wonderful wisdom! Nothing here even compares!

We choose You ahead of it all! We choose to wisely respect and walk with You, Lord. 

"The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Psalm 19:9-10

Do ya remember that song, "I wish we'd all been ready" sung by Larry (and it was later re-done by DC Talk).

“A piece of bread would buy a bag of gold.” (Larry Norman's lyric. I heard him sing that in Stuttgart. Took a church group up the Autobahn to hear him), and it reminded us of what the Bible says...

"And I heard something like a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, 'A quart of wheat for a denarius (a day’s wages), and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.'” Rev. 6:6 amp (BTW: Roman currency consisted of gold, silver, bronze, orichalcum and copper coinage. And that denarius coin in the verse contained nearly pure silver at approximately 4.5 grams in weight, but from the time of Nero onwards its purity was decreased).

So where can smart investors put their wealth.. so that it can really be safe? And how safe in these last days? Are T-bills safe, how solvent is our government? Man, it's the greatest debtor of anything I know in this world!

Well, they say buy gold buy silver. A lot of people bought gold and silver, and they bought gold and silver for 900 dollars, gold for nine dollars an ounce, but how many dollars can they get for an ounce of gold or silver today? Much less? It's all an artificial value. Seems to change like the weather and fickle feelings.

I mean what can you do for gold, or with gold, except to say, "Well, I've got so many Krugerrands stacked up." It's a flexing-like artificial value. One day.. Diamonds, go buy diamonds and gold. They say yeah, go invest in diamonds with precious metals! But it's all so temporal here, with artificial value. Won't really fill that void inside of you. Hey, when things get really bad in the Last Days you can't eat gold? You can try to I guess. You know when things are really bad that's what you'll think about, "Dude, what am I going to eat to get through this day?"

The Bible tells us that there's coming a time when it'll take a bag of gold or some silver to go buy a loaf of bread. So when it really gets down to it, and you really need something to chew on for physical nourishment, you're going to have to get rid of that gold you hoarded, or stuffed under the mattress or in that safe deposit box at Chase bank, and who knows what value will be placed upon it at that time. I hope you're ready, I want them all wisely ready.. everyone still taking in air today (my mom, Betty with Covid is in the hospital struggling for air today. Please lift her up). Yes, that's my prayer for all. You can be ready.. today. Now is good!

Man, who doesn't have a gold ring they like with sentimental value? Do you have a gold watch, or is it gold plated and cheap? But as far as true value, where is true value? In God's wisdom! The true value is only in spiritual things from God. That's the only true and lasting value that we can really know, it's in spiritual things that last, not in temporal earthly material things. That value can change, is all artificial. It's like one poet said, "It's only worth what you can get for it."

"He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666."

That’s Revelation 13:16-18 in LaHaye’s preferred New King James translation. The “he” there is the second beast, the beast from the earth. This is the beast with two horns, like a lamb, and a voice like a dragon, not the first beast, from the sea, “having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.”

"Your gold and silver have become worthless (are corroded). The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment." James 5:3

James never said that what we do with money isn’t important. It's all God's anyways, but we each need to be wise stewards for His glory. James is talking big picture here. When Christ soon returns, what good is our gold and silver going to be? If we put it off too long or outright reject Christ as our Savior, we won’t spend eternity on streets of stunning gold in heaven with our loving Creator – all this gold in the world here can’t get us there.

Will there literally be streets of gold in heaven?

Why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus?

What things in this world have a true eternal value?

“They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem like something filthy. Their silver and gold will be unable to save them in the day of the Lord's wrath. They will not satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs, for these were the stumbling blocks that brought about their iniquity.”  Ezekiel 7:19 csb

Do you remember reading about that intense flaming heat that melted the gold of the dome. Remember when it, being melted, came on down and filled all those cracks of the stones in the floor. Remember when the Roman troops, in order to loot all the gold, took the Jew's temple down stone upon stone, until the prophesy of Jesus was literally fulfilled. And not one stone was left standing upon another. Gold can corrode and be stolen, but wisdom can't be.

