Churchianity vs. Biblical Christianity

I'm taking these from an email I received... they are on point and I wanted to share. I added some points to flesh it out, but much of it is the same. Many of you are part of "Churchianity" which has a form of Godliness but denies its power in the following ways. Churchianity is not Biblical Christianity. We have allowed the world and subtle false doctrines to creep up in our churches and no one is speaking out about it. We don't read our bibles and we let people like Joel Osteen, and others tell us NONSENSE that is not biblical and we take it as gospel. I hear these claims all the time and I have to constantly tell people that THEY AREN'T BIBLICAL only to be called "divisive," "intolerant" or be simply be told "that's your opinion." no my dear... this is the BIBLE.

Churchianity's Claims Vs. The Bible

( 1 ): Claim that a true Christian should not judge.

THE BIBLE: 1 Corinthians 6:3..." We shall judge angels, how much more things that pertain to life." and....John 7:24, " Judge righteous judgment." and Proverbs 19:28, "An ungodly witness scorneth judgment." ANYONE WHO CALLS THEMSELVES A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST IS SUBJECT TO JUDGMENT FROM OTHER BELIEVERS. God has already made his judgment on those outside of the church, for to this day they are storing up wrath against themselves from God. I Cor 5:12-13 Anyone who claims to be a Christian but is immoral and continues in sin without being repentant about it should be disfellowshipped from the body.

( 2 ): Claim that a true Christian will be loved by most.

THE BIBLE: Mathew 24:9, " And ye shall be hated of all nations for my names sake." The true Christian will suffer persecutions in this manner. If you are speaking the word of God it will not return void people will be convicted. The word speaks against the very sinner's soul, and they will hate you because you speak out against how they live, in opposition to God and his will. Many will hate and try to kill you, they did it to Jesus as well as the prophets.

( 3 ): Claim that a true Christian will be well spoken of and well thought of.

THE BIBLE: Luke 6:26, " Woe unto you when all men speak well of you, for so did their Fathers to the false prophets." also see 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 Matthew 5:11-12

( 4 ): Claim that a true Christian should always bring peace.

THE BIBLE: Matthew 10:34, " Think not that I am come to send peace, I came not to send peace."

Now there are times Christian where you will say something that will disrupt peace. Look at the prophets before you, even the man Christ Jesus, HOWEVER you should not however always be a quarreler over trivial issues. (Proverbs 17:9) The word of God is not a trivial matter and if someone has it wrong feel free to correct them IN LOVE.

( 5 ): Claim that a true Christian is not supposed to cause division.

THE BIBLE: Luke 12:51, " Suppose ye that I am come to to give peace,
nay but rather division."
AGAIN if division is caused by defending the word of God so be it, in many cases in the bible those who cause division about other matters are talked about. Also see Romans 16:17-18, 1 Cor 1:10-17, 1 Cor 3.

( 6 ): Claim that family members are your trusted friends.

THE BIBLE: Matthew 10:36, " A man's foes shall be they of his own household." Also see Matthew 12:46-50 Only those who are in Christ are your true family Christian. They are all you have.

( 7 ): Claim that if you are on your own or in a minority, you must be a false teacher.

THE BIBLE: Luke 6:22, " Blessed are ye when men shall hate you and separate you from their company." BE BEREANS PEOPLE! Look to see if you are being told sound doctrine, study to show yourself approved!

( 8 ): Claim that you shouldn't use fear to lead people to God.

THE BIBLE: Jude 23, " Others save with fear." and Proverbs 16:6, " By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil."

You should fear God and his wrath... are you kidding. If someone was going to get hit by a mack truck and you had the opportunity to stop it would you write them a letter? Be gentle with him? I THINK NOT. HELL IS REAL AND IS A SERIOUS MATTER! Christian this is not the time to play the "don't offend" game. Pick up your cross and follow JESUS!

( 9 ): Claim that the husband and wife are equal in authority.

THE BIBLE: Ephesians 5:22 & 23, " Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands " ( 23 )- " For the husband is the head of the wife."

