"Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."1
Some three years in Arabia and fourteen elsewhere Paul having received much revelation from Christ now comes before the apostles, those pillars of the early Church. "When James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."2
"You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel. To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do,"3
In the Mosaic Covenant, the priesthood was from the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. While the people of Israel were "set apart" the Levites were for greater service to God and the people in the Temple. The priesthood was supported by tithe and we see three parts; service in the temple, living off the tithe and within the temple yard, and they were prohibited from having inheritance in the land. Owning land, a business, writing and selling scrolls... would seem to break this idea of no inheritance. At the time of Jesus we see this later condition ignored and I believe this is related to why Jesus said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers."4
"Will you steal... then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!"10
It is not the first time they had turned the house of God into a den of robbers, Jeremiah had warned of such. They would oppress the poor, and other things contrary to God and then come His house.11 God said to them, "Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?"12 This word for robber is parats; violent, i.e. A tyrant -- destroyer, ravenous, robber. Christ warns of false prophets like ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing. So we see a den of false prophets and teachers who seek money and personal gain, stealing from the poor.
"You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel."14
I believe this "no inheritance in the land" was a greater consecration of priests to God and was to induce a greater dependence and trust in God for their needs. This dependence kept them in a closer relationship with God, and this closer relationship with God would surely benefit the people. We see this idea of no inheritance in the land noticeable in the early Church of America where pastors did not have salaries so to say, but Churches provided homes for pastors, supplying all their needs. If we would trust in Him he proves he is trustworthy, thus our trust is strengthened over time, until we are fully convinced that what he said he would do, he will perform. This kind of faith moves mountains.
"Nor are you to be called leaders, for your leader is the one Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."3
This word for leader is from katá "down" and hēgéomai, "lead, think," it was used in Greece to mean an educator-facilitator. A facilitator is a person who makes an action or process easy or easier. Christ is the leader, so a facilitator makes the way easier to Christ. Surely the opposite is making the way hard, causing His children to stumble. Facilitation contrasts the dictator style of leadership who lords over the people. Greater service in the Kingdom of God speaks of a greater consecration to God and of greater trust and dependence. Jesus has preeminence in all authority saying His leaders are last, servants of all.4 Leaders are there to serve the people not the other way around, it is not a top-down leadership of lording over as the world but a bottom-up service facilitating others to Christ. Paul writes in the new covenant we are all priests with gifts for service. All are priests but there is a greater consecration of service to God by gifts; a pastor, teacher, prophet... Unlike service in the old covenant Temple, and to refute some teachings of authority, Paul writes, every child of God has boldness in the new covenant to approach God, we are priests Jesus our High Priest.5 Thus all who believe are priests for service in the Church.
"you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."5
All in Christ are priests for service. "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."7 Now, we ask a question, if all are priests for service then who is allowed to live off the tithing? but first we must answer does such exists in the new covenant? And is there a foundation for the separation of tithing and benevolence or offering to the poor? and who decides who is to receive and who doesn't? In other words how is a pastor deserving to live off the tithe and others are not, if all are priests? Of course regarding benevolence we seperate the man off the street from faithful priests, who have served and given to the needs of others.
There is to be more studying on the matter of tithing. I have struggled with this concept of tithing and giving, seeing those who have given much into a Church who doesn't seem to give back. How are we suppose to feel about such? if there is tithing in the new covenant who is "entitled" to it and is it separated from an offering to the poor? How are some entitled while others are not? Maybe the "entitlement" mindset in our society is being introduced by ministers of the Church? Personally if I find myself in need and these who I have given into do not help, it says these are not my friends and family, whether this is a small group, men's ministry, or any ministry in general. Truly, in the world some are your friends because of your success, they take but in your time of need they easily excuse themselves away. We are not to be like the world, and we can not sacrifice the weightier things of God and say it is some sacrifice for Jesus. Leadership is by example, so you can't expect the small groups to be servants of all when leadership is not.
"The congregation of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned."4
The early Church built the house upon the Rock, the words of Christ. Jesus said of the Pharisees, they broke the commandments of God by their traditions. So let us ask what does Jesus say and what did the early Church do? I am not sure why some do today, separate tithing and benevolence and some even judge such by secret committees. The early Church seemed to do the opposite. "there were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."5 We do see the concept of ministering in the early Church, the serving of earthly and spiritual food. Today, we see faithful people who have tithed and given only to find in their time of need to be left without, and if they ask they are accused of mismanaging money, or of trying to steal from the tithe. Such is to be questioned by truth. Surely, God will remember their offerings to the poor, and reward their giving in secret. Developing trust is important to our faith, look at the birds Jesus said they neither reap nor sow and God provides for them. The sanctification of his children is more important than silver and gold.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places..."6
Perhaps the tragedy is that when our focus becomes on earthly things we neglect the greater things of God. "Blessed is the one who trusts in you!" Blessed is the one given faith, "blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear."8 Blessed is the chosen and the one being sanctified, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence."9 Blessed is he who has been adopted into the family of God.10 Blessed are those whose heavenly Father "will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."11 Blessed is the one who has been redeemed.9 "Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”10 Oh to know the true riches in Christ which far outweigh the value of earthly things. “Silver and gold, I do not possess but I have this to give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”12 Oh, blessed is the man in Christ Jesus.
Blessed Be Your Name
"I will remember your offerings to the poor"
Some three years in Arabia and fourteen elsewhere Paul having received much revelation from Christ now comes before the apostles, those pillars of the early Church. "When James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."2
"You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel. To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do,"3
In the Mosaic Covenant, the priesthood was from the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. While the people of Israel were "set apart" the Levites were for greater service to God and the people in the Temple. The priesthood was supported by tithe and we see three parts; service in the temple, living off the tithe and within the temple yard, and they were prohibited from having inheritance in the land. Owning land, a business, writing and selling scrolls... would seem to break this idea of no inheritance. At the time of Jesus we see this later condition ignored and I believe this is related to why Jesus said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers."4
"Will you steal... then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!"10
It is not the first time they had turned the house of God into a den of robbers, Jeremiah had warned of such. They would oppress the poor, and other things contrary to God and then come His house.11 God said to them, "Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?"12 This word for robber is parats; violent, i.e. A tyrant -- destroyer, ravenous, robber. Christ warns of false prophets like ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing. So we see a den of false prophets and teachers who seek money and personal gain, stealing from the poor.
"You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel."14
I believe this "no inheritance in the land" was a greater consecration of priests to God and was to induce a greater dependence and trust in God for their needs. This dependence kept them in a closer relationship with God, and this closer relationship with God would surely benefit the people. We see this idea of no inheritance in the land noticeable in the early Church of America where pastors did not have salaries so to say, but Churches provided homes for pastors, supplying all their needs. If we would trust in Him he proves he is trustworthy, thus our trust is strengthened over time, until we are fully convinced that what he said he would do, he will perform. This kind of faith moves mountains.
"Nor are you to be called leaders, for your leader is the one Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."3
This word for leader is from katá "down" and hēgéomai, "lead, think," it was used in Greece to mean an educator-facilitator. A facilitator is a person who makes an action or process easy or easier. Christ is the leader, so a facilitator makes the way easier to Christ. Surely the opposite is making the way hard, causing His children to stumble. Facilitation contrasts the dictator style of leadership who lords over the people. Greater service in the Kingdom of God speaks of a greater consecration to God and of greater trust and dependence. Jesus has preeminence in all authority saying His leaders are last, servants of all.4 Leaders are there to serve the people not the other way around, it is not a top-down leadership of lording over as the world but a bottom-up service facilitating others to Christ. Paul writes in the new covenant we are all priests with gifts for service. All are priests but there is a greater consecration of service to God by gifts; a pastor, teacher, prophet... Unlike service in the old covenant Temple, and to refute some teachings of authority, Paul writes, every child of God has boldness in the new covenant to approach God, we are priests Jesus our High Priest.5 Thus all who believe are priests for service in the Church.
"you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."5
All in Christ are priests for service. "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."7 Now, we ask a question, if all are priests for service then who is allowed to live off the tithing? but first we must answer does such exists in the new covenant? And is there a foundation for the separation of tithing and benevolence or offering to the poor? and who decides who is to receive and who doesn't? In other words how is a pastor deserving to live off the tithe and others are not, if all are priests? Of course regarding benevolence we seperate the man off the street from faithful priests, who have served and given to the needs of others.
There is to be more studying on the matter of tithing. I have struggled with this concept of tithing and giving, seeing those who have given much into a Church who doesn't seem to give back. How are we suppose to feel about such? if there is tithing in the new covenant who is "entitled" to it and is it separated from an offering to the poor? How are some entitled while others are not? Maybe the "entitlement" mindset in our society is being introduced by ministers of the Church? Personally if I find myself in need and these who I have given into do not help, it says these are not my friends and family, whether this is a small group, men's ministry, or any ministry in general. Truly, in the world some are your friends because of your success, they take but in your time of need they easily excuse themselves away. We are not to be like the world, and we can not sacrifice the weightier things of God and say it is some sacrifice for Jesus. Leadership is by example, so you can't expect the small groups to be servants of all when leadership is not.
"The congregation of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned."4
The early Church built the house upon the Rock, the words of Christ. Jesus said of the Pharisees, they broke the commandments of God by their traditions. So let us ask what does Jesus say and what did the early Church do? I am not sure why some do today, separate tithing and benevolence and some even judge such by secret committees. The early Church seemed to do the opposite. "there were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."5 We do see the concept of ministering in the early Church, the serving of earthly and spiritual food. Today, we see faithful people who have tithed and given only to find in their time of need to be left without, and if they ask they are accused of mismanaging money, or of trying to steal from the tithe. Such is to be questioned by truth. Surely, God will remember their offerings to the poor, and reward their giving in secret. Developing trust is important to our faith, look at the birds Jesus said they neither reap nor sow and God provides for them. The sanctification of his children is more important than silver and gold.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places..."6
Perhaps the tragedy is that when our focus becomes on earthly things we neglect the greater things of God. "Blessed is the one who trusts in you!" Blessed is the one given faith, "blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear."8 Blessed is the chosen and the one being sanctified, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence."9 Blessed is he who has been adopted into the family of God.10 Blessed are those whose heavenly Father "will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."11 Blessed is the one who has been redeemed.9 "Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”10 Oh to know the true riches in Christ which far outweigh the value of earthly things. “Silver and gold, I do not possess but I have this to give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”12 Oh, blessed is the man in Christ Jesus.
Blessed Be Your Name
"I will remember your offerings to the poor"