JRR

But there was another man who heart was full of greediness.
Be careful that you don't gather your abundance for your greedy soul.
In Luke 12:16-34 and Matthew 6:19-34; Jesus speak of a story of a rich man; who reasoned within himself to gather all his crops into a large barns for him to satisfied his selfish soul; but the Lord said to him, “O you shortsighted man, this very night your life will be demanded of you, and these things which you have prepared, to whom will they be left?”

Instead of him gathering his crops into a large barns for him to satisfied his greedy and selfish soul, he should have share it with the poor people and that would have been wise of him and the Lord God would have been please with him, but he choose not to do any good deed.
Looks in verse 19; “he store up all his crops for himself, for many years, rest, eat, drink, and be happy.”
But the bible says, he lost his life.

Look what Jesus said to his disciples about any rich man who had a selfish and greedy heart, verse 21, “such is he who lays up treasures for himself and is not rich in the things of God.”

The only treasure that Jesus want you to lay up for yourselves is the treasure in heaven, but never to lay up treasure for yourselves.

A selfish and greedy person think in laying up treasure for himself.
To be rich in the things of God is to lay up for yourself treasure in heaven by being ready to give and willing to share.
This is why Jesus said to the rich people, "sell your possession and give it as alms (to the poor) and you will have treasure in heaven", that is how you become rich in the thing of God.

There are three scriptures that speak about being rich in the things of God:

The first scripture is found in Luke 12:33, Jesus Christ said, “sell your possessions and give them as alms; make for yourselves purses which do not wear out, and a treasure in heaven that does not run short, where the thief does not come near, and moth does not destroy.”

The second scripture back up what Jesus told his disciples about having treasure in heaven in Matthew 19:21 he says to the rich man, " sell your possession and give them to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven …

The third scripture is found in 1Timothy 6:18; Paul said to the rich man, “do good works, and become rich in good deeds, and be ready to give and willing to share, laying up in store for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold (of what?) upon the true life.”
With a heart full of love you can lay hold the true life.
It is a heart that thinks of other first; a heart that love to gives and willing to share with other.

This is why Jesus said, “to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, where neither rust nor moth destroys and where thieves do not break through and steal.
People who are kind love to deposit their treasure in heaven.
The happiness and the joy of the poor people is the happiness and the joy of the givers. (Matthew 6:20,21).

Jesus warn the poor not to worries for their life, neither to be anxious, nor to have their mind be disturbed by those things they needs… for the Father knows that these things are also necessary for them.
The main thing is to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and then all the things that is needing shall be added.” (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-32).

The rich man should remember always how God helped him and blessed him.
Show him your gratitude by giving and helping the poor for this will please God.

When Jesus Christ die and rose up from the dead and was lifted up to heaven; in the day of Pentecost all the brethren gather together and something wonderful happen in the upper room, the brethren were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Since that day the brethren went out preaching the gospel and win many souls; people got healed and many miracles happen in the name of Jesus Christ and they spoke the word of God boldly.
Those who were converted and have possessions sold them and divided them to each man according to his need (Acts 2:45).
You see those who were converted had possessions and because of God' love that now dwell in them, they saw for the first time the need of the poor brethren and they have compassion on them; therefore they decided to give up their possessions and sale it and give it to each man according to his need.
This kind of charity is what God is looking for in the heart of the believer.

Peter and John were going to the temple to pray but they were met by a certain man lame from his mother womb, he was brought to the gate of temple which is called Beautiful to ask for alms, the bibles says that when Peter saw that he has faith to be healed, Peter calls his attention and the man got healed and Peter came inside the temple with the man healed and Peter started to preach to the people inside the temple and five thousand men believe.
But because this healing was done in the name of Jesus Christ, John and Peter was arrested and later released from the hands of the priests and Sadducees, they went to their brethren and he told them what happen to them and the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God boldly.

Now the congregation of the believers were of one soul and of one mind, not one of them spoke of the property he possessed as his own, but everything they had was in common.
There was not a man among them who was destitute; for those who possessed fields and houses sold them and brought the money for the things that were sold, and placed them at the disposal of the disciples; and the proceeds were then given to every man according to his needs (Acts 3:1-26; 4:1-35).

This people have more sense to know that there were many people in needs and that they were the only one who have the mean and solution to help them; and that is exactly what they did, they help the poor people.
God expect of the rich people and those who have abundance to care for the needs of others and to help one another; to give and be willing to share is the key of life eternal.
God wants man to be able and willing and have a heart full of love.

God is looking for men and women who possess field and houses, men and women who are not afraid to give up everything and makes them in common.
Man who is willing to take the money of their possession, and place it at the disposal of men of God for them to give to every man according to his needs, therefore, walk in God's Love.

Just like the story of a man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and bandits attacked him and robbed him and beat him and left him with little life remaining in him, and they went away.
And a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. And he came to him and bound up his wounds and poured on them wine and oil; and he put him on his own ass and brought him to the inn and took care of him.
And in the morning, he took out two pennies and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever you spend more, when I return I will give it to you.”
Have a given and a sharing heart, hear what Jesus said to his disciples about this man, he said to them, "this is the way you should love your neighbor." (Luke 10:27-37).

Not like these two fellows that God was not pleased with them.
When Peter was collecting alms and donation from rich people with the money they have sold from their properties, to give it to every man according to his needs.
It happens that a man and his wife sold their field and he took some of the money and hid it.
They thought by saying to Peter that they have sold their field for this price when they did not sold it for that price, that they were going to get away with this lie and that God will be please with them.
But one thing they did not know, they did not lie to Peter but to the Holy Spirit.
The scripture said that the wife name Shapphira or Sapphira and her husband name Ananias fell down and died and men carried them away and buried them (Acts 5:1-10).

Selfishness and greediness heart and not being honest with people can take you where there is death.
So be careful what you say and do before God for he might not has mercy on you and you might end up losing your life.

Paul wrote something very important for us to take note.
In the book of Philippians 4:10-19; writing to the church he said to them, “… You have continued to care for me even thou you yourselves have not had sufficient.”
These people did not even had sufficient for themselves but still they continue to care for Paul because they love him very much.

When you love your brother, you want to provide those things they needs, and those things that you provide for them are treasures deposit in heaven and it is welcome as a fragrant perfume and a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing in the eyes of God.

Paul goes on saying “I have learned to make what I have sufficient to meet my needs.
I know what it is to be poor, and I know what it is to be rich; I have gone through many things and experienced many things, both to be full and to be hungry, both to have plenty and to be in want.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Before I continue let me ask you a question, what makes Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?”
Do you think it was the continue care he was receiving from the people of Philippi? No way sir, I don’t think so.
What was Paul referring here that there were time when he has money, and that there were time that he did not have any money; there were time he went through many things and experienced many thing, both to fill his stomach with food and to go hunger; both to have plenty of things and to be in want.
The referring here is that Paul has learned having money or not having money, and having his stomach full or not having his stomach full; and having the things he wants or not having the things he always wanted; all of these things does not separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord neither does it stop him to do what God has called him to do.
That is why he says, "I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me."

Again even thou Paul went through all this changes in having and not having, he learns to trust God and to face any situation of life with ease, “he learn to have confidence within himself, he believe he can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens him, nothing will stop him in fulfilling the call of God in his life, for God is his strength and his life who has supply and will continue to supply all his needs according to his riches in the glory of Jesus Christ.”
You have to understand Paul never lust after worldly things.
We will come back here again later, but lets goes to the book of Acts 20:33-35.

In the book of Acts Paul said, “I have never coveted silver or gold or apparel".
The apostle Paul indicates that he has never love the things of the world: the pride of material things.
Paul continue saying, "Indeed you yourselves know that my own hands have provided for my needs and for those who have been with me."

It is very important and humanity to remember those who are with you and to provide their needs.
Paul never lust after money neither after any other material things, but with the work of his hand he provided his own needs and for those who have been with him.
Again look at the key here: he’s provided for his needs and for those who have been with him.

