Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] Curing the Dilemma of Diminishing Returns. If we want to see Heaven’s floodgates opened, we must examine what compliance, what agreement, what obedience the LORD may be leading us to render.
The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast] (below)
YOUR own bank statement tells you exactly who you are. Matt 6:21
A financial investor takes your money and multiplies it for your last few years in this temporal life, right? In contrast, laborers for Christ take your support and multiply it for Christ and themselves for all eternity. In Christ’s eternal kingdom – everybody wins, all the time, forever. King Jesus reigns forever!
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Invest in Heaven and reap, be rich forever. Boom. Matt 6:19-21; 2 Cor 9:6-11
It’s interesting to observe that people will commit their money in advance for nearly anything, to anyone except the One who gave them that money. Unreal. The priorities of our hearts are openly revealed in how we spend, we put out the money God has placed in our hands.
“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 mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38
Paul was not coveting any man’s money – “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” (Acts 20:33) No! He wanted God’s people to invest in Christ’s eternal kingdom – into eternal souls – and by doing so fill their “account” in Heaven. – “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)
Is God watching how much you give, monetary amount? OR is He looking for how much you kept back for self instead of giving to the Savior’s work and His people in need? Read Luke 12 and 16.
Read Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32-35. This is how disciples live.
SOLID investments get no better than Christ’s kingdom! (Matthew 6:19-21) The Only Eternal Investment.
Does the LORD get the first portion of your day, your dollar? (Mark 1:35; Proverbs 3:9-10).
In an hour when so many who claim to be saved are funding pet and political causes, will you be one who says “No! Jesus saved and sent me to spread His Gospel, to see eternal souls won into His eternal kingdom and not to fund frivolous temporal affinities! I am getting behind the teaching of HIS Word!” (Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20)
Without exception, the happiest, “more blessed,” the most joyful people we meet are the givers (Acts 20:35). Their hearts are full of joy – because as they give they are freed of the sins of greed, covetousness and their hearts are filled with joy for participating in the Gospel of the One they love (Matthew 6:21).
God can split the Red Sea but an even greater miracle would be to split, to open the hearts of self-serving rebels who claim Christ as Savior but contribute nothing to His work – because THEY matter, not Him (Matt 6:21).
Those whom God has placed in your life to preach His Word into your life, to feed and equip you – are His gifts to you – and your opportunity to fund HIS work and lay up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Galatians 6:6). “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) Let’s roll saints, Jesus is coming!
When you give to our LORD’s work, you are fueling those He called out and ordained to communicate His Word, to do His work, daily. Amen. You are participating in Christ’s Great Commission, and laying up treasure in Heaven!
How much and with what heart posture we give is what the LORD looks at. Our giving to the LORD proves how much He means to us. It is shown in how we give to His kingdom people and work – the heart and the percentage (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Mark 12:41-44). He gave us the ability to earn money that we may have to give – which is an integral part of our worship of Him.
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28
“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
There’s no work so important or eternal as the work of our LORD’s Gospel! Let’s fuel it saints. “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
ARE YOU supporting those God says have “beautiful … feet”?
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15
Saints, any man who is called out of God and obeying HIM by endeavoring to preach the whole of His Word, is not well supported. And, this is your opportunity to obey God whose graciously given you all you have, and to lay up treasure in Heaven as Jesus instructed you to do (Matthew 6:19-21).
When Christ is truly first in our lives, His cause, His Gospel is what we support – BEFORE we support any other cause which are ALL infinitely inferior to the eternal Gospel of Jesus. Jesus Christ first, not pet or political causes. SAINTS, LET PRAY FOR AND SUPPORT THE ETERNAL WORK OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (Matthew 9:35-38). Supporting political or any other cause will bring no eternal reward (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 2:49; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9; John 4:36, etc.).
You’re going to spend your life and energy doing something. Should it not be that which holds eternal value? Isn’t everything else waste? Why waste your time, energy, and seed in this brief life on temporal trinkets and pursuits? Riches
If all our resources go to the world, what does that reveal? That reveals that we love this fleeting fallen world and not the LORD. Time to re-turn to the LORD before it’s too late.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
Speaking of using what God has ALREADY given us for His glory, Charles Pray writes:
“Some have not received the Blessings of God just because they haven’t given out the blessings of God to all those around them daily!” Charles Pray
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I have had more practical needs met by people who don’t attend local churches than the people that are members of the same churches that I have been a member of. And some friends at church are audacious enough to cast judgment upon these same people that have more love in their pinky than most Christians have in their whole body. Sad, but true. What we do unto the least among us we do as unto Jesus. Not many people were/are willing to wash Jesus’ feet. Church can be more of a country club at times. Favoritism often dictates where the money goes instead of the church acting as a community like it is portrayed in Acts. Many real needs are ignored and overlooked while more money is allocated to further pad the pockets of people living in abundance.” Naomi Elliott
REPLY:
Yeah church-ers, church-goers many times say “We gave at the church.” In saying this they reveal that their life is all about a church, an organization of mere men which has deceived them to the point that they have no spontaneity of Christ’s life or conviction to give where there’s real needs. Instead they waste what the LORD gives them on funding a fraud in most cases. WHERE to Give
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I’ve had people tell me that, even attending and supporting a church for over a year, that the church they were attending would not help them in a time of crisis because they were not members of that church.” Mark C.
REPLY:
YES, have seen this same respect of persons many times brother! Sad!!! Matt 25 We shall all give full account to the One who said:
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. … 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” Matthew 25:40, 45
The cross and our finances: Will we choose to part with a bit of our earthly treasure that God’s work might be supplied? What did Jesus say in Matthew 6:19-24?
SO what does it reveal about you if you spend all of your money on yourself? Are serving the god of self or the Savior? Are you serving God or mammon? Read what Jesus taught here closely in Matthew 6:19-24.
Simple question: If God’s people were putting HIM first in their stewardship, do we really believe those He’s called out to labor for Him, to feed His sheep, would be lacking in supply to do HIS work, running on fumes? – “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) God be praised for those who are participating. Are you doing your part in Christ’s work?
You are proving exactly what value you place on God and therefore His work when you give into His work He sent us to accomplish (Matthew 28:18-20, etc.). Our bank statement reveals who we love most (Matthew 6:21).
God gives more to those who first use what He has already given them (Matthew 25:14-30).
Men and families that have answered the call of God to work full time in His work, are doing you a favor. They are the ox who are treading out the corn, doing the grunt work, and you are the one benefiting just as much as they are because every believer who participates gets the same amazing, eternal reward (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). 1 Samuel 30:24 says: “as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” In other words, it simply doesn’t matter which part you play in the matter of His work – you will be fully rewarded – as much as those actually doing the sweat equity! You may wish to consider making sure they are well fueled. Starving the that treads the corn works against Christ and His people. Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14. You do yourself a favor by doing so.
MGWGA = Make God’s Work Great Again …. it’s the only eternal work. See Matthew 9:35-38 and Romans 10:14-15.
SO you “don’t have money” to support the work of the God you claim is LORD of your life and yet you still waste money on junk, poisonous foods and drinks, etc?
The way we are treating the money He’s allowing us to bring in is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts (Deuteronomy 8:18).
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21
THE WAY A PERSON SPENDS THEIR MONEY IS A DIRECTION REFLECTION OF THE PRIORITIES OF THEIR HEART (Matt 6:21). The reason people don’t support the LORD’s work reveals their disdain for Him who gave them life.
We cannot rightly say we are setting our house in order, readying to meet Christ, if we are not repenting and deciding to participate in His work, in the Great Commission He gave us (Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Ephesians 4:28, etc.). To say we are Christ’s and yet do nothing to help HIS work, is be completely deceived (1 Chronicles 29:14).
Is it not a betrayal of God to not support His work? …out of that which comes from Him, from His hand? (1 Chronicles 29:14)
GOD has always and will always provide for His people! Ps 37:25
Are you taking care of your own business and not “the Father’s business”? (Luke 2:49) If so, unlike Christ, you are all about yourself, your own self-serving business and not “the Father’s business.” The LORD created and saved you to be about His business first and foremost. How do we think that’s going to work out for you if you don’t repent and begin putting the LORD first in your life and finances? Diminishing returns. | Holes in Your Money Bags
Are we wasting our lives on this earth, spending the monies God has and is giving us, on temporal trinkets, instead of investing in eternal treasure? (Matthew 6:19-21) Do we sit and watch the work of God being done and not support it? What shall we answer the LORD when He brings us into accountability for this?
Ministry is a team effort where we all, each member of Christ’s body, gets to participate. Are you personally participating? Or is your time and are your resources simply feeding your own agenda in this fleeting world? Is God truly first or are you first? Is Jesus genuinely your “first love”? (Revelation 2:4-5) Matthew 25 God is watching.
Jesus says “A man’s life consisteth NOT in the abundance of things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15) In other words your worth has nothing to do with how many toys or trinkets you have or don’t have. Memorize this truth now.
Maureen writes: “Supporting a ministry, that you know is sharing the true Gospel, will bring joy to your heart. When I was still part of a NAR church, it always felt like I had to give money. Now I can’t wait to give monthly so that others can hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It’s a good and godly thing to support the work of God – the preaching of the cross and the original Gospel, all of it 2 Tim 3:16-17.
Are you personally, in an absolute scheduled fashion supporting the work of Christ – the feeding of His sheep by divinely called-out servant elders? (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-19, etc.).
Why should those who do the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth live in poverty? Are you participating in inducing poverty upon the elders who feed you? If so, do you not understand that the Almighty sees the deceit of your heart and how you’ve barricaded yourself behind lies? (Proverbs 3:27-28; 24:10-12; Matthew 25:45)
Luke 12 and 16, and James 1:26-28 give warning to all concerning the connection between the state of our hearts and how we steward what God has given us.
Do we really believe that Gospel ministries would be running on empty, barely existing, about to go under, if God’s people were rightly stewarding the money He is giving them and for which they shall give full account to Him?
Personally I support the Gospel and not pet or political causes, etc. That’s what Jesus meant when He spoke of laying up treasure in Heaven (Matt 6:19-21). Supporting political or pet causes doesn’t qualify.
