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| As a result, monetary misuse and abuse of tithes in message churches is the norm. Trustees and boards refuse to hold the ministry accountable and so the ministry simply walks away with the money. While this is not the case in all message churches, it is the case in most. | | As a result, monetary misuse and abuse of tithes in message churches is the norm. Trustees and boards refuse to hold the ministry accountable and so the ministry simply walks away with the money. While this is not the case in all message churches, it is the case in most. |
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| =So what does the New Testament require?=
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| It's actually quite simple.
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| ==Proportionate==
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| Those who have more should give more.
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| :''Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On fthe first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, '''as he may prosper''', so that there will be no collecting when I come.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 16:1–2.</ref>
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| ==Give according to your ability to give==
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| :''Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, '''every one according to his ability''', to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 11:27–30.</ref>
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| ==Giving is not required==
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| :'' The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ''' Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.''' And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 2 Co 9:6–8.</ref>
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| Notice that Paul does not tell them how much to give, or give them a fixed percentage as a standard. He simply tells them that whatever they have decided to give they should go ahead and give. We are not to allow others to manipulate or intimidate us so that we give out of guilt or pressure. There is to be no compulsion in our giving; the amount must be our own decision.
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| ==How are we supposed to use our money?==
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| Everything we own is God's. We are simply His stewards. So what are we supposed to do with the money that he has placed on our care?
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| ===Provide for your family===
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| :''But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), 1 Ti 5:8.</ref>
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| ===Meet the needs of the saints===
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| :''And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, '''as any had need'''.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 2:44–45.</ref>
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| :''But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Jn 3:17.</ref>
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| :''And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ga 6:9–10.</ref>
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| ===Meet The Needs Of Christian Labourers===
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| :''Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Ti 5:17–18.</ref>
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| :''Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 9:6–7.</ref>
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| :''And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Php 4:15–18.</ref>
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| ===Meet The Needs Of The Poor===
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| :''Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Eph 4:28.</ref>
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| :''Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Jas 1:27.</ref>
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| =Quotes of William Branham= | | =Quotes of William Branham= |