*PRECONDITIONS FOR HEAVEN SERIES (Every Sunday)*

*LECTURE 61: SEVEN REASONS WHY EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD PAY THEIR TITHES — PART 4*

Sunday, 14th August, 2022

Ministering: Segun Olumide

*7 REASONS WHY EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD PAY THEIR TITHES — PART 4*

*Introduction*

Three weeks ago, we considered the first reason out of the 7 reasons why every believer should pay their tithes.

Two weeks ago, we looked at the second reason.

Then last week, we dwelt on the third reason.

That first reason mentioned was — *REASON 1: TITHES STARTED BEFORE THE LAW; WERE EFFECTIVE AND REINFORCED UNDER THE LAW; AND CONTINUES AFTER THE LAW – UNDER GRACE*

The second reason was — *REASON 2: TITHES BELONG TO GOD.*

The third reason was — *REASON 3: REFUSING TO PAY YOUR FULL TITHES & OFFERINGS TO YOUR LOCAL CHURCH MEANS YOU ARE A THIEF STEALING GOD'S MONEY/RESOURCES*

Now, this week, by God's grace, we are looking at the fourth reason, namely:

*REASON 4. ALL THIEVES, INCLUDING THOSE REFUSING TO PAY TITHES AND OFFERINGS & THOSE PASTORS OR CHURCH LEADERS WHO ARE SITTING ON EVERYTHING WRONGLY AS THEIR OWN WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN*

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] *Nor THIEVES,* nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, *nor EXTORTIONERS, SHALL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.*

Let's see verse 10 closely in some other Bible versions below:

1 Corinthians 6:10 BBE
*Or is A THIEF,* or the worse for drink, or makes use of strong language, *OR TAKES BY FORCE WHAT IS NOT HIS, WILL HAVE ANY PART IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.*

1 Corinthians 6:10 AMPC
*NOR cheats (swindlers and THIEVES),* nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, *NOR extortioners and ROBBERS WILL INHERIT OR HAVE ANY SHARE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.*

1 Corinthians 6:10 GNT
*or WHO STEAL* or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others *or are THIEVES—NONE OF THESE WILL POSSESS GOD'S KINGDOM.*

It's without controversy that thieves and extortioners among others shall not inherit God's kingdom no matter how anointed or 'spiritual' they may appear!

We have been examining the Book of Malachi in which God's people were guilty of robbing Him by holding back their tithes and offerings from Him!

Malachi 3:8-9 KJV
Will a man *ROB* God? Yet ye have *ROBBED* me. But ye say, Wherein have we *ROBBED* thee? *IN TITHES AND OFFERINGS.* [9] Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have *ROBBED* me, even this whole nation.

As explained in the previous lecture, anyone robbing God in tithes and offerings is a thief.

And today's lecture says that no thief shall make heaven!

1 Corinthians 6:10 KJV
*Nor THIEVES,* ... *nor EXTORTIONERS, SHALL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.*

[*"The kingdom of God"* and *"the kingdom of heaven"* are used interchangeably in the Scriptures.

Actually, in writing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, only St Matthew used the phrase *"the kingdom of heaven"* while all the four of them — St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke and St John used *"the kingdom of God"* with the same meaning!

But, *"to see (understand) God's kingdom"* is different from *"to enter (inherit) God's kingdom"* (see John 3:3-5).

Again, *"the kingdom of heaven"* is quite different from *"heaven,"* though, intertwined and very closely related.]

You may ask if all those apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, bishops, deacons, and so on who are thieves robbing God by not giving their tithes and offerings shall not truly inherit the kingdom of God!

The answer is a big YES!

No thief will ever make heaven unless they repent — change their minds and lifestyles.

1 Peter 4:15-18 NIV
15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or *THIEF* or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? *18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"*

Peter was warning here that God's people should not suffer as a thief, and so on, but as a Christian.

Then, he asked in verse 18: *If it is hard (difficult) for the righteous (uncompromisingly righteous believers) to be saved, what will become of the ungodly (believers playing with sins including the thieves among believers) and the sinner (unbeliever)?"*

You see, nothing evil or impure will be allowed into the New Jerusalem!

Revelation 21:27 NLT
*NOTHING EVIL WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER*—no one who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Another way Church leaders or pastors steal tithes is to embezzle it or divert all into their own pockets trickily and wrongly without a sense of stewardship, accountability, empathy, love and leadership to the neglect of other ministers, widows, orphans and strangers.

They eat the portion God allotted them as well as the portions He allotted others!

They take others' portions by force or by craftiness. Their end is eternal destruction unless they repent.