Ladies, this is why it is of the utmost importance that you are in prayer for a GODLY HUSBAND who is SAVED and knows the Lord, for he is in submission to God and he will lay down his very life for you and his family as the bible commands. You won't have to worry about him not loving you enough, not being faithful or the like, for he knows that when he does you wrong daughter he is sinning against GOD ALONE and his prayers will be hindered. You are the queen on the throne... HE HAS TO COME TO YOU! Stop chasing after dudes... its not about money (although he has to be able to support you and a family) or how he looks, what position he has at that big company or how he makes you feel... some of you are caught up on superficiality and wonder why your marriage is loveless, you married him for the wrong reasons... YOU DIDN'T ASK GOD, but have the NERVE to ask God why is this happening to you... WHY NOT? God will not bless your mess.

So in conclusion, ladies as the bible says you be the Proverbs 31 woman and learn to have a noble godly character while men Proverbs 20:6 - Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

( 10 ): Claim that women can be pastors and teachers of men in a church of God.

THE BIBLE: 1 Timothy 2:12, " I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over a man, but to be in silence."
* NOTE*--NO WOMAN SHOULD SUBJECT HERSELF TO ANY MAN WHO DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF A CHRISTIAN. You are not to go and subject yourself to every man who claims he is in the faith, if you are single, your father is your authority, if you are married your husband is your authority, for no one can serve TWO MASTERS. Also note that upon study of this passage I found the Greek words used here for "Man" and "Woman" can also be translated as "husband" and "wife" and that the translators chose to use the former, even in contexts that don't make sense to me... (1 Cor 14:33-35) just throwing that out there. The bible is clear HOWEVER that pastors, deacons and bishops and elders should be MEN.

( 11 ): Claim that we have to change and adapt to reach a changing world.

THE BIBLE: Malachi 3:6, " I am the Lord, I change not." and Ephesians 4:14, " Be not carried away about with every wind of doctrine." We are not of the world so we don't have to cater to them. I get so sick of these churches trying to entertain goats while the sheep suffer. THE CHURCH IS FOR THE SAVED. Paul talks about expelling wicked people from among the congregation to protect the sheep, he echos the sentiments of God in Deuteronomy. The GOSPEL is the power onto salvation for everyone who believes. We don't have to dress it up in worldly clothing to get it noticed. God is doing a work trust him and do what he says... preach the GOSPEL in season and out of season.

I'm not advocating that people shouldn't preach the gospel as commanded, but we should not be bringing worldliness into the church as a means of packing seats and making sinful men and women feel comfortable.

( 12 ): Claim that we should go to a building to worship the Lord.

THE BIBLE: Acts 7:48, " The MOST HIGH DWELLETH NOT IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS."

NOTE: While I agree that it is true that God dwells within a believer and WE are the CHURCH, believers should not forsake the fellowship of other believers, and if they are meeting in a building, a house, wherever AS A BELIEVER YOU SHOULD BE THERE. The church building has no special significance and God couldn't be in the place as I hear people say unless BELIEVERS who have the Spirit were there also.

( 13 ): Claim that water baptism is essential to receive God's Holy Spirit.

THE BIBLE: Acts 10:47, "Can any man forbid water, that these should be baptized which HAVE RECEIVED the Holy Ghost." Tell that to the thief on the cross who wasn't sprinkled, dunked etc. but Jesus told him that he would be with Him in paradise... Luke 23:40-43 Now baptism while you are able is to be done to show that you are a new creature in Christ already, and you are outwardly proclaiming that. IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION.

( 14 ): Claim that God loves everybody. - THIS NEEDS TO BE DEBUNKED RIGHT NOW!

THE BIBLE: Romans 9:13, " Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." and John 17:9, " I pray for them, I pray not for the world." Romans1:18-32, Romans 2:5-1

Let me lay this one on you... in order for God to be love HE MUST HATE. For God to love righteousness he must hate evil. For God to love life he must hate those who murder, etc. If I love little babies I must hate the idea of anyone aborting a baby. DON'T YOU SEE. God does not blanket love everyone that is a lie from the pits of hell. The big lie that God can't send people to hell because he is love is not biblical as well... read: Matthew 10:28 The ONE sending you to hell if you are not saved is GOD. God does send people to hell, and the whole thing about "sending yourself" is only partly true. Don't believe me?

Revelation 14:9-11, the Lamb is Jesus the Lamb of God who was slaughtered and now is alive!