What was the sanctuary shekel?

What is the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2, with that head of pure gold?

How is it wise to choose a good name -- why it that better than choosing gold or great riches (Proverbs 22:1)?

Some people in the church have become much too casual with God. They have a relationship with God, they are casual people like I too am, but they’ve forgotten the holiness of God and that's what I mean. 

They say, Yo, Jesus he be my “homeboy.” 

But wait, their so-called homeboy put it all together -- He created the entire universe. 

Dude, let’s show some respect towards Direct Authority, and even towards His flawed delegated authorities. 

This ain't your homeboy, He is God Almighty. Remember when Jesus taught us to show respect towards our loving heavenly Father and pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9 nkjv). Holy is His name. Reverenced is His name. 

The daily aim is for us to see clearly in order to walk well in the Word.

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

..but then we’ll see “face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

“I can see all obstacles in my way...

It's gonna be a bright (bright)

Bright (bright) sunshiny day

It's gonna be a bright (bright)

Bright (bright) sunshiny day!!!" ~ Johnny Nash (song)

Proverbs also helps us with this and walking well in the Word. Our LifeGroup on Proverbs will run for 24 weeks from 2/6. So let's all prayerfully grow and go.. tell. Let's pray and obey, studying through together. BTW: Start with some key words of wisdom to wisely apply: Turn and trust Jesus. Be forgiven and forgive. Sure, a forgiven people should be a forgiving people.

Three good ideas on what a local church is supposed to do with the offerings it receives?

Need a few ideas perhaps on what to do with what is given at church, Pastor?  

Who ever brings up this topic in our day, when so many young people and others (who don’t yet know the Lord) could give a flip because they never have any intention of visiting a church unless it’s for a baby-baptism (which ain’t even biblical) or for a respectful funeral of a co-worker or friend? 

It’s still worth talking about, because some of those who are into other things right now.. will find out how totally wonderful it is to become a Christian who is a part of an excellent (forever family of believers) in a simple local church. I didn’t say one where people are simplistic or simpletons (those never thinking for themselves). Man, it happened to this wild, distracted, surf-rat who never had any intention at all to become a born again Christian or live holy (I mean me, and I still have a ways to go.. gobs to learn). 

Tithes are one thing that a church receives.. ya know, to keep the lights or a heater on etc. But where, what, how and to whom is a local Christian church supposed to help and give to. What are they as a body to do with the offerings received?

1.) A church has a responsibility to its believing members. 

Q: Who are the members in a family? Those who have been born into the family. Those who have been adopted into that family are members. Real Christians have all been born again into the forever Family of God (See John 3:3). At my former church in Costa Mesa, So Cal, if a Christian gave any money at all for it’s ministry there, that person by the State and the congregation was considered a full member of that local church. We are members because God the Father has chosen to have us and cause us to become a part of His family.. and we chose to let him put us in His family via repentance and faith in His Son Jesus.     

The early congregation.. yes, the very first church, I mean the one that begun in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, took special pains to meet some basic and practical needs of their members there... 

The Bible says, “God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need” (Acts 4:33–35). 

Some money was freely brought to the born again humble leaders of the church there, who were responsible for the distribution of the money based on need. Food was also being distributed to the widows among them (See Acts 6:1). This wasn’t forced like in Communist Lands, the individuals in the church were not pressured or forced to give, it was done because they really loved one another in their forever Family. Their motives were pure and right. 

Sometimes in very rural areas of third world Lands that I’ve visited as a missionary, I saw other helpful things given at the church other than money.. like chicken eggs, bread, a pot-belly stove, a bag of cement or two for their half built building. In fact, I didn’t have that many German Marks but also gave some to Pastor Isshi there and he quickly went off to buy some more bags of cement.. instead of food like I had thought he would. He said that he had some farm animals around his Romanian home that would provide food for his family and some leaders there.   

The apostles in Jerusalem, in affirming Paul’s ministry among the Gentiles, asked that he should “continue to remember the poor” (Galatians 2:10). So, charitable work to benefit the poor within the church should become part of a church’s budget. Later, Paul gave some clear guidelines on who should receive aid from the local church and who should depend on another source for their sustenance (1 Timothy 5:3–16).