Lets continue reading verse 35: “I have showed you all things, how that one must work hard and be mindful of the weak and remember the words of our Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Again Paul is saying to the church you are more blessed when you give yourself to the work of the Lord and are mindful of the weak.
Here again the word of Jesus Christ commanded to give because it is more blessing to give than to receive.
Given to those who has necessity and for the kingdom of God will multiply your given.
God will remember you when you are in need too.

Paul and Jesus Christ gave us the key of heaven and that is to be mindful of the weak, and to provide the needs of the poor people, include the need of the church of God.
Church of God if you continue to walk in the path of God's love you'll succeeds and prosper everywhere you go through Christ Jesus our Lord.

God is saying to those who have ears to hear are you willing to leave all things behind to follow his foot steps?
Are you ready to sacrifice your life for the sake of the brethren and for the sake of the gospel, ready to be generously and cheerfully?
If you says, yes, then hear the word of God, "he will never leave you neither forsake you, he will multiply your seed and cause the fruits of your righteousness to grow" (2Corinthians 9:4-14).

Remember what Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs 29:7; he said a righteous man is a person who considers the cause of the poor.

Understand that God's words does not speak only to the rich people, but to all of those who has abundance and can give and share with other.
Abundance mean you have more than enough.
Having more than enough to supply your needs as well the needs of others.
It is your obligation as children of God to care and provide the needs of other with your financial support.
Therefore if you want to see the fruit of righteousness grow and increase each day in your life then be willing and obey Jesus Christ's words.

Back to the book of Philippians 4:10-19; The scripture teaches us that when a person gives for the glory of God, it is welcome as a fragrant perfume and a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God.
The fruit of the gospel increase to him and God will supply all his needs according to his riches in the glory of Jesus Christ.

It is also important to work with our hands so we can have food to eat and something to give or something to share with others.
Paul writing to the churches of Thessalonians and Ephesians he mention to them that there are men who lead an evil life and not according with the commandments which they receive from us, they are men who do not work at all but are busy bodies.
Paul command and exhort by the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work quietly and eat their own bread.
Not only there were people in the church who did not work at all but also there were people in the midst of them who were thieves but now they are converted, whom Paul commands also saying, “henceforth let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor with his hands and do good deeds, that he may have something to give to him who is in need” (2Thessalonians 3:5-15; Ephesians 4:28).

Again Paul is mentioning here how important it is to work and to provide food on the table so you can eat your own bread but the most important humanity of all is to have something to give to those who are in needs indeed.
Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul witness and teaches to labor with our hand and work quietly, and to provide food on the table, and to have something to give to those who are in needs because it is a more blessing to give than to receive."

Another example of given we can see it with the brethren of Macedonia and Achaia.
In the book of Romans 5:25-28, the brethren of Macedonia and Achaia have been please to take part in helping the poor saints who are at Jerusalem because they were indebted to them to minister in material things and Paul distribute to them this kind of help.

If you have to give then give, but if you don't have to give then don't give.
God intending his people to give according to that which they have and not according to that which they have not, and their gift will be acceptable.
God expect that your abundance be a supply for the people want, and that there be equality (2Corinthians 8:12-14).

Paul teaches an important lesson that will open ours eyes and can heal our heart, he said, “He who had gather much (for himself because he is selfish and greedy) had nothing over (in the eyes of God);
And he who had gathered little (because he think of other first and love to give and willingly to share with other) had no lack [in the eyes of God]” (2Corinthians 8:9-15).

People who have riches and wealth and don't care for any human race and close their eyes of mercy, the day will come when they will have needs, but God also will close his eyes and will have no mercy neither compassion of them.

Jesus Christ taught us that he was rich but for the sake of the poor, he became poor (what a great example Jesus Christ leave us, he took his riches and gave it away to the poor; how many of you can said the same thing? look what he said next) so that through his poverty, the poor might be rich; in another word their needs God will supply (2Corinthians 8:9).

Apostle Paul writing to the church he said, have the mind of Christ and imitate him.

The mind of Christ think true thoughts.
The mind of Christ think pure thoughts.
The mind of Christ think just thoughts.
The mind of Christ think lovely thoughts.
The mind of Christ think honest thoughts.
The mind of Christ think good report thoughts.
Anything that is virtue and give praise the mind of Christ think of these things.

The mind of Christ said, It is more blessing to give than to receive.
The mind of Christ said, I give and it shall be given unto me, good measure, shaken down and running over they will pour into my robe. For with the measure that I measure, it will be measure to me.
The mind of Christ said, I have two shirts I will give one, and have food I do likewise.
The mind of Christ said, I give to those who ask me and lend and I do not cut off any man hope.
The mind of Christ said, I treat other the way I want other to treat me.
The mind of Christ said, When I see my brother naked I will give him those thing he needed for the body.
The mind of Christ said, My abundance will be for my brother wants.
The mind of Christ said, I will bless and do good to all people.
The mind of Christ said, I love my brother and I forgive all his fault and I do not remember it anymore.
The mind of Christ said, I seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
The mind of Christ said, I trust the Lord for he will supply all my needs according to his riches in the glory of Jesus Christ.
The mind of Christ said, Jesus bore all my sin and lifted them with his body on the cross, that I, being dead to sin, should live through his righteousness; and by his wound or strips I was healed.
The mind of Christ said, If God is for me who can be against me.
The mind of Christ said, Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.
The mind of Christ said, The Lord says, No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgment, I shall condemn. It is my heritage and my righteousness is of the Lord.
The mind of Christ said, I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.
The mind of Christ said, I am more than a conquer through him who loved me.

And if Jesus says to you to give is because he wants you to be blessed, no question ask.
What benefit will it be if a rich man gain the whole world and at the end lose his soul in hell (Matthew 16:26; Acts 20:35)?
There many preachers and teachers out there that teaches and preaches that a man should sow a [money] seed offering and in due time he will receive a harvest.
The sowing seed that Jesus Christ spoke about is the planting of the word of God into people heart and this planting has nothing to do with money.
The bible teach us that those who believe in Jesus Christ has his seed planted in them.

Seed is not money that people sowed, but seed is word and in this case seed is generosity that a man sow.
Jesus use word Seed which save our soul and Paul use generosity Seed which bless our giving.
Some people might says but wait a minute in the book of 2Corinthians 9:5-12 it speak that money is a seed that you sow.

No, no, to sows generously does not refer to sowing money.
Sowing generously means to have a generous manner in your giving.
Someone might says, in verse 10 it says, "Now he who gives seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and cause the fruits of your righteousness to grow,"
That you may be enriched in everything, in all liberality; for such generosity enables us to perfect thanksgiving to God.
For the administration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but it also is made abundant by many thanksgivings to God."

In verse 10, Paul was referring to what he was saying in verse 6, The Lord who gives seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed [your generously] and will cause the fruits of your righteousness [your peaceful heart] to grow.
Remember what James chapter three verse eighteen said, "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by the peacemaker.
James is telling the people of God to sow the seed of righteousness and that seed is sown in peace by the peacemaker.
Here on verse 10, Paul is talking about your generosity and not your money, that is what you sow and God who give seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your generosity, and will cause your peace to grow.
Paul was never talking about money, if Paul was talking how to make money abundantly, sadly to said then he is responsible for the reason why the church have become materialistic full of vicious people lusting after money and not after God.
No, brother, Paul was not talking how to make money but how to sow generously and reap generously.
And if you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly.
Remember the bible said, For with the same measure you measure will be measure to you, in another word if you were generosity with people, when the day comes and you are in need people will also be generous with you.
This is why Paul said in verse 7: So let every man give according to what he has decided in his mind, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
If you decide to give cheerful and in a generously manner then God will love it and will be please with you.
"Sowing generously" is "having a generous manner when you give and God will love it so much."
When Paul says, "God who gives seed to the sower", here he is talking about seed that produce food and never about money.
Sowing generously and the fruits of your righteousness is what enriched you in everything, in all liberality; for such generosity enable you to perfect thanksgiving to God.
Again Sowing generously is what enables us to perfect thanksgiving to God and at the end you will reap generously too.

