Christian liberty

I was wondering about the Christian’s liberty, as I want to fully understand what grace implies in the practical outworking in my life.  I grew up in a church that is very adamant about the Christian working to please god, whether it is street preaching or church attendance or attending every ministry of the church.  At the same time they preach about not doing anything worldly and sinful, like movies, TV, etc.  I'm not saying I want to do any of these or advocate sinning, but what liberty does a Christian have to do what he wants?  I also heard (or thought I heard) you say that drinking alcohol is not wrong or something to that effect, could you explain?  I am not one to drink, as I have come to the conclusion from scripture it is something I shouldn't do, but I am curious what you have to say.

This question is truly one that is near and dear to my heart. I say that because the struggle that I have seen the most as a minister as I deal with other saints, specifically those who come from a religious legalistic denominational background, is the one of their liberty that they have in Christ! So I write this answer with a passion to have this truth communicated effectively to both you and those who will read it in the future. I am saddened that other so-called ministers do not minister this most important and central truth of God's unlimited grace to their people.

When it comes to the discussion of Christian liberty, we must first define the word, as the word liberty can be a relative one in the minds of some. So for the purposes of this study, we will define liberty the way that God's word does, and ultimately that is all that matters.

Liberty, in God's word through Paul is always associated with the freedom that we have in and through our Lord Jesus Christ and his finished work on the Cross. And that freedom can be summed up as freedom from sin, freedom from the Law (performance-based acceptance system/guilt before God, and freedom to serve)!

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage [Law].

Here in Galatians, our Apostle is fighting for the truth of God's Grace! He is withstanding with every ounce of his being to keep the Galatians from going back under the Law/performance-based acceptance system. He has taught them that they are free from the bondage of the Law, and in Romans 6 that we are also free from sin....this is true liberty.

Romans 6:1-7

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin. 

So, that is it!  When we talk about Christian liberty, it is that God set us free from sin and the law and free to serve...

Galatians 5:13-14

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. ...For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

And there it is...Christian liberty is defined as serving one another in love in the Pauline Grace message. Christian liberty is using your time, talents, and treasure to get this message into you and others. That's it!

Galatians 6:2

 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

As far as personal freedom (everyday choices) it is just that, personal! Paul makes it clear that when it comes to how a man lives before God it is between them and God—barring a sin revealed in God's Word through Paul. Whether eating, drinking (including alcohol*—Paul never prohibits its use in moderation [Ephesians 5:18]...but he even prescribes it for medicinal purposes [1 Tim 5:23]), observing days, etc.  It's not for me to put my convictions on you, and not for you to put your convictions on me.

(*NOTE:  God actually commands Israel to have wine, etc. during their feast days!

Deuteronomy 14:22-26

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth; and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,)

2 Corinthians 1:24

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

We are to live life knowing that we are free, and yet allowing the truth of that liberty to be our "governor."

Titus 2:11-12

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world

We play it out in our lives as Paul says in 1 Corinthains....

1 Corinthians 6:12

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

You are allowed to do anything (except sin, as laid out in Paul's epistles), as long as that thing does not take control over you!

1 Corinthians 10:23

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

You are allowed to do anything, as long as that thing is edifying to you/your brethren.

But it takes time to work all this out in your life, and God is not in a hurry, and neither should we be...with ourselves and with others! Focus on taking in the Word of His Grace and He will do it in you!

Acts 20:32

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Phiippiansl 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Galatians 5:5

 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

We can share them with each other, but we must give each other the freedom to make our own choices before God! That's how God deals with us...that's grace!

Romans 14:1-6

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth; for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Our job is to not put any stumbling blocks or things that will not be edifying in our brother's path.

Romans 14:13-23

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of; For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

1 Corinthians 8:6-13

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Colossians 2:16-23

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

1 Timothy 4:1-6

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Again…

Galatians 5:13-14

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another....For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

So whether it is smoking, drinking, eating, marrying, divorcing, TV, radio (you can use media to spread the truth, so it is stupid for people to say not to watch TV!  It's not the TV, but what you watch on it! Do it all to the glory of God! 

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Hopefully this helps!

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You say 'many,' I say 'all'

I understand about Matthew 20.28 and how Christ died for the many of Israel because his ministry was to the circumcision (Romans 15.8).  However, when talking about this someone brought up that many could mean all and gave as evidence Romans 5.15 and 19.  This did not make me rethink Matthew 20:28, but it did throw me for a loop in the Romans 5 passage. 

