All posts by 5Q

Is Tithing Still Valid Today?

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Jesus said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth [a tithe] of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”1

Here Jesus is confirming that tithing is still as valid in New Testament times as it was in Old Testament days.

“For a number of years, The Barna Group (research specialists) has been following the practice of ‘tithing,’ which is donating at least ten percent of one’s income. While Christians dispute whether tithing refers to giving the entire ten percent to churches or whether that sum may include money donated to churches and other non-profit entities, the survey data reveal that no matter how it is defined, very few Americans tithed in 2004. Only 4% gave such an amount to churches alone; just 6% gave to either churches or to a combination of churches and para church ministries.”2

If every Christian tithed his or her income and “invested” it wisely in God’s work, all of God’s work on earth would be done. In addition to new churches being established, the starving would be fed, the cold would be dressed warmly, the oppressed would be cared for, the homeless would be sheltered, orphans would be nurtured, and every person on earth would be presented with the gospel. All of these things are a vital part of God’s will being “done on earth.”3

And how does God say (not suggest) his work on earth should be financed? By every Christian giving at least a tithe of his or her income and donating it for God’s work—for God’s work, that is, not for building religious empires or to churches or religious organizations that do not faithfully proclaim the whole counsel and/or Word of God.

Think of it. Only six out of every 100 Christians—American Christians that is—tithed their income to help with God’s work on earth. That’s only 60 out of every 1,000. Certainly many families are struggling, some people are out of work, and many single parents are scraping to get by, but not 940 out of every 1,000 Christians, and we are among the wealthiest people on earth. Unbelievable! Could this be one reason why we are experiencing such a moral decline and national decay?

Our pocketbook is an indicator of where our heart and priorities are,4 whether we are givers or takers, whether we acknowledge the fact that it is “God who gives the ability to produce wealth,”5 and whether we are grateful or otherwise for all that God has done for us, not the least of which being what Jesus did by coming to earth as a man to die on the cross in our place to give us a full and free pardon and a home in heaven for all eternity.

If you are not a tither, I urge you to become one today and start tithing with your very next paycheck. As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Also, what we give is a reflection of the depth of our gratitude for all the incredible blessings we receive and have received from God.

Remember, too, that when tithing to further God’s work on earth, there is a promise of blessing from God. His Word says, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”6

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, in gratitude for all you have done for me in giving your very life to save me for all eternity, I make a commitment today that as long as I am earning an income, I will tithe at least ten percent of all that I make—starting this week. Please direct me to place my tithe and offerings in ministry/ies that are truly doing your work on earth. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 23:23 (NIV).

2. The Barna Update, April 24, 2005. www.barna.org.

3. See James 1:27.

4. Matthew 6:20-21.

5. Deuteronomy 8:18.

6. Malachi 3:10 (NLT).

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Warning Notice Ignored

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“Then he brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.’”1

In July of last year, three young tourists when visiting Yosemite National Park were swept over the 317-foot Vernal Fall. One of the tourists, a young woman, was no doubt drawn by the alluring beauty of the raging waterfall and the fast moving Merced River below after a record winter snowfall. Tragically she slipped on a rock above the falls. Two friends reached out to rescue her and the trio was swept over the edge.

At the bottom of the trail leading to the Vernal Falls there is a sign warning about the fast moving water. Also, when entering the Yosemite Park, visitors are given a news paper warning about water hazards and to stay away from fast moving water.

Furthermore, at the top of the Vernal Fall there is a guard railing and a metal safety barricade marked with a warning. Tragically the victims of this tragedy ignored all the warning signs, climbed over the barricade, and fell to a horrific death.2

How foolish we say, and yet, I wonder how many warnings in life we ignore. The greatest tragedy of all is when we ignore all the warnings in God’s Word, the Bible—and especially so if we ignore God’s warnings about life after death.

For example God’s Word reminds us that “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment [of God].”3

Furthermore, as God said to the nation of Israel, the same applies to every one of us: “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel … prepare to meet your God.”4

And to Christians: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”5 Yes, this word is for Christians. We will not be judged for our sins because Jesus paid that judgment price on the cross for us when he died in our place. But we will be judged on the basis of how faithfully we have served God since we became Christians—and be rewarded accordingly.