The world is upside down. Proof: People will give their money to any and every thing under the sun, except the only eternal work going on in the earth and the only giving that lays up treasure in Heaven – the Gospel (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:15).
THERE IS NOTHING, no-thing, not one thing happening on planet earth that is even remotely as important as the work of the Gospel. Talk is cheap and if we truly love Jesus we get behind HIS work which is the only eternal work transpiring on His earth. Politics, political causes, and politicians are temporal. The “Father’s business” Jesus came to do was winning lost souls and edifying, equipping, growing up those He saves (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 2:49; 19:10; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, etc.).
As was the case with the rich religionists of Christ’s day, so today, some give lots of money but it’s a small percentage of what they have, what they temporarily possess. God sees it all. Remember the once “rich man” who is now in hell? (Luke 16:19-31) The LORD looks at 2 things concerning our lives, our giving:
1. The heart (2 Corinthians 9:7), and
2. the percentage (Mark 12:35, 41-44)
I’ll think about supporting a political or pet cause when every unborn baby is safe and when every person has heard the Gospel message and Christ’s sheep are being equipped, fed, and their souls watched for – when every true laborer of Christ is rightly supplied, supported in doing this eternal work of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17-18; Matthew 9:35-38; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). In other words, personally, I exclusively supply and support the only eternal work transpiring on this planet – the communication and administration of the Word of God (Matthew 28:18-20).
WHY WOULD GOD’S PEOPLE SUPPORT THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE NOT PREACHING THE WORD, THE GOSPEL? Isn’t that why we are here? Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; 2 Timothy 4:2
WHAT are you giving to? Do they PREACH the Gospel? If not there’s no eternal value or reward. Beware of where you give. Most charity organization, the vast majority, are not preaching the Gospel and true disciples how not give to them. Let the world support them as they are part of the world system. It’s time to defund the wolves and fund those literally preaching and teaching God’s Word as Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20).
When we give, we must give as unto the LORD and not as unto men.Gospel laborers are the most important workers in the earth – and the least reward (for now) and most despised. They do the only eternal work – Feeding His sheep and carrying the message of Christ’s Gospel to the lost. Jesus instructed us to ask the Father to send forth His laborers into His harvest, right? Yes (Matthew 9:35-38). Are you praying for Gospel laborers and supporting them in HIS work for the feeding of His beloved sheep and winning the eternal souls of men to Him?
Lots of causes and organizations vying for your support: WHERE will you invest – in temporal or the eternal Gospel? (Matthew 6:19-21)
NEVER pity the despised, shunned, and shorted Gospel labourers … no, rather fear those who watch and do nothing to contribute. Pity them, the fruitless (Matthew 9:35-38).
ARE YOU supporting the work of Christ? Who’s feeding you? (Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18)
Saints, are we supporting our LORD’s work? 2 Cor 9:6-11
AS long as people are fed for free, most do not take responsibility to support the LORD’s work and yet they freely spend money on the frivolities of this fleeting life 1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Galatians 6:6). This is most concerning when it comes to God’s people who should be of the highest integrity before God and man. We are commanded to give and when we do, Jesus says He will make sure we are taken care of well – this is a promise and He gives the condition (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). Someone has noted that “We are never more like God than when we are giving.” He gave all for us and those who need to be reached by us, right? (John 3:16)When we support the workers of the LORD we are supporting the work of Christ. 1 Cor 9:1-14
So many pay a type of country club dues to their local church that is not preaching the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel and has replaced it with entertainment and social programs. So, those who pay these dues, if you will, are bidding Godspeed to, supporting and condoning the very enemies of Christ and will be judged with them (2 John 10-11). Scripture teaches that we are to fund where we are fed the Word of God, not where we are entertained and receive social enrichment. “Let him that is taught in the word communicate (share with) unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Galatians 6:6
The LORD has always been, is presently, and will always be your sole Provider. – “ I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalms 37:25)
“Always remember it’s not so much how much you give but your heart’s motive in your giving. Do you give from your abundance or do you give from your need? Mark 12:38-44 in the King James Bible we read about the Widow’s Mite! See also in the King James Bible the following Scriptures on giving to the Lord and His work. 2 Corinthians 9:6 & 9:7, Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38, Luke 12:33-34, Matthew 6:19-21, Galatians 6:6-10. Amen!” Brother Charles PrayJesus assured us that NO good giving will go unrewarded! Not only will it be reward – that reward will be forever!!!
IF we supported men/ministries in the past, whom we now realize were false, should we not much more now support the preaching of the truth? Riches
MILLIONS of dollars flow freely to false ministries weekly! God is going to judge those fund the frauds – these false prophets they support. He promised. Supporting them in any way is bidding God speed to them! Time to repent. 2 John 10-11 | Where to Give
WHEN you are brought into contact with a ministry that endeavors to preach the whole counsel of God’s will, fearing no man, you can know that it is under-supported and holds great opportunity for you to be partaker (1 Corinthians 3:9; 9:1-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). For the most part, only the ear-tickling ministries are well supported, over-supported in most cases, while the LORD’s few true under-shepherds who’ve remained true to Him are shunned.
THE SUM TOTAL OF THE RICHES WE HAVE IN CHRIST IS THE EXACT, THE INFINITE MEASURE OF HOW TRULY RICH WE ARE (EPHESIANS 1-2; COLOSSIANS 1-2).
MAY God bless His people to support HIS work. Jesus is coming.
Christ taught that our hearts – heart affections – follow our giving Matthew 6:21
Praise God for the few good preachers by which we hear God’s Word Rom 10:14. Please support them saints!
Satan’s children and churches will never support the LORD’s work. God’s people will.
WHEN you literally give, you get behind Christ’s Gospel. Matthew 6:21
“But my giving is between God and I!” Sure is and HE’s watching you! He’s watching the opportunities HE gives you! HE’s going to judge you for how you give or refuse to give out of what He’s put in your hands temporarily (Matthew 25:40-46; Mark 12:42-44). Where did the once “rich man” go when he died and where is he now and forever will be? WHAT is the stated reason for where he went and is? (Luke 16:19-31)
IF we choose to obey the LORD and put HIS work first, will He not bless that? Matthew 6:33, etc.
GOD be praised for the support of the Gospel proclamation by Jesus’ people.
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Giving is our privilege. It’s YOUR opportunity to show your gratefulness to the LORD for what HE has given into your hands.
THE WORLD HAS ENOUGH PANSIES IN THE PULPITS! IF YOU don’t like “in your face” (direct, no patty cake) preaching of divine truth and warning – MOVE ON. The apostolic model is PWT – Preach, WARN, Teach (Colossians 1:28). GOD is preparing a people and all those not hearing, repenting, and obeying will be excluded (Matthew 7:19-23; Luke 21:34-36; Ephesians 5:25-27; James 1:22; 1 John 2:4; 3:18-20, etc.). This page needs to be filled with REAL, authentic disciples of Jesus. Wolves entertain goats, true under-shepherds feed sheep! WHO Else is Tired of Wimpy Preachers?
God is able….. we didn’t set up His kingdom, He did in His infinite divine wisdom. And, when we simply do things His way everything just seems to flow and flourish, amen? Have you noticed? Have you engaged the LORD by putting Him first – literally? What did He say is going to happen when we do? Matthew 6:33
IF you are supporting anything but the whole counsel preaching of God’s Word, you are funding the enemies of Christ! Pure waste! Repent. 2 John 10-11
In this fallen world, everyone who works gets paid except those doing the most important and only eternal work of Christ’s Gospel. Saints, remember that money doesn’t grow on trees for Jesus’ called out ministers and neither will Satan’s children support God’s work. So, if you don’t support the LORD’s work with what resources He’s giving you in this fleeting world, it won’t get supported. God is watching (Mark 12:41-44).
IF YOU HAVE JESUS – YOU ARE RICH BEYOND DESCRIPTION! YOU HAVE EVERYTHING! (Hebrews 13:5) Life is not about you getting even more stuff than you already have. No, God gave you this life to serve Him and others, not yourself (Matt 22:37-39; Phil 2:3-5). hell is full of self-idolaters. “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Tim 6:8
No, saving money is not a sin in and of itself. Yet, if we choose to keep back money that a brother or sister in Christ is in need of, what does that tell us about who and what is most important to us?
“Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” Proverbs 3:28
The Bible verses referenced make it clear that loving God means we love our neighbor as ourselves.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
There are minuscule few who attend to the LORD’s called out “labourers”, taking responsibility to make sure they are supplied to do His work (Matthew 9:35-38; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.).
MAY God’s people in this late hour have “all things common” as far as the temporal supply of this fleeting world (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).
It’s a RARE blessing to find those who are obeying God by giving where He leads. Regrettably, so few who claim to love and know Jesus give nothing and many that give are supporting Christ’s enemies.
HEARING from people whom God is blessing due to their rightful giving to HIS work. Isn’t that exactly what He promised He’d do? Prov 3:9-10; Lk 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Mal 3:8-12. Am I missing something?
WHEN we put God “first” in our spending, only then is our conscience is clean to enjoy the remainder (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33).
How are we treating the LORD? How are we treating His work, His workers? THAT’s exactly were we are at, our true spiritual state is —seen in this (Matthew 25:40-46).
AS we take care of GOD’s business, will He not take care of us? Matt 6:33 Do it and watch!
WHEN you encounter that rare ministry outreach that fears no man and endeavors to preach the whole counsel of God’s Word boldly, get behind it. You will thereby make the wise choice to be one of the few truth-seekers to support it.
Are you trading eternity with Jesus for the pitiful trinkets of this life? Mark chapter 10:23-25
Saints, let’s support and pray for the preaching of the original Gospel.
WHEN your life is truly given to the LORD, all you temporarily have in possession belongs to HIM. 1 Chron 29:14; Luke 6:38
The work of the Gospel is work and is the only eternal work transpiring in the earth.
ARE you taking the personal responsibility before the LORD to support His work with what HE is allowing you to earn?
