tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850211.post110349488051128046..comments2022-04-07T13:26:20.623+01:00Comments on 3:17: The Sabbath Essay - Storekeepingjmarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161658736941358477noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850211.post-1103815517861752072004-12-23T15:25:00.000+00:002004-12-23T15:25:00.000+00:00Hi Jeremy,
I hear what you're saying - I certainl...Hi Jeremy,<br /><br />I hear what you're saying - I certainly dont think that tithing is the only problem we have to rectify, like the people of Malachi's day there are many others.<br /><br />And its not the case of if we are legalistic and give 10% that God is bound to bless us. It is fundamentally an issue of the heart. But that said, the question remains, is our relationship with God such that we are joyfully giving him a significant portion of what he has given to us?jmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17161658736941358477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850211.post-1103812257722920662004-12-23T14:30:00.000+00:002004-12-23T14:30:00.000+00:00While I think most of what you say here is excelle...While I think most of what you say here is excellent, I want to point out that Malachi does deal with a number of other things, some of them before he deals with the tithing issue. That's not first. He first deals with the priests who weren't teaching the law, and I'm pretty sure the divorce issue (which probably involves both literal divorce and the spiritual adultery that divorce stands for) is also before the tithing issue.<br /><br />Also, I'm not sure what the biblical justification for even having a literal 10% tithe in the New Testament. Paul makes it pretty clear that all giving is to be without compulsion and in joy. I have no doubt that he expected people to give more than 10%, in many cases far more, but that doesn't justify the legalistic limit that was appropriate in the old covenant because of what God was doing in the old covenant.Jeremy Piercehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441308872350317672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850211.post-1103652231499722362004-12-21T18:03:00.000+00:002004-12-21T18:03:00.000+00:00Anon (no.2) - aka Victor - great thoughts. And gr...Anon (no.2) - aka Victor - great thoughts. And great application about the next chapter. Indeed, if we give God his share, and wait patiently for him we will have more blessing than we cope with!jmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17161658736941358477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850211.post-1103643871186163082004-12-21T15:44:00.000+00:002004-12-21T15:44:00.000+00:00Mark,
I appreicate your posts...and, especially t...Mark,<br /><br />I appreicate your posts...and, especially this one today... There's so much for us (me) to learn from Old Testament Israel..."these things happend to them, as examples for us..." "they're written for our instruction..." that we might learn from their mistakes...and that we, through patiencen and the encouragemnt of the Scriptures might have hope...<br /><br />Just some brief thoughts on Joshua 7, beyond tithing…<br /><br />v.1 When even one among the congregation (Achan) sinned, the anger of the LORD burned against Israel (as a congregated whole)…until the situation was dealt with according to God’s commandment…we're not in this alone...what we do, and don't do, effects the Church...<br /><br />v.2 While this state of sin within the camp remained, God’s people could not stand against their enemy…and the hearts of the people “melted…”<br /><br />v.3 Joshua sought the LORD in prayer…in confusion, and with concern for His Holy Name…<br /><br />v.10 While seeking the LORD in prayer is certainly a good thing…in this situation, God very bluntly tells Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned…” that’s why you can’t stand against your enemies…it’s time to act, it's time to deal with sin in the camp…<br /><br />v.21 When the people of God, see the things of the world (those things devoted to destruction…or, even those things set aside by God for devotion to Him…even “good” things), and want (covet), and take, and hide (Achan knew he was wrong to take those things from the start…)…then, they cannot (I cannot…) stand against their (my) enemies.<br /><br />A sad irony is found in the fact that once the sin was dealt with, and the LORD directs Joshua to move ahead against Ai (Joshua 8)…promising victory…He also makes it clear that this time, His people are allowed to take the spoil, the livestock, as plunder for themselves… If only we’d (I’d) learn to wait patiently for God to provide as He alone knows best, rather than, as little children, seeing, coveting, taking and hiding those things of the world, in an attempt to satisfy our cravings, apart from the promises of God…to our own destruction… We would be blessed beyond measure, and He would be Glorified in us…His people…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850211.post-1103570854005387642004-12-20T19:27:00.000+00:002004-12-20T19:27:00.000+00:00Thanks for the comment. Good to know that someone...Thanks for the comment. Good to know that someone is reading!<br /><br />As regards to Sabbath keeping - I posted something on that not too long ago. It should be there if you scroll down the main page.jmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17161658736941358477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8850211.post-1103561433031353012004-12-20T16:50:00.000+00:002004-12-20T16:50:00.000+00:00Great post in regards to tithing. The US faces a ...Great post in regards to tithing. The US faces a similar problem with regards to church attenders tithing and the problems associated with it.<br /><br />It is interesting that when there is a financial crunch that the tithe is the first to go. Yet, christian financial advisors, like Crown, have gone out of their way to teach a more biblically based understanding that the tithe should be first and the rest should follow suite.<br /><br />I like the idea that the NT generally builds on the OT laws and does not diminish them. I wonder if the Sabbath should go along with the tithe in such a circumstance. I have heard it many a time that in the NT that the tithe did not have to be 10% but what you are able to give. This does allow the giver more autonomy over such decisions. So as your thoughts state, are we to be autonomous over financial blessings though they are at least verbally acknowledged to be from God?<br /><br />Another idea that has crept in is that a Christian will withold his funds until he is reasonable sure that these funds will be used properly. Again, we place final judgement not in the hands of a mighty God, but in the ideals and thoughts of finite man.<br /><br />Great post! Keep up the good workAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com