Prosperity

[Calvary]

1Co 16:1  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

1Co 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

 

As Malachi was an order for Israel, this is an order for the church. These saints began each week by gathering to fellowship. Part of that activity was to gather funds for the Lord´s people and His work. The amount was not fixed but flexible. Flexible in the fact that it was based upon how the Lord saw fit to prosper the individual during the previous week.

 

Similes are metaphors using “as” or “like”. When I say the wind is “like” the Holy Spirit I am saying that you can learn truth about one by pondering the other. When I say he is sharp as a tack…. So the Lord said His order for giving in the New Testament church was simple. As God has prospered you = you give that to God.

 

So….

Pay your bills, put a percentage aside so your family can enjoy it. When I have done all that, everything I have left is prosperity. I have the food I need. I have the shelter I need. I have the clothes I need. I have met the needs of my wife and the needs of my children as the Lord has directed me to do.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS PROSPERITY.

 

If we truly believed the word of God enough to give as God has prospered us, we would be taking on new missionaries every week, starting new ministries of outreach every week, sending out more Bibles and gospel messages every week, we would see more churches planted.

 

If you have money to spend 10 dollars at McDonalds, you have 20 dollars to give to a missionary so that he can eat while proclaiming the gospel. That is prosperity. If we have money for fishing gear, ski trips, golf balls, video games, internet service, cable TV, the like, then we could give to the Lord. It´s simply a matter of the affection of the heart.

 

Most of us could do more if we had a heart to do more.

 

So….

Those that defend tithing as a way to support the work of the Lord are in error. Just as much as those that defends the error of not tithing. Both are defending 2 extreme positions and neither ever talks of what true New Testament giving really looks like.

 

Did either of you give as God has prospered you last week? After you paid all of it out as you should have to maintain your testimony, after you came home from the super market, after you bought a new pair of shoes, did you give ALL that was left over to the work of the Lord?

 

If you didn´t, then neither you that want to tithe nor your that demands we do not tithe are honest givers and neither should be followed as examples of the flock.

 

Don´t tell me what you are obligated to do or not do. I am at liberty. So are you. You are free. But if you have met your obligations, paid your bills, and then did what God actually commanded us to do with our money, have you gave to God AS He has prospered us?

 

A right relationship with God is not dependent upon my giving, but it involves giving. If you do not have a right relationship with God not much else is going to work right in your life.

 

I have been pastoring about 20 years. I have counseled many people over their finances. In all that time I have never, not once met the person that was in financial trouble for tithing. Not once. I know you say they are every day occurrences, but I have never met one in 20 years after having planted 6 churches from scratch. Maybe I am an anomaly. But I have met plenty of saints that were in financial difficulties due to spiritual problems and a lack of following this Biblical principle of giving the prosperity to God.

 

So there you have it. This is what calvary teaches on New Testament giving.

 

I´ll tell you what SIC, my personal opinion, and it´s only that, an opinion, is your heart is dead wrong on this issue. To you it’s a battle and striving over words and the letter. I read nothing of a generous heart in your posts, only anger, bitterness and discontentment. I wouldn´t follow your example across the street dear brother.

 

John Wesley said, Earn as much as you can. Give as much as you can. Save as much as you can.

God bless,

calvary