Giving and the Giver
by Prophetess Dr Mary Lang-Marshall, Temple Hills, MD
Catagory: Volume 1, Issue 3 and 4 MARCH/APRIL1999
We are living in a generation where “church” must seek the face of God. The “church” is in need of a greater understanding of giving and the Giver. The Church was birthed by the greatest giver of all God Almighty. Without the true giver living on the inside of us, it is impossible to know the fullness of giving. Giving is not a bunch of rules and regulations. Giving is freedom to express life: filled with love, worship, and compassion.
Giving, as God has ordained, supplies the needs of the “church or ministry.” Tithing isn’t the only answer to giving. Tithing without the Spirit of God has injured many Christians. Tithing cannot be taught as an absolute, it is an act of someone’s free will. In Malachi 3:10, the children of Israel supplied God’s storehouse, they gave so others could receive. A storehouse is anywhere someone makes a deposit in obedience to God.
Giving and the Giver should be the foundation of a Christian’s belief. Giving is important to the building of the Kingdom, but giving can’t be the greatest thing. The Giver (Jesus) should be the focus of the “church.” Most leaders are teaching another doctrine. Matthew 6:24 says, “No man can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Who are you serving?
Tithing in obedience to the Spirit of God does hold a key to prosperity, health, safety, healing, etc. But, it must not be exalted above the Name of Jesus. If anything is exalted above the Name of Jesus it becomes an idol. We must watch how we use what God has given to us. The “church” has used tithing as their passage way into abundant living. God refuses any tithe or offering if it is not given with pure unto the nostrils of God, just like the sacrifices in the Old Testament.
The written Word of God can prosper, but it can also be a curse. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Without the Spirit leading, the “church” will go the way of the Israelites, weak and wanting.
The Spirit (the Giver) is at liberty to manifest when a child of God seeks His Presence. When the Presence of God fills the temple (body), every need can be met. The freedom to worship and to exalt the Lord, allows us to fulfill our Godly Purpose. Where His Presence is, there are Blessings. Matthew 6:33 says, “...seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Jesus (the Giver) holds the Key to our Blessings.
The Philippian “church” had the right approach to giving and receiving, no heavy and weighty stipulations were put upon giving unto God. Philippians 4:15-19, Matthew 23:23
Tithing was not established to take away freedom, but to aid in sustaining the lives of the Levites. Tithing showed the Way (Jesus) in which they should conduct their lives. Numbers 18:24 says, “But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an Heave Offering unto the Lord,” We give unto God, what God has given to us.
Many Christians weigh their worth by temporal possessions. Having money does not bring prosperity. True prosperity is knowing the Will of God and walking therein. The teachings on tithing have caused many to depend on their works instead of Faith. The “churches” spend more time on money and needs than preaching Jesus. Some have forgotten that preaching Jesus (the Word) destroys yokes. The burdens and bondages in the “church” could be broken, if the people could see Jesus. The “church’s” responsibility is to set the captives free.
Through Grace we have freedom to live by Faith and not by sight. Matthew 10:7-8 says, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” God always makes provision for those who are willing to be obedient to His Word, “for the workman is worthy of his meat.” Genesis 14:18-20, “Melchizedek King of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and He was the Priest of the Most High God. And He blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor of Heaven and earth: And blessed be the Most High God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave Him tithes of all.” (I Peter 2:5,9)
It is the duty of every child of God to work out his own soul salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Grace was not available to the Israelites as it is today. What Jesus did, the Law could not accomplish. We are not governed by works but by the Cross of Calvary. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our redemption. We are free. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
The Father has prepared the Way (Jesus, the Giver) for His people to be Blessed, but most are too busy blessing themselves. They have taken on the job of seeking God here on earth and not in Heaven. Don’t be foolish in your thinking. God is not moved by outward demands. God is moved by Faith. Many are sick and dying, because they have
believed a lie. When Life does not accompany the Word, it is not effective. (I Corinthians 11:24-32)
Think people, God said, “ I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:11). We are not seeing much evidence of this scripture at work, especially the leaders who preach the harvest. The bankruptcy courts shouldn’t have to force a Christian to render the tithe to pay off creditors. Christians should be willing to do all they can to settle their debts.
If giving does not stimulate a change in your environment, you are not a true giver. It takes the whole being (spirit, soul, and body) to give unto God. II Corinthians 9:7-12 says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver…” (In addition read Psalm112).
If the “church” refuses to call upon the name of the Lord, “she” will continue to go the way of the world: hospital after hospital, divorce after divorce, etc. Is tithing doing what the “church” says it is supposed to do? Are the leaders misleading the people? Or is God wrong? Before you answer those questions, think. In all we do, put God first (don’t leave your first Love). If the Word is not working in our lives, we must admit the truth and examine ourselves.
Many scriptures have been misquoted, many, many times. We need to understand tithing from God’s standpoint. Tithing does not bring the blessing. It’s Faith in the Word of God, through the full work of the Cross (Hebrews 7:1-11). Everything you have, you owe to Calvary. Our sacrifices or offerings are accepted through obedience. A sacrifice is giving our lives to be used to the Glory of God. Giving to the True Giver (Jesus). The total insight of giving is
freedom. Trust God’s Word and allow Him to work for you. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye meet withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Psalm 24:1, 3-6 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His Holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessings from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face.”
In light of the Scriptures above, many Christians will never experience the Presence of God. They fail to understand why a Father could give His Son to pay a price of death for their sins. They are not sensitive to the beckoning of a loving Father. Why? Because they have not been taught to look above, to wait, to seek, or to long for God’s inner witness.
LET US PRAY: “Heavenly Father please forgive us for not teaching your people to lay before you and to call upon your name. Forgive us for not showing them how to stand on the promises of your word. Forgive us for not allowing them to find and live by your truth. Forgive us for not allowing your Spirit to melt our hearts. Forgive us, Dear Lord, for not allowing your people to grow to know you in a more excellent way. Forgive us for not showing them the Way (Jesus). Forgive us for not allowing them to study the Word for themselves. Forgive us for not running after your people, especially the babes. Forgive us for not walking and holding your people up when they fall. Forgive us for not forgiving those who have fallen. Forgive us, Dear Lord, for not being Obedient to Your Word, in Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.”
“Through giving of ourselves to God, it opens the door for Blessings”
believed a lie. When Life does not accompany the Word, it is not effective. (I Corinthians 11:24-32)
Think people, God said, “ I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:11). We are not seeing much evidence of this scripture at work, especially the leaders who preach the harvest. The bankruptcy courts shouldn’t have to force a Christian to render the tithe to pay off creditors. Christians should be willing to do all they can to settle their debts.
If giving does not stimulate a change in your environment, you are not a true giver. It takes the whole being (spirit, soul, and body) to give unto God. II Corinthians 9:7-12 says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver…” (In addition read Psalm112).
If the “church” refuses to call upon the name of the Lord, “she” will continue to go the way of the world: hospital after hospital, divorce after divorce, etc. Is tithing doing what the “church” says it is supposed to do? Are the leaders misleading the people? Or is God wrong? Before you answer those questions, think. In all we do, put God first (don’t leave your first Love). If the Word is not working in our lives, we must admit the truth and examine ourselves.
Many scriptures have been misquoted, many, many times. We need to understand tithing from God’s standpoint. Tithing does not bring the blessing. It’s Faith in the Word of God, through the full work of the Cross (Hebrews 7:1-11)
freedom. Trust God’s Word and allow Him to work for you. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye meet withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Psalm 24:1, 3-6 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His Holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessings from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face.”
In light of the Scriptures above, many Christians will never experience the Presence of God. They fail to understand why a Father could give His Son to pay a price of death for their sins. They are not sensitive to the beckoning of a loving Father. Why? Because they have not been taught to look above, to wait, to seek, or to long for God’s inner witness.
LET US PRAY: “Heavenly Father please forgive us for not teaching your people to lay before you and to call upon your name. Forgive us for not showing them how to stand on the promises of your word. Forgive us for not allowing them to find and live by your truth. Forgive us for not allowing your Spirit to melt our hearts. Forgive us, Dear Lord, for not allowing your people to grow to know you in a more excellent way. Forgive us for not showing them the Way (Jesus). Forgive us for not allowing them to study the Word for themselves. Forgive us for not running after your people, especially the babes. Forgive us for not walking and holding your people up when they fall. Forgive us for not forgiving those who have fallen. Forgive us, Dear Lord, for not being Obedient to Your Word, in Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.” “Through giving of ourselves to God, it opens the door for Blessings”
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Reply #1 on : Mon January 10, 2011, 21:32:09