Various local churches in the first century also took up offerings to help other churches in need. Specifically, the church in Jerusalem was suffering from persecution and a famine, and the church in Antioch provided resources to help (Acts 11:29). Paul later took love gifts from Galatia (1 Corinthians 16:1), Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:3), and Macedonia and Achaia (Romans 15:25–26) to Jerusalem. He was accompanied by emissaries from Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and the province of Asia (Acts 20:4).

2.) A local church has a responsibility to its surrounding community. 

We are to be witnesses for Jesus both individually and as a church. Outreach is SO necessary even in our day now. “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). This verse sets the priority—God’s family first—but we are also to seek ways to “do good” to everyone. Of course, this must involve evangelism (Acts 1:8). A healthy church should be sending out missionaries (see Acts 13:2–3) or at least supporting missionaries in various fields of service.

A church that loses its outward focus, as evidenced by where it spends its money, is showing signs of spiritual weakness. Church consultant and author Thom S. Rainer, in his book Autopsy of a Dead Church, states that one of the symptoms of a dying church is that the percentage of the budget for members’ needs keeps increasing, while the money earmarked for outreach decreases.

3.) A church (we the people in the church) have a responsibility to our Heavenly Father God. 

We want to please Him most. Our Lord knows His Church (His Bride He chose. Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19), and He commands that His Word be clearly preached (Boldly. Romans 10:14; 2 Timothy 4:2) and that “the mystery of Christ” be proclaimed (Colossians 4:3). Delivering the gospel is most important. Anything that furthers that goal should be given priority, and paying the pastor is part of that goal. “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:17–18). Those who faithfully minister the Word of God should receive due compensation for their work (see also 1 Corinthians 9:11).

Wisdom regarding a church’s expenditures is very necessary (perhaps more so in our day because there are more lost people around us than ever before, that we need to minister to and win). We all should be witnessing out in the world and praying for our leaders that God’s wisdom (See James 1:5) will help them know exactly what to do with what is God’s. 

There is nothing at all sinful about having a fine building to worship in, or a building to fellowship and play some vigorous basketball in today, or to have nicely kept well landscaped grounds especially if the surrounding area has sinners who well keep up their grounds nicely. (Man, why make it easy, church-folk, for your neighbors you want in your church.. to dislike you, or to look down on the church for simply being lazy when God has never been that way?).

Church people (religious or decent) do wonder at times if the money given at church would be better spent supporting another missionary or aiding the poorer churches around the world. It can be a good question, and yet sometimes prideful people in churches can become troublemakers that cause problems for their decent pastors with nice sounding (selfless sounding) arguments too, when they personally wouldn’t give a penny to help with missions or other poor churches. Sure there have been some abuses with the funds by pastors and leaders in the past and there are some safe-guards to put in place against these. I say to you, choose a smart Pastor who wisely follows the Lord with some good transparent accountability there, and then trust him.. help him.. as He follows the Lord (short of sinning as the Bible defines sinning). Duh!   

There is a proper time, place, and way to humbly bring up where the church money is being spent. Clear communication (I don’t mean some weird mean whisper campaign behind the backs of the leaders) is key in any family. Minister means servant and a pastor is there to serve the people and those around the church.. and every Christian is to minister as well.. as servants of Christ. Double-duh!  

The goal of the church should be to worship and glorify the Lord. And to do the work of God in the dark world around them.. even around the world in other Lands as well. Our vision and mission is global. Yes, prayerfully in obedience to the direction of the Holy Spirit for that specific local church body, everything should be done to the glory of God as the Spirit directs (1 Corinthians 10:31). Choose a spiritual, rather than carnal or worldly or religious pastor who lives the life and teaches the Word with out spiritual compromise. Q: Do you know Jesus in a personal way (the most important decision a person will make), and go to a healthy church yet? You can today! 

Photo by Go to Damien Checoury - thank you, Mr. Checoury!

