Giving to the Kingdom

 Deuteronomy 14:28-29
bring all the tithes” so the Levites, “foreigners, the fatherless and the widows,” could come and “eat and be satisfied”.

There has been a lot of debate and discussion about tithing. Does the Bible require that Christian tithe to the church? There are many who believe that part of following Jesus is to give at least 10% of your income to support the work of God. There is no doubt that the Old Testament instructed God’s people to bring their tithe to help support the needs of the ministry and to help those who were not able to help themselves. One would argue that we are no longer under the law of the Old Testament and there is no such mandate given to believers in the New Testament. Much is said in the New Testament about giving of your means to help the spread of the gospel of Jesus, but there appears to be no commandment or set rule on how much you should be giving. We know that Paul encouraged believers to give and often thanked those who gave to support the work he was doing to tell others about Jesus. We also know that, in our present day, it requires money to maintain a church ministry, or any kind of ministry that desires to reach out and help people who have physical and spiritual needs.
Let it first be established that it is not possible to buy the favor of God, or give enough to pay for salvation. Salvation comes only through believing Jesus paid the price for our sins and confessing our sins and believing He is God who can reconcile us back to Him. But when a person has given their life to Christ, a transformation of desires begins. We seek to be more like Him and the things that we once desire to please ourselves are now turned toward the things of God. We now want to give all that we can to support the work of the Kingdom. We take inventory of how we are spending our resources. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinth. 10:31)Our life is no longer ours, but it belongs to God, All of it! Our money, time, effort, emotions, and spirit now belong to Him. God does not want 10% of you, He wants all of you. I believe that we are stewards of what we have and none of it belongs to us. What we do with it all depends on what kind of relationship we have with Him. If we love Him, out of a cheerful heart, we give to see others come to Christ. We desire to help those who are in need of a helping hand. We don't give so that God will bless us, we give because that is what Jesus would do. Don’t hold back what God has blessed you with to fulfill your selfish desires, but let Him take full control of everything you have. Don’t be in bondage to only give 10% but give to please the God you serve. Live in moderation, provide food and shelter for your family. Enjoy life, but remember, everything you have belongs to Him, and His desire is for us to first seek the kingdom of God. 

Christian Moderation

 Phil 4:5 
Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

The modern definition of moderation is to do all things in balance. Within reasonable limits, not to excess. The Greek meaning of the word refers to restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses. The word also implies that a lifestyle that others who are watching would see Christ. They were to govern their appetites, control their behavior, and to be examples of what was proper living for those who were expecting the Lord to return soon. The exhortation to live in moderation is made possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. A life of moderation is to live in harmony with the fruit of the Spirit. There are those who live with strict adherence to the letter of the law, and their passion to keep the law comes across as harsh and intolerant. Living in moderation does not mean that one compromises their Biblical belief to keep the Lord’s commandment, but understands that the spirit of gentleness and kindness overrules the letter of the law to execute judgment. We who seek to live a balanced Christian life, must understand that love does not condone sin, but love will treat the sinner with kindness and gentleness, showing our moderation to all men.

Admonitions for the New Year

 Admonitions for the New Year

Philippians 4

Ten Admonition of the Lord

1. Stand Fast in the Lord

In the face of difficult times, hold steady

Hold on to the promise of God’s Word

2. Rejoice in the Lord

Overcome by rejoicing and praising God

Rejoice that your name is written in the Book of Life

3. Do all things in Moderation

The Balance life is to do all to the Glory of God

Conduct your life is a way that you reflect the image of Christ

4. Fret not- Don’t worry about “things”

Be anxious for nothing. Human nature is concern about human comforts

That “problem” you face? Let go and let God have it. “Fear not”

5. Pray that God will supply all your needs

Bring your request to God and trust Him to supply your needs

Ask anything in my name. He knows what is best.

6. Keep your mind and thoughts pure

The thermometer that guides your conduct in whatever you do.

“Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus”- 

7. Apply God’s Word to your life- Doer of the Word

Read the Word of God not only for inspiration, but for practical living

Let the Holy Spirit apply the truth to your heart, and follow.

8. Be content with your station in life

Understand, Life is a rollercoaster- Be prepared to make adjustments

If you are living in the will of God, be at peace with your situation

Happiness is an attitude. Attitude is a choice. 

Don’t let circumstances dictate your happiness

Contentment is gained when we put our trust in Christ to accept our circumstances

9. Don’t be a pessimist – Approach challenges in your life with confidence.  “I CAN”

Godly attitude will focus on what you Can do, and not “I Can’t”

God does use your strengths, but only when then are submitted to Him

In our weakness, He is made strong. Give Him glory.

10. Give liberally to the cause of Christ.

God does not need your money. He is the giver of all things

God has chosen through the sacrifice of giving to spread the Gospel

We miss a blessing from God, when we fail to help others or support those who are willing to give of their time to spread the gospel.

God’s Promises

1. He will supply all our needs
2. The Peace of God will be given to you
3. God Peace will be with you
4. He will keep your heart and mind
5. He will give us the strength to do His will- we can overcome any obstacle or adversity.
6. The grace of God will be with you. The favor of God. He will always be at your disposal when you need Him the most. 

Drunk With Wine

Isaiah 28:1-13

The admonition given to us in scripture is that we avoid the use of strong drink. Israel found out the results of indulging in drink that caused the mind to error and judgment to stumble. The debate on weather a Christian should indulge in drinking alcohol is one argued by many contemporary Bible scholars of our day. Is moderation possible? What part does our influence matter? What is our responsibility to society and to the life of godliness? “Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit”

Debauchery of Wine- drunkards of Ephraim

· The sin of strong drink

· The influence of strong drink

· Christians and drinking in moderation?

Delusion of Strong Drink- beauty fade away

· The “pleasure” of drink

· Hang over of drink

· Satan always paints a beautiful picture

Destroyed by Indulgence- destroying storm

· Destroyer of homes

· Destroyer of self respect

· Debase and wasted

Day of Judgment- spirit of judgment

· God will judge the evil and wickedness of man

Deception of Wine- erred through strong drink

· The mind is impaired to think right

· Judgment is faulty – drinking and driving

Degradation of Man- full of vomit

· Lower the character of man

· Life is degraded and pitied

Deride God’s Instructions-line upon line

· God gives simple instructions

· He provide instruction is several ways

· The method of repetition

· They rejected God’s overtures with contempt

Drug Abuse and Godliness- “be not drunk with wine…”

· The safe way- Total abstinence

· Be drunk with the Spirit