Tuesday’s lesson this week is about Christ-centered doctrinral beliefs. This reminds me of a passage that has become the theme of my ministry. The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word … Continue reading –>
This quarter we have been sharing encouraging testimonies, how God has blessed us when we returned our tithe. We encourage others to tithe so they too can receive miraculous blessings. However, this reminds me of a conversation I had with my senior pastor several years ago. I was studying with a family who owned a … Continue reading –>
A discussion of tithing would be incomplete without looking at the verses in the books of Moses that discuss tithing and attempting to understand their detail. The main references are: Numbers 18: 21-32 Leviticus 27:31-33 Deuteronomy 14: 22-29 There are other verses that also relate to tithing, but the above references have the greatest detail. … Continue reading –>
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. Deuteronomy 14:22 KJV Tithing on your “increase” is different than tithing on your “gross” or “net” as an employee. This affects people who are self-employed and/or invest in their business. An illustration I use when giving a … Continue reading –>
The question is asked on Tuesday’s section of this week’s lesson, “In what ways have you discovered for yourself the true spiritual blessings that come from paying tithe? How has paying tithe helped increase your faith?” After returning home to Tulsa from Southern Adventist University, I got a job at Taco Bell, and at 19 … Continue reading –>
Many of us believe that the description of the Laodicean Church applies to us. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:17 If there is a Seventh-day Adventist sin that we … Continue reading –>
In studying this week’s lesson on being stewards of the gospel I remembered this story which I had previously shared several years ago. When Jesus fed the multitude He had the leftovers gathered so nothing would be wasted. I believe God wants us to be good stewards of the gospel, and I don’t believe God wants … Continue reading –>
Understandably, there are many who are unaware of the difference between tithes and offerings. Many, even seasoned members are surprised to learn there is a difference. Tithe is not used for general use, like church maintenance, Sabbath School supplies and so on. The offerings cover those needs, while the tithe goes to pay the salaries of … Continue reading –>
The early Christian church did not build dedicated church buildings. They typically met in people’s homes or in public spaces, such as the temple forecourt. They often met in synagogues, because of their close connections with the Jews. The earliest known Christian church (second century), the Dura-Europos church in Syria was essentially a house church. … Continue reading –>
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV Driving along Bayshore Drive in Tampa, I noticed some huge houses. I wondered what it might be like to have a huge home. Then I asked myself, why would I need a house … Continue reading –>
