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*7 REASONS WHY EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD PAY THEIR TITHES ?" PART 5b*
by Segun Olumide *PRECONDITIONS FOR HEAVEN SERIES (Every Sunday)* *LECTURE 63: SEVEN REASONS WHY EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD PAY THEIR TITHES — PART 5b* Sunday, 4th September, 2022 Ministering: Segun Olumide
*Introduction* Some weeks ago, we considered the first reason out of the 7 reasons why every believer should pay their tithes. The following week, we looked at the second reason. Then, we dwelt on the third reason. Later on, we dealt with the fourth reason. After that, we looked at the first part of the fifth reason. Now, we are completing the first part of the fifth reason and starting the second part of the same fifth 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* The fourth reason was — The fifth reason was — *REASON 5: THERE ARE GENUINE WITNESSES ESTABLISHING THE TRUTH*
*(4) TOSIN OLUMIDE* Tosin Olumide stepped into the office of a prophet after about 31 years of knowing the Lord. Although it's never how long, but how well, yet she had acquired a wealth of Biblical wisdom gleaned from experience over the many years of prophetic training. As my wife, I have been following her prophetic ministry for years, and I can say she has a high degree of accuracy and depth. Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV The fivefold ministers including prophets are to help mature or equip the saints for their respective assignments so that Christ's body is built up or edified as each believer does his or her part [see Ephesians 4:11-16, NIV]. Acts 15:32 AMPC These two prophets — Judas and Silas urged, warned, consoled, encouraged and strengthened the brethren. They didn't condone, frustrate, discourage and weaken those brethren. Some time ago, the Lord told my wife about a particular brother that he was a criminal because he was not paying his tithes. She never knew him from Adam, but God knows us all. Malachi 3:8-9 AMPC You see, the Lord called that non-tithing guy a criminal! Scripturally, he could also be called a robber or fraudster as implied in the verses above. There are too many criminals (robbers or fraudsters) in many local Churches today! Are you one of them? 1 John 3:20-22 Through her prophetic grace, she has also given different messages to different individuals. For example, a lady in one of the African countries told me that she was single, not married. But, as my wife interceded for her, the Lord told her that that particular lady was married or had been married. So, I asked the lady if she was ever married or so. And she confessed to me that she divorced or was divorced 10 years earlier! Do you remember that Jesus once told a woman to call her husband, but, she said she had no husband? Therefore, He prophetically x-rayed her life! John 4:16-19, 28-30 AMPC Several years ago, the principal of a college I was teaching in asked me to pray along for his marital life or choice. So, I informed my wife to pray. Then one day, she told me that that man (the principal) had just met a lady from his place (hometown or so), and that was his wife (to be). Shortly afterwards, I was discussing with this man. But, I wasn't bold enough to tell him that prophetic message. But, excitedly, he told me he had just met a lady from his place. Quickly and politely, I interrupted him, and told him my wife's prophetic word along that line! Also, I remember the story of a young rich man who came to her for help. And she confronted him prophetically and boldly that he was sleeping with his secretaries (more than one of them)! And the man said it was true! Hebrews 13:4 ASV
Proverbs 14:5,25 KJV Are you a faithful or false witness? Are you a true or deceitful witness? 2 Corinthians 13:8 KJV Contrary to Paul's sincere statement above, some of those believers in error can do nothing for the truth, but against the truth consciously or unconsciously. Are your efforts, preachings or teachings for or against the truth? Matthew 22:29 NIV Not knowing either or both of the Scriptures and God's power makes us go into error! Galatians 5:9 AMPC True Bible teachers need to teach correctly on tithing according to the Scriptures with all simplicity because a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers pervert the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole Church! Matthew 15:12-14, AMPC I remember that I read a prophecy somewhere some months ago that there would be attack against tithing or tithe! (I believe the devil would stir up both God's people and his own people to speak against, condemn or discourage tithes and tithers.) As a matter of caution, let's always remember this: *He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],* 2 Timothy 2:25 AMPC. 2 Timothy 2:25 BBE 2 Timothy 2:25 GNT 2 Timothy 2:25 NIV Now, let's carefully consider the following people who are against tithing: *(1) CREFLO DOLLAR* According to Wikipedia, Creflo Dollar is the founder of Christian World Changers Church International, Georgia, Atlanta. It also has this to say about him: *"Over the years Dollar has written books and made video recordings about the obligation for Christians to pay tithe in the churches. However, in July 2022 he publicly retracted his views on tithing confessing that he has misled people with these teachings, stating that it was not biblical to tithe but up to individuals to offer according to their heart and ability. Dollar received praise and criticism for these statements."