The only one you are doing a favor to when you give is yourself. Jesus taught us that rich men who refuse to be charitable reveal their wicked hearts and are going to hell irrevocably (Luke 16:19-31). Seems to me that Jesus taught that IF you die with money in the bank that could have helped other believers, you are in big trouble (Luke 12, 16, etc.).
Saints, it’s our privilege to thank God for what He’s giving us by supporting needy saints and the work of Christ.
Gospel workers are dependent on individuals around them to be supported in the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth. “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God” saints (1 Corinthians 3:9) Taking the opportunity to support the work of Christ in this late hour is our privilege and duty saints.
Believers don’t give an order the get and yet that doesn’t change the divine promises of God’s blessings specifically to those who give (Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
- PREACH
- WARNNNNN (for the protection of God’s people-Christ’s blood bought sheep)
- TEACH
If each believer in Christ was rightly stewarding the money He’s giving them, would there be any of the few true New Testament ministries that were impoverished?
YES, the LORD cares for you – and He wants you to obey Him. (1 John 2:3-6)
God’s Word instructs us to fund where we’re being fed (Galatians 6:6).
On your watch, are the LORD’s “labourers” that Jesus instructed us to pray would be sent forth being supplied? What will God think of our actions or inactions toward the workers HE has sent forth? (Matthew 9:35-38)
Should those elders GOD calls out to do His work full time have to trust in miracles or go without the basic things in this life? No.
Believers are commanded to compensate the elders who perform the most important and only eternal work in the earth by feeding and equipping them and helping them grow in the grace of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:1-14
God only holds us accountable to give out of what we have and not what we don’t have. Check out 2 Corinthians 8:12:
“Thank you for continuing to patronize and support my wolves!”~SATAN
Anna Lisa writes: “Misguided ‘Christians’ who AREN’T SEEKING GOD are putting their tithes and offerings into the FAKE, COUNTERFEIT churches (buildings, religion) instead of giving to the REAL TEMPLE, the REAL BODY of Christ where it is needed.”
YOU’RE not vested in the Gospel till you give to it. Matt 6:19-21
WHAT follows what? Read Jesus’ words here …“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) When we obey the LORD by laying up treasure in Heaven and not on earth, He makes us to flourish. Our hearts flourish in Christ! Giving
WHY did Jesus say the once “rich man” was sent to hell, irrevocably? Luke 16:19-31
ARE we feeding or muzzling the mouth of the LORD’s called-out oxen who plow the harvest fields of men’s hearts by feeding Christ’s sheep and preaching to lost souls? How does God view how we are treating those He’s called out to help us grow in grace? (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1-6)
SO you earn $1,000 and don’t have enough of GOD in you to apportion $20 month to HIS work?
IF you aren’t intently reading God’s Word and obeying Him, you will not be with Him. You simply do not love Jesus. “Going to church” has nothing to do with your walk with LORD. True fellowship as defined by Scripture, yes but not what we call “church” today. We’ve been mislead and it’s time to return humbly in authentic repentance to Christ, yes Christ! Remember Him? You know, the ONE the modern frauds we call “pastors” won’t spend any time preaching about? No, they’re too busy tickling your ears, coddling you in your sins, withholding the truth, etc., so they can take your money to build their own kingdom. You won’t hear the essential doctrines of the original Gospel such as repentance, holiness, the cross-crucified life, judgment, hell, or the return of Jesus for His spotless Bride!
He’s been prompting you and is waiting for you to respond in true repentance and obedience.
“Judgment to come”, “eternal judgment” is coming (Acts 24:25; Hebrews 6:2). Ready or not.
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]
THOSE running from the biblical reality of stewardship are evading the repentance that would otherwise bring refreshing! Acts 3:19
The apostate churches ARE NEVER going to support the preaching of the original Gospel! Only the LORD’s remnant can do that!
JESUS plainly taught that the way you are treating others in your stewardship reveals exactly how you are treating Jesus and exactly where you will spend eternity (Matthew 25:40-41, 46). Judgment Day! Are you going to run from His truth and thereby sprint into eternal damnation? Or, are you going to stop your life, get before God in true repentance, crying out for Him to break you before it’s too late? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found…” (Isaiah 55:6) Riches
The way we steward the resources temporarily in our possession identifies where our hearts truly are – as opposed to where we may think they are. Matt 6:19-21
We should all wonder why it’s “okay” that any called out Gospel ministry is under-funded. It’s not okay with God (1 Cor 9:1-14; 1 Tim 5:17-18). We should all ask ourselves if we ourselves are doing our part and consider using the opportunity to be part of the solution as God has instructed and out of a “cheerful” heart (2 Cor 9:6-11).
“I marvel to think of all the things we do in vain, for no purpose or gain for Christ and His Kingdom!” Charles Pray
ARE YOU taking personal responsibility to take care of God’s business? WHEN we take care of God’s business, will He not take care of ours? Giving God’s Way
Ministering is a body, a team effort: “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
IDOLATERS HATE stewardship preaching from Scripture (Ephesians 5:3-6).
Do YOU spend all your money on your god – self? If you aren’t a giver, that seems to be the case.
If you aren’t cheerfully giving, it’s because your heart is not right with God who gave His all for you and the world (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
DOES God or the god of self come first when you get paid? Regular, scheduled giving keeps the soul-damning sin of greed at bay (Prov 3:9-10).
THOSE who are someday going to “get around to” reading the Bible never do. THOSE who are going to “get around to” putting God first in their finances never do (Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:9-10).
I know, I know, I’m the “bad guy.” (Gal 6:14) I pray this truth preaching will lead to at least 1 person truly repenting which will always lead to a laid down life and a giving heart and had. 1 Chron 29:14
ARE YOU supporting a church busine$$ or the preaching of the kingdom Gospel?
IF you support apostate wolves it’s only because you are apostate and will be damned with them (2 John 10-11).
MANY have their wallet ready to pull out for any temporal trinket that comes along. Yet, they grip it tightly when GOD shows them opportunity to lay up treasure in Heaven – which Jesus commanded His people to do (Matthew 6:19-21).
Speaking of using what God has ALREADY given us for His glory, Charles Pray writes:
“Some have not received the Blessings of God just because they haven’t given out the blessings of God to all those around them daily!” Charles Pray
The way one spends, stewards the money allotted him in this life is the real litmus test of the true spiritual state and priorities of his life (Matthew 6:19-21). God told us He’s watching (Mark 12:41-44).
PREACHING the raw, whole counsel of Holy Scriptures brings conviction of sin and scatters the many counterfeits who feign to be saved. THAT convicting preaching is the very reason there is no conviction in the vatican apostate modern so-called “churches.” They want your money and approval, yet you must reject Christ to “bid Godspeed” to these very wolves Christ and His holy apostles so often warned us to beware of. The LORD is not a liar. He promised that in the final days “iniquity shall abound, (and) the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:12) And “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous …. lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; … evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:2, 4, 13)
IF you can’t give up, give out a small portion of the money GOD GOD GOD gave you, money is your god and it cannot save (Matthew 6:19-24).
When we give – We are doing no one a favor except ourselves and those our love offering help – lost souls and fed saints! Matt 6:19-21
God ordained ministries should never have to do fund raisers. No, if those claiming to know Jesus are correctly, obediently stewarding the money HE gives them, the LORD’s ministers will have what is needed to do His Work (Acts 4:32-35).
EVERYTHING else is scheduled in to your expenditures, WHY isn’t God? Like clock work, bills get paid for temporal possessions, but what about putting God first as He instructed? – “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Most who claim faith in Christ will commit monthly to anything, except the Gospel.
IS the LORD a 1st or 2nd class citizen in your life? Look at where your money goes for the real answer to this question (Matthew 6:19-24).
Some are praying and hoping that God straightens out their finances and yet they aren’t putting HIM first (Proverbs 3:9-10).
YOU can get them to throw money at anything under the sun – except the Gospel. Giving
SAINTS, when we give, it’s our privilege to simply take the first portion of what God gives into our hands and worship HIM with it (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Some don’t support God’s work because the LORD isn’t important to them. Simple.
DID God not repeatedly promise blessings to those who give? Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.
A sister in Christ said: “When I became a widow, my church would not allow me to use their food pantry…it broke my heart!”
WHY do you still “give at the church” or really give to a circus operated by overpaid frauds? Making Merchandise of You
WHEN a man is prepared by the LORD and answers the call of God to obediently endeavors to preach His full counsel, that man will be financially ruined. Why? People claiming to know and love Jesus will gladly spend all their money on the trinkets of this fleeting world that they love, and give little or nothing to Christ’s work.
The most important and only eternal work in the earth is the least rewarded or not rewarded at all. Why? Are you supporting the preaching of the kingdom Gospel, which begins with the divine, essential command to repent?
WE can know we are backslidden when we whip out our wallets for some new gadget or service yet hold it tight when the opportunity to help the Gospel sits at our feet.
Tares run from those who preach the divine truth that causes them conviction of their sin. Yep, they run back to their damnation by migrating back to the “many” prophesied ear-tickling wolves (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; 2 Timothy 4:2-4). Stewardship
Those who preach the Word to you, warning you of judgment to come, perform the infinitely most important and only eternal work in your life. They get paid little to nothing in this life due to the very sin they are warning of – covetousness, greed, idolatry, and the love of this passing world. If they were in it for the money instead of Christ, they’d have quit long ago – there is no money in it due to the “few” who obey God in this life. A preacher must lie to people, tickle their ears, coddle them in their sin in order to get paid in this life (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
IF those claiming to know Jesus were obeying HIS stewardship instructions, would true ministries be destitute?
Most people claiming to be saved spend more money on candy and trash drinks monthly than they do on the work of the Gospel.
Are you ready to change your ways so God can do a new, greater work in you? Nothing happens till we repent and obey (Isaiah 1:18-19). NOT enduring sound doctrine – running from the conviction instead of returning to the LORD and confessing – is apostasy (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
HAS GOD EVER ONCE failed you?
Is this difficult? Why? Could it be plainer? WHAT are you vested in?