Through the clouds, through the long feathery boughs and other tree limbs bending with leaves.. and through the thick white blinds...

..also through these panes of glass and right onto my wooden floor. And on this wall, my lampshade, and on my pillow too. Such casual movement. I'm a child of the day. Hooray! 

So nice, so bright and right.. out of the night on into this Texas sunlight! And I love God's illumination the best!  

I want to shine bright, so others will want to get right (with Jesus). I want to be salty too--want all my conversation seasoned as with salt! Then they'll be thirsty for the truth like quaffing it down.. yes, thirsty for living water that quenches (not quenching or hindering the Spirit) and satisfies the soul. 

Am not at all talkin' 'bout some new age sorta light or "energy", but about pure Son light.  Yes, illumination from our pure Source!  Sure, this is what we are to love!  

So let’s walk in it and live well in the light of the Lord.  Even now.  Spiritually sick, and livin' in darkness is so overrated.  All asleep in the light is too. 

It's time to awaken out of darkness on into the light, cuz too many are falling asleep or even worse. 

My wife Liney really loves natural light, so some years ago we found and bought a house with lots of it shining on through. 

Personally, I like the morning light a whole lot.. shining through the swaying branches of the trees outside the home. I also like our home well lit outside and in through the night time too. Seems warm and inviting that way. 

You know how this world can get pretty dark out there -- seems a lot darker than it did before huh. Looks like we all be in the Last hours of the last days. 

We all need the light of the Lord today. Every day. Wanna let God’s light shine in and through me daily -- I want to reflect His ight to those in this lost world. I think you do too, right? The moon does that from the sun every day -- I like the moon's consistency. 

Liney and I both do, so we pray together and read the word too -- we want no darkness in either of us... everrrrr. Who needs any of that? None do. 

When people today tell you to embrace the light, simply ask them which light they are talking about? None of us need any from some counterfeit angel of light.  

Ever notice how crimes often happen out in the dark? Ever notice how shady persons love to hide out in the shadows? Let's not be like them. Let's grow in the Lord and become more like Him instead. 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ~ Jesus, in John 8:12

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.  Isaiah 50:10

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,  Ephesians 5:8

But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.  —Ephesians 5:13

When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness...  Job 29:3

When you lose something, you turn on the light to quickly find what was lost. That is smart! Lots of people are lost in the darkness and loving God is VERY INTERESTED IN THEM GETTING FOUND. 

One drunk man was down on his hands and knees under a streetlight looking for something. My So Cal friend told me about this guy. (Not sure if this really happened, but it does make a good point).

Then a stranger came up to him and asked what he was down there doing. 

He said, “I lost my wallet and I'm lookin' for it.”

“And you lost your wallet right over here?” ..the stranger asked him.

“Nope, not here,” the drunken man responded, “I lost it a couple blocks over there, but there is no light over there and it's nicer for lookin' right here.”

Yikes! Looking for something in the wrong place is not a good idea at all, is it? You need light, but you also need to look in the right place—like prayerfully in the Bible.  Are you lookin’ for truth, or to get right with the God of true light today? Where have you been looking for God? 

You might just let Him find you, because He has your address so to speak. He know where ya are, what you've done, why you did it, and loves you so much He can't take His eyes off of you. He can forgive any sin if you'll repent and believe.  

Have you looked to the Word? Have you looked for Him in a bright and healthy Bible teaching church? 

Hey, you need Him, we all do because we've all fallen short of his holy standards, and yet we can go to Him directly through Jesus. So what are you waiting for? 

Are you reborn spiritually (John 3:3)? Do you have a born again, spiritual church pastor yet? He can also help you with the basics as He points you to the Word and explains how to wisely apply what you read in the Bible. 

Jesus came to save, help, sanctify and guide you. 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on him who struck them, but they will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 10:20

There is mighty power in the name of Jesus (the living Word of God) and in the written Word of God! 

And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. ~  John 3:19

Why is it that people can become so triggered today when the subject of Jesus Christ comes up. I ain’t pushin’ him on anyone. Sometimes they choose to listen in on a conversation and they still get triggered enough to angrily inject themselves into it. Sup with that? 