Could you please explain the use of many and all in this passage, for it seems that many could mean all, but for some reason I don't think so—I just don't know why.

This verse must be read in light of the overall context to understand it properly.

Romans 5:19

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Notice that verse 19 begins with a "for." When you see that, it is there to give more light, further explanation and amplification to what was just said. Therefore, let's look at the verse previous...

Romans 5:18

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Again, notice that this verse starts with a "therefore"...and therefore is a summation of what was said previously. In this case, verse 18 comes after a few "parenthetical" verses from verse 13 through 17.

Romans 5:13-17

(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead , much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Now for purposes of this study, I will not breakdown all of those (it would take ten pages, but just notice that they are in parenthesis, and therefore are sort of an "extra thought" put in by our Apostle. But for our study I will deal with the verse previous to the parenthesis and then also verse 18, that comes after. By doing this we will see very clearly our Apostle's thought on this passage. So here we go...verses 12, and then 18...

Romans 5:12, 18

 Wherefore , as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

...Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Now when reading the thought without the parenthesis we see that Paul is dealing with the fact that through Adam sin entered into the world, and by that sin came ‘death’ (both physical death and, more importantly, spiritual death, meaning, separation from God). Paul makes it clear also that because of Adam's transgression he brought God's condemning judgment unto us all (hell/lake of fire). But because of God's Grace, mercy, love, kindness, etc...he did not want that to be mankind's end, so he did something about it: He died for us...in our place! That death on the Cross that our God died was for all men, but we also have already learned from our Apostle Paul way back in chapter 3 that it is imputed only to those who believe!

Romans 3:22

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto [presented to] all and [is] upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

So we see that although Christ died for all men, the "all" that receive the gift of his eternal life are the "all" that believe! And, because all of humanity has not believed God, than there are only "many" who get the gift of Grace...eternal life.

So that is how Paul uses the words "all' and "many" in the context of these verses.

Romans chapter 5 is one of the "thicker" passages of scriptures, but with a soft believing heart, and diligent study, you can understand it over time! 

Hopefully this helps!

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The call's for you

How does God ‘call’ teachers and preachers?

Our Apostle Paul says that God had put each member of the body of Christ here for a specific purpose…

1 Corinthians 12:14, 18-20

For the body is not one member, but many... But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Included in these members are men who are sent by God to preach and teach his word:

1 Corinthians 3:5; 1:21

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

The way God "calls" anyone is he uses his providence; that is, he indirectly intervenes in their lives thru his Spirit in them (given to them the moment they are saved), and his word in them (as they grow and mature in Pauline grace dctrine) to motivate them to serve Him.

So the way that God has "called" me to preach is thru His Word giving me the deep desire to preach and teach and lead others in these truths.  He also motivates me as well thru other saints asking me to preach to them, and appreciating my labour in the word and doctrine.

God ordains men to leadership positions (called elders) to guide the saints in his word, and some of those men, God gives the intense desire and ability to teach/preach his word:

Titus 1:5

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

1 Timothy 3:1

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 Timothy 2:1-2

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

So I believe that I am "called" of God to teach and preach because over the years of being a believer I have had the intense desire from God's word to labour in studying the word of God.

Hopefully this helps! 

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“In Christ”…before Paul!

If the church, the body of Christ, started with Paul, how can there be people ‘in Christ before’ him?

Romans 16:7

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

It is my understanding from scripture that the Apostle is not saying that these people are members of the body of Christ, but that they were members of God's "church" before the body was revealed, that is, the Messianic kingdom church of Matthew through early Acts.  These people who were "of note among the apostles" and Paul's "kinsmen" were Jewish saints who trusted Jesus as their Messiah way before Paul came on the scene.

Early in Paul's ministry, the Lord Jesus used some of those Messianic kingdom saints to help Paul labour in getting this new program out (Barnabas, for example).  Just because their kingdom program was on hold does not mean that God did not use them to serve him until they all died off, and many of them helped the Apostle early in the book of Acts.

As far as them being "in Christ before" Paul, that just shows that they had faith "in him." Even in the kingdom program to Israel, the Lord made it clear that those members of his little flock were saved "in him."

Isaiah 45:17, 25

But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.   

In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

John 6:56; 14:20

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

1 John 4:13; 5:20

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

So all true believers are "in Christ" whether in the kingdom program of time past and the age to come, or today (but now) in the body of Christ in the dispensation of grace, all who trust him are said to be "in him," although we today are in his "body" which was a Mystery until revealed to and thru Paul.

Hopefully this helps!

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Head honcho

Why did Paul call himself the chief of sinners?