Again, in the words of Jesus: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”6

Whatever you do, do not be like the tourists who disregarded all the warning signs in the Yosemite National Park and fell to a horrific death, and disregard God’s repeated warnings, and ignore God’s only remedy to assure us from a lost and hopeless eternity in hell—which is to “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”1

For help be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please open the eyes of my understanding so that I will clearly see all your warnings in your Word, and give me the wisdom to accept your gift of forgiveness for all my sins and with this the gift of eternal life to be with you in heaven forever. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Acts 16:30-31 (NLT).

2. http://tinyurl.com/3oea8tl

3. Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV).

4. Amos 4:12 (NKJV).

5. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV).

6. Matthew 10:28 (NKJV).

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Facts Versus Feelings

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“If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”1

Old habits and old beliefs die hard. For centuries people believed Aristotle’s opinion that the heavier an object was, the faster it would fall to earth.

According to a report I read, in 1589 Galileo challenged Aristotle’s teaching. He invited learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Galileo went to the top of the tower and pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the same instant, but the professors still wouldn’t believe what they saw. They insisted Aristotle was right.

Once again, here is another case of people believing what they want to believe. It’s like the old saying, “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind’s made up.”

Some of us avoid facing facts because they’re too threatening. Others of us don’t face reality because it’s not in sync with our feelings. I’m a great believer in acknowledging feelings but I can’t always trust my interpretation of them. There are times I just need to face the facts, grit my teeth, and do what the Bible says I should or shouldn’t do regardless of my feelings. It is much wiser to trust God’s Word rather than my feelings.

How foolish it would be to be driving on a highway and disregard a major warning “danger ahead” sign because we don’t feel the sign is correct. Maturity recognizes one’s feelings, checks them out for reality, and doesn’t allow them to control him or her. When it comes to life, if our feelings don’t harmonize with God’s Word, we’d better follow God’s Word rather than make our feelings the voice of authority, which can be a very dangerous path to follow, especially when it comes to eternal life and eternal values.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to always be aware of my feelings, acknowledge and accept them, express them appropriately whenever necessary, but never allow them to control me blindly. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (TLB)(NLT).

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Dogged Persistence

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“It is God himself in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work [of telling his Good News to others], and so we never give up.”1

I once read about a man who loved to hunt, and bought two topnotch bird dogs. He kept and trained them in his large back yard.

Down the street lived a vicious-looking bulldog who liked to crawl under the fence to attack the two setters. Day after day he would come, and the two setters would tear the bulldog apart, until he could take no more and slip away with his tail between his legs.

But, each day, for weeks, he kept returning. And each day would go home whining in pain, licking his wounds.

After several weeks something interesting happened. The setters had only to hear the bulldog coming and quickly scurried into the basement of their owner’s home. They had had enough, even though they had beaten the stuffing out of the pesky bulldog time and time and time again.

The bulldog’s dogged persistence made him the winner. Determination, persistence, hanging in when others check out—that’s what makes a winner a winner.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to give up on and let go of those things in my life that are not in harmony with your will, and to never give up on those things that are. And give me the wisdom to know the difference. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name.”

1. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (TLB)(NLT).

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Vision and Responsibility

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“When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”1

Today’s Daily Encounter is written by Cindy Whetzel, Gunnery Sergeant, U.S.M.C.2

In the Gospels we read that when Jesus “saw” a problem he was moved with compassion to do something about it.

Seeing a problem is the beginning of solving a problem. Jesus never said to the blind, lame or afflicted, “You’re not blind, lame or afflicted. Just tell yourself that and it will all be okay.” On the contrary, he saw the problem, acknowledged the problem, and did something about resolving it.

It’s easy to see problems, but seeing a problem isn’t enough. Like Jesus, wherever possible, we need to take action and do something to help resolve it.

It’s also easy to play the “Ain’t it awful” game. “Ain’t it awful that there aren’t enough Sunday school teachers. Ain’t it awful the shape the church bathrooms are in. Ain’t it awful all this drug abuse.” But ask these game-players to teach Sunday school, clean the bathrooms, or volunteer as a counselor in a drug rehab center and they’re usually too busy, or they have family coming to visit, or it’s just not their ministry. Instead of being moved with compassion game-players are moved with criticism.

With vision comes responsibility. Moses saw the burning bush then went to Egypt. Ezekiel saw the vision of dry bones and preached to Israel. Jesus saw you and me in a lost condition and came to earth to die on the cross to pay the price of our eternal salvation.

Sometimes we’re waiting for God to give us a “special vision” or a “special call” if we are going to get involved. May I suggest that “seeing the problem” is a vital part of the call. Admittedly, we can’t resolve every problem we see, but we can all give a hand in helping to resolve at least one problem.2

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please give me eyes to see, a heart to care, and a will to act—and to act in accordance with your will. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 9:36 (NIV).