* I give honour unto whom honour is due, and I respect God's grace upon him. But, I want to address humbly this error about tithes. Romans 6:14 NLT This is one of the Scriptures Creflo used to defend his point as I watched in part his controversial video titled: "THE GREAT MISUNDERSTANDING." It's the truth that we are not under the law, but under grace. But, sadly, the message of grace has been pushed to extremes. Actually, Creflo veered off on the premises of grace, or shall I say hyper grace? As a matter of fact, a number of hyper grace teachers have sprung up in different places bringing confusion to the Body of Christ! *THREE THINGS ABOUT GRACE* There are 3 things I want us to understand clearly about grace, namely: *(i) LEGALISM* This is elevating truth and putting down grace. John 1:14,17 KJV It's revealed in this Scripture above that while the law came through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. So, legalism teaches us to embrace only truth but disembrace grace. Unfortunately, a legalistic believer has poor knowledge and understanding of the grace message. He lives in bondage, though already made free. 1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV Paul warned that anyone who thinks he stands, not anyone who stands, should be careful lest he should fall because we are not standing except on two things, namely: grace and truth. *(ii) LIBERALISM* This is elevating grace and putting down truth. Liberalism teaches us to embrace grace, but disembrace truth. Jesus brought us both grace and truth! John 1:14,17 KJV You see, truth could be bitter while grace is sweet! Romans 11:22 NIV Yes, liberalism robs one of the understanding that God is both kind (good) and stern (harsh, strict or severe). It makes one forget that the same God who is love is also a consuming fire (see 1 John 4:8; Hebrews 12:28-29)! So, a believer that walks in liberalism runs with the grace message without acquiring enough balanced knowledge, understanding and wisdom of the truth. That's why those in the liberalism group romance grace, but reject some vital truths of God's Word! This shows us in their reckless lifestyles. One of the saddest or worst teachings emanating from liberalism is eternal security, also known as "once saved, always saved." This is great heresy! The spirit of error at work! *(iii) LIBERTY* This is balancing truth with grace. Therefore, a believer walking in liberty knows consciously or unconsciously that holding onto grace alone makes one blow up, while holding onto truth alone makes one low; but holding onto both grace and truth makes one grow up. We are to grow in grace and in the practical knowledge of truth of Jesus Christ. We are not to grow in disgrace and deception of the enemy. 2 Peter 3:18 KJV Galatians 5:13-14 KJV Yes, we are called unto liberty in Christ, but it should be used strictly by walking in LOVE! Yielding to the flesh will turn our liberty to legalism or liberalism. While legalism keeps one in bondage or prison, liberalism lets one loose to do as one pleases; but liberty means freedom under divine control! 2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV One of my teachers in those days explained that this verse in the original Greek text or context actually reads: *"... where THE SPIRIT IS LORD, there is LIBERTY.* So, to enforce and enjoy our liberty, we need to submit to the lordship of the Spirit, as He leads, guides or directs us. [For deeper and balanced understanding of grace, study with an open mind and open Bible, the book: "HYPER-GRACE —EXPOSING THE DANGER OF MODERN GRACE MESSAGE" by Michael L. Brown PhD.] *ARE BELIEVERS CURSED?* Galatians 3:10-14 KJV Legally, we are redeemed and delivered from curses; but, experientially, we are to enforce it and prevent curses from landing on us! Interestingly, Paul wrote the Corinthians: If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be *ANATHEMA* Maranatha (1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV). Let's see this verse in some other versions below: 1 Corinthians 16:22 NIV 1 Corinthians 16:22 AMPC 1 Corinthians 16:22 GNT (See also Galatians 1:8-9). According to Strong's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, *"anathema"* which is a Greek word means *"accursed."* In the New Testament, it's used with the more general meaning *"the disfavor of Jehovah."* Also, it means *"a (religious) ban or (concr.) excommunicated (thing or person)."* The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, says this about "accursed" : *"_old use_ someone who is accursed has had a CURSE put on them."* So, in essence, Paul was saying in 1 Corinthians 16:22 above that if anyone does not love the Lord, whether he's a believer or not — be it an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher — let that person be *CURSED!* But, how do we know someone who loves the Lord? Jesus said: *If you [really] LOVE Me, you will KEEP (OBEY) My commands* (John 14:15, AMPC). In other words, anyone who loves Jesus will obey Him, but, anyone who does not love Him won't obey Him! Therefore, it can be inferred from 1 Corinthians 16:22 that if anyone (believer or unbeliever) does not obey the Lord, let that person be *CURSED!* (This is not a licence to be cursing people. See Matthew 5:44, Luke 9:51-56, Romans 12:14 and James 3:8-10). You see, although Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, yet our disobedience or not loving the Lord will bring curse on any of us! (Study Deuteronomy 28:1-68 to understand how obedience and disobedience work!) *LEGAL SIDE VS EXPERIENTIAL SIDE* On the legal side, Jesus has paid the supreme price and freed all mankind from sin, sickness, curse, Satan and so on. But, on the experiential side, on the one hand, only those who have believed and confessed Jesus as Lord can access this freedom directly and personally. [It's one thing to have the ability to access a blessing, but it's another thing to access that blessing!] Then, on the other hand, more importantly, only those who believe and confess their divine healing, divine deliverance from curses, authority over Satan, and so on receive their reality in their lives. For example, legally we have all been healed by His wounds or stripes. 