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 | Stewardship
EVER wonder what would happen if you actually gave God the first portion of what HE alone allows you to earn? You willing to trying it?
NEVER feel sorry for the LORD’s labourers, no, instead you may want to pray for and pity those who are fed and do nothing to contribute to the furtherance of the Gospel of the One they claim to be saved by.
Yesterday I saw a guy who does political videos and he currently he has a growing list of nearly 500 people who monthly support his work. Yet, true New Testament ministries today go unfunded. This is apostasy.
This is a truth we should read, study, memorize and meditate on today. This helps us see this temporal world the the eyes of the LORD, His kingdom. Perspective! “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life (value, substance) consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15
God addresses rich Christians, instructing them to be generous, and yet He makes it clear that no disciple of Christ should desire to be rich or pursue the riches of this fleeting world. He warns that great peril and the danger of eternal damnation lie in such a trap. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-17. | Riches
TODAY: Thank you for praying for the 2 David’s and Chris who have recently received ministry! Follow up under way! Part of this includes giving them the Born Again and What Next! books! Jesus is moving in the hearts of men in this late hour and – “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God” in this matter! (1 Corinthians 3:6-9; Matthew 9:35-38) Because You Care
Simply put: IF God’s people don’t support HIS work, it doesn’t get supported. 1 Cor 3:9
THE type ministry you support clearly reveals exactly who you are (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Are you supporting the preaching of the whole counsel of God’s Word or “another (“accursed”) gospel”? (Galatians 1:6-9)
IF the stewarding of what GOD is giving you isn’t in order, it proves your life isn’t in order. “It is MORE blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
ARE YOU doing your part? “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Cor 3:9
ARE you support the preaching of the original Gospel or a fraud? Discernment: Where to Give
It’s our privilege to support our LORD’s work and on top of that He promises to reward us for doing so (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
Those who love the LORD’s truth should support the preaching of it.
God’s work is furthered by disciples who make the quality, obedience decision to put God first with what He allows them to bring in (Proverbs 3:9-10).
When you see a ministry endeavoring to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God, know that that ministry is under-supported. Also, such is the occasion and your opportunity and privilege to jump in and be a part of the Word of the kingdom of Christ being communicated into the hearts of men – both saints and sinners. No work on the earth is as important! 1 Cor 3:9
If earthly riches are an indication of godliness, Jesus Christ and His apostles certainly were ungodly. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-5. Any person equating earthly wealth with heavenly faith or godliness, is a complete devil. Run! Filthy Rich [podcast]
THIS fallen world will reward ANY and EVERY work under the sun – except God’s work – which is the only eternal work transpiring today in the earth. Are you supporting the Gospel work of the One you say saved your soul? (Matt 6:19-21) Real Success
God’s Word says that “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” (Psalms 62:10) When more money comes in, a raise or a settlement or inheritance, the LORD instructs us to increase our standing of giving and not our standard of living. We are simply passing through. This is not our home.
Jesus came and died for the eternal souls of men! Many waste their lives on the pursuit of temporal treasures. Hell awaits. Matthew 6:19-24; Luke 12, 16
People can do nearly anything in this world and be paid for doing so – except the infinitely and most important and only eternal work of the Gospel. No, not getting a job at a “church” and misleading people. Rather, doing to true work of endeavoring the preach the whole counsel of God’s Word. Such will lead to utter poverty in this world. Such is a shame – a shame on those who are fed and refuse to support the work of the One they claim to love and claim to be serving. Riches
Supporting Christ’s work is the privilege and mandate of every one of His true disciples.
Saints, according to Scripture, may we today be exhorted to 1. take care of those in need among God’s people (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and 2. support His work (1 Corinthians 9:1-14). Empty barns will be filled! Presses shall burst forth with new wine! (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Holy Scripture repeatedly promises that those who give as unto the LORD shall never lack. Prov 3:9-10; Lk 6:38; 2 Cor 9:6-11
ARE you supporting a Sunday morning circus act OR the work of the Gospel? Because You Care
IF you truly trust God, why not obey Him by giving the first of what He gives you Prov 3:9-10
Don’t bother giving if you can’t do it out of a cheerful (thankful, hilarious) heart – because. “God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7) What God’s Word says about Giving
Being called out by God to minister full-time puts a man in a precarious place because giving is voluntary and few participate.
Worried about your finances? Why not try putting God first?
When needs arise among the people of God and when there are ministries before us preaching the Gospel truth … this is our opportunity from God, our privilege to support (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).
The lost will never support God’s work Jesus sent US to do 1 Cor 3:9
No one has ever been hurt when obeying God by supporting His work Matt 6:19-21
Supporting the work of Christ is laying up treasure in Heaven as Jesus instructed Matt 6:19-21 Because You Care
You going to worship God for real with what HE has given you? 1 Chron 29:14
May God raise up those who will pray for His “labourers” to go forth and also support HIS work (Matthew 9:35-38).
The devil’s children will certainly never support the work of Christ. Will you?
Talk is cheap. Do! James 1:22; 1 John 3:18
A parable is an earthy story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus’ parable of the talents is a teaching and severe warning of stewardship and the eternal consequences of obeying or disobeying God in the matter of our handling of His resources in this fleeting life.
WHEN you choose to take care of God’s business, do you not think HE will take care of yours? Matt 6:33
Are you laying up treasure in Heaven, or wasting God’s resources? Matt 6:19-21
WHEN we literally put God first in our expenditures, are we not blessed to have the priceless gift of a clear conscience?
There’s a time when some whom God has called out to ministry, must do it full time (Acts 6:4; 2 Tim 2:4). He is then at the mercy of those who support, or not. God is able saints. If we take care of His business, He takes care of ours – and He’s told us that throughout His Word (Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-10; Luke 6:37; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, etc.).
IF God’s people don’t support HIS work, it simply does not get supported.
You know if God is truly first in your life when you get paid – and what you do with that money HE allowed you to bring in. “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the FIRSTfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Does He not promise to replenish and fill up those who give out of what He gives? Proverbs 3:9-10 Riches
ARE you wasting your life and resources helping someone build a church busine$$ OR are you building the kingdom of Christ in the hearts of men by supporting the preaching of the whole counsel of God’s Word?
If God could get those who claim to love him to give up their lives in this world, they’d cheerfully put Him first in their finances and the Gospel workers He told us He sends forth would not be hindered by lack of supply to do His work. … Saints. God will resurrect our finances if we by faith literally obey His stewardship instructions (Proverbs 3:9-10; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Riches
Certainly we don’t expect religious organizations to support the true Gospel. No, they never will. Supporting the preaching of the original Gospel is solely reserved as a privilege for the remnant of Christ’s elect.
Truth preaching ministries are only supported by those who agree and are fed by them. Satan’s children, including the many tare religionists are not going to support the truth saints. Counterfeits support their ear-tickling wolves (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
God only requires you to give out of what you have – and that’s everything to him! Remember the woman who gave the 2 mites? Jesus was fully pleased and said she gave all out of her own poverty! Mk 12:41-44 Because You Care
DO WE really think that the few “labourers” Christ has sent out would be scraping up pennies if God’s people who are being fed were biblically stewarding the resources He is giving them? (Matthew 9:35-38)
YOU can only give what you can give – out of what you have – and yet, that’s all God requires. 2 Cor 8:12 says: “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
The widow with the 2 mites (equals less than a penny) gave all and will be forever rewarded for such (Mark 12:41-44). Jesus celebrated her giving and condemned the wealthy who gave large amounts monetarily yet kept back much for themselves. In the divine economy it’s percentage and God looks for a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
IF you’ve been given much you are that much accountable. When God increases you financially, it’s not to expand your own portfolio but rather your giving. Read Christ’s severe warning on this in Luke 12. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48)
Phil Butler writes: “Don’t let your lack of faith rob you of the amazing blessings God wants for you. Sure the bills being paid is nice. But what’s even better is when God blesses you with Himself . For the word of God is quick (alive) and powerful ,and sharper than any twoedged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intent of the heart. Heb. 4:12.”
EVER notice how self-serving cross-less counterfeits use this following verse to greedily run after the fleeting riches of this fallen world….. ignoring the many Bible teachings that warn against doing so? – Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”
“If anyone thinks God has Blessed them to be selfishness is totally deceived.” Tina H.
From time to time the topic of dirty money comes up…… see what you think and feel free to comment beloved saints….. Perhaps this is God’s answer….
Should ill-gotten gain be given to the work of the LORD? Apparently not. “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” Deuteronomy 23:18
WHEN we spend all our money on ourselves, we simply feed the god of self. Repentance necessary.
The way we are stewarding God’s resources reveals who we really are – regardless of what we merely claim with our lips (Matthew 6:19-21).
PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You now in repentance for having squandered Your resources, for being hardened in heart, for not truly trusting You to replenish what You gave as I give it out. Please forgive my sins. Right now, if never before, I lay my life into Your holy hands, I release my spirit unto You now LORD and all that is in my temporal possession in this brief life. In Jesus’ name.
The LORD replenishes… those who sow the seed they presently have 2 Cor 9:6-11
Provision for Christ’s work happens when His people obey Him by giving out of what He’s given them (1 Chron 29:14; Prov 3:9-10; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor 9:6-11; etc.).
Saints, let us worship God in gratitude by giving out of what He gives (1 Chronicles 29:14).
God’s people, those who love the whole truth, should support His work. Satan’s counterfeits certainly won’t!
WHEN we give of what He gives us, we express our allegiance and worship to the LORD.
“Do not be anxious about the future. Use your life and all its resources for God, and he will care for you. No tongue can exaggerate the goodness and mercy which God lays up for them that trust in Him before the sons of men.” FB Meyer
Instead of boasting that everything we have comes from the LORD, we’d better be spreading it around like He commanded. He’s watching! What happened to the once “rich man” who didn’t spread around what he’d been given? He’s been irrevocably in hell for at least 2,000 years, right? Right! (Luke 16:19-31)
If you love the truth, put your money where your mouth is and support the truth (Matthew 6:19-21).
ARE WE willing to do for the truth what counterfeits do for lies?