Those who walk in God's love and do good deeds to his brother and give to his neighbor are givers who has the word (the seed) of God in them.
Those who give [generously] will be given to them; good measure shaken down and running over, they will pour into your robe.
For with the measure they measure will be measure to them (Mark 4:14-25; Luke 6:27-38).
If you sows sparingly, you shall also reap sparingly; if you sows generously, you shall also reap generously.

Giving an offering is volunteer and should be given generously
For the administration of this service not only supply the want of the saints, but also it is made abundant and enables you to perfect thanksgiving to God.

Man should give according to what he has, and what he has decided in his mind, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God love a cheerful giver.

Therefore sows cheerfully and generously and then you will reap cheerfully and generously.

Again money is not what you sow but generously.
Lets continue reading, "that you may be enriched in everything, in all liberality [you will be enriched in all generosity]; for such generosity enables you to perfect thanksgivings to God. [2 Corinthians 9:6-12]

Look here brethren, Paul said, God who give seed to the sower and bread for food.
God give the sower seed and bread, but it does not says God give the sower money, no brother it does not says that, but God gives the sower seed to sow in the ground and bread for food.
Seed is what produce wheat or grain that give us bread for food to eat and never money.
It does not said that God multiply your "seed of money" so you can have food to eat, no way brothers but God give the sower seed to sow in the ground that later harvest food to eat.

Paul in another letter charge the rich people in the church to be not proud, nor trust in the uncertainty of their riches, but in the living God who give us all things so abundantly for our comfort.
This topic many teachers love so much to teach and they said you see this verse show how much God wants us to have riches in abundant for our comfort.
No, brother that is not what Paul is charging to the rich people to do, but to know God is the one who give us all things so abundantly for our comfort and he charge them to be not proud nor trust in the uncertainty of riches but in God, and to do good works and become rich in good deeds, be ready to give and willing to share [that is what Paul is charging them and not how to become richer].

He wanted them to lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come; that they may lay hold upon the true life.
The only riches that Paul has in mind for the rich people to have is to become rich is in the things of God and never how to make millions of dollars.
Paul charges was to become rich in good deeds [good works] and be ready to gives and willing to share that is the riches Paul was charging them to have (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Paul charging was for those who are rich in this world and never for the poor people, these rich people did not needing to get richer because they were already rich, but what they needing to do is to become rich in the things of God.
I don't think Paul will contradict himself neither rise up against the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Paul charges them to be ready to give and willing to share, this is the same thing God wants the rich people to obtain so that they may lay up in store for themselves a good foundation and that foundation is Jesus Christ the light of life.
Paul will never rise up against the Word of Jesus Christ, but his letter agree with Jesus' saying and will never contradict itself.
Paul mentioned equality and equality is an even measurement, the same, no more and no less.
Your abundance should be a supply for the saints want and the saints abundance should be a supply for your want; that there may be equality at this particular time (2 Corinthians 8:14).

Jesus charge the believers: he who has two shirts, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.
Jesus is talking about equality just like Paul has charged the church [Luke 3:11].
Jesus also said, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
The words that Paul and Jesus spoke was written for the benefit of the body of Christ so everything is done the right way and every person is treated equally and fairly.

If you have something to give then give it with all your heart.
There is a difference between having and not having anything to give.
Any person who has wisdom know that a poor person who does not have nothing to give can't give, it is obvious.
You can not give what you don't have.
This is why Paul said to the church "For if there is a willingness to give, every man can give according to that which he has, and not according to that which he has not, and his gift will be acceptable." [according to the Holy Bible from Ancient Eastern Manuscripts]

Paul never put or added a burden to any man who did not have anything to give, on contrary the good intention of the apostle Paul was that there may be an equality in the body of Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:12-14).

Therefore the message of the kingdom of God is for those who has abundance and can give generously, whether you can give a million dollars or just a few pennies.

If a person can give just two pennies then he has given all his abundance.
Anybody who has abundance can give to the work of God.
Another thing there is a different between those who give from their abundance and those who give all their abundance (all possession or everything they have earned).

The scripture teaches us that Jesus was looking at the rich men who were casting their offerings into the treasury [The offering was brought and presenting unto God and Jesus was looking who was casting offering for he is Lord of all things].
And he also saw a poor widow, who cast in two pennies.
And Jesus said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has cast in more than every man.
For all these cast into the house of the offering of God of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has cast in everything she has earned" (Luke 21:1).

In Mark 12:40- 42, Jesus rephrase the same thing, like this, "This poor widow has cast into the treasury more that all the men who are casting.
…she on her poverty cast everything she had, even all of her possessions.

You see while the rich people were casting their offering into the treasury they were casting of their abundance, but what called Jesus attention and please him the more was seeing this poor woman that from her poverty she gave all her possessions and that's a sacrifice that the Lord love to see from anyone who is willing to give all things for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of the people of God and they will receive in this time hundredfold (Mark 10:29-30).

This poor widow put God first and she left us a good example for us to follow.
Seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness will add to you those things you need.
God expect all of us to do likewise for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of Jesus Christ.

I can hear someone saying, that is not right, instead of that poor woman giving her last two pennies they should have been helping her.
You have to understand, in those time people came voluntary to the treasury to show their gratitude toward God by giving a gift offering to the Lord.
It happen that this woman came voluntary to give an offering with a heart full of gratitude and when Jesus saw this poor woman giving cheerfully and generouly, her offering draw Jesus attention, and Jesus calls his disciples to show them what pleases him the most, he like her offering, for the rich men were casting of their abundance, but this poor woman from her poverty choose to cast her last two pennies.
She was not obligate to give neither did she have to, but she choose to cast all possession voluntary, she understand how important is to give cheerfully to the Lord, and because of her good generous deed of the heart, Jesus was please with her more than all those rich people.

It is a not a matter what you think is right neither if it does not make any sense in your carnal mind.
What's matter here is what pleases the Lord.
After you put God first, God will take care of the rest.
Do you doubt that God is able to take care of you and keep you well?
Don't you believe that God is a good God and a true God and that he doesn't lie?
Don't you believe that God can help you in many ways that you can not even imagine and bless you so abundantly?
Do you believe that he can't help you at all?
If you believe he is able to help you and that he does not lie and you can trust him to take care of you then why do you question God's word and have doubt in your heart?
Didn't Paul wrote to the church saying, "God will supply all your needs according to his riches in the glory of Jesus Christ?" (Philippians 4:19).
For sure God supply this poor woman all her needs.
Now, what is the problem of this poor woman given all her possession to the Lord?
For sure she gave all her possession trusted the creator of heaven and earth to provide all her needs.
If it please Jesus see her giving all her possession, for sure his Father was please with her too and help her and took care of all her needs.
According to history, the reason the rich was casting offering from their abundance it was to help maintain the temple and to give to the poor people; so don't tell me they did not help this poor woman too, for sure they took care of her too.
We have to stop complaining, stop being afraid, and stop doubting God, for he will never leave you but he will help you in the time of needs.
Believe him, he will hear your cry and help you in the time of needs and delivery you out of them all.
Let man be a liar, but let God be true.

This is why Jesus said to his disciples, "every man who leaves houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my name sake and for the sake of my gospel shall receive now, in this time a hundredfold, houses and brothers and sisters and maidservants and children and fields and other worldly things, and in the world to come you shall inherit everlasting life (Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29,30).

If you leaves your family and your houses and your fields that include all your wealth and riches for him; If you leaves all these things for the sake of the gospel, God has promised us that we will receive now, in this time a hundredfold and in the world to come we shall inherit everlasting life.

Abraham left his country, the place of his nativity and from the father's house, he left everything behind to a land that God will show him and after he left God blessed him.

