Bad Fruit. Cherry Picking Tithes and Law The case of Jacob

There is only ONE Covenant

1John 2:26 These things have I written to you concerning them that would lead you astray.

An issue we were presented with was tithing when a local church spokes-person gave a good cover story from the life of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. On the surface it really sounded reasonable.  It might inspire some to do likewise, especially anyone who accepts whatever they are taught by ministers. 

The approach was given based on a vow from Genesis 28:
 ²⁰ Then Jacob made this vow: "If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, ²¹ and if I return safely to my fathers home, then the Lord will certainly be my God.

22 And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me."

Doesn't that sound reasonable?
Make a deal with God in exchange for protection and provision, just make a pledge or vow to give 10% of everything God gives. It's even in the Bible.

Let's look at Jacob's vow of 10% and ask ourselves:

1. Jacob's vow. Did anyone in the New Testament scriptures make this vow?
    Answer:  Easy to answer, no one did. Ever.
2. Does the New Covenant instruct us to follow Jacob's vow to be blessed and provided for?
3. Do we need  to follow Moses' Law in the OLD Covenant?
4. Did the apostles instruct observing Abraham's Covenant? 

There is a tragic error committed by many Christians who love God. They do not know or understand the Covenant God made with us in Jesus Christ. 
 Are we blindly to  let  leadership define what Christianity is?

Which Covenant?

Hebrews 7:22 By so much also has Jesus become the (surety) of a better covenant
"surety": a surety, a sponsor,  a guarantee
"better": stronger, -, that is, (figuratively) better, that is, nobler: - best, better
"covenant":  (specifically) a contract (especially a divisory will): - covenant, testament.

Jesus is the guarantor of a better contract-testament-will-covenant than ANY of the previous ones. It is a better one than the one that included tithing, the Law of Moses, Jacob's vow, Noah's Covenant, Abraham's promised blessings, and the one God gave Adam.

The NEW COVENANT is a legal Will that supersedes, dis annuls, makes void, and replaces the ones that went before, and gives us the promise:

Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law to righteousness to every one that believes."

Hebrews 9:10 being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation

Our SALVATION  is a Greek word "SOZO" which means: Saved, Healed, Made Whole, Delivered and Preserved.
We don't need to go back under an old vow and try to make a deal with God.
ALL the promises are in Christ  -better promises and "a better covenant." 

We don't need to make a deal with God by making an oath or promise based on an OLD covenant; in fact, there is a sin committed by making an oath.
 James 5:12 "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth,
nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that you do not fall under judgment"

Let's compare some of these "better promises"  with Jacob's.

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power has given to us all that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:

Is something lacking  "all that pertain to life and godliness" so we need to make a deal like Jacob?

• Philipians 4:20 "And my God shall supply every need  of yours accordingto his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
  
  You don't have to "tithe" to have your needs met in our "better covenant", that's ridiculous. 
  We only need to put faith in what God said He would do and act accordingly.
• Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
  
  
  
• Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
• Matthew 6:31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
• 33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these shall be added to you.
  
   All we are required to do is to BELIEVE in what He said, put our FAITH in Him, TRUST him,  and walk in them accordingly.
  Proved by Jesus' instructions to His apostles, who gave us what He said; the terms of the New Covenant to the churches. (John 17:20)

So the CHURCH was never told to tithe, keep weekly sabbath, observe Jewish feasts and new moons, keep all the dietary laws, go to Jerusalem 3 times a year, pay a temple tax, or keep the commands, ordinances, and statutes that are written in the law of the old Covenant.

People are told to repent, live holy, and abide in the Words Jesus gave us through His disciples.
And the church is told *not* to make vows as Jesus said and James wrote.

1Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

Where did the apostles, the foundational writers of the New Testament scriptures, 

command us to observe or keep any part of the sabbath day laws, an Old Testament feast, keep dietary laws, circumcision, or a tithing covenant?
No dear reader, these commands are not found in a single verse in our New Testament covenant, after the cross.

Where was the dividing line?
It was at the death of the testator, Jesus Christ. His death gave us His Will and the apostles and early church did what he told them to do.  It began in the Book of Acts. 

Here is where they said you would come under a curse if you go back to law:

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continues not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and stumbles in one point, he is become guilty of all.

( the curse includes things like sickness, disease, unbelieveing people coming against us, "accidents", debt, broken relationships with family. I wonder if any Christians ever have these happen in their lives or their churches?) 

The apostles said this of people who would put you under a law or vow God never made with the church: Galatians 1:7 which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Even in the early church, a problem arose regarding the Old Testament laws and Christians:

Acts 15: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
19 Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God...

NO TITHING!! No circumcision!! No mandatory sabbaths!!
No more blood sacrifices, no stoning of rebellious children!
No death penalty for breaking the sabbath laws, no stoning someone with a familiar spirit, no responsibility to kill witches.
No more  smiting the heathen with the sword.