2. Cindy Whetzel, Gunnery Sergeant, U.S.M.C., cindy.whetzel@usmc.mil

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God’s Good News

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“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”1

The word “gospel” means good news—it is the greatest news in all the world—it is the Good News of God’s salvation, without which mankind would be doomed for eternal damnation and separation from God, the author of all love and life.

But why is the gospel God’s Good News?

First, the gospel is not a message about religion but a message about God’s eternal love and purpose for all mankind. Religion wants to fix us from the outside in. God wants to fix us from the inside out. The first can become an impossible burden. The latter is what brings freedom.

Also, it’s important to realize that no matter what we have ever done or have failed to do God loves us with an everlasting love and has a wonderful purpose for our lives—for this life and the next. As Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”2 And again, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”3

Second, the gospel is a message about sin, something we are all guilty of. As the Bible says, “We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standard.”4 Sin, however, is not only doing harmful acts. It is anything that falls short of the standard of perfection that God envisioned for us. This includes an unforgiving spirit, pride, jealousy, mixed motives, etc. Most of us, too, are guilty of sins of omission; that is, not doing what we know we should and could do.5

However, a common misconception about God is that he is out to punish us for our sins. The fact is we bring sin’s punishment on ourselves because sin has its own natural consequences. If we try to break the universal law of gravity, for instance, we can’t. It will break us. Neither can we break God’s universal moral law. When we try to do so, it breaks us. And besides its painful effects in this life—suffering, sorrow, sadness, sickness and spiritual death—its ultimate and tragic consequence is eternal death and separation from God.6

Third, the gospel is a message about God’s remedy. Because sin has separated or disconnected us from God, we have been left with a “God-shaped” vacuum or spiritual emptiness within. As St. Augustine put it, “You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” The world’s many religions are all evidence of man’s endless search to find God and fill this vacuum. However, because God loves us so much, he sent his own sinless Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our predicament.7 Christ did this by dying on the cross in our place to pay the consequence of, and ransom price for, our sins—death. Thus, Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin. He is the only way back to God and the only door to eternal life.8

Finally, the gospel is a summons to faith and repentance. If you were found guilty of a serious crime and were condemned to death, would you accept a free unconditional pardon, if offered? Because Jesus Christ died on the cross in your and my place, God now offers you complete acquittal, forgiveness, and the gift of eternal life. All you need to do is confess and repent of [turn way from] your sinful actions, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died for your sins, and invite him into your life as Savior and Lord.

The following prayer will help you do this. “Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner and am sorry for all the wrongs I have done and the sins that I have committed. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me for all my sins and I invite you, Jesus, to come into my heart and life as Savior and Lord. I commit and trust my life to you. Please give me the desire to be what you want me to be and to do what you want me to do. Thank you for dying for my sins, for your forgiveness and free pardon, for your gift of eternal life, and for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you prayed this prayer and genuinely meant it, please click on www.actsweb.org/decision.php to let us know and we will send you a copy (without charge) of the eBrochure, “How to Grow.”

NOTE: This article is condensed from, “Godspell” on our ACTS web site at: http://tinyurl.com/4896egr

1. Romans 1:16 (NIV).

2. John 3:16 (NIV).

3. John 10:10 (NIV).

4. Romans 3:23.

5. James 4:17.

6. Romans 6:23.

7. See Ephesians 2:8-9.

8. See John 14:6 and Romans 5:8.

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False Versus True Humility

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“Clothe yourself with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”1

Somewhat related to arm-twisting for God are those situations where somebody has a song, a poem, or an article they have written that they want to have published. They state clearly that it wasn’t their creation but, rather, God gave it to them and they want him to have all the glory. I think that God sometimes, but not always, doesn’t want the glory for some of these creations!

Writing in Christianity Today some time ago, Eutychus also felt that there are times when God gets more credit than he wants.

For example, “A boxer once credited the Lord for helping him punch his opponent into the Twilight Zone. Then there was the football player who made a diving, juggling catch in the end zone. His explanation of the stellar effort mentioned nothing about his speed, agility, coordination, and training: It was God who made that catch.”

Humility has nothing to do with not appreciating what you have worked hard to achieve. Certainly, we want to thank God for the talents he has given us, but, among other things, genuine humility is being realistic about what you have achieved and being able to equally rejoice in another’s achievements.