Remember in the New Testament to the believers, God's Big Thought is to love God above all things and to love your neighbors as yourselves and that mean leaving everything behind for his name sake and for the sake of the gospel.
He expect you to obey his word and to give and then it shall be given unto you ... because it is more blessing to give than to received.

Jesus said, "If a man asks, give him; if a man wants to borrow from you, lend him and do not cut off any man's hope" (Luke 6:37-38).
Are you able and willing to leaves all things behind to follow Jesus Christ's foot steps?
Again are you able and willing to sacrifice yourselves and leaves all things behind for the sake of Jesus Christ and for the sake of the gospel?
If you answer is yes, then you will receive now, in this time a hundredfold and you will inherit everlasting life.

Again one thing is to have and give and another thing is not having anything to give.
Any person who don't have anything to give there is hope for him.
The word of God says, “Jesus Christ was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor …”

What was the reason he became poor?
So that you can become more poorer, I don’t think so.

Well lets me see again, ooh' I know, if you have nothing to give to the preachers or to any ministers, you should borrow money from a friend or a family member, if not then search in your home to see if you can find something you can sale in cash and send it to the minister, and then you are ready to move on to the next higher level of becoming rich.
Hum um um um... I don’t think so, this idea is foolish and it is not biblical scriptures, but a theory that was established by carnal man.

What did Jesus said about this matter?
He says ".. for your sakes he became poor so that you through his poverty, you might be rich (he supply your needs).
The moment a person come to Christ he inherit the right of Jesus Christ's supplies.
He is already rich, in another word, God will supply all his needs according to his riches in the glory of Jesus Christ.
Rich does not mean you will have the bank full of money that you will not have any idea what to do with it, no brothers, what it mean that God will supply your daily bread and other needs as well.
God provide sincerely needs, but selfishness and greediness and other covetousness needs God will not supply.
The poor in this world, the Lord has chosen them to be rich by faith to inherent the Kingdom [see James 2:6], yes, they are rich already for the Lord God shall supply all their needs according to his riches in the glory of Jesus Christ.

Brethren you don’t become rich or have your needs supplied by giving or by promising a preacher or a teacher an offering when you don’t have nothing to give.
You can't give what you don't have
How can you give when you don't have anything to give?
Even if you have a willingness desire to give a gift, but you don't have anything to give, if your passion to give is there, the bible says, don't do it, don't promise to give because it will not be acceptable to God.
The apostle Paul teaches the church not to do that and that it is better that you wait until you have something to give and then your gift will be acceptable to God (2 Corinthians 8:12).

The poor woman who cast her last two pennies into the treasury gave it voluntary, she had the offering to give and she gave it, and God was please with her and for sure God supply all her needs, because God is not a liar.
But to have a desire to give when you don't have anything to give will not be acceptable unto God.
If you have a desire to give a voluntary offering make sure you have it first, and if you don't have it then don't promise or compromise yourselves to give offering or donation because it will not be acceptable unto God (it will not please the Lord).

The good news is that Jesus Christ gave away his riches (his supplies) to the poor who did not have any hope.
If you have need, no problem, God has giving you his supplies.
Jame said to the church, Has not God chosen the poor of the world, who are rich in the faith to be heirs of the Kingdom which God has promised to those who love him?
But you have despised the poor (James 2:5-6).
The same thing is happening today the poor people has been despised by the rich and the church, but God is saying to us that he has chosen the poor of the world to be rich in the faith and to be heirs of the Kingdom.
The scripture is saying have faith in God, God will always make a way out for you, he will provide all your needs.
The scripture teaches you to ask and and it will be giving to you, therefore ask and believe in your heart that he has heard you, and he will give you the desire of your heart.

Jesus says, "ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you."
For whoever asks, receive; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door is opened.
The Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.

If the Father is willing to give you the Holy Ghost, how much more he will give you your daily bread, for he is more mindful of you than any wild flower in the field for you are more important than anything he has created on earth. (Matthew 6:26-30; 7:7-12).

How do you receive those things you asks for?
The Father and his son live in every believer hearts; he reign in their heart.
Every vessel of God who has abundance can supply the needs of the poor people
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost through us will guide us and tell us what to do, how to help and supply their needs.
It is our responsibility to care and to supply the need of our brethren with our abundance and do not negligent in helping them.

Through us God will help those who are desperately needing of supply .
Everything that the poor people need are here on earth and we have the material resort to provide it to them.
The church should collect offering and safe them in case of an emergency, and if an emergency arrive then from the offering take what it's needing and distribute to the necessity of the brethren (Titus 3:14).
We have to be ready to provide those things the believers needs so like that they don't have to go outside of the church to get help.

Now if a church is small and can't provide those things they need then the leader of the church has an obligation to find a way to get in touch with other churches leaders and let them know about the situation and the leaders from that church in obedience to the word of the Lord should provide the need of the poor people.
Brothers we are all members of the body of Christ and together we are one body in Christ.
We should do charity and also we should help one another in remembrance of the word of Jesus Christ which he says to his disciples, you should love your neighbor as yourself; how? by giving, for it is more blessing to give that to receive.

It is biblical that all Pastor or leaders should ask other churches for help and to supplies the need of other church.
It is biblical to do this, according to the scripture.
The bible says that Paul deprive other churches and took supplies from them in order to minister to the brethren in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:8).

Pastors and churches together we are one in Christ and we can supply the needs of the brethren who are out of work, and also those who are working day and night for the sake of Christ and for the sake of the Gospel.

The bible tell us, that the Apostle Paul had needs, and his needs was provided by the brethren who came from Macedonia.
The Apostle Paul did not burden the church of Corinthians because he did not came there for that reason, but to work very hard with his hands and to minister them spiritually.
All his need were already supplied by the brethren of Macedonia.
Therefore he did not let the church of Corinthians to supply his needs because his supplies was already provided.
Paul came to Corinth to help them and not to be a burden to them and thats what he did he blessed them.
Paul quote what Jesus said: it is more blessing to give than to receive.
And that's what he did he work hard and minister them spiritually, he gave himself to the work and for the glory of God without any charge (2 Corinthians 11:8,9).

In the book of Philippians 4:10-19, Paul in his letter express his gratitude toward the Philippians for care for him, for they have sent more than one time to Paul needs when he was at Thessalonians and when Epaphroditus came to bring their gift to him; Paul receive everything he needed, and it was more than enough; and he was satisfy with all the gift the Philippians sent him and their gift meet all his needs.

Some people would says, well Paul did not use any of these privileges in Corinth but with his own hands he provided for his needs.
And you know what, you are right, Paul didn't use any of these privileges in Corinth but with his own hands he provided for his needs, it does not means he did not allow other churches to help him and supply his wants when he needing it.

Paul works hard to help the Corinth people, and with his own hands he provided for his needs; the scripture says, his wants was supply by the brethren of Macedonia.
Paul wrote, a man who work in the temple and minister and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ has the right to eat and to drink, and he has the right to live without working.
When Paul said, " he has the right to live without working" he is talking about man who God has called him to the ministry, to preach and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the law of Moses it says, you shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the wheat.
God is not only concern for the ox but he is also concern for us, for our sake he said that and he wrote it for our sakes.
Paul believes any person who sown among the brethren spiritually things should reap material things from them too but not necessary means to get them greedily rich.
Even in the old covenant those who work in the Holy place were maintained out of the temple and those who minister at the altar shared the offering with the altar.

Jesus commanded that those who preach his gospel should live by his gospel.
And even thou Paul teaches the church about all of these right, yet he did not use none of these privileges in Corinth, for Paul prefer better to die, than that any man [in Corinth] should declared his empty pride.
Paul knew better to avoid criticizing from the brethren of Corinth, for he did not wanted the Corinth to think that he was abusing the power given to him in the gospel and burden them.
Paul wages was to preach the gospel without charge and thought of recompensing and without abusing and burden them and his conscience was free from all these criticizing of Corinth, the preaching of the gospel is free and no man should charge for preaching the gospel, for the main goal Paul was going after was to served all men and to gain many of them to Christ [1 Corinthians 9:1-19].