No careful observance of feast days, unleavened bread, new moons, and 600 other mandatory requirements under as demanded under the Old Covenant.

What DOES this New Covenant offer?
The Promise of the Holy Ghost, Christ IN you.
The forgiveness of sins.
Righteousness, peace and joy.
Salvation for the soul.
Healing and health for our bodies.
Provision for food and clothing.
Deliverance from evil.
Release from bondages and addictions.
The faith to conquer and pull down our enemies strongholds.
Our needs being met.
Promises for our family and children to be saved.
Promises for  contentment with what we have.
Freedom from fearfulness and worry.
Walking in a love relationship with God.
Freedom from the Law of sin and death.
God's free gift of grace, His favor towards us..
The promise of "all things that pertain to life and godliness"
The opportunity for a fresh and new beginning in life.
The promise of power and authority through Christ.
Spiritual gifts including miracles, signs, and wonders.
The power and authority to cast out demons.
The power to overcome our trials through faith.
The authority to be kings and priests in His kingdom..............

The truth is the deal Jacob made with God for provision and safety pales in comparison to the promises of God in the New Testament which were purchased for us through the blood of Jesus.

Jesus made a sacrifice of His Life, body, and blood to bring us the same things Jacob desired to get from God in his bargaining. Except the Jesus Covenant isinfinitely and eternally greater than the one way back there that no one ever instructed the church to imitate.

The heart of the matter is many churches pervert these scriptures so they can pass along leavened teachings and benefit from the people they mislead and from whom they receive their livelihood.
Oh yes, they will say nice things like "God wants to bless you 100 fold, so if you do such and such He will", or other vain reasoning’s that sound good but lead astray those who were once delivered.

We repeat, the difference between Jacob's bargaining and Jesus' FREE gift is one of which covenant will you abide in? Why do you think Paul warned the Galatians about "another Gospel"? -that is a false gospel that sounds good like it will bring a benefit but is not part of the TRUE gospel given in the New Testament. 

There is only ONE Covenant in force that saves, don't believe anyone who explains away what Jesus gave us through the apostles, or let them put you in bondage to laws like tithing, dietary law, sabbath keeping, or a multitude of ordinances.

Addendum.

We encourage you to look at what God says about OUR Covenant: 

Jeremiah 31:31
Malachi 3:1
Luke 22:20
2 Corinthians 3:6
Hebrews 8:8, 8:13, 9:15, 12:24
Hebrews 9:16-17
Psalms 50:5
Ezekiel 37:26
Matthew 26:28
Mark 14:24
Romans 11:27
2 Corinthians 3:14
Hebrews 7:22
Hebrews 8:6-13
Hebrews 9:1
Hebrews 10:16
Hebrews 12:24
Hebrews 13:20
now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep with the BLOOD of AN ETERNAL COVENANT, even our LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

  

Brother Prophet, Speak by the Holy Spirit or Shut up.

Prophets and Watchmen

Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some to be apostles; and some prophets

-rory moore

First, let us state there is no scripture giving pastors sole authority over a group of God's people.
Am I against pastors then? -NO! I love real pastors but today most only function as hirelings.

 We are missing ministries in the church.
Only once in the New Testament is the word "pastor" used (Eph. 4:11), yet pastors dominate evangelical Christianity. Prophets are mentioned in 45 NT verses yet are practicaly non-existent except for a few that prophesy for pay in the church world, and a plethora of prophet-watchmen" on the internet.

Many prophets are paid to speak to churches and most always prophecy prosperity, larger ministries, and a bigger name. We heard plenty of these types and they were welcome guest speakers in our assembly on a regular basis and usually were paid very generously.

Now consider the role of the prophet, of which God said He placed in the church also.  The real ones do not seek the limelight but will speak when the Lord puts His Word in them.  They are more loners and isolated as they are called to be somewhat remote as he does not have the warm and chummy personality of the pastor.  (people tend to be drawn to pastors and intimidated by prophets).

The prophet will "see" things others don't. For that he may be mocked, scorned, and rejected,  he is by nature a watchman.

 







Caution!:  It often falls on the prophet to bring correction to pastors, ministers, and God's people.

Why do we caution? Because the wannabe correctors' of others better be fully ordained by and sent from God to do so, and not in the will of self.
When you do so, it better be with the utmost humility, meekness, and love.
-And without any anger, revenge, malice, or assertive flesh-driven angst.

Your spirit must be clean and before you go checking the mote in another's eye, the beam must be out of yours.

2Timothy 2:25  in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves;
                            if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,
 Titus 3:2 to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness
                toward all men.
Gal. 6:1 Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual,
                restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Those verses should close the mouth of a lot of critical, angry watchmen.  But if God sends us, we need to go.