Okay, so I do share Him and don’t mind when other eavesdrop, but I don’t try to be so loud to be rude or intrusive. 

You can be talking about anything, even politics, and they will be relatively nice—even considerate. But just mention Jesus Christ, and you will see veins pop out of the foreheads of otherwise rational and considerate people.

We wonder, What’s with this? It is a matter of light and darkness. It’s a different dynamic altogether when you talk about the things of God. There is something about the name of Jesus that arrests a person’s attention. Why else would people use it for effect when they take the Lord’s name in vain? There is power in that name. Even the unbeliever, in a warped sense, recognizes that.

Jesus said, “All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed” (John 3:20). They hate the light for fear that it will expose their darkness. The same is true of the Bible like when you or I travel. They see that Book or App open and get uncomfortable. Turn, trust, come as you are and God will change you. He will forgive you if you ask Him to. 

1. What does it mean that the light shines in the darkness (John 1:5)? 

Shines out from where? What is the meaning of John 1:5?

2. How is God’s Word a lamp to my feet (Psalm 119:105)? 

How does God’s Word light our path?

3. What does it mean that Satan masquerades as an angel of light? 

What is the meaning of 'angel of light' in 2 Corinthians 11:13?

4. What is spiritual darkness? 

What does it mean for something to be spiritually dark?

5. What does it mean that God is light?

In what ways is God like light?

6. Wanna walk in God's light of love and in the center of His will daily. What is the difference between God’s sovereign will and God’s revealed will?

What even is God’s will? 

7. Why did God say, “Let there be light,” during creation? 

Was it important for God to actually say the words, “Let there be light”?

8. How many prophecies did our wonderful God of pure light and love ..Jesus.. fulfill?

What are all of the prophecies that fulfilled by Christ?

9. How should we live in the light of the Lord who clearly said, “Be holy for I am holy” (See Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16)?

What is the meaning of Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:16?

Hellen Keller couldn't see light with her eyes, but she still enjoyed God's light and challenges us. Here are four things to learn from her:

"To think clearly without hurry or (dark) confusion; to love everybody sincerely; to act in everything with the highest motives; to trust God unhesitatingly."

– Hellen Keller

If you like God's light then you will like His love letter to the Christian (the Bible). Q: But what if you don’t agree God's Word at this point, or with the principles found in the Bible.. you might ask.

Simple frank answer: Change your opinion, because the Bible is right and, if you don’t agree with it, then you are wrong. I've been there before.. back in the 70s. Didn't want to stay in error though.  

Remember, the books in the Bible were not written to you, but they were written for you. So learn what the author and book meant to the original hearers back in the day. See what part of that book in the Bible you're reading ..as far as practical applications goes.. is transferable to our time today. We don't have a king like they did in Israel, but we do have a president and very flawed government today. How is the Bible relevant today, what can I do with it. We can submit to direct and delegated authority short of sin. We don't need to obey any man if they tell us to go be stupid and sin. We prayerfully appeal and find another way to go. 

Get into some hermeneutics. That deals with the art and study on how to soundly interpret the Scriptures, and on how to apply God's Word today. Learn to like (love) this type of a study first, before you outright reject what ideas you hear. 

Some people have said faith, some have saving faith. Some are religious and lost, some are born again. Yep, people are either saved or lost for real. Real Christians can be luke-warm, carnally minded, worldly or on-fire for Jesus and growing in a relationship with Him. Make those who are on-fire for Jesus your best friends forever. Not the other ones until they quit messing around in the world and are willing to mature and grow spiritually. 

Remember, just because a person says they are a Christian counselor or "Reverend" doesn’t necessarily mean that they are giving out sound biblical counsel. Biblically, God alone is the One to be revered. 

I have at times heard advice from so called “Christian counselors” that is contradictory to what the Bible is really saying. 

It can happen. That's why we each need to prayerfully study the Bible on our own with God.. and let the Bible speak for itself instead of reading things into the text that are not there. 