In 2 Corinthians 11:6-9, read what the scripture said, Paul preaches the gospel to the Corinth freely without any charge, and the scripture says, when Corinth needing supply Paul deprive other churches taking supplies from the them, in order to minister to the need of Corinth, yet when he came to Corinth, he was in need, but did not burden none of them, for his wants were supplied by the brethren who came from Macedonia.

Paul teaches us that anywhere the Lord God send you to minister to, do it with love with all your heart and don't be a burden to any church where God has sent you to help them, but with love accept the supplied sent by brethren of other churches and don't get caught up or tangle in the spirit of greediness.
Remember God is watching you and he knows what you are doing and also what you are thinking of; the Lord can discern the intention of your heart.
Now if you don't have no church that can supply your needs then just trust God.
If for any reason your wants has not been supplied yet, still continue trusting the Lord, don't dismayed but be strong and of good courage, and fear not for he has many ways to help you, whether it be through vessels you don't know or perhaps some other mystery ways, God will always take care of you and help you, just keep on working in the temple and preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Look at Paul example, he advises you to learned to make what you have sufficient to meet you needs.
To know what it is to be poor, and to know what it is to be rich; to go through many things and experienced many things, both to be full and to be hungry, both to have plenty and to be in want.
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you [Philippians 4:10-13].

Sometime living for the Lord is to go through suffering, and Paul did suffers many trials and persecution and in the book of 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 he tells the church how much trial and persecution he endured: ...... in toil and weariness, in sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, through much fasting, in cold and nakedness and ..... he has also care for all the churches.

Now there are also time when you have to labor with your hands to provide your own needs and in one occasion Paul in his ministry did work making saddle.
When Paul was at Corinth, the scripture says that Paul was a saddle makers by trade and when Aquila and his wife Priscilla has arrived from Italy Paul stood with them and work with them.
Paul never covered silver and gold or apparel.
The scripture says, Paul provided his own needs and and the needs of other and he work hard and was mindful of the weak.

It would be beneficial for you and for all believers as a good example that before you help and establish a church where God has sent you to build make sure also to seek an employment in that country according to your trade or experience and education and provide your own need and the need of others, and that is if you don't have any others churches outside of the country to send supply and meet all your needs, for this is Paul's good advise as a testimony for all the believers to follow.

In Rome, Paul paid for his own expenses, after the Jews has heard the gospel of the Kingdom and disagree among themselves, Paul departed from them to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and he hire a house for himself at his own expenses and lived there for two years; there he received all who came to him.

All of these show us, a man who is called by God to the ministry might have to work outside the church to provide his own need and the need of other who is with him, he has to be willingly to do this and be mindful of others, but that does not necessary means that he is not going to have brethren of other churches who would want to help him and provide all his needs while he continue dedicating himself to the preaching and teaching of the word.

Paul never said, all ministers shouldn't receive any gifts offering that are given out of love and with a generously and cheerful heart neither did he says do not let other people help you provide your need, no brother he did not says that, but on contrary he said to the church of Philippi, you have continue to care for me, even thou you yourselves have not have sufficient, you have done well to share my difficulties.
Paul says to the church of Philippi, "even you gave me more than once when I was in Thessalonians to meet my needs."
Paul continue saying to them, "I have received everything I need", and it is more than enough; I am satisfied, having received everything you sent me by Epaphroditus, and your gift was welcome as a fragrant perfume and a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God.
But my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in the glory of Jesus Christ.
Paul receive everything he needing like food, cloths, drink and other materials things too.

In the scripture Paul wrote: For you know well how you ought to imitate us; for our behaviour was not disorderly among you; neither did we eat bread for nothing from any of you, but worked with hard labor and toiled night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you; not because we did not have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you to follow [2Thessalonians Chapter 3:8-9].

Paul left a good example to the church for them to follow; he said, he who is called by God to his field must work in his field with hard labor day and night and this person who work for the Lord has the right to eat bread from his labor, but those who work not does not have the right to eat bread for nothing.

Paul continue encourage the church to let the elders who minister well be esteemed worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes.
It is writing, the laborer is worthy of his hire [1Timothy Chapter 5:17-18].

Paul made it clear to let their people be taught to do good work in time of emergency, that they be not unfruitful [Titus 3:14].
As John has said also, When you have worldly good do not shut your mercy from any brother who has need and let you love one another in deed and in truth [3John 1:6; 1John 3:18 see also James 2:15-17].<

Paul exhorts the church to distribute to the necessity of saints and supply their want according to what the givers have deciding in their mind and can give for the administration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but it also is made abundant by many thanksgivings to God [Roman 12:13; 2 Corinthians 8:12,14; 2 Corinthians 9:7,12].

We can see in the scripture that Paul was invited to a house and there he receive food to eat, read it in Acts 9:17-19, it says, when Paul came near Damascus a light from the sky shone around him after the Lord spoke to him, and Paul arose from the ground he couldn't see and was blinded, he was blinded by the Lord, later the Lord spoke to Ananias about Paul and Ananias sent for him to come to his house and there Paul receive his sight and saw again, Paul arose and was baptized, and when he had receive food, he was strengthened [Acts 9:17-19].

Paul was invited to stay in a woman's, house, he had a place to stay, the scripture says, When Paul was in Macedonia he was urged by a woman who name was Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira who heard and believe the gospel and was baptized, to stay in her house; she begged him and urged him strongly [Acts 14:13-15].

Paul and Silas was brought to a house and there they receive food to eat, the scripture says the people of that city accused Paul of preaching customs and creative disturbances in the city and Paul and Silas was put in jail, but at midnight a great earthquake immediately open all the doors and the bands was loosed, when the keeper of the prison saw the doors open, he took a sword and would have killed himself for he thoughts the prisoners have escape, but Paul cried with a loud voice, saying to him, do not harm yourself, for all of us are here, the keeper heard the word of God and he and his household were baptized, and when he had brought them into his house, he set them food before them .... [Acts 16:16-34].

All of these kindness were supplies given to Paul with love and it was provided to Paul at Corinth and also when he stood with Aquila and Priscilla's house and work with them making saddle [Acts 18:1-3].

Paul is a good example for the church to follow and by receiving gifts offering [receiving supplies or provided your want] while you are laboring and preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ is your right, any man called by God to the ministry has the right to live by the gospel for this is a command of the Lord.

Even the scripture tell us that Peter ate with the Gentile, but when certain men from James came because Peter was afraid of them who belonged to the circumcision he withdraw and separate himself from them [Galatians 2:12].

Peter ate with the Gentiles and they were kind to Peter in supplying food for him to eat.

Children of God if you gives alms and offering to help the cost of the gospel and the needs of others, your good fruit of deed will be rewarded and shall increase in heaven; God will bless you abundantly.

Remember the moment you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, by faith you receive salvation for you soul, healing for your body, and he shall supply all your needs.
Your poverty will have to turn into supply.
It is sad to say that many ministers have taken advantage of the poor people who can’t even buy a piece of bread to eat.
People are push to borrow to give to the minister instead of them or the church of God provides those things the poor need or at least supply whatever you can and then refer them to someone who can help them get out of their situation and back up on their feet.
This is why the bible says if you see a brother in need and you shut your mercy and do not give him those things that he need then the love of God is not in you.
He who does not love his brother is a murderer and abides in death (1John 3:14-24).

It is the church (the people of God) whom God has called to provide and help every needs of the poor people.
Every one of us are to reach out the poor people and help them get back up on their feet and be again a productive people.
And after they become independent, likewise they should do and help other who are going through the same situation they have passed through.
Remember prosperity is a gift of God for us to share with the body of Christ (Ecclesiastes 5:19; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8; James 1:17).

It’s already our through our Lord Jesus Christ, but the main point here is that God's riches is equally divided to all believers.
We are require to look out after one another and care for one another.
Have this in mind as it was in Christ Jesus, giving generously and cheerfully is good.
God will accept it and multiply it.