MONEY HAS WINGS – AND LOTS OF PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE CHRISTIANS ARE COVETING IT: “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (Proverbs 23:4-5) Wisdom in stewardship
“Those who do the least complain the most.” unknown
GOD does not hold the world accountable for supporting His Great Commission He gave us but rather His own people – and He even set up an eternal investment fund for them to reap eternal rewards for doing so (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
ARE YOU giving to the LORD out of that which HE alone allows you to bring in OR are you spending all on the god of self? Do you know and obey the Word of God given us in Proverbs 3:9-10? …. Are you freeloading? It’s quite amazing how people can and do spend money on everything under the sun except the furthering of the kingdom of Christ.
Saints, let’s please pray for more people to take the personal responsibility to make sure the LORD’s work/workers are fully supplied. The hour is late.
INSTEAD of prayerfully, obediently looking where to support Christ’s Gospel work, the counterfeit looks to further embellish his flesh, his own reputation, and entrench himself in this fleeting world – Read Luke 12:15-21.
People could care less that the work of the God they claim to know is being done! Most who claim to be saved care only for their own little trinkets in this fleeting world. Their earthly treasures will perish with them (Luke 12, 16, etc.).
WE must become so deeply dead and buried with Christ that we are truly “hid with Christ in God” from the snare, the lure of lusting after this world’s treasures and trinkets (Colossians 3:1-4). It’s for our souls! Read Luke 12 and 16.
If you have money tied up in the bank, in any account or possession that could be used to help God’s people and work, He’s going to hold your eternal soul accountable for it and hell awaits! (Luke 12, 16; Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35)
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18
SB writes: “Sad but very true as the majority that are deceived are constantly giving pearls ($) to the swine, instead of investing in those who are actually preaching the true word!”
IF you lend to your brother, do not charge interest: “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: 20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” Deuteronomy 23:19-20
WOULD any true Gospel work be lacking if those who claim to serve Christ put Him first in their hearts and therefore finances?
“ALL things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
YOU cannot out give God. Try it. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
When’s your next pay day? What ministry/ies are you supplying so Christ’s true Gospel work can be done in this late hour as we look for His soon return? 1 Cor 3:9
WHEN God is “FIRST” He’s first in everything and not an afterthought (Matthew 6:33).
Giving to the poor or even going so far as to give your body to be burned, will save no one from sin and hell. God’s love in us can only come from intimate relationship with Christ. Do you truly know Him?
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned
, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3
Would to God more men would take their place in supporting Christ’s work.
“WHERE” did Jesus tell us our hearts are? – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
YOU CLAIM to worship Jesus but contribute nothing to Jesus’ work?
Did Jesus instruct us to lay up treasure? If so, where?
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:19-20
WE prove what we think about God’s work by how we support it. 1 Cor 3:9
WHEN in doubt, just “GIVE”! Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35
NEVER pity those who are called out of Christ into His full-time ministry. Instead, pity those who sit there and contribute zilch to the work of the One who bled to save them, the very Once they claim to love, serve, and be saved by.
IN the richest country in human history, we have a very few God-fearing preachers and they are broke due to lack of support! Unreal saints, unreal apostasy. Now do we see what Jesus meant when He told us only a “few” will enter glory? (Matt 7:13-14)
REMEMBER that when you give, you are doing no one a favor except yourself (2 Cor 9:6-11).
There is no virtue in being poor financially. The simple observation is that if a man is called out of God and that man does not compromise but rather endeavors to preach the whole counsel of the Word, he will most likely be supported by the “few” and broke. He will also be “poor, yet making many rich.” (1 Tim 6:10) Even people who claim to love God will do nothing to support Christ’s work (2 Tim 4:2-4). Many will waste their money on any and everything under the sun and not give $20 month out of the thousands they earn monthly. Matthew 6:21 says it all. The only ministers who get paid are those who feed the flesh, tickle the ears of the unrepentant hearts who refuse the cross and to “endure sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Stewardship
Seems like the Bible teaches that if we put God first in our giving then our conscience will be clear in spending the rest and He will fill our barns with plenty. Proverbs chapter 3 verses 9 and 10
So you have money in the bank or other investments while believers go without? How are you going to explain that to Jesus who gave all … and gave into your possession those things He is holding you personally responsible for rightly stewarding?
When you look at/view an occasion to give, see it as YOUR opportunity. It’s your privilege to jump in and help others.
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Concerning stewardship, Phil Butler writes: “’Oh, but I can’t afford to!’ Uh-uh—you can’t afford not to. Lesson learned! And I have peace and confidence about my future even though bills went unpaid. I haven’t lost anything. Nothing has been shut off. He always miraculously comes through. He disciplined me hard two weeks ago when I thought, ‘I better hold on to this just in case.’ Well praise God that ‘just in case’ formed into the chastising hand of God, and this young one got a huge smack on the butt by my Father. It was then that I truly knew the loving hand of my Father…in the form of a good ol’ spanking. I’m living right now in the peaceable fruit it produced. I’ve never felt this sure that God truly is my Father. I’m excited to see what direction He’s going to move me next. Wow! Hallelujah Jesus! So yes, honor God. The peace and confidence in a renewed relationship with Him outweighs any ‘just in case’ I might be considering.”
The poor in our midst (especially God’s people) and those who oversee, equip, and feed us the Word, are God’s gift to us – our opportunity to participate in His worship-filled giving plan. NEW Testament giving is our privilege: to the poor and the LORD’s true ministers – 1 Cor 9:1-14; 16:1-2; Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18.
WHAT needy saint and Gospel ministry are you giving to this week? You got paid right?
Regrettably, Jesus is the last Person in mind when some get paid. Wow! Proverbs 3:9-10
ARE you giving? IF SO, what is your giving supporting? God is watching. The idea that God is pleased no matter where you give is false.
JUST WHAT does it tell us that the same people who give when a basket is passed have no conviction to support Christ’s work? Giving when a basket is passed is usually the occasion to give to a temporal building instead of the building up of Christ’s body (Matthew 16:18)
LET us never abandon a biblical truth because some have abused or misused it.
God’s servants are to be supplied, not millionaire wolves. Are you participating? (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18)
Often, we hear people brag, proudly proclaim that everything they have came from the LORD. It’s almost like they are saying “Look at how special I am! God gave me these things and so that proves I am special!” Not so. Yes, everything we have comes from the hand of God AND He is holding us personally accountable for our stewardship of it. Material and financial gain does not equal godliness (1 Timothy 6:3-5 KJB). If that were the case, the largest cults in the world would have to be considered to be godly.
IF something is in God’s Word, why would we evade it or be uncomfortable/convicted about it?
SO you are getting FED but you’re not FUNDING? Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18
The only reason we’d be uncomfortable about a Bible topic is that we’re not obeying (1 John 5:3).
Regrettably, the vast majority of those who say they’ve given their lives over to Christ, do little in obedience to Him.
IGNORANT OBJECTION: “BUT brother, you are in the ministry, why don’t you just give everything away?” REPLY: “Sure thing. Will be glad to: Now I need YOU to just give that support to the ministry so we will be ABLE TO GIVE EVERYTHING AWAY!” …. unreal blindness. We cannot possibly give what we have not received – That’s YOUR part! …. Please pray for the support of this outreach beloved saints. Thank you kindly, in Jesus’ name. “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
MYTH BUSTED: IF a true servant of Christ, called out of God, were in it for the money, WHY would he even be in the ministry? Such a notion is laughable – BECAUSE those who are true to Christ preach the whole counsel of His Word and are therefore shunned and shorted by the many who have departed from the faith, do not “endure sound doctrine,” and simply flock to those who tickle their ears (2 Timothy 4:2-4). They are broken much less getting rich. Such a notion is pure lunacy.
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Articles
Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. forgiveness Drop the Rock, Sinner!
mercy mandate
WE both know that if God weren’t mega merciful, we both would have been in the bottom of hell, long ago ….. Should we not return that mercy to others in our dispositions, thoughts, attitudes, and words? Memorizing Ephesians 4:32 in the KJB will change our lives. Body life! Heavenly Mercy! https://safeguardyoursoul.com/heavenly-mercy-and-love/
Memory Bible Verse
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
“kind”
“tenderhearted”
“forgiving”
drop the rock by looking in the mirror
when you look into the mirror and see the vilest wretch on the planet, the motivation to give mercy will fill your heart
Fueled by our own great gratitude for how God has so mercifully dealt with us…. When we have the opportunity to show mercy, we must readily, forthrightly bestow it, even as God has been so merciful to each of us. – “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (James 2:13) Jesus says: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
“Refusal to pray because of the guilt of your sins is like refusing to take you bath because you are dirty. Pray.” Augustine Mario
“God has a multitude of mercy (Psalm 5:7), is “plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 86:5), “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4), and has “abundant mercy” (1 Peter 1:3). Wow! And I need all of that! But the real test is since He gives me all that mercy, do I extend mercy to others? If I don’t show mercy to others I will not receive mercy from God. James 2:13.” Karen Cochran
IF you are born again and presently abiding in Christ, all of your past sins are gone, they are washed away by Christ’s precious blood – as far as the east is from the west – to infinity!!! Ps 103:10-12 I like opening the Bible and reading Matthew 7:1-5 to these type self righteous devils.
Think we might need to joyfully unload mercy on others lest we forfeit the mercy of God on our own lives?
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
Memorize:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Now, pray, seeking God daily on the basis of what is written in Ezekiel 36:24-26.
“And didn’t we also put Jesus on the cross because of our sin? Isaiah 53:6. I think how many times over and over the Lord has extended, undeserved, mercy and grace to me! All I can do is fall on my face before Him in thankfulness. Because He did find me and save me. Yet I do not love Him enough. And I fail Him but He keeps extending mercy and grace to me. Thank you Jesus you are long suffering towards us. And your mercies never fail and are new every morning!” Karen Cochran
“OBEDIENT IN ALL THINGS”
Our attitudes are very important to the LORD (1 Samuel 16:7).
HOW are we viewing those whom GOD has forgiven for their sin?