I have been sent a few times in this manner and in each case, I did not want to go to the person with God's corrective Word. The Lord spoke to me in one instance that if I did not that He (God), would put their punishment on me also. 


Another time I was sent to a local pastor. Again, in no way did I want to share with him what the Lord had given me as I knew he would not receive it. I counseled with other elders who agreed I needed to go.
Of course it turned out exactly as I foresaw and I was rejected and labeled a "false prophet" by him.
But on the way home the Lord spoke to me and said "I cannot send judgement before I send them a prophet first".

A man may prophesy according to the measure of the gift in him. And he will do well to grow in his gifting. A young prophet may be sitting on a church pew and get a dream or two, or a revelation from the Lord, but he has a long ways to go. The Lord will season him thru suffering, and mature him through many fiery trials...

A new testament prophet may "prophecy in part"..
The "part" is part the spirit of the man and part the spirit of God. In other words, he can get his prophecy right but get some of his own knowledge mixed in.. That is why you see a lot of prophets prophesying by the news..

Very few understand what it is to be a prophet, and the false ones have muddied the waters. Very few have walked in a prophets shoes... Many of them just get conformed to a role in a church by a church system that has been so leavened that they are un-recognizable.

The prophet is drawn to, of all things, PROPHECY, and loves the Book of Revelation, Daniel, and the other prophets. He will get revelation from the Lord and it will usually upset the comfortable traditions and status quo of "church".  He makes pastors uncomfortable because he strains at their leash.

When he walks in the Spirit, he is passionate for God's Word and calling people to seek the Lord.
He will be perceived as harsh, moody, difficult, and unsociable,which is often true because he just does not conform to the church "system" unless he gives himself over to gain and pleasing people.

He is also called to be a minister and servant to the body of Christ, not a glorified idol of spiritual mysteries that prostitutes his gift for the reward of a Name or filthy lucre.

In this respect, he ought to be able to minister and pray for people, often "hearing" the Holy Spirit direct him and revealing to him the afflictions and infirmities of the people he ministers to.

Prophets are more likely to be discerned first by Spiritual people, other prophets, and later acknowledged by others. John 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet...

***any prophetic man or woman worth their salt can tell you about their battles with the spirit of jezebel.***, -a spirit which absolutely hates and despises the prophets among us.

       He can be carnal and he hates his own failures.
       He is zealous for people to repent and be holy.
       He seeks spiritual things from above, visions, and dreams.
       He is very sensitive and perceptive of spiritual atmosheres.
       He will shout the truth from the rooftop then hide.
       He is excited by revelation from scripture.
       He may miss a prophecy and it fail when flesh or emotions get in the way.

       His prophecies are disdained.
       He is rejected but he loves people..
       He is known for his personal flaws and weaknesses.
       He makes people uncomfortable when he speaks about God.

      He is against the establishment order of man-made ministry,
       a contrarian who is stifled by ritual and routine.
       He has a fiery heart and speaks fiery words. Sometimes to his regret.
       He talks to many about God.
       He carries the Word and truth, but is scorned as a lone ranger Christian.
       He is modest and not flashy.

       He is not comfortable taking money from people for ministry.
       He is called to suffer affliction.
       He is without honor in his own house and country.
       He is called to suffer. Take, brethren, .. an example of suffering and of patience
            the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord. -james 5:10

       He dies when he is conformed to another man's ministry and loses his own Spiritual identity.
       He is better for staying home and hearing from God than hearing a 3-point Bible College sermon.
       He knows he is "different", but does not know why.

       He rejoices when demons are cast out and people healed.
       He positively grieves for what promotes itself as Christian.
       He does not follow the mainstream crowd.
       He hears from God and it is usually different from what is commonly taught.

      He thinks something is wrong with himself when the reality is it is the church that has apostasized
         and it is his calling to examine themselves in the light of Scripture.

For this he is marginalized, tolerated (as long as he financially participates), and very seldom recognized in the assembly as a gift of ministry from the Lord.

The missing minister of  the prophet in the local church is tragic.
He has been homogenized into the mainstream milk that calls itself Christian. Typically he sits in a pew or is molded into the job of a pastor, but inside there is a burning fire that wants to speak for the Lord.
   
       He is not seeker sensitive in the stagnant water of the typical church service.
       When mature,  he rejects being hired for money, reputation, or popularity.
       He is non self-glorying, non self- promoting.
       Forget the "Prophet Appreciation Month"  -he does not want it.

 If you have been around church very long, you have met prophets, pastors, teachers, and perhaps an apostle.
Most of them became nameless, faceless followers conformed to the image of their fellowship.

But God has them, oh yes, and the ones who come out from among them and follow the Lord "outside the camp" of modern Christianity will be as candles in the night

Next post: Watchmen Warning!  -how "knowledge pollutes the gift.