Some more:

Matthew 8:12
But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 13:42
They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:50
and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13
"Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Matthew 24:51
He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:30
And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Luke 13:28
"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

God is doing the throwing... you better fear if you are not in the Lord.

( 15 ): Claim that everybody has the potential to believe or to be saved.... THIS IS A BIG ONE TO BE DEBUNKED!

THE BIBLE: John 12:39, " They could not believe."
and John 8:43, " Ye cannot hear my Word." and Matthew 13:11, " TO them it is not given." Romans 9:13-24

Read Romans 9... it will change your life. READY?

God made some of you to be objects of his wrath. He has just bore with you patiently to this day. Everyone will not be saved because God has made some to be destined to hell to show his mercy and love to those people who he will save. Harsh teaching but it IS BIBLE. It is a double predestination of sorts.... God destined some to eternal glory and some to hell. The evil heart will ask... why evangelize or do good if God has already made his decisions? WE DO NOT KNOW WHO THE ELECT ARE. God has given us the charge to preach the Gospel, and if you love God YOU WILL DO IT. God's elect will hear the call and be saved. Those who are not elect will reject the call and continue on in hatred of God. God said it best, he will have mercy upon who he will and compassion upon who he will. Who are we to question God? Will the clay say to the potter what is this you have done? HE IS GOD and GOD can do what he wants.

( 16 ):Claim that we choose God of our own free will.

THE BIBLE: John 15:16, "Ye have not chosen Me."and Romans 9:16, " It is not of him that willeth, BUT GOD."

Newsflash! You in your sinful unrepentant state COULDN'T CHOOSE GOD. No one chooses God... GOD CHOSE YOU. There are countless scriptures to support this. This is why the "Sinners Prayer" is used incorrectly to evangelize because A PRAYER DOES NOT SAVE! God does a work in your heart FIRST before you repent and turn to him. There is a such thing as a "turning from sin" as the bible talks about, but that will not happen until God does what he describes in Ezekiel 11:19, and Ezekiel 36:26, he will take out the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh and put a new Spirit in you. That is exactly what happens to the new believer.

From my study this is the order of Biblical salvation:

1. Election - God sovereign choice to pick those who will be saved. Look at how Jesus chose the 12 apostles... he came to them and said follow me. HE DID A WORK FIRST, he chose them and they got up and left everything and followed after God. No man shall boast about choosing to turn to God.

2. The Call - The call of God through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever heard the saying many are called but few are chosen? (Matthew 22:13) That is the biblical confirmation of predestination election. This is why we are commanded to preach the gospel.

3. Regeneration - The act of God changing the believer. It is described very nicely in Ezekiel in chapter 11:19 and 36:26 - God will put a new spirit in you and give you a heart of flesh taking out the heart of stone. No one turns to God without this first happening.

4. Repentance - Godly sorrow shown on part of the believer. The realization that they have sinned against God and God alone and need God. A person will then pray to God for repentance and be forgiven by God

5. Conversion - The believer is then converted turning away from sin to following God and doing his will.

6. Justification - When this happens God declares the believer justified and NOT GUILTY! We will not receive the punishment of our sins as we deserve, but it is through the mercy and grace of God that we have been saved.

7. Sanctification - The lifetime process of God setting us apart to his purpose to be holy. We are his and we are to live holy as the bible tells us. We will sin, but in sin we will confess our sins to God and he is able to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

8. Perseverance - we are called then as Christians to persevere, denying ourselves of the fleshly nature and continue on in the good work God has started, for he that began a good work in us will finish it. Pick up the cross and serve Jesus. You will suffer, but count it joy to share in the sufferings of Christ.

9. Death - It is appointed for all men to die, but then there is judgment. We are all going to die unless Jesus comes first so deal with it, but for the Christian death is not a time to mourn as if there is no hope, it is a time for joy that one of our brothers and sisters will go home to be with the Lord. We must lose the corruptible to put on the incorruptible. We must die in order to be with God!

10. Glorification - God's finished work in us where we receive our glorified bodies and will be outfitted to be with the Lord forever just has he has promised us! AMEN!

( 17 ): Claim that God didn't create evil or doesn't let bad things happen to good people.