How did Paul instruct the Corinthians saints to view the now forgiven, once fornicator? Read 1 Corinthians 5 then bounce directly to 2 Corinthians 2.
Summation of 1 Corinthians 5: Unrepentant fornicator who was turned over the Satan and then repented. Now that he’s forgiven, Paul tells these same saints who surrounded this man…..
2 Corinthians 2
Forgive the Sinner
5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would CONFIRM YOUR LOVE TOWARD HIM.
9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be OBEDIENT IN ALL THINGS.
10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Unbiblical bad attitudes of unforgiveness will bring Satan’s “devices.” And what does Satan do? – steal, kill, destroy (John 10:10).
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
FORGIVE from your heart or go to hell. That’s your choice. Matthew 18:21-35
Mark 11:25-26 – It becomes easy to forgive when you look in the mirror honestly and see all your own sins. Repent now.
Be sure of this …. If you die having not forgiven EVERYONE “from your heart”, hell is your eternal home (Matthew 18:21-35). You will never escape. Repent now. God was and has been unfathomably merciful to you and I and He requires that we show mercy to others – or perish. Look in the mirror at all your own sin and how mercifully God has been with you. Drop the rocks, now. Pray for that person(s) till God’s love overflows in your heart, till you are broken in a million pieces and brought by Him to the place of total brokenness and dependence!
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
The God Who Is Ready To Forgive [podcast]
https://safeguardyoursoul.com/the-god-who-is-ready-to-forgive/
safeguardyoursoul.com
IF you die having not forgiven just 1 person you are going to hell. Mark 11:24-25
IF YOU DEAL mercilessly with others, undiluted harsh judgment is coming upon your own life. That’s a divine promise:
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
Read that again. Memorize it.
YOU set the measure of the judgment/mercy coming upon your life from God by how you show such to others.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
A wise disciple has rightly stated:
“Before you use God’s Word as a sword, use it as a mirror.”
If you have been born again and yet presently believe you are going to Heaven without forgiving EVERYONE, you are in need of getting right with God. Read what Jesus says in Matthew 18:21-25. Until you repent for real and forgive everyone freely, as God forgave your wretched soul through Christ, your own eternal soul is hanging by a spider thread over the fires of hell, sinner. You are not forgiven until you forgive all (Mark 11:25-26; Ephesians 4:32). See yourself for who you really are – the most wicked, undeserving sinner on the planet in the eyes of a holy God (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3; 7, etc.). Take it all to the foot of the cross. Lay down your life – before it’s too late.
Forgiveness Category on SafeGuardYourSoul.com
https://safeguardyoursoul.com/forgiveness/
“I sure don’t have much mercy in myself. I need to get it from God who is Rich in mercy . Ephesians 2:4.” Karen Cochran
“A good test of humility is how quickly one will repent and forgive others. Lord, help me be patient and hospitable during rush hour, and to remember that my times are in thy hand. (Ps. 31:15) 🤲 In Jesus name, Amen.” Jon Crane
Refusing to forgive someone is 100% SELFISH and reveals that you are the one who is in need of true repentance – before you die and go to hell irrevocably. If this is you, if you have even one person you have not sought God to forgive, your eternal soul is hanging by a spider thread over the flames of eternal damnation.
Jesus wasn’t playing! The flames of eternal hell await you, sinner.
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
Think about what we do when we dare hold a grudge, refuse to freely forgive – to show mercy as God has so mercifully shown we ourselves – the worst most vile, evil sinners ever to exist: “BUT HE/SHE hurt ME!” There it is! It’s all about you! Jesus is not reigning on the throne of your heart – presently you are your own little god, a false god that cannot forgive your own sins or save you from the fires of eternal damnation.
You only hold that grudge, you only refuse to forgive because they hurt YOU and your life is all and only about you. You are separated from God who is holy. You yourself have hurt others and you want mercy and yet refuse to show mercy to those who’ve hurt you.
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7
Drop the Rock, Sinner!
Smite your own filthy demonic heart before a holy God – before HE slams, vanquishes your vile existence forever into the domain of the damned, never to see light or experience an iota of comfort again.
Hint: We live in a fallen world – that means we’ve ALL sinned and done evil as well as being the victim of the sinful evil of others. If you will cease being a self-righteous hell bound full blown hypocrite you must learn to throw the stone at yourself! (Job 19:28)
Study the book of Romans this week. See your own wicked, evil self in chapters 3 and 7. Shut up and repent, now.
Those who are guilty of this wickedness are living like they’ve never read the Gospels – because they are certainly not living the truths Jesus sets forth. He told us that they crack WHORES will be in Heaven before you will be ! See Matthew 21:31.
“All pride and self-righteousness must be stripped out of us! We must see our complete unworthiness! Our utter inability to meet God’s standards! Knowing and admitting we are nothing without God! We are to be completely stripped of self! These are the people who will enter the kingdom of heaven. The meek! The ones who hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness, because they know theirs is but filthy rags. The pure in heart! Those without spot or wrinkle.” Karen Cochran
RUN TO JESUS, NOW!
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You now, as the most wicked, evil, merciless, vicious sinner to ever walk and breathe upon Your planet. I fall prostrate before Your Majesty now, confessing that no one who’s ever lived needs You, Your precious mercy, more than this wretch. Here and now I fall upon Your mercy, undeservingly, asking You to forgive me, to break me, to crush me into absolute humility, only to be raised up out of those ashes with a disposition of utter poorness of spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Wrongly judging other is many times a projection of one’s own sins upon others instead of repenting, receiving Christ and being saved.
Romans 2:1-3
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”
“cloudiness and condemnations” our evil un-crucified hearts project, cast upon, affix to others
Zec_7:10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
Zec_8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
Forgiving ALL others from our hearts is no small detail. No, rather, your eternity rests upon it.
” Matthew 18:21-35
If we ever get a clue as to the REAL SCORE – the way things really are – we will be frantically running to others to pour out divine mercy and never sulking in the sinful bitterness of unforgiveness. If you need it – give it. Dump truck loads!
Divine motivation to unleash mercy. Memorize Ephesians 4:32 and James 2:13 now.
https://safeguardyoursoul.com//mercy/
IN A LITTLE WHILE WE’LL BE WITH THE FATHER: It’s important in this short life to reckon with the fact that EVERYONE DOESN’T LIKE US! It’s part of life. Jesus, Paul, John, and every disciple who ever followed Christ was “hated.” (Matthew 10:22) In fact, Jesus taught us to be very concerned when all men like us and speak well of us (Luke 6:26). That’s His kingdom perspective saints. safeguardyoursoul.com
” Matthew 5:10-12
HOW Christ’s kingdom works: Those who repent and confess their sins are completely forgiven and washed by the blood of Jesus and free (1 John 1:9). Those who still judge them for their past sins are in bondage, separated from God in their sins, and going to hell, with no exception! Look in the mirror today to see the vilest, most iniquitous sinner who is utterly need of the mercy of God. Or, perish. Non-negotiably, if you don’t forgve ALL others from your heart, you are as sure for hell as if you were already there. Now let’s just repent saints and cease pretending to be saved by the One who died for our sins “while we were yet sinners” – in the face of our iniquities (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Romans 5:6-9).
Those who refuse to forgive another will not be with the Father. Matthew 18:21-35
Today, we are in great need of large doses of divine mercy and to study this topic – which begins with our sin and how God gave His only begotten Son in the face of our sins in order to redeem, to forgive us. You may wish to memorize Titus 3:5-7 today and James 2:13. Learn it. Own it, Preach it!
Remember that Jesus died to save the person we may be tempted to judge in our heart attitude today.
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Luke 6:35
Jesus commands us to love even our enemies, right?
PRAYER: Father, please create in me a clean heart, a pure heart that is filled afresh with Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
1 John 1:9; Hebrews 4:14-16
Boomerangs of Mercy [podcast] | Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God
Ephesians 1:
The eternal covenant
Nathan was acting according to the
2 Chronicles 12: After David sinned and then repented, God gave David 3 choices
Romans 3:24-28; 4: 5:17 2 Corinthians 5:19-21
Act 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
Act 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
“Two Men Went Up into the Temple to Pray”: “God be merciful to me a sinner” [podcast] https://safeguardyoursoul.com//two-men-went-up-into-the-temple-to-pray/
You have to wonder if those condemning others have themselves experienced forgiveness. Seems they’d personally understand the mercy of God if they had experienced it. Well, we do know by Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant that a man can be forgiven and then turn and condemning another (Matthew 18:21-35).
Articles
Are Tongues Demonic? [podcast]
Believing lies will ever hinder the blessing of God on our lives. If you are born again and yet not yet baptized with the Holy Ghost, you will forever lack the divine power God wants you to walk in. Acts 1:8 says what?
Tongues are not of the devil and did not pass away! Get over yourself! YOU are not in control, sinner.
At times we hear well meaning believers (perhaps) saying that devils can give you tongues. hmmmmm My reply to such would be as follows:
That could be true and yet…. Jesus and His holy apostles never made such a statement. They DID though diligently testify of the baptism with the Holy Ghost and made sure every believer knew about it and were invited to receive it…. as in Acts 8:14-17 which we will look at in a moment.
The Misuse of Tongues Does Nothing to Negate the Genuine Baptism with the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Spirit ….. which the LORD never revoked and intends for His New Testament believers to receive.
For the record: By the grace of Christ alone, He saved and filled this once wretched man, this disciple with His Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). This disciple is a whole-Gospel, full-Bible believer by Jesus’ grace. Like many today realize, authentic Pentecost is not the same as what is transpiring in the false charismatic or NAR cults which are a demonic mockery and counterfeit of authentic Pentecost. NO, I am not part of any organized church such as UPC, etc.
The Bible foretold of this hour of great apostasy as the return of our LORD draws nigh. Specifically speaking of those who claim to be Christ’s, the Word tells us that many of these professors would deny the power of their Creator to guide them, fill them, and be their all sufficiency (Colossians 1-2). This is the damnable sin of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-14; Revelation 21:8).