But again brethren don't promise an offering or a donation if you don't have to give. (2Corinthians 8:12-15)
Neither gives offering and donation to make a person rich and wealthy, but give only to supply needs.
Jesus Christ has taught us to gives and be kind one another.
Christ didn't became poor, so that brother 'soap' and brother 'shampoo' may becomes wealthy while the rest of the churches that follow them remain poorer?
No, no, I don't think so, this is not scripture truth.
Paul says that through Christ's poverty all the poor people become rich, but never to make them selfishly rich and greedily wealthy.
If you don't have any needs, but only lust after material things, then Jesus' words is not dwelling in you.

Is having riches and being wealthy is wrong?
No, as long you are a following of Christ's commandments and you are doing it from the heart.
Understand that being rich or wealthy will put you in a spot where God will monitor you and keep record of everything you do according to his word.
Because if you use the money in the wrong way and you do not become rich in the thing of God you will have to give an account to God for all your selfishness and greediness deeds.
But remember that riches and wealth comes after many years of hard work.
You work hard to make your business grow legally and successfully.
A honest business man who follow and obey the law of the land and the law of God will succeed and prosper.
A business man who is sincere and honest people respect, trust, and honor him, everybody praise him and his business will flourish.

If you walk in God's love you will want to gives alms and help people without any regret.
Your joy will be to bless the work of the Lord.
After submitting yourselves to God's Love, he will give you knowledge and wisdom to deal wisely your business.
God's favor and grace will come on you and through Jesus Christ your business will grow and will multiply abundantly.
According to the scripture Christ's commandments is the only way for Christians to please the Lord.

The money and the materials things are here on Earth and those who have it release it to the needs of the poor.
Release in heaven means that you have release it on Earth first.
The offering and materials things that you have released is use to divide it to every man according to his needs (2Corinthians 8:12-14).

That is what the body of Christ is all about.
The church of Christ is just one body prepared to deal with all kind of situation.
The body of Christ must be prepared to help and supply the needs of the people with love.
The body of Christ is a family and we treat our family generously and equally with love,
We are to treat every men the same way we would like them to treated us.
Believers does not has any preference in the church and outside the church, everybody should be treated the same.
For Jesus said, "Just as you want men to do to you, do to them likewise" [Luke 6:31].

Now how this generously manner is accomplished?
It is accomplished through God's love.
God second commandment said to love your neighbor as yourselves.
Love care and it is generous to all men.
Love does not work evil to his neighbor, but Love is the fulfillment of the law and cover multitude of sin.
He who Love is born again and knows God and triumph over the world and this is the victory, which conquer the world, even our faith (Romans 13:9-10; 1John 4:7; 5:4).

If you don't love your brother who is in need then you are not born again neither do you knows God nor can you triumph over the world nor will you have the victory which conquer the world.
Love is the bond of perfection, but sadly to says there are many people in the field that will never enter into the kingdom of God because of their greediness and selfishness heart (Colossians 3:14).

In Matthew 19:21; Jesus said to the rich man, “if you wish to be perfect (lover of humanity) sell all your possession and give them to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven.”
The key of deposit treasure in heaven is to give.
You will make treasure in heaven by provided and helping and being kind to other. [Luke 12:33]
God's love can change a person to be a joyful, peaceful, patience, gentle and compassion person, able to leave everything behind and willing to give all for the glory of the Lord.

In the book of Romans 8:15; Paul writing to the Christians he said to them, “what shall separate us from the love of God?
Tribulation or imprisonment or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?”
Paul was persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor empires nor armies nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor anything else created shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

It was through God’s love that Paul learn to make what he has sufficient to meet his need.
This is why he said, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me", including he said, "nothing shall separate me from the love of God which is through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Roman 8:35-39; Philippians 4:10-19).

It doesn't matter the circumstances of life in which you are facing right now, God will keep you well and alive if you trust him; God has his chosen vessels and he can send anyone of them to help you in the time of needs.

Circumstances and problem of this world are like cloudy, windy, raining day, thunder and lightning that strike.
If you are in Christ Jesus circumstances and problem of this world will not last for long; darkness will cover but will pass away and the sunlight will appear and shine once more again.

There are time when a man must go through the fire so that he may purify himself, in another word, so that he may come out as pure as gold and the apostle Paul was a good example for us to follow.

In 2 Corinthians 11:20-29, it says, that Paul suffers more than those who called themselves ministers of God.
Paul said to the church that he was wounded more than them, in dangers of death many times, he was scourged, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwreck, adrift in the sea in shipwreck, in perils from river, in perils of robbers, in perils from his own kinsmen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren; in toil and weariness, in sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, through much fasting, in cold and nakedness and more.

Even thus Paul suffer and hunger and thirst and did not have any other material things, but one thing he did not lack, he has the love of God in his heart, and none of those obstacles was able to move him and separate him from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul teaches and exhorts the church that those things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in him, do; and the God of peace shall be with you (Philippians 4:9).

For a man to grow in the love of God, he has to denial himself.
He can't imitate the way of this world of darkness.
He can not love the world and the things that are in the world.
Man need to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.
Just think those things that are pleasing to God.
After thinking what God wants you to think then you will be able to discern what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Loving your brother in deed and in true is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
When your mind is renewed you will understand that given to the poor and to the church of God is God’s love in action.
He who loves in deed and in true gives without expecting anything back from them.
He provide because he wants to see his brother being blessed and happy .
He who love his brother has pass from death to life (Romans 12:1-2; 1John 3:14).

John in his writing advises the church who is the bride of Jesus Christ not to love the world: the lust of the body, the covetousness of the eyes, and the pride of material things.

If she (Here I am talking about the church who is the bride of Christ) has pride of material things then she will have problem to love God and it will never allow her to grow spiritually strong and see ahead of her neither will she has eternal life.
The more she has the more she will want.
And the more she wants the more she will be draw to the root of all evil 'the love of money' which is a wide path a road of all kind of evil lust.
Once she enter into the path that lead her to the road of all kind of evil lust, the road will close on her and possess her and take hold of her entirely life, living her without any strength and sight to find her way out, she is now possess with a lust spirit and she will lust after evil things more than never before and she will be completely tangle with the web of the world of darkness until death show up as a spider and take hold over her, and kill her and feed on her until she is completely destroyed.

Whoever has pride of material things the love of the Father is not in them and have become the enemy of God.
You can not serve two masters; for either you will hate the one and like the other; or you will honor one and despise the other; you cannot serve God and mammon (wealth) at the same time.
Either you serve the one and despise the other but you can not serve both of them at the same time (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; 1 John 2:15,16; 3:14,15).

James said if you covet and ask not sincerely but you ask that you may satisfy your lusts you become an adulterers and an enemy of God.
James exhort the church that the only way to have victory over the world is by submitting yourselves to God and resist Satan (resist all attack and lie of the enemy) and he will flee from you (James 4:1-4).

First submit yourselves to God by allowing 'Love' to take over the problem because love thinks of good things that please God.
A person who loves share and forgive his brother's fault and he doesn’t remember his brother's fault any more neither does he has any record of wrongdoing, this deeds is how a man submit himself to God and please him and have eternal life (1Corinthian 13:4-8; 1John 3:14).

In the book of Luke 16:19-31, Jesus told another story of a rich man who had a selfish and a greedy spirit and did not care in helping a poor man.
The story is about a rich man who use to wear purple and fine linen, and every day he made merry very lavishly.
And there was a poor man his name Lazarus, who was laid down at the rich man’s door (sometime we have them next to us and we just ignore them), afflicted with boils; he longed to fill his stomach with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table (he was put there for the rich man to see him and have compassion on him and help him but lets continue reading to see what happen to the poor man and the rich man); the dogs also come and licked his boils.
The word said both of them die and the rich man end up in hell and Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham (what was the reason the rich man went to hell? let continue reading).
Verse 25: When the rich man saw Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham, he asks Abraham to send Lazarus to water his finger and wet his tongue; for he was tormented in the flame.
Abraham said to him (Abraham will give us the reason why the rich man went to hell, let continue reading), “My son, remember you receive your pleasure when you were living (riches and wealth), and Lazarus his hardships (a poor man who suffer needs whom the rich man saw every day at the door of his home but the rich man did not have compassion on him to give those thing he need and where is Lazarus now); and behold now he is comfortable here, and you are suffering.”