Philippians 3:15-21 GNT
*15 All of us who are spiritually mature should have this same attitude. But if some of you have a different attitude, God will make this clear to you. 16 However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now. 17 Keep on imitating me, my friends. Pay attention to those who follow the right example that we have set for you. 18 I have told you this many times before, and now I repeat it with tears: there are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ's death on the cross. 19 They are going to end up in HELL, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world. 20 We, however, are citizens of HEAVEN, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. 21 He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.*

If, however, any thief will repent, he or she will receive God's forgiveness and mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV
*He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso CONFESSETH and FORSAKETH them shall have MERCY.*

1 John 1:9 KJV
*If we CONFESS our sins, he is FAITHFUL and JUST to FORGIVE us our sins, and to CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness.*

*ARE PASTORS SUPPOSED TO PAY TITHES, TOO?*

Someone once asked me whether pastors are supposed to pay tithes, too.

If you study last week's lecture carefully, you will understand that all believers including all fivefold ministers (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) should pay their tithes and offerings.

Let's also see this Scripture below:
Numbers 18:24-32, NIV
*24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the TITHES that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: ’They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’" 25 The LORD said to Moses, 26 "Speak to the Levites and say to them: ’When you receive from the Israelites the TITHE I give you as your inheritance, you must present a TENTH of that TITHE as the LORD’s offering. 27 Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 28 In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the TITHES you receive from the Israelites. From these TITHES you must give the LORD’s portion to Aaron the priest. 29 You must present as the LORD’s portion THE BEST AND HOLIEST PART OF EVERYTHING GIVEN TO YOU.’ 30 "Say to the Levites: ’When you present the BEST PART, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. 31 You and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere, for it is your wages for your work at the tent of meeting. 32 By presenting the BEST PART OF IT you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.’"*

Some pastors or Church leaders have been deceived into not paying tithes and offerings because they are the ones in charge of the Church's financial administration or management.

This is great deception! Every believer should pay their respective tithes and offerings, which belong to God!

A careful study of Numbers 18:24-32, NIV above reveals that God commanded even the Levites to whom He gave tithes as inheritance to pay tithe of tithes to Aaron the (high) priest (see verses 25-28).

Friend, there is something called tithe of tithes (ten percent of tithes)!

And God warned them that it must be the best and holiest part of all the tithes given to them (see Numbers 18:29, NIV).

Under the law, failure to give tithe of tithes by the Levites would make those Levites guilty, defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and cause death of those Levites (see Numbers 18:32, NIV).

So, today, that may probably explain:
(i) why some ministers are guilty,

(ii) why the holy givings of God's people are defiled, and

(iii) why some ministers have some deadly experiences.

God willing, I will explain further as we progress.

Leaders of local Churches should pay tithe of tithes so that there will be no discontinuity or discontinum in the tithe flow!

After gathering all the tithes of the people, ten percent should be taken and given to another fertile Church as directed by God.

It may be gross or net tithe of tithes.

Preferably, it should be on a weekly or regular basis, and not once in a while.

For instance, in the Church of the Prophets I belong to, we pay gross tithe of tithes by giving out ten percent of all the tithes that come in!

Sometimes, it's more than ten percent!

We pay it from time to time to another servant of God who runs a Church.

That does not mean you must start sending your tithe of tithes to me or the Church I belong to!

No, a billion times no! You must act on divine instruction or leading.

Romans 8:14 KJV
*For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.*

You see, the Lord gave specific instruction on where our tithe of tithes should be going to!

And ours is a covenant relationship with that particular servant of God!

*BE AMONG A FEW THAT WILL BE SAVED ON THE LAST DAY!*

Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23 AMPC
13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and *MANY* are those who are entering through it. 14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and *FEW* are those who find it. [Deut. 30:19; Jer. 21:8.] 21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 *MANY* will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. [Ps. 6:8.]

Luke 13:23-30 NLT
23 Someone asked him, "Lord, will only *A FEW* be saved?" He replied, 24 "The door to heaven is narrow. Work hard to get in, because *MANY* will try to enter, 25 but when the head of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. Then you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, 'I do not know you.' 26 You will say, 'But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27 And he will reply, 'I tell you, I don't know you. Go away, all you who do evil.' 28 "And there will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets within the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. 29 Then people will come from all over the world to take their places in the Kingdom of God. 30 And note this: Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now will be despised then."

I love how the KJV below rendered verse 24 above, thus:

Luke 13:24 KJV
*STRIVE TO ENTER IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: for MANY, I say unto you, WILL SEEK TO ENTER IN, and SHALL NOT BE ABLE.*

As a matter of caution, Jesus warned that many wouldn't make it, but only a few would make it on the last day.