1 Peter 2:24 AMPC 1 Peter 2:24 KJV It's not that we are going to be healed some day in the future. No, a billion times, no! Rather, we have been healed in the past through the wounds or stripes that Jesus had received before He was crucified! Yes, He paid for our healing before paying for our sins. His wounds or stripes took care of our healing and health while His blood took care of our sins and iniquities. But, experientially, not all of us are living in divine health because it needs to be understood and enforced so that it can be enjoyed! Are all believers living in divine health that Christ has provisioned for us? Or are some believers still suffering from sicknesses and/or diseases that Christ had already taken away? Regretfully, many believers are still victims of sicknesses and/or diseases today instead of being victors over them! Matthew 8:17 KJV Matthew 8:17 NLT Similarly, legally, we have all been delivered from the dominion of Satan and all curses by Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:12-13 AMPC Colossians 2:15 AMPC A closer and deeper study of Colossians 2:15 in the original context and/or in different Bible versions will show you that the devil and his demons are already disarmed, disgraced and defeated! Galatians 3:13 KJV Yes, Christ was made a curse for us so that we would not be subject to curses anymore; including the curse of the law as well as family curses, generational curses, environmental curses, among others. But, experientially, not all of us are living in freedom from demonic oppression and obsession as well as freedom from curses because our deliverance and dominion in Christ need to be understood and enforced so that they can be enjoyed! Also, very importantly, believers need to move from deliverance (from demons) to dominion (over demons). Yeah, incredibly, many believers, even fivefold ministers (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) are struggling unnecessarily with curses which Jesus had legally removed because they are yet to deal with them experientially and effectively! Sadly, many believers are busy looking for deliverance when they should be walking in dominion! Don't misunderstand me. It's all right to receive deliverance from demons directly by standing on God's Word personally, or indirectly through someone else ministering to you; but it's better to walk in dominion over demons because deliverance is the children's bread while dominion is the adults' meat (see Mark 7:24-30)! The same principle that goes for our victory over sicknesses and diseases, Satan and curses applies to our victory over sins and iniquities. Romans 6:14 KJV But, experientially, many believers including fivefold ministers (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) are overpowered and dominated by sin, which Christ has destroyed and destined us to exercise dominion over! Romans 8:3 AMPC Romans 8:3 NLT *SUBMISSION* If believers step on the wrong threshold in the spirit, sin, sickness, demonic oppression, obsession or depression, curses, and so on can come into their lives! But, if believers step on the right threshold in the spirit, righteousness, holiness, healing, health, peace of mind, blessings, and so on keep flowing in their lives! Disobedience will move one from the realm of holiness to the realm of sin, from the realm of health to the realm of sickness; from the realm of blessings to the realm of curses; from the realm of victory to the realm of defeat, from the realm of success to the realm of failure, and so on! But, obedience will keep believers in the realm of holiness, health, blessings, victory, success, and so on. Therefore, being redeemed from the curse of the law neither means we should not tithe nor means that the woes or curses of disobedience will escape us if we disobey God in any area including tithing!
In his wonderful book: *"THE MIDAS TOUCH: A Balanced Approach to Biblical Prosperity,"* Kenneth E. Hagin gave sound explanation about tithing under the subheading: *To Tithe or Not To Tithe.* It reads thus: *'From time to time over the years, people have asked me if the practice of tithing is still valid for the Church today. "The New Testament really says very little about it," they say. "Should pastors and other ministers preach and encourage tithing with so little New Testament information on the subject. Should *'It is true that there is very little mention of tithing in the New Testament. Two of *'Jesus upbraided the hypocritical religious leaders of His day who ignored vitally *'God is not as interested *'Although the majority of biblical references to the tithe are clearly part of the *'Tithing originated as an act of faith, and faith transcends both the Old and New Covenants! And "by faith" is *'Genesis chapter 14 tells us how Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek, king of *'By faith, Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, *'Galatians chapter 3 makes some crucially important statements. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them *'So should we pay tithes today? Absolutely! But we pay them like Abraham paid *'Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, who was *'We, then, by faith follow the example of Abraham in paying tithes. We pay our *'So when we pay tithes to Christ, the Head, they flow to His Body, the Church. Do you see it? Through the Church, we have the great privilege of giving to Jesus to do His will and work.*
Ephesians 1:16-18 KJV
To be continued.
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