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5
Saints, beware of any person speaking against the Holy Ghost or the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
While the FRUIT of the Spirit is most important because it can only be born out of an abiding relationship with Christ (John 15; Galatians 5:22-23), that in no way negates the baptism with the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Paul says to covet those gifts and that’s in order to be used of God to help others: “But covet earnestly the best gifts…” (1 Cor 12:31). We must not make the classic mistake of negating anything from God’s Word and especially because some have abused things. Never abandon a biblical truth to abuse. Never negate something the Word teaches because others have twisted or misused it.
“Identifying the Word of Faith and NAR (New Apostolic) heretical movements isn’t to say all Pentecostals believe this or are false. I also believe many things to be examples of false dilemma/ dichotomy fallacies where people are deceived and assume they must pick between one of two deceptions when more than those two options exist. The truth is the whole of God’s Word.” Jason Frost
One writer notes:
“Is John MacArthur a heretic when he teaches the entire Pentecostal movement worldwide (over 400 million) is of Satan? Isn’t blasphemy of the Holy Spirit when one attributes the gift of God to Satan? When MacArthur boldly teaches all speaking in tongues done today is demonic he has no idea of the consequences he’s facing!
Beware saints. Paul encouraged all the saints to speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). He also instructed us how to properly give and receive an interpretation of tongues in a church service (1 Corinthians 14:23-33). Any believer can pray and receive the gift of tongues. Not all have the gift to give an interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30). I cherish speaking in tongues because this gift was given to me by Jesus (Acts 1:5). Yet, pastors like John MacArthur, Charles Stanley, and David Jeremiah, have convinced millions of Christians that speaking in tongues is demonic. The truth is, God desires every believer to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues (Acts 1:5; 2:4; Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:39).
After Jesus healed a blind man who was demon-possessed, the Pharisees accused Him of doing it by the power of Beelzebub (Matthew 12:22-32). They were speaking evil of the Holy Spirit by attributing the power of God to the Devil. Jesus called this blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; 19:6). This is why anyone saying the gift of tongues is satanic is blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Ministers believing in such heresy usually teach the Holy Spirit only speaks through the scriptures. Such deception is grieving the ministry of the Spirit. I can’t imagine living my Christian walk without being able to hear from the Spirit of God. He not only gave me the idea of this book but spoke to my spirit many times while I was writing it.”
Jesus says His sheep hear His voice (John 10). Though the Holy Ghost would never lead contrary to the Scriptures, He has a living, breathing relationship with each of Christ’s saints and leads us daily. Sometimes those impressions and promptings are very specific. In fact, we see this throughout the New Testament Scriptures. Remember when Ananias was told by the LORD to go to a certain street and find Saul? “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9:11). Also, remember how the LORD spoke (without but according to Scripture) to Phillip? – “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia…“ (Acts 8:26-27). The examples are all over the New Testament. God bless you all. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
How could any true, born again believer possibly argue with the following? Decades into the New Testament era, Jesus’ apostle Paul wrote:
- “I would that ye all spake with tongues … “ 1 Corinthians 14:5
- “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” 1 Corinthians 14:18
- “forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39
Clearly, after reading these things Paul uttered, we can conclude that to say tongues is demonic would be to declare that Christ’s apostle Paul was demonic.
“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” 1 Corinthians 14:12-15
Of speaking in tongues and the error of teaching against it, Tim McCullough writes:
“Why can people not see this??? Paul plainly said he spoke in tongues more than all the Corinthians, albeit in privacy – between himself and the Lord. There is clearly a spiritual language that God has given to believers for non-corporate use – but for our own faith and benefit. MacArthur makes a deadly error confusing the two, and worse yet – writing it all off as demonic. This is a DEADLY false doctrine as it emboldens professing believers against the Word of God in the most dangerous area Jesus spoke of – attributing a work of Gods Spirit to the devil. This is a venomous error and John MacArthur desperately needs God to grant him repentance.” | John MacArthur Exposed
It seems reasonable that the first thing God takes over when HE immerses you with His presence is the most “unruly member” (James 3). Thank the LORD for that! God bless you all.
The baptism with the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit of God are vital, non-negotiable components of our LORD’s New Testament church plan/program. Are you baptized with the Holy Spirit? Dare we take away from the LORD’s stated, New Testament program? (Revelation 22:18-19)
MODERN TONGUES?
Jesus promises to give the HOLY Spirit and no evil spirit/demon to His children when they ask to be filled:
“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:11-13
The misuse of tongues does nothing to negate (diminish) the divinely ordained, genuine baptism with the Holy Spirit. If tongues after Pentecost are false, that clearly makes the apostle Paul false. Decades after the Day of Pentecost, Paul said things that establish that the baptism with the Holy Ghost and praying in the Spirit is for all of Christ’s disciples throughout the New Testament era until Jesus returns. Certainly the following statements made by Paul are not only for the use of tongues in a group setting:
“I would that ye all spake with tongues … “ 1 Corinthians 14:5
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” 1 Corinthians 14:18
“forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39
The counterfeit charismatic movement (word of faith and NAR – new apostolic reformation delusion) only further lends itself to the proof of tongues being for all believers today. Satan can only counterfeit what is authentic in order to twist and misled and distort and confuse.
PENTECOST, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is a non-negotiable, essential, central component of Christ’s New Testament program-yet not the things added by sinful wolves today. We are whole Gospel believers which would include discerning and rejecting additives – yet never diminishing aught, letting go of the true Pentecostal, Holy Ghost baptism Christ’s gives to His own. NOT the denomination but the New Testament reality. When exposing the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)/Bethel warlocks and their witchcraft, you may at times be called a cessationist by those deceived by the enemy of souls. A cessationist is one who erroneously believes that the bless-ed power of the Holy Ghost was only for the earliest followers of Jesus. False. Yet, the authentic baptism with the Holy Spirit is never manifested in God’s Word as that which is anything except pure, holy, and “in order.” – “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Being baptized (immersed, clothed upon) with the Holy Spirit will always lead to more divine power to be holy, set apart unto Christ and not to misuse for things not sanctioned in and by His Word. Keeping it biblical!
“Calvinism is a lie and tongues are not demonic. The devil has a counterfeit for everything even tongues and the Holy Spirit. His counterfeit of the Holy Spirit is kundalini which is strange fire of the queen of heaven. Why do people get kundalini in many churches? It’s because they want the gifts of the Spirit without abiding in Jesus, wanting more of Him, and walking in holiness. They reject the daily cross and holiness while they selfishly want gifts from God for their own self-serving purposes. The gifts of the Spirit have not ceased.” Ryan Waldrop
Danielle Mangram writes:
“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:2-6 KJV
The Holy Spirit is not demonic! That is blasphemy against the Spirit of God. There is demonic tongues but when one is filled with the Holy Spirit of God he speaks to him in a language of angels. The Spirit of God was promised to us from our Lord Jesus Christ. It did not go away. He says anything you ask in my name the father will give it to you (Luke 11:11-13). The problem is disbelief and doctrines of men, traditions. Jesus did not preform miracles because of their disbelief. If we as the body would just believe in Him truthfully, the church would arise so powerful. Unfortunately man and devils got in the way. I thank God that He is mightier than all that, in Jesus’ name, hallelujah.”
Did Christ’s Apostles Count the Baptism of the Spirit Important?
When the apostles heard that some people in Samaria had been saved, they counted the promised Holy Ghost baptism so vitally important that they sent Peter and John to see that those new Christians were filled with the Spirit.
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Acts 8:14-17
After Jesus rose from the dead and was seated at the right hand of the Father, Christ’s apostles made sure when Jesus saved souls, that those newly saved saints had the opportunity to receive the full measure of the Holy Ghost – an integral part of New Testament Christianity and without which the believer cannot and will not be powerfully used of God (Acts 1:8).
Firstly, the central issue is not about tongues but about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. If one denies the volumes of Scripture on this New Testament experience then he will deny the gifts and power the divine Person of the Holy Spirit has ordained to be present among His people for the whole New Testament period (Acts 2:37-39).
After thorough study of the New Testament Scriptures, I cannot deny this gift or His divine involvement in and among His beloved people and have no desire to limit God which is sin (Psalms 78:41; 103:2; Revelation 22:18-19). In the name of Jesus and by the grace of God, I will unapologetically speak of this holy truth from the Holy Scriptures.
“Unknown” Tongues = NOT a known language.
To those who falsely claim that tongues were only for Pentecost and were all known languages……
Such is a false teaching. Beware of the false teachers. The Holy Ghost is in no one making this false claim (Ephesians 5:9).
Men don’t understand the tongues that Holy Spirit filled saints speak unless God supernaturally chooses to give one the interpretation (1 Corinthians 14). Why else would we have the word “unknown” when referring to tongues? Only God understands and those He chooses to reveal things to. This alone proves that these tongues are not any known language known of any man like those mentioned in Acts 2:1-13. This was the only time we have on record where men speaking in “tongues” was a known language of men. All other tongues are to God and inspired by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14).
The initial manifestation of tongues at Pentecost was when men heard others from other nations speak in their own tongue (Acts 2:4-8). A miracle. Yet it didn’t stop there. Notice … “tongues of men AND of angels” (1 Corinthians 13:1). Also, read closely: “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh NOT UNTO MEN, but unto God: for NO MAN UNDERSTANDETH HIM; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:1).
In 1 Corinthians 12 the gifts of the Spirit are introduced and in 1 Corinthians 14 Paul teaches on the use and misuse of those gifts.
The gifts of the Spirit are temporal and to be accepted, facilitated in this time when God saw fit that they are needed. “That which is perfect” is Heaven and such has not yet come.
One of the two usages of speaking or praying in tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 is to edify or build up the believer (v3; Jude 20).
By divine design, those who pray in the Holy Ghost will be overflowing with the presence and power of God.
“building up yourselves”
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” Jude 20
Edification – building up!
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…” 1 Corinthians 14:4
Then there is the tongue and interpretation gifts for use in the gathering of saints.