The true counsel comes from the Bible and the illumination of this Scriptural truth coming from the Holy Spirit. You and I really want to read through all the counsels of God to grasp hold of all of it, yes, to understand and to fully obey God. I mean, let's constantly work through all 66 Bible books again and again. It's a life-study that nourishes better than healthy food does for us. The Father can counsel you directly from His Word if you come to Him on His terms. Love the light, walk in it, and be bright about praying in the name of Jesus!  

Many hate the term, but let’s talk about stewardship a bit. Don't hate, appreciate.... when it happens right.

Q:  Do you follow God when He directs you not to give money, or to give something.. or money at church.. or even to receive? 

Q:  Ever noticed swindlers out on the take, out on the street corners? Some of them are and they love to drink, to shoot or smoke drugs, to gamble in LA or in OK casinos. There’s been some investigative reporting on this. 

There are some so called pastors with so called churches out there on the take as well. Some don’t even verbally adhere to the Essentials of our historic Christian faith. Some I’ve seen pull in a quarter of a million each Sunday morning but have no accountability according to their Executive Pastors. 

Sometimes there are some dear relatives of ours who might just need to hear a “No, not now. I love you and want you living free and mature.”

Obedient Giving under the Lordship of Christ today is as important today as it ever has been.. Yes, as the Spirit and Word of God agree and lead you, believer. This is what I strongly encourage because it’s biblical.

With your family and all what do you properly manage to the glory of God? Do you pray first (Some things we don’t need to pray about because they are already clear in the Bible as to what we are to regularly do). 

What do you say no to and yes to? Proper stewardship encompasses far more than merely giving money. God wants you first. He wants all of you, and to lead you for your own benefit and for the benefit of those around you. He wants you more really than your money. You know God doesn’t have a need. But He does want to see sinners saved, secure and serving Him here and it does cost to start up a heater or light in a church. It costs to send out a missionary too. We each have a part to play with the Great Commandment and His Great Commission. 

So what does biblical tithing to address church needs look like in the New Testament? Glad you asked. 

See Mark 12:41–44 - And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

See Acts 2:44–45 - And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

See what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:14 - In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

See 1 Corinthians 16:2 - On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

See 2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

What did tithing in the Old Testament look like? I’m glad you asked. 

Tithing in the back in the day was important too. See Malachi 3:8 - Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

There were three different tithes that were command in the Old Testament. 

(1.) One tenth of the Jew's income went to support the Priests and the Levites. (Basically their Government was funded off this collection). See Num. 18:21, 24
(2.) Another tenth went to support their sacred festivals. See Deut. 12:17-18; 14:23
(3.) Then every three years another tenth was collected from the Jews to support the widows, the orphans and the poor. It was a benevolence tithe. See Deut. 14:28-29; 26:12-13

So are you saying that I need to have three tithes, Kurt? Nope, you follow Jesus and remember that their government and Israeli system of faith were one regarding this type of thing. If you and I as Christian believers were to tithe properly and then give of our taxes (as is legal) to our flawed government today, then it might probably come out close to the same percentage as they gave. 

Here are Five Principles for Personal Giving Today:

The apostle Paul was not afraid to talk about the giving or not giving of money. Although he never over-emphasized it (like we see in many chs & min), he never neglected its importance.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1–3, Paul details important principles regarding this subject.

1.) Giving is to be a universal practice.

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches in Galatia, so you must do also” (1 Corinthians 16:1).

This was not just something that the Corinthians had to do. Everywhere Paul went, wherever he founded a local church, he taught them to obediently give as God directed each person, because giving is an essential part of the Christian life. We need to freely give as we have freely received because the Great Commission needs to be fulfilled. After all, God has freely given us His unconditional pardon (forgiveness minus un buying any indulgence etc.) and the transformation of our lives and families—things we would never have been able to pay for with any amount of money.

2.) Giving should be done regularly by a plan rather than merely by emotions. 

“On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside . . .” (1 Corinthians 16:2). This is one of the first indications we have in the epistles that the Christians had begun to gather regularly to worship, to pray, and to give on the first day of the week, Sunday. We see that this was done on a consistent basis.