Sometime you have people like Lazarus at the door of your home or maybe you see them at church, the point here is that you could see them and you know who they are but still you close your eyes of mercy and ignore them.

It is sad to say that many people seat down on the chair in the dinner table in their house with their family and eating good food and throwing away the left over.
Meanwhile in this other poor man house you might know this family that the man of the house is out of work and have no money to pay the bills and can't even provide the needs of the family neither put food on the table, wishing that he can longed to fill his family's stomach with the good food you have left over.
What is the use to have money or riches or wealth save in the bank if you don’t care to give, share and provide those things that the poor people needs?
what is the use to have riches and wealth if God is not please with you?
If you don't love your brother whom you see every day and you know who they are, then you are worst than a sinner.

You know that they are going through tough situation, but still you shut your mercy from them and without compassion you ignore them and then you have the boldness to come to the Lord saying to him how much you really love him.
Unbelievable; let me say to you what the Lord God of heaven think and say about people who don't care neither love their brother in deed and in true and who dare to come to the Lord with a selfish and greedy heart saying to him, "Oh Lord I love you with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength and with all my mind."
And I love my neighbor as myself.
But the Lord who see all and know who has a heart full of hypocrisy will recompense each one of them according to their deeds.
He will said to him who is hypocrite and a liar, you are a murderers, an enemy who has no life abiding you neither do I know you, therefore keep away from me O you that work iniquity (Matthew 7:22-23; James 4:1-10; 1John 3:14-18).

In the book of Hebrews 13:16,21; it says, “and do not forget kindness and fellowship with the poor; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
More clear than that a roster can not crow.
If you want God to be pleased with you then sacrifice yourself and fellowship with the poor people and be kind to them.

The bible says: Blessed is the man who is willing to help, more blessed is he than he who merely rests in hope, as a tree of life he bears fruit [Proverbs 13:12].
And a man who hear the cry of the poor, he also when he cry to the Lord, God will hear him and answer him (Proverbs 21:13).

Solomon also wrote about selfish and cruel rich people who oppress and afflict the poor people and also close their ear.
The scripture says they have provoked the Maker and God will plead the poor people cause and avenge the injustice which is done to them.
These evil people will adds to their evil.
Solomon continual saying that those who gives to the rich and oppress the poor people shall suffer a loss.
It is written: he who has pity on the poor lend to the Lord and he is a companion of the Lord.
And to him who increase his wealth by usury and unjust mean shall leave it for him who is kind to the poor.

The bible also says though they heap up silver like dust and accumulate clothes like clay, they may pile them up, yet the righteous shall wear them, and shall also divide their silver.
The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous or this is a better way to say it, God has promise to him who is kind to the poor that the wealth of the sinner will be laid up for him (Proverbs 13:22; 14:31; 19:17; 22:16,22,23; 28:8; Job 27:16-17).

A kind person is he who fellowship with the poor people and helps them in time of emergency.
The bible also says whoever love his brother in deed and true love God because God is love.

Jesus riches belong to the poor and that mean poverty has no more power and dominion over his word because his word abide in their heart.
Jesus said if you remain in me, and my words remain with you, whatever you ask shall be done for you (John 15:7).
For you to remain in Christ and in his word to remain in you, you have to obey Jesus' commandments: Love God above all things and your neighbors as yourselves.

Record in your heart: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue and those who love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Therefore if you love Life you shall eat the fruit thereof.
What Jesus and Paul has said, you says it: For me it is more blessing to give than to receive; I do not forget kindness and fellowship with the poor; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased; I am able and willing to give and share my abundance with others. [Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 16:19; 18:18-20; Mark 11:22-26].

Leaders who rob the people tithes, to use it for their personal gain, repent before is to late.
Be careful what you do with the people money and don't end up being cursed with curses for robbing them, just the same way the priest defrauded God in the Old testament with the people's tithes ["food"].

Leaders deceive the people with the story of Jacob, you said, that Jacob promise to God that he will gives to God the tenth of all that God gives to him, and you use this story to convince the people who are under grace that God required of them to tithes from everything too.
But that is not what the bible is saying here to us today.

The bible says, Jacob was sent by his father Isaac to the house of Bethuel his mother's father and take for himself a wife from there of the daughters of Laba his mother's brother.
Jacob went to Padan-aram, and he arrived at a certain place, and spent the night there because the sun was set, and he took of the stones of the place, and put them for his pillow, and lay down in that place to sleep and he dreamed, and behold a ladder was set upon the earth, and top of it reach to heaven and behold the angels of God were ascending and descending on it; God spoke to him about the land where he was lying, God says to him the land on which he lie, God will give it to him and to his descendents and his descendants will multiple and spread around the world and in Jacob and his descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
God says, he is with him and will keep him wherever he goes, and will will bring him back to this land; for God will not leave him until God has done what he has promise him.
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After he had finished talking to him, Jacob woke up from the dream, and he said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."
And because he was afraid he said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

So Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on it top.
And called the name of that place Bethel; then Jacob made a vow saying [it does not says he prophesy], "If God will be with me and will protect me in this way that I go, and will give me food to eat and clothing to wear so that I may return to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God; And this stone which I have set up for a pillar shall be God’s house and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give a tenth to thee."

Here show that God did not commands nor require Jacob to tithes.
Jacob made a vow, a conditional pledge between God and him.
The "If" word show it is a conditional pledge, "If", God does everything he asks, then the Lord shall be his God and whatever God give him he will surely give a tenth, Jacob's vow is not a mosaic law of tithing nor it is a new covenant law of Jesus Christ, no, no brothers.
None is an example for us to follow.
Why people have problem understanding Jacob's vow [his conditional pledge] and God's command [God's law].
If Jacob is an example to follow, imagine a believers prayer the same prayer to God, if you give me this and you give me that and if bring me back from this place to my home save then you will be my God. But if you do not then you are not my God, but again, if you do give me all of this and that and bring back home save then you are my God and everything you give me surely I will give a tenth.

What kind of praying is that? It sound like a person who is desperate and for sure he does not even trust the Lord God.
It is a prayer of full of doubt, words that will never receive any of the Lord.
No, bother, Jacob conditional vow is not an example for us the New Testament believers who are living under grace to follow.

There is no record of Jacob ever giving the Lord a tenth of all that God had giving him.
To teach the reason why the scripture does not have any record of Jacob ever tithing is because Jacob at that time was just prophesying about the future, is an error.
To teach Jacob prophesy that after the people of Israel enter into the promise land, they will give to the Lord the tenth of all that God shalt give them is not scriptural.
I will repeat again to teach that Jacob saying, "of all that God gives me I will surely give a tenth to thee", that this actually means, of all that God shall give the people of Israel under the mosaic law, the people of Israel will surely give a tenth to God, is an error.

The truth is that Jacob's vow was made to God and not Israel to God.
Jacob's vow was a conditional pledge between God and him and it has nothing to do with the Mosaic's law nor with the new covenant of Jesus Christ.
The law of tithing was a commands of God to the people of Israel to hearken it and to obey it, it does not says, the people of Israel hearken to a vow made by Jacob, no brother, but to God's law.
Therefore Jacob's vow was between God and him, and it did not involve the children of Israel; it did not involve the Old covenant law of Moses, nor the new covenant law of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 28:22).

Leaders, you also use the book of Hebrews to point out that the tithes is still a required of the Lord for all Christians.
But the book of Hebrew 7:2-24 speak about Jesus Christ who is a perfect man who has made a better covenant and with a better hope by which men are draw near to God.