THE BIBLE: Isaiah 45:7, "I make peace and create evil, I THE LORD DO ALL THESE THINGS." The word evil is translated as "disaster" in other translations. Yes it is God that does all these things... why you ask? God created Satan who is about as evil as they come. He created you and I and we are also evil according to Jesus himself who called us evil to our face. Matthew 7:11 What about Job, the prophets, the apostles and many Christian martyrs, many of whom died violent deaths by the hands of evil people, or even people who have died in natural disasters? God is sovereign. He does what he pleases with what is his and the point is that the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.

( 18 ) The claim that truth is not absolute and that it is relative to the person receiving it.

THE BIBLE: John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus speaks absolutely and definitively about truth in the Gospels. There was no gray area or missing horizon. There is no relativity other than God's objectivity. We are not to seek after our own way, but seek God's truth in righteousness. So many people are getting caught up in the evil that is post-modernism, the belief that there is no real truth except for that which one shapes themselves... it is a DANGEROUS DOCTRINE THAT IS SPREADING WIDE THROUGH OUR CHURCHES AND IT MUST BE STOPPED! As the bible says in John 1:17- for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. There is no truth outside of him. John 8:42-45 declares that while Jesus tells the truth people do not believe him because they belong to their father the devil and his language is LIES! John 14:6 declares that Jesus IS the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE and that no one come to the Father except through HIM! That is not relative truth... IT IS TRUTH.

The evil of post-modernism is this, it attempts to establish anarchy through the acceptance of everything being truth and this is just not possible. The bible is filled with definitive statements of faith, and post-modernism would tell us EVERYONE IS RIGHT... WHICH IS WRONG. A cannot equal to NON A (Law of Contradiction in Mathematics) this is LOGIC! But they don't teach those courses anymore do they?

* This is just a sample of some of the erroneous teachings found in today's churches....If you are one of God's TRUE SHEEP and God is therefore showing you these things BY HIS SPIRIT, God's True Work of rescuing His lost sheep caught in the thorns of Satan's false churchianity will be exposed!!!

SUGGESTED VIDEOS

Paul Washer speaks on Churchianity parts 1-5 (Look at all the parts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd8nQvsSXqA

Thanks for reading!

American Christianity - We Are So Wrong

When did we become so wrong America?

When did we become so wrong about Christianity?

When did it become about having our "best life now" with cars money and prosperity instead of our best life in the eternity to come, conforming ourselves to the image of Jesus Christ, and following him?

When did we become tolerant of all kinds of sin the bible speaks flagrantly against for the sake of unity, tolerance, and being politically correct?

When did we become so lukewarm and self-centered instead of Christ centered?

When did we allow unrepentant sinners to remain in positions of authority in our church without repenting and showing godly sorrow?

When did it become "thou shall not judge" instead of what the bible says... judge RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT (John 7:24 KJV)?

When did Christian Salvation become so easy... being reduced to a prayer with no show of fruit afterward, when the bible says God doesn't hear the prayers of the unrighteous, by their fruits you will know them, and test yourselves to see if you are in the faith? Can a true Christian continue on in sin being unrepentant of that sin. NOOO!

When did it become being about being entertained in the pews, shouting and dancing when you know 3/4ths of your congregation isn't saved, but your pastor won't tell them their sinners or point out the depravity of their hearts?

Please watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT3vle0fOXA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30vSr2qXzis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_ZfL64Ake8

When did we go so wrong?

***************************************************************

Additional notes:

For those who have asked about what I said concerning God not hearing the prayers of the unrighteous. I'd thought I post scripture to testify to this.

Proverbs 15:8
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

If the Lord is far from the wicked, how will he hear their prayer?

There must be Jesus and his covering on the sinner before God will hear them. He is the mediator. The prayer of the righteous who have been redeemed by Jesus blood who have repented of their sins will be heard. This makes the sinners prayer as many call it A JOKE. You will not find that Jesus asks sinners to pray anywhere in scripture. Salvation isn't some magic prayer. It is the regeneration of the unbeliever.

Proverbs 28:9
If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.

We know that those who have not received the Lord Jesus Christ as savior do not care to follow the law of God... they turn a deaf ear as Proverbs 28:9 says so his prayers as the bible says are detestable to God.