“For he that speaketh in an UNknown tongue speaketh NOT unto MEN, but unto God: for NO MAN UNDERSTANDETH him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2
Note the word “UNknown” or not a known language of men. “For he that speaketh in an UNknown tongue speaketh NOT unto MEN, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” (1 Corinthians 14:2)
God is also not forcing any of His precious gifts on anyone.
1 Corinthians 14:2 – “For HE THAT SPEAKETH IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE SPEAKETH NOTTTT UNTO MEN BUT UNTO GOD: for NO MAN UNDERSTANDETH HIM; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”
1 Corinthians 14:4 “HE THAT SPEAKETH IN AND UNKNOWN TONGUE EDIFIETH HIMSELF; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.”
“NO MAN understandeth him” and yet “in the spirit he speaketh mysteries”
When one prays in the Spirit/tongues, he is speaking mysteries. That’s what the Bible says and no mere man can explain such and only some are willing to live by faith and lean not to their own understanding.
An honest and objective look at 1 Corinthians 14 will plainly reveal that the text not once refers to any tongue known to man. The word “tongue” or “tongues” appears 13 times in this chapter (1 Corinthians 14), and not once is it referring to the languages of men such as Hebrew, Greek, Italian, Farsi, Spanish, Swahili, German, etc.
Many today ignore the Scriptures, including the whole context and truth revealed in 1 Corinthians 14, which speaks of tongues 13 times and not once speaks of tongues except for use among God’s people in corporate gatherings and in the individual lives just as the apostle Paul said that he spoke in tongues more than everyone else. Are you going to argue about Paul the apostle personally speaking in tongues? Is your pastor more authoritative than this great apostle? So, you are taking the word of vile heretics (those who taught you this lie – the Holy Spirit and Scriptures sure didn’t lead you down that road) over the apostle Paul and the LORD. Please tell those devils who taught you those lies what I stated about them.
A huge part of the problem of rejecting the fullness of the Holy Spirit is very limited learning – since Jesus sent Him to lead us into all truth (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 2:20, 27). Think about how this scenario plays out …. The young person grows up in an evangelical church setting where the baptism in the Spirit is denied. So, he then pursues God in his own limited strength, including going to seminary. In this “higher learning” facility, he continues to learn that he needs to accomplish the ministry in his own brain power, intellect, and feeble strength. He then gets a job as a pastor and blindly misleads those who themselves are not seeking the LORD enough to be enlightened to the New Testament teaching and experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Why Did the LORD Grant the Gift of Tongues?
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself … ” 1 Corinthians 14:4
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20
Common Misconceptions and Scripture Twisting
“These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” Acts 17:6
After the tail-whipping Satan received when the earliest believers were baptized with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the enemy set out to shut it all down! Thousands of souls were being saved and Satan was being robbed. Precious eternal souls for whom Jesus died were being taken from Satan who has “the power of death” over those who are not saved out of the kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 2:14). The enemy is able to exercise power over the souls of all who are unredeemed and yet, when the power of our Creator and LORD comes, Satan is utterly defeated EVERY time! God has ordained that this divine power operate in and through His people, the body of Christ. Jesus taught:
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
Jesus came to destroy Satan and his evil work:
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
The way Satan’s “works” are destroyed is by the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people and this begins with the baptism in the Holy Ghost and not before (Acts 1:8). Any person who denies this Bible fact is denying Christ and His teachings.
Subtracting from God’s Word is a deadly pursuit that comes with a high and eternal price tag (Revelation 22:18-19). Stealing away the ordained relationship between Christ and His children is the work of devil-inspired wolves who are being used of Satan himself to rob the people of God of the divinely-ordained power of the LORD to be His witnesses.
“But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Jesus taught that as His people went forth at His Great Commission command to “preach the gospel to every creature” that He would confirm “the word with signs following.” There is divine power present in the lives and preaching of all true disciples of our unchanging LORD and Savior!
What “signs” did Jesus tell us “SHALL follow them that believe”? Before Jesus answers that in His own words below, please ask yourself whether or not you truly believe Christ at His Word. Now, test the answer to that question by reading His very words:
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20 (KJB)
Another way Satan has stolen the divine power Jesus ordained for His people is that the new versions of the Bible either completely remove or cast doubt on the whole passage above (by a note in the margin that is actually a blatant fabrication). Why? Jesus taught us here that He was going to empower us to “cast out devils” and it takes divine power to do that (Matthew 12:28-29; Acts 10:38). Now, WHO didn’t want us to know how to cast him out? I’ll give you one guess 😉
So, if Satan didn’t want us to know we are supposed to cast HIM out and that God ordains His power in us against His enemy, who must be behind the new versions and the preachers who teach against the presence, baptism, and power of the divine Person of the Holy Ghost? Satan!
Oh, and what about Matthew 17:21? Again, the new per-versions remove this verse. Some have now deceitfully added it back due to being told on.
In the NIV and NAS (except in updated 1995 version of NIV) etc., this verse is missing! And why? Read the preceding verses where Christ’s disciples couldn’t cast out a devil. In verse 21, the omitted/deleted verse, Jesus tells His people of all times how to cast out devils. He gives us the key here. Just WHO didn’t want us to know how to cast him out? One guess!
“Howbeit this kind (of devil and unbelief) goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21 (KJB)
Are you now seeing why millions of true disciples are burning their new versions and getting a King James Bible?
Thieving Wolves
Jesus told us that Satan has come to do three things:
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
The lengths some go to in order to teach their own brand of false theology is astounding and yet these same pharisaical wolves stand in positions of leadership and mislead others who refuse to study to show their own selves approved before the LORD (2 Timothy 2:15). Let’s take a look at some of the examples of their lame, obvious twisting of Scripture passage in order to pervert divine truth and teach falsely:
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth (builds up) himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 1 Corinthians 14:4-5
The fact that prophecy is a greater of the nine gifts of the Spirit because it involves serving others, only re-establishes that serving others first is Christ’s example and will for us. Yet, this in no way negates or diminishes the fact of and need for edification of the individual in the Holy Spirit. – “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself … ” (1 Corinthians 14:4)
QUESTION RECEIVED:
“But does everyone who is saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit have the gift of tongues? 1 Corinthians 12…………30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”
REPLY:
This is a commonly misinterpreted verse erroneously used to cheat believers out of the blessing of God. Notice how Paul puts these 2 things together: “do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” …. this is specifically speaking of corporate gifts not the individual gift of tongues. 1 Cor 12:31 is coupling those 2 things together which means it’s speaking of corporate use of gifts not individual. Jesus says “According to your faith be it unto you.” (Matt 9:29) Remember: “I would that ye all spake with tongues … “ (1 Corinthians 14:5) … “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” (1 Corinthians 14:18) … “forbid not to speak with tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39)
Okay, let’s investigate another passage that is used by deceivers who count their tradition more important than God’s Word:
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
The deceit of the wolves who teach against the biblical experience of tongues becomes obvious when we simply read in context the passages that address the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
“We ask God for a revival but ignore our unpardonable arrogance of refusing his gifts!” – Leonard Ravenhill
Beloved blood-washed saint, don’t let some deceptive dupe of the antichrist evangelical system rob you of your simple faith in Christ concerning what He and His apostles taught and what we see in the earliest of His believers in Acts and the New Testament Scriptures. Repent of wrongly esteeming any mere human leader’s useless seminary degree (which simply taught him how to not believe God’s Word for what it plainly states). – “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
Ask yourself a few simple questions and weigh this in the light of the New Testament Scriptures:
1) If the LORD doesn’t want His people to be baptized (immersed) with His Holy Spirit, why didn’t He simply come out and tell us this?
2) If the infilling of the Spirit is not for today, why did God not simply come out and tell us so?
3) If the baptism of the Spirit passed away with the apostles and early church, why did Christ’s apostle Peter say that this gift was for every believer throughout the whole New Testament era, which includes now? See Acts 2:37-39.
From the beginning of His church, Jesus never intended for any who believe upon Him to salvation to go without the gift of the Holy Ghost. It’s only as devil-inspired religious men came in and shut down the work, power, presence, and gifts of the divine Person of the Holy Spirit that we have a deafening absence of what Christ and His holy apostles taught.
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise (of the Spirit baptism) is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (save).” Acts 2:37-39
Is God still saving souls? Yes! Well then, according to the apostle Peter’s utterance here – the LORD is still baptizing His people with the Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.” Acts 19:1-7
Like these disciples, many today have not even heard of the “gift of the Holy Ghost” which is clearly for all Christ’s disciples of all times under the New Testament era (Acts 2:37-39).
Every single born again believer can be baptized with the Holy Ghost which is simply a great measure of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This is God’s will for every one of His beloved children. This is God’s desire but He will only give this gift to the disciple who believers what His Word says and asked Him sincerely for it (Luke 11:11-13). The LORD also goes so far as to assure His children that no other spirit (evil) will be allowed in the life of His child who simply asks Him for the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:11-13). There are always those who counterfeit the divine authentic but that does nothing to erode the truth or the things of God. Jesus promised that He would only give the Holy Spirit and that no other evil spirit could enter His child:
“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:11-13
Who does God give His Holy Spirit to?
“And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” Acts 5:32
Every single authentic believer can have the baptism of the Holy Ghost and the gift of tongues in their individual life. This is God’s will. Every Christian should desire to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and to yield his whole being over to the LORD. The true body of Christ upholds Jesus Christ alone as their “Head” and must not allow sinful men who write books and speak from pulpits to hinder the full work of Christ in their lives (Colossians 2:8-10, 18-19). Millions today are being cheated out of truth and the fullness of the Spirit due to adhering to those leaders who are dangerously speaking against the work and divine Person of the Holy Ghost.
“Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full” says Jesus (John 16:23-24). Now, a common verse that is often taken out of context to prove that not everyone can pray in tongues is 1 Corinthians 12:30. This of course gives those who deny Christ the reign in their personal lives an excuse to continue to live unto themselves, never surrendering wholly to Christ on His terms (which are clearly given in His Word). But take a closer look at the context of Scripture beloved saints. Paul is not speaking of individual tongues but rather ties tongues together with the interpretation of tongues which contextually he is speaking of concerning specifically a group setting. Hear what is being conveyed in the context of