The book of Hebrew speak about Melchizedek the high priest of God who Abraham gave the tenth part of the tithes from the spoil of war, and the Levi who receive the office of priesthood were authorized by law to receive tithe also gave tithes, but these priests were not perfect priests, and a change needing to be made in the law.
And the story here has nothing to do with tithe, but a man who would rise after the order of Melchizedek and this man is greater than Melchizedek, a perfect man who will be appointed not after the law of canal commandments but after the power of life which abides for ever, a priest for ever and he will bring hope to the people and through him, the people will be draw near to God and this man is Jesus Christ.
For the Law was weak and useless and made nothing perfect but Jesus place a better hope, which the believers are draw to the Father.
Jesus has a priesthood which remain for ever and have made a better covenant for he is surety.
The message of the book of Hebrew speak about a man who is pure, without evil, and undefiled, far away from sin, and this man is made higher than the heavens, Jesus Christ is the perfect man who is appointed a high priest for evermore.
The book of Hebrew 7:2-24 does not teach nor does it exhort nor does it commands nor does it require the New Testament Christian who are living under grace to tithes.

How about when Jesus was temped by the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words: if is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.

People quote this verse and say, here Jesus himself commanded to tithe.
Jesus did not mentioned the word tithe in any of these verses, he just answer their question about tribute, if it should be giving to Caesar, or not.
Now, if Jesus was talking about tithe, then tithe was Mosaic's law for the Jews to obey, but the Jew did not needing to remind them the Mosaic's law of tithing, because they knew already that tithes is an obligation to all the people of Israel.
If Jesus was referring here to tithe then Jesus was just quoting the law of Moses for he is not a law breaker.
But again, Jesus was not referring to tithe but tribute, he was just answering their question, and history shows that in those days the Jews use to paid each year taxes to Caesar and the Jews use to paid half shekel for the support of the temple each year too; here again tribute money was given for the support of the temple and this money was never known as tithe.
This tribute money was collected around the month of March or April.
As you already know food according to the law of Moses was the tithes that the people of Israel brought to the Levitates, but Jesus was only talking about giving tribute money what belong to Caesar and what belong to God.


Some people like to mention Paul and they said Well Paul talk about tithes.
That quote is an error too, in the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 4-19, Paul mentioned that a person who preach the gospel has the right to eat and drink too, ... see verse 4-7.
Including the law was said for our sake because God is concern on us.
If a person preach the gospel and have sown spiritual things in the live of the brethren then the preacher should reap material thing from the brethren too.
And Paul gave an example, those who work in the holy place are maintained out of the temple and likewise those who ministered at the altar share the offering of the altar.
Even the Lord has said, those who preach his gospel should live by his gospel.
But look what Paul said to the brethren in Corinth, Nevertheless, we have not used this authority, but we have endured all things so that we would not hinder the gospel of Christ.
I quote what Paul said, But I have used none of these privilege, neither have I writing these things that it should be so done to me; for it were better for me to die, than that any man should declared my empty pride.
Listen the words of Paul, he said, for I preach the gospel I have nothing to glory of for I am under obligation; yea, woe to me if I preach not the gospel.
Paul continue saying, in verse 17, For if I do this thing willingly, I have my reward;... Verse 18: What is my reward then? this is it, when I preach the gospel of Jesus Christ I do it without charge, that I abuse not the power given to me in the gospel.

Take all this written of Paul and lets put it in short and simple word.
Paul make clear he was just letting the church know the man who preach the gospel has the right to eat and drink and it is a command of the Lord.
But Paul did not wrote this for Corinth to do so unto him, neither did he use any of this privileges nor did he use the power given to him in the gospel to do so unto him nor did he abuse it, for he prefer to die than to have them supply his empty pride, the reason is , because he did not wanted to hider the gospel of Christ.
Paul tell his brethren in his days, he preach the gospel of Jesus Christ because he is under obligation, and he does it willingly in order to get his reward, and what is his reward?
Paul speaking to all preachers or ministers of God our reward is this, when we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ we do it without charge or thoughts of recompense for the purpose to serve all men that we might gain many.
Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ for free and should be in the mind of all preachers and all who ministered in the church.
Therefore Paul was not teaching tithes, contrary he was teaching to live by faith. trust God, this is a hard word for someone to follow but this is the gospel truth, God will provide you.
Do not charge people but let the people generously provide you the things you need only, and if they do then this kind of giving is called sharing or gift but never tithes.

2 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 12 Paul in the church of Corinth he speak of giving as a gift.
2 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 5-12 he speak of giving and sowing generously.
2 Corinthians chapter 11 verse 9 Paul speak of supplied his need.
Philippians chapter 4 verses 10-15 Paul speak of care for him and share with him.
Verse 16 Paul speak of sharing with him and caring for him is a gift giving by the brethren, it is collected willingly when you have a gift to give but not to burden anyone when they can not give, and .

1 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 4-19, The right to eat and drink, and he who preach his gospel shall live by his gospel.
This right of the preachers and all ministers, is for the brethren to share and care for them, the bodies of Christ can give them gift to help them supplied their need only, but again this has nothing to do with tithes, but gift and it is giving in generosity manner [sow generously].
But this caring or sharing is a blessing gift and it should never be force by anyone to give it, for Paul himself said, we should not hinder the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the reward which is wager of a preacher is to preach the gospel without any charge, it is a free gospel not for any man to do it with thought of recompense [1 Corinthians 9:18].
Preachers receive gift that has been given to them willingly and cheerfully and with a generously heart by the brethren.
What the brethren has decided in his mind what to gives, they can give it cheerfully and generously, not of necessity nor by force.
The believers can give and supply the need of the preachers and all the ministers of God when they have gift to give and their gift will be acceptable [2 Corinthians 8 verse 12], and welcome as a fragrant perfume and a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to the Lord [Philippians chapter 4 verse 18].
Therefore, again I said, caring and sharing supply to provide the need of a preacher is a Gift and not tithes.

Leaders remember robbing people money is like robbing God too, because Jesus said to his disciples, whoever gives a drink to one of these little ones, if only a cup of cold water, in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall never lose his reward (Matthew 10:42).

In Matthew 25:31-40 Jesus continue saying, .... you gave me food, .... you gave me drink, .... you took me in, .... you clothed me, .... you visit me when I was sick, .... you came to me when I was in prison; .... if you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.

Jesus said, whoever receives you receives me; whoever receive me receive him who sent me (Matthew 10:40).

Therefore if you are robbing God's people you are robbing God as well, it is a fearful thing to fall in the hands of the Lord (Malachi 3:8-11; Deuteronomy 14:17-19; 14:22-29; 26:12-14; 2 Chronicles 31:5-10).

Jesus said in Luke 18:12, don't imitate the way of the Pharisee who prayed and exalt himself and despised every other man.
For they think they are better than other man; they fast twice a week, and give tithes of all that they possess. (tithes is not money but food and food of all that they possessed).
Remember the Pharisees pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and rue and every kind of garden herb sown and reap in their backyard; food of all that they possessed were paid or gave as tithe [Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42].

I can hear someone say, you see the law of tithe was in effect in Jesus Christ days.
The law of tithes was in effect in Jesus Christ days because he was still living under the law and he did not die yet on the cross.
And Jesus Christ did not came to break the law but to fulfill it, all Israelite in his days were required to obey the law of Moses that include the law of tithing ['food'].

Lets continue reading the scripture on Luke 18:12, a sinner who stand far off, and who would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, O God, be merciful to me a sinner, will go down to his house more righteous than the Pharisee.

Remember that tithes is food and not money.
So be careful lest you be found to be an unrighteous man, and cursed with curses for robbing God's people money.

Today I have fulfilled my part in warning you; and you have no excuse before the Lord, it is up to you if you want to change your wrong ways and flee from the lust of the world ['material things' or 'Mammon'] before is too late.

BACK TO OFFERING

When I said offering I am speaking about alms, gift, and donation that was brought by the people of God and were collected and used for: