When I put my mind to something I can pretty much do a lot of things. I particularly enjoy being led by the Holy Spirit as I write down revelations from the Word of God. One thing, however, I’m not good at is the ability to speak clearly. My mind and my tongue continuously misunderstand one another. For a long time, I’ve desired to make videos of my teachings, since many people prefer watching a video to reading. A video can also be listened to while you are doing something else like driving or cooking. I’ve attempted to make a video a few times, but just couldn’t get myself to publish them.
Then I got all my courage together and made and published the last video I posted on Facebook called “Conquer your Thoughts”. Believe me, I swallowed a lot of embarrassment. A couple of days ago, I prayed a lot in tongues at work and suddenly the solution to my problem came to mind. However, by the time I got home in the evening, I have temporarily forgotten about it, but the Lord hasn't. The very first thing that came up when we watched a YouTube video was an advertisement for a voice-over software app. See the result below. Now, I’m going to make videos!
These days everyone talks about ways of making money. Online money
making initiatives are booming and business opportunities are plenty. We
receive endless emails offering opportunities to make money.
Here is a story for you. Years
ago I was woken by a man talking on our Christian radio station about the tithe
the Bible refers to in Malachi 3. Like many people believe, he was of the
opinion that the tithe mentioned in Malachi three was Old Testament and we need
not pay it anymore.
Malachi three reads as follows: “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing
you?’
“In tithes and offerings. You
are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into
the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says
the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of
heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room
enough to store it.”
Although I knew about paying my tithe, this influenced me to be careless with my giving. I
knew that the more you give, the more abundantly you'll be provided for and
that it's not limited to 10% anymore, as we read in Luke 6:38. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Yet, I gave insufficiently.
As a result, Satan has stolen much from us through the years. We have
lost so much money through con artists and our own mistakes.
But Jesus never leaves or forsakes us. The Holy Spirit kept prompting me
to give.
I am a locum pharmacist and discovered that every time I give, I get
sufficient work immediately. But giving is difficult if you live from day to
day, so I found it hard to give.
Then I received a teaching that
pointed out that the tithe has nothing to do with Malachi 3. Tithing comes from
Abraham who tithed to Melchizedek. We read in Hebrews 7:1-3: This Melchizedek was king of
Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the
defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of
everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then
also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother,
without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling
the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Then we read
in Hebrews 5: 5-6: Christ did not take on himself the
glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You
are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the
order of Melchizedek.”
So when we give 10% of our income to someone who serves God, we actually
give it to Jesus, the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
My mind and heart were opened and I decided to give 10% the moment I
received money. My personality likes the guideline of 10%. I think most of us
like guidelines, which is why the Lord set the guideline of 10%. Previously I
first wanted to fill gaps with the money I received and consequently had
nothing left to give. Now I give it immediately.
Since I started giving like this, I have never been lacking.
Who should you give to?
Many people have an issue with some churches that do not spend their
money wisely. The Bible does not have clear guidance as to where we should
give. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Give to those who feed you spiritually and
to those who do God’s work. As a couple, we divide our tithes between
missionaries we support, the church where we serve and receive, and a radio
station from where we also receive spiritual input.
The important part is to give at least 10% of your income the moment you
receive it. With the measure you give, it will be given to you. God loves a
cheerful giver. If you are faithful, God is faithful.
Why don’t you pray with me? Father, please give me the grace to give as
you expect me to give. Holy Spirit, please show me where the money should go to,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
