Comments March 08, 2010
EXPLICIT BIBLE TRUTH
Jesus
Who is he
What is he
Why is he
Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: KJV
Matthew 7:8 For everyone who keeps asking will receive, and the person who keeps searching will find, and the person who keeps knocking will have the door opened. ISV
Romans 5:19 For as through the one man’s disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One (man, Christ Jesus) the many will be made righteous (righteousness is the gift of God, Rom. 3:21-24, Eph. 2:8-10, ISV, KJV).
TODAY’S Comments
“Giving”
This Ministry, E.B.T, does not Solicit Financial support nor has any funding ever been accepted.
Mar 14:3 And while He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.
Mar 14:6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me.
Mar 14:7 “For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good; but you do not always have Me (Jesus).
The USA gives 4 times as much money and goods as our closest competitor and yet poverty is rampant in the world. Poverty is a consequence of rule by unrighteous governors both political and religious with much of it being deliberate. Much poverty is caused by careless living such as wine, women/men and song. President Johnson, post JFK said that we would eradicate poverty within 10 or 20 years. That time has passed and world poverty is worse than ever. President Johnson, L.B.J should have read the Bible. The âkingdom of Heavenâ, post Church Rapture, and post Armageddon, and soon to come will provide world wide prosperity for all.
2Corinthians chapters 8-9 is the New Testament model for giving which comes from God through the Apostle Paul.
New testament giving was for the relief of Poor Saints and support of those in the ministry to the Churches such as Apostles, Evangelist (missionaries), and Pastor Teachers.
Much work is done by dedicated Saints in the Churches with little or no pay but the Lord can recompense by other means as many will testify, 2Corinthians 9:8, see below.
The Apostle is concerned here with the Saints at Corinth keeping their commitment to give as previously pledged one year prior. We might call this “having second thoughts”. It is important to keep verbal and written commitments, Matthew 5:34-37. Let your personal reputation stand on your word with yes meaning yes and no meaning no, 2Corinthians 1:16-20 (2Cor.1:18-20 read carefully, yes here means all prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The Macedonian Churches had given very generously and beyond their ability. Their giving was prompted by the generous commitment to give at the Church of Corinth.
2Corinthians 9:1 For indeed regarding the ministry to the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you.
2Corinthians 9:2 For I know your eagerness, of which I boast to Macedonia (A Roman region in northern Greece) on your behalf, that Achaia (A Roman region in southern Greece with Corinth a major city) was ready a year ago; and your zeal has aroused the greater number.
2Corinthians 9:3 Yet I sent the brothers, lest our boasting (which is on your behalf) should not be in vain, that, as I said, you may be ready.
2Corinthians 9:4 I say this lest perhaps Macedonians (a region in northern Greece) should come with me and find you unprepared. We (not to say you) would then be put to shame in this confident boasting.
2Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers that they would go forward to you, and make up beforehand your blessing, it having been promised that this would be ready, thus as a matter of blessing, and not as of covetousness, (greed or reneging).
SACRIFICIAL GIVING!
2Corinthians 9:6 But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
This is not to impoverish us but to relieve the suffering of some.
The saints at Jerusalem had held all of their property in common and were now poor. Part of their losses came from confiscation of their property by the local religious authorities, Hebrews 10:32-39. The Lord has given us the responsibility of caring for each other as part of our training in righteousness as well as addressing some needs of those outside of the Church. We may have to fore go a new car or a new dress or color t.v but that is by our choice and our giving is money in the eternal bank of Heaven, Matthew 6:19-20.
2Corinthians 9:7 Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity (an old expression would be, “Don’t let any body twist your arm”), for God loves a cheerful giver (be generous but do not exceed your ability to give resulting in grief for your family).
While tithing is not mentioned here if you must give 10% that would be wrong but if you are comfortable with 10% and wanting to give then you are doing right. Don’t let anyone twist your arm but some people are in desperate need.
2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;
2Corinthians 9:9 As it is written, “He (you) scattered (seed); he (you have) has given to the poor; his (Your) righteousness (righteous deeds) remains forever.” Psalm 112:1-10
2Corinthians 9:10 Now He (God) who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating, may He (God) supply and multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.
2Corinthians 9:11 you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us.
2Corinthians 9:12 For the ministry of this service not only supplies the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God,
2Corinthians 9:13 through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for your freely expressed submission to the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of the fellowship toward them and toward all,
2Corinthians 9:14 and in their prayer for you, who long after you, because of the exceeding grace of God on you.
2Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His unspeakable free gift.
Ron
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