3.) Giving is a personal act to obey and glorify the Lord.

“Let each one of you lay something aside” (1 Corinthians 16:2). He does not leave anyone out. Even children should be taught to give. It may be only a few pennies, a nickel, or a dime, but they should be taught the importance of giving at an early age.

4.) We should be prepared to give.

“Lay something aside and store it up” (1 Corinthians 16:2). We should set aside money for the work of the kingdom out of every paycheck. Some may say, “But that is legalism!” Is it legalistic to say a prayer of thanks over a meal? Is it legalistic to set Sunday apart as the Lord’s Day, in which you will go with your family to church? Is it legalistic to discipline yourself to read your Bible on a regular basis? That’s not legalism. That’s good planning, obedience, and wise stewardship. It represents a life that has been dedicated to God.

5.) God will meet your all needs and prosper you according to His great wisdom (with precise timing) ..as you obey Him even in giving.

Turn, trust, believe and give yourself to God -- to Christ first. All of you. He will forgive you and guide you.  

“God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). God will give you more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you give away more and more fruit from your harvest. (2 Corinthians 9:10).

“If you therefore have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?” Luke 16:11

On stewardship please review what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:10–20 and see the context too.

 The Christian and Money - interesting topic. 

Sounds religious. What was or is a heave offering?

 What is the difference between tithes and offerings?

What is an offertory?

What should be done if a husband and wife disagree on tithing.. on how much to give?

What is a church supposed to do with the offerings it receives?

Does our tithe all need to go to our church or can part of it go to a Christian ministry? We tithe at our Bible teaching church. 

What does it mean to rob God (Malachi 3:8)?

What does the Bible say about Christian tithing? Should a Christian tithe?

The Bible says in Philippians 4:10 nkjv] "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
[11] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
[12] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
[13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
[14] Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
[15] Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
[16] For even in Thessalonica you sent [aid] once and again for my necessities.
[17] Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
[18] Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things [sent] from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
[19] And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
[20] Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."

* The message of our ministry is the gospel of Christ (Philippians chap. 1).

* The model for our ministry is the example of Christ (chap. 2).

* The motive for our ministry is the reward of Christ (chap. 3).

* The means of our ministry is the provision of Christ (chap. 4).

- God provides unity when we disagree with our fellow Christians (vv. 1–5), and peace when we are prone to worry (vv. 6–9).

If we pray as we ought to pray and think as we ought to think, the peace of God will guard us, and the God of peace will go with us.

- God provides the power we need for life and service (vv. 10–13) and the material needs we have as well (vv. 14–20).

Remember that the Apostle Paul did not have a wealthy organization giving him support, but he did have a great God who enabled generous missions minded friends to meet his needs. Paul saw their gift as a fragrant sacrifice to the Lord (v. 18), and he rejoiced in the Lord for what they did.

“Through Christ you can be what you ought to be (Phil. 4:11), do what you ought to do (v. 13), and have what you ought to have (v. 19), all to the glory of God.” ~ Charles W. Koller

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9–10

We give from the heart ..cheerfully.  It’s a choice. And God does that. He is the initiator and we are the responders.

We demonstrate commitment to godly stewardship when we trust Christ to meet all our needs and so we generously give in response to glorify Him.

Need another passage on stewardship? 

See [Nehemiah 10:31 nkjv] "If the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year's produce and the exacting of every debt.

[32] Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to exact from ourselves yearly one-third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
[33] for the showbread, for the regular grain offering, for the regular burnt offering of the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the set feasts; for the holy things, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God.
[34] We cast lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for bringing the wood offering into the house of our God, according to our fathers' houses, at the appointed times year by year, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God as [it is] written in the Law.
[35] And [we made ordinances] to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the LORD;
[36] to bring the firstborn of our sons and our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks, to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God;
[37] to bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, [the] new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities.
[38] And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse.
[39] For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary [are], [where] the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God."

