Post by jazzlover on Jul 21, 2006 13:40:48 GMT -5
"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it"
The tithing system of the Old Testament was very complicated and there was not one, but three tithes. However these tithes were inextricably bound up with meeting the needs of the poor! Not to make the wealthy even wealthier. Additionally neither the apostle Paul nor the early Church said a word about paying tithes, which only evolved post-Constantine when a means was sought to finance huge 'church' and cathedral buildings. Financing this, that and the other project remains the main purpose of the constant begging that goes on today.
Over and over again the Bible cautions us against the greed and gluttony that seem to spring from an excess of wealth.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1 Tim. 6:7-11) Emphasis added.
‘Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.’ (James 5:1-6)
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (James 2:5)
The tithing system of the Old Testament was very complicated and there was not one, but three tithes. However these tithes were inextricably bound up with meeting the needs of the poor! Not to make the wealthy even wealthier. Additionally neither the apostle Paul nor the early Church said a word about paying tithes, which only evolved post-Constantine when a means was sought to finance huge 'church' and cathedral buildings. Financing this, that and the other project remains the main purpose of the constant begging that goes on today.
Over and over again the Bible cautions us against the greed and gluttony that seem to spring from an excess of wealth.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1 Tim. 6:7-11) Emphasis added.
‘Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.’ (James 5:1-6)
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (James 2:5)