You and I need to examine ourselves and avoid stealing God's tithes and offerings among other sins, and strive to be among the very few that will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

2 Corinthians 13:5 AMPC
*Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you–unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?*

To be continued.

*Note:*

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Source: The message is adapted from the upcoming new edition of my book: *"PRECONDITIONS FOR HEAVEN — VOLUME 2"* by Segun Olumide.

[You may request a free e-copy of upcoming new edition whenever it's out or read it free online.]

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*SINNER’S CONFESSION*

If you are not yet born-again, say this:
I choose to repent today. Also I choose to believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose up for my justification.
The Scripture says, *“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”* (Rom 10:9).
Therefore, I believe in Jesus in my heart and confess Him as my Lord. Now I am born-again (Amen).

*SAY THIS ALOUD TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT*

Also Jesus said, *“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses…”* (Acts 1:8).
And on the day of Pentecost *“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance”* (Acts 2:4).
Therefore, I receive the Holy Spirit by faith right now and I begin to speak in an unknown tongue (unlearned tongue) as He gives me the utterance.
I command every foul spirit [spirit of fear, spirit of unbelief, spirit of doubt, religious spirit, unforgiving spirit…] wanting to hinder me to stop in its evil operation in my life in Jesus’ name.
Thank you God for filling me with your Spirit in Jesus’ name (Amen).

Books by Segun Olumide

*Faith Series*
(Volumes 1 - 7 are out. God willing, watch out for the last volume soonest.)

(1) Three Types of Faith
(2) Understanding Real Faith
(3) The Power of Faith
(4) Developing Strong Faith
(5) How To Release Your Faith
(6) The Test of Faith
(7) Faith, Healing and Health Scriptures
(8) From Faith to Faithfulness

*Healing & Health Series*
(1) Ten Things You Should Know about Healing
(2) Why Some Are Not Healed
(3) How to Receive Your Divine Healing
(4) Healing of Crushed Emotions & Disturbed Minds

*Ministry Gifts Series*
(1) Unfolding the Fivefold Ministry
(2) The Ministry of an Apostle
(3) The Ministry of a Prophet
(4) The Ministry of an Evangelist 
(5) The Ministry of a Pastor
(6) The Ministry of a Teacher
(7) Biblical Ministries Today (Questions & Answers) [coming soon]

*Holiness & Heaven Series*
(1) Preconditions for
Heaven - Vol 1
(2) Preconditions for Heaven - Vol 2

*Marriage*
(1) How to Find The Right Life Partner 
(2) Why Marriages Break [12 Things That Can Make or Break Your Marriage]

*Bible Course*
(1) Basic Bible Course
(2) Certificate in Christian Ministry

*Others*
How to Interpret Dreams and Visions 
Secrets of Financial and Material Prosperity
Passion for the Lost
How to Receive the Holy Spirit
Fulfilling Your Divine Destiny
Day of Reckoning: God's Formula for Eternal Rewards
Identifying Counterfeit Ministries
Sanctification: Changing from Inside Out
O Suffering, Why Really Me?
Intimacy with God
The Pastor's Wife
Why Some Churches Won't Grow!
Just Before You Start a Church
How to Prepare and Deliver Sermons
Finding Your Own Ministry
False Doctrines Exposed!
How to Raise Money for Ministry

*The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Series (School of the Super Supernatural)*

[All are out, but Volume 5 will be out very soon]

Volume 1: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Volume 2: UNDERSTANDING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Volume 3: DISTRIBUTION OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Volume 4: ACTIVATING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Volume 5: MINISTERING IN THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

*GIFTS AND CALLING SERIES* (Coming soon)

1. UNDERSTANDING THE CALL OF GOD [out]

2. PROVING YOUR CALL

3. PURSUING YOUR CALL

4. WHY SOME MINISTERS FAIL

5. FULFILLING YOUR CALL

SPECIAL! SPECIAL! SPECIAL!
A MUST READING/VIEW

(Google the following free of charge on the Internet and God will change your life forever.)

1. “Holiness Required For Heaven by Carillo from Bolivia”

2. “Eternal Destinations: Godly Attire and Adornment”

3. “Another Warning by Kingsley Ubani”

4. “Time Is Over : Run For Your Life by Kingsley Ubani”

5. “9 Testimonies on Tithing from Heaven and Hell Visions”

6. “The Dangers of Eating God’s Tithes and Offerings”

7. “The Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega”

(Crosscheck these testimonies with the Scriptures and if you have questions you may send us an email.)

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