Nehemiah means “Jehovah comforts.” He faithfully fulfilled his calling, and he was a good example for us. He was a famous cupbearer, who lived the life, but never appears in Scripture outside of this book. As with the books of Ezra and Esther, named after his contemporaries, the book recounts selected events of his great stewardship, giving and leadership.

Stewardship lessons are often difficult to discuss among believers, as many people may be in financially unhealthy situations that took years to get into. Some people have deep church-hurt from being taken advantage of by a carnal or lost pastor in a church that gave an over emphasis to the people giving him money.

For those who may be struggling, our God is a God of restoration, and He can restore your financial situation. Pray and obey. The Bible is filled with story after story of how God restored His people. In addition, God took care of the biggest problem that man has (it’s called sin), so why would He not care about any financial struggle that you may be experiencing?

Jesus is still the same and can help any of us to obey the Bible. He looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." Mark 10:27

What’s the number one mark of a false prophet or false teacher in the Bible? It’s greed. Contextually in the New Testament I call it gospel-greed. 

We’ve seen it in our day this giving an overemphasis to you giving to them at church to get blessed. 

Hey, we believers are not sovereign in what we get back in this life or in eternity after we obey God in giving here. Some want to name it and claim it so they can be very wealthy here. God will reward the obedient for sure.. here, there or in the air. Not sure when or where, but sometimes He does that with what money can’t buy. 

In switching churches after a breach of the trust the first thing to go and the last thing to return into a new local church from the victims is normally the tithes and offerings. Sometimes it takes quite a while to regain the trust with believers in relationship to a church or para church ministry. Please know leaders, that the truth can be violated so quickly if you are not cautious.

Here in the States high profile scandals from ministries of charismania or of evangelical churches or formal parish church organizations have always resulted in loss of giving across the Nation and have slowed down the progress of fulfilling God’s Great Commission. Our own missions agency (the one Liney and I had with our church) had a quota for us to raise and reach in raising funds before we were allowed to be sent out overseas. And we were put on hold for several years and many missionaries on the field had to return having lost their support due to new distrust after a couple stateside scandals.

No one can out-give God. When God gives he does so with a smile and He is generous. Yes, He really wants you more than your money believer, but He also teaches us to gladly obey both direct and delegated authority because us winning the world to His Son is important! When God blesses his kids he has blessing others in mind as well.. even through us.  

When you look at any time of historical US Revival or Great Awakening or of massive renewal.. you see commitment to repentance, to biblical stewardship, to obedience and to giving that is restored. Real spiritual renewal is always connected to the restoration of tithes and offerings with the local church restored.

Sowing at Prestonwood is smart because this is simply good soil. There’s a passion for evangelism God’s way. Go check it out closely. We’ve looked and seen first-hand a lot of real ministry going on behind the scenes ..all on the church's nickel so to speak. It’s because people obeyed and gave right with no hype or pressure on the people. 

Never pressure the people, pastor, leader, anyone! Feed the flock, don't fleece the flock. They are God's, not yours. With all due respect, pastor, leader..  giving an overemphasis to tithes and offerings in a church is just wrong. It's not biblical. Teach on it from the Bible properly for sure. 

Where I grew up in California it didn't happen with my Pastors Chuck Smith and Greg Laurie. The offering time in church was with one sentence spoken after the worship singing. “At this time we will now continue our worship of the Lord through the giving of tithes and offerings”... cuz think about it. That too with right motives can be pure worship as well.

Pray specifically as if it's all up to God, and then work wisely as if it's all up to you. Pray and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus. You and I basically hire out to our bosses so to speak, and trade the hours of our lives where we serve them in exchange for dollars and cents, and then give a prescribed amount to the Lord as the Word has directed us to.

So show me the stubs of your checkbook so to speak and I'll tell you what you believe in. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. And the reverse is the same too.. where your heart is, that's where your treasure is. Most of us believe in homeownership, in quality clothing, in a car to take us from here to there, in insurance, in a yearly vacation or so, in having dinner out sometimes, but we are to bring the first fruits to God. We prioritize Him first. We are to obey Him with stewardship and with tithes and offerings.