The Temple of Beyonce - Do Not Bow Down

Written 11/24/2008

Well, let me first preface this by saying that I am incredibly tired of the self-proclaimed, aspiring "Icon," "Diva" with a "Big Ego" Beyonce, Sasha Fierce, or whoever the heck she thinks she is, Knowles. I'm tired of seeing her everywhere, I'm tired of people talking about her, I'm tired of hearing that strained voice that tries to mimic a singer and IMHO is just a highly paid burlesque dancer who "sings" these poppy tunes and has all of you swooning. Not to mention she is a dang on gloryhog.

OK now that I have gotten that out of my system...

Call me a "hater," an already overexposed, and misused term in itself which has been used to attack anyone who simply disagrees or holds an opinion different than yours. WHATEVER.

I'm tired of y'all buying that heffa's records, sending every article she is featured in, forwarding every youtube performance she is involved in, and having a dang on heart attack when somebody says something bad about Ms. Jenkins... um I mean Ms. B. You really need to look at yourselves. This chick is overexposed.

OK Beyonce and that chick Jasmine Sullivan are gonna get some of you chicks beat down by your man... you keep listening to overly-independent, hyper-feminist bi-polar, manic-depressive mess all you want... I want to keep my sanity.

Ok at first I sat and watched the "Single Ladies" video, and honestly I was not surprised by the amount of booty shaking, gyrating and behind smacking I saw in the video. I realized my 2 year old niece was watching too behind me, and I was immediately convicted.

So this is what my little two year old is being taught? She needs to shake everything she has to get some boy to put a ring on it? What about her virtue? The nobility of being a virtuous woman? That message is totally lost in the sensuality of Beyonce's performances.

But why would you let your children watch video's anyway? I heard someone ask...

Have you seen TRL and 106 and Park over the last few years? BET? MTV?

They showcase this mess we call music, and guess who is in the audience? A bunch of screaming 11 - 18 year olds. The fact is that kids get to see them.... and you parents let them. The real question is: Why do you let YOU watch them?

I mean how much booty shaking, crotch exposing, and seduction must she do for folks to be aware of the fact that Beyonce sells sex... and no, the oversexualized images of her ain't cute. I was reading some comentary on the video as soon as it came out and lots of CGI work had to be done to cover up the dancers privates while they were dancing in that single ladies video. If you notice she really didn't "go for it" in the SNL performance like she did in the video cause her coochie might fly out by mistake LOL.

There is a rather eye opening petition going around now about what people REALLY think about Beyonce. It seems none of them think she is classy enough to perform at the Presidential Inauguration this January. The idea was introduced to her during an interview where she replied she wouldn't mind singing there, but the position had been previously been offered to Chicago native Jennifer Hudson by Barack Obama.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/say-no-to-beyonce-at-the-inaguration

There was a comment on there that I had to pull from there because it echos my sentiments exactly.

"It would nice to have someone perform who is Classy. Allow this to be a formal event and not somewhere for Beyonce to get noticed;or add to her resume. It seems that it's all about being number one, the most grammy's, tony's possible oscar. This is just something to add to her being on top. Can we say "overexposed"? I think we're a little tired of seeing her constantly. When I think of Barak Obama and his family, I surely don't follow that with a solo by Beyonce. I say NO TO Beyonce and Sasha and any other personalities she's got stored up within her. She's all about making history and being an icon, this affords her the opportunity to be a part of history and for ever immortalized. By the way, there have been more videos of Beyonce dancing and with loose underwear showing her entire vaginal region. It was all over the internet and passed around. Just because she's a nice looking woman and wears a nice gown or two doesn't mean she's ideal to sing for our new President. She put her hat in the ring to sing and I'm surprised no one else has? Have they? She's either on her knees by Jay-Z's crotch or she's trying to seduce in her videos. Is that who you want to perform for the Inauguaration of HISTORY? Beyonce is talented and can sing, but not this time."

You know I have got to speak to the Christian now...

Do any of these rappers, singers etc. glorify God in their music? Are they upholding a Biblical standard in any of these booty shaking, cursing, self-glorifying videos?