Furthermore, to claim God gave me a poem or an article as a means to get my creation accepted for publication isn’t humility either. It’s lying. I’ve written a few things in my life that have been published (and a few that have been rejected), and for whatever talent I may have been given, I give God the glory for that.

At the same time writing to be published for me is hard work and what I write about has mostly come from a lifetime of experiences, many of them very painful. This is probably true for most writers who have something of value to say. Yes, there are times of inspiration but mostly it’s only about five percent inspiration and ninety-five percent perspiration. God may give us the five percent but the rest is up to us. He gives us the basic talent but it is our responsibility to be trained so that what we do say and write will hopefully bring glory to God. And that may be best left for others to judge.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I thank you for the gifts and talents you have given to me. Help me to be responsible with these gifts, develop them to the best of my ability, and use them truly for your glory. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV).

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Arm-Twisting for God

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“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care … not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples.”1

On more than one occasion I have sat on a church planning meeting and as we were about to discuss the matter at hand, one member stated that God told him how the matter was to be.

End of discussion! Who can argue against God?

Well not quite.

My response was, “Well, God hasn’t told me; so can we pray about and discuss the matter further.”

As you can imagine my questioning this man was not appreciated.

On another occasion a man came to me and told me that God had told him he was to work for me. We won’t discuss his qualifications for the job, but I thought I’d take the risk that God wouldn’t punish me for not giving him a job. I didn’t … and God didn’t!

While God does speak or communicate to us in various ways through his Word, circumstances, a sense of inner peace, a deep conviction, or in a word that you sense deeply is from him, it is never contrary to his Word, and it is never manipulative.

Unfortunately “the Lord told me” is sometimes used as a way of controlling or manipulating others to get one’s own way, and/or for being a power broker. When this happens, we need to recognize it for what it is and not buy into it. And we need to make sure that we don’t do it ourselves. God doesn’t need us to arm-twist for him.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, you desire truth in my innermost being so help me always to be truthful to myself, to others, and to you, and never seek to control anything or anybody in your name or in any other way. Ever! And help me always to discern when others are attempting to arm-twist for you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV).

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Child-Like Faith

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“In God I trust; I will not be afraid.”1

Cindy traveled across America and in Australia with the Youth Aflame Singers. In one home where she stayed there was a boy of about seven or eight. When Cindy saw him reading a Bible with large print and holding it close to his eyes, she asked, “Are you okay, Jamie?”

“I sure am,” Jamie replied confidentially even though he was going blind. “God says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.’ And even though I am losing my sight, I know that God will always direct my paths because I trust in him.”

Trusting God in the light where you can see where you are going is certainly easier than trusting God in the dark.

When in the dark I always pray, “God, I’m afraid. I can’t see what lies ahead, but I commit and trust my life and way to you. No matter how dark the night, I pray that I will also have child-like faith and trust in you.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, no matter what, I choose to always trust in you. Please help my feelings to catch up with my choice to trust in you so that my faith will always be much stronger than, and overcome, all of my fear/s. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 56:11 (NIV).

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Rewards of Persistence

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“A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in king’s palaces.”1

What could a tiny lizard possibly teach us? It teaches the rewards of persistence which “takes it to the top.”

Another has said, “The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running.” Among other things, fulfilling God’s will for our lives means reaching our total God-given human and spiritual potential. We don’t have to be geniuses to do this, but we do need to be persistent and keep on keeping on regardless of our circumstances.

The Apostle Paul experienced all sorts of trials and setbacks. He was shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead, whipped and beaten, and thrown into prison for promoting Christianity. He knew firsthand what it was to experience loneliness, cold and hunger. The interesting thing about this is that Paul penned some of his great letters to the churches while in prison, as did John Bunyan as he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress when he was in prison.

I listened to a preacher some time ago, a preacher who had cerebral palsy and struggled with every word he spoke. I was deeply moved. God used this man to influence hundreds of lives for all eternity. If ever I saw persistence it was in this man. In spite of his debilitating handicap, he reached his top and was maximizing his full potential.

God has a plan and life-purpose for each of us, too. To achieve it, it won’t happen without dedication, commitment, hard work, and persistence. As Paul said, “It is God himself in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work … and so we never give up.”2

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, in the midst of setbacks and the disappointments of life, please give me the gift of persistence so that I will never give up the goal of becoming all that you want me to be, and to keep on doing what you want me to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 30:28 (NIV).

2. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (TLB)(NLT).

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