It is my understanding, and in my own study of the passage, the Apostle is saying that he was chief or "first" in rank/number, i.e., “first in line.”

1 Timothy 1:15-16

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

The Greek word for "chief" and for "first" is the word protos, which we get our English word "prototype." That word is used when they make robots or new cars—it's the first model that all the rest are built like.

So, when Paul uses the word "chief" he is saying (not that he is the worst, but rather) that he is first in rank, first in succession, at the head of the line [as the first member of the church, the body of Christ], the pattern of all that are saved eternally by grace through faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ plus nothing in the present dispensation of grace.

Hopefully this helps!

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Giving back to God

When it comes to the subject of giving money to the Lord, what does the bible have to say about this?  How much money should I give?

Well, like every subject in the scriptures, we must "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) in order to know for sure what God desires today. As we know, the way that God dealt with the Nation of Israel in time past, and the way that he will deal with that nation in the future ages to come, is quite different than how he deals with mankind today. In time past, God dealt with the Nation of Israel under the Law of Moses, and in that Law, he instituted a system of giving that would fund the running of that nation. The system that God used was a system known as "tithes and offerings."

In Leviticus 27:30-34, God tells Israel that the first 10% or "tithe" of their increase in the Promised Land belongs to him. The increase of their fields, of the trees, and of the flocks, belonged to the Lord.

He also adds in Numbers18:20-32, that the 10% or "tithe" that Israel would give to him, were to be given to his priest, the tribe of Levi, because they had no inheritance in the Promised Land, like all of the other 11 tribes did.

So in essence, the "tithes" were to come from the fruit of the ground, and of the flocks of the other 11 tribes of Israel, and given to the tribe of Levi as a sort of income tax that was used to run the nation. It was not money!!!

After all was said and done, these tithes of Israel added up to about 33% of the total fruit of the land and flocks that the farmers and shepherds of Israel produced. Add to that God's instruction that anyone in Israel could give a "freewill offering" if they chose to (Leviticus 22), and the Nation of Israel was well able to run successfully as God had intended. So it was as the Nation of Israel obeyed God's Law and gave these tithes and offerings to the Levitical priesthood, that God would supernaturally bless them and take care of them.

That is why we see the Lord rebuking Israel in Malachi 3:8-10, saying that the whole nation had robbed God of tithes and offerings, and did not bring the meat (food) to His house (the temple).

Malachi 3:8-10

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat [food]  in mine house [Temple], and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

It was this disobedience of Israel that brought the curse of God on their land. It was only after they began again to obey and bring these tithes and offerings to the temple that God would bless them again, and make their crops and flocks abundant again.

But all of that was God's program in time past to his then-favored nation Israel, and not instructions for us today. Today, with the change in God's program (Acts 9), God has new instructions on how his people, the Body of Christ, should give to him.

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Today, God instructs the church, the body of Christ thru the 13 letters of the Apostle Paul. God gave Paul a message of grace and not Law like he did to Moses for Israel.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

And because we are not under the law, but under grace, tithing is not a requirement for us today.

God, thru Paul does instruct us on how to give today. God says that anyone can give to a church that preaches Christ as Paul preached him—i.e., according to the revelation of the Mystery [Romans 16:25]—by giving as God has prospered that person. That person is to give as he/she purposes in their heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity, but cheerfully (happy to do it as thanks to God for his grace).

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly [against their will], or of necessity [just to get something back from God or because the preacher said so]: for God loveth a cheerful giver [happy to do it as thanks to God for His grace]. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Earlier in 2 Corinthians, God says that how a person gives to support a ministry that preaches his grace message, proves the sincerity of their love for the Lord.

2 Corinthians 8:8

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

In other words, they put their money where their heart is!

Moreover, the Lord commands those that are taught his word "rightly divided" to give financially to those that teach them the Word.

1 Corinthians 9:14

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel [Paul’s gospel not the gospel of the kingdom] should live of the gospel.

Galatians 6:6

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

1 Timothy 5:17-18

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

So today in the dispensation of the grace of God, God provides for his ministry by using the gracious financial gifts of his saints.

Again, we are not under a tithing system of giving like Israel was because Israel was under the Law of God.

But today, we give money to God by supporting a grace ministry where the Word of God is taught "rightly divided" and the message of Grace is fully proclaimed. Today, our giving is by grace and not by law.

Therefore, we give whatever we decide, based on our thankfulness to the Lord for His wonderful grace.

Hopefully this helps!

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For more on tithing: Mandatory tithing