Back to Ms. B. I listened to her album much to my dismay two weeks ago and one of the songs that particularly disturbed me was a song named "Ego" explaining how she and her new hubby can speak arrogantly and boastfully because "they can back it up." Not to mention the sexual innuendo...

"Ego so big
You must admit
I got every reason
To feel like I'm that b****
Ego so strong,
If you ain't know
I don't need no beat,
I can sing it with piano"

OK

Then in her song "Diva" where she says she is the female version of a hustler, a idea surely stolen by her former drug dealing, hustling husband, this is what she thinks of herself:

"Stop the track, let me state facts
I told you give me a minute, and I’ll be right back
Fifty million round the world and they said that I couldn’t get it
I done got so sick and filthy with benj’s I can't spend
How you gone be talkin s***?
You act like I just got up in it
Been the number one diva in this game for a minute
I know you read the paper, the one that they call a queen
Every radio round the world know me
Cause that’s where I be "

I swear she reminds me of Revelation 18:7.... a queen you say? She sounds no different than these rappers today.

For the "minute" you have been #1 that same minute you can be taken down Ms. B.

THE NERVE OF HER and others like her to brag about their wealth and riches during a time of financial travail for millions of people in this world. So much money you can't spend it huh? To make it worse you IDIOTS go out and buy her stuff and fill you head with this crap on the daily.

In a recent interview Ms. Knowles is quoted here speaking about her career aspirations:

"There is a time limit on being a pop star, yes, Being a legend, an icon? Absolutely not. I'm over being a pop star, I don't wanna be a hot girl – I wanna be iconic."

i·con (kn)
n.

An image; a representation.

Wow like an IDOL? Hmmm....

An important and enduring symbol.

Name one thing Beyonce has done that won't burn up in the fire? Only what you do for Christ will Last.

One who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol.

I think this was the definition that she was aiming for... either way, what an ambitious goal for a mere mortal.

SO THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT BEYONCE?

Looking at all your adoring fans who can't seem to get enough of you, you might just get what you want. Literal idol worship. People spending their whole lives setting you up as an idol in their heads, men telling their women they should look like you or move sensually like you, and our young women mimicking your every movement.

No mention about God or glorifying him in any of those plans eh?

And we wonder why our 8 year old girls are poppin out babies....

I refuse to bow down in the Temple of Beyonce, and all she stands for.

She is full of herself, sensual, self-seeking, arrogant, and her movements are just an advertisement for the condition of her evil heart. I urge women everywhere not to emulate this woman on any level.

Have you thought about why you like Beyonce too? Maybe its because the fleshly nature she appeals to controls you?

I was guilty too. I write nothing that hasn't been from my own experience.

Remember what God says...in Romans 13:13-14:

"Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, to gratify its desires.

So no Beyonce is no icon of mine. I WILL NOT BOW DOWN to this false idol, I will not offer up burnt offerings of anything but her CDs, I will not pay my tithes into this evil kingdom, I will not bow down unto death... I just pray she doesn't lead too many to a fiery grave including herself.

That is all.

Motive Check - Why Are You Giving to the Church?

I know I will get many who disagree with me on this subject, but I thought it begged me to write.

I sat in Wednesday night service at my church this week kinda scratching my head. Not with anything that was taught, per se, but with the testimony/praise report section during this time and there were three people who got up and greatly affirmed that when they paid tithes that God blessed them and they never missed the money they gave, and that you are missing out on your blessing when you do not tithe.

Now I do not in any way discourage giving to the church or to the causes therein. I am speaking today solely about the motives in giving. I am NOT questioning the motives of those who testified Wed night, I am speaking on our motives in general.

Is it right to expect God to "give something back" to you for being a cheerful giver? I look at many in church in every station of life who "tithe" 10% of their increase to the church, and if they are giving because it pleases them to participate in the life of the church then GREAT, but there is a question that is begging to be asked:

What if God does NOT give you anything in return? What if giving was enough? What if everything in your life went downhill even if you are a faithful tither/giver? What if God required you to GIVE IT ALL without a blessing that YOU may be the absolute beneficiary of?

These are all hypotheticals, because I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT GOD BLESSES HIS PEOPLE! those that sow generously will reap generously as well.

So what is my problem you ask? AGAIN the motive of our giving. Do you tithe because you want to see the church blessed? Do you want to see the gospel preached around the world? Do you want to help your brother/sister in Christ who may need financial help? OR does your giving come from another place? From greed? Do you treat tithing as an "investment" and you EXPECT returns on your money? Do you look down on others who do not give as much as you do so you don't feel compassion for others in the body because they are not "paying to play?"

I will state my beliefs plainly, I do not tithe, but I will give offerings when God puts it on my heart to do so. My offerings are sometimes more than 10% of my increase, sometimes they are less than 10%. I do believe that if you are a Christian you SHOULD BE GIVING. I don't believe the bible supports the concept of the 10% tithe for the New Testament believer. It does however support the concept of SACRIFICIAL GIVING, giving all you have if need be to help others in the body. I'm not saying it does not happen at my church or in the body of Christ, but I just haven't seen it at the level of EQUALITY that the bible says should be seen. I too am guilty of this offense.

You have heard many a pastor either in person or on TV talking about Malachi 3 quoting the famous scriptures "Will a man rob God?" and "Bring ye the tithes into the storehouse" etc.

It is important to read the CONTEXT when reading the bible. Who was Malachi speaking to when he was given this word from the Lord?

Malachi 1:1 makes it clear: "The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi."

Malachi was speaking of the old covenant that God made with Israel, he was not speaking to the new testament believer, BUT you will find many a preacher today using Malachi's words to Israel to try to guilt people into giving 10% of their increase faithfully to their church. If you feel compelled based off this misinterpretation of scripture, I am sorry to tell many people that much of your giving may be in vain.

To some of these preachers, it is not about enriching the work of the Gospel or the people of God, it is about keeping the building (which they probably shouldn't have to begin with), and lining their pockets. Some are just ignorant to the teaching of the scripture. I have seen brothers and sisters in Christ ostracized because they are not giving 10% faithfully. What has Christianity come to? Jesus is not our celestial Santa Clause who responds to us at our beck and call to do what you ask him to. Some people think they are doing God a favor by giving, as if it God needs your money. He wants YOU and your total devotion to Him.

I read 2 Cor 9:6-15 and it reads like this:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

It is clear to me in this passage that Paul knows Christians should not be giving under the compulsion or arms being twisted, but give cheerfully according to what he has decided in his heart, whether it be 10%, 1%, or 100% of their increase. There is NO SPECIFIC AMOUNT A CHRISTIAN IS REQUIRED TO GIVE. I will say this, if you are not giving anything, something is wrong with your heart, because the heart of the Christian AUGHT TO BE GENEROUS according to what they have.

Should a Christian give all he/she has if they have a family to feed and a household to take care of, I say no, UNLESS it is a prompting of the Spirit, and if God has put it in your heart to give all you will be the most cheerful person coming down the aisle to give. Does it not say that anyone who does not take care of his family is worse than an unbeliever? (1 Timothy 5:7-8) Looking at the early church in Acts this is how they chose in their hearts to give:

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

They gave to OTHER CHRISTIANS WHO WERE IN NEED. They didn't give to benefit themselves ONLY but to God's glory.

Matthew 6:1-4

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Do you wear your giving on your sleeve? "Oh I pay my 10%" so that men may see your giving and praise you? Matthew 6 is a reality check, because that praise you want is your reward.

2 Corinthians 8

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

(THIS IS IT!!! READ IT!)

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

YES! This is the heart of giving! If you are willing to give according to what you may have NO MATTER THE AMOUNT, the gift is acceptable according to your means! It's not about a fixed amount. Christian this takes you being in tune with God and the needs of the people. This is not a free pass not to give anything, but it is a check of where your heart is... not according to amount, but to your earnestness to give SOMETHING.

Philippians 4:10-19

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

This Philippian church was concerned for the welfare of their brother Paul, and asked often what they could do to help him and often sent gifts to help him in his ministry. I encourage all Christian to do the same for their sisters and brothers. If the church is asking for money? Give according to your heart. Be generous, be cheerful, DO NOT BE FORCEFULLY COMPELLED or give GRUDGINGLY because you think you have to or think others will look down on you. That kind of giving IS NOT TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Let us remember the words of Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If your motive in giving is to get for yourself, to please men, or any other reason that does not involve giving God the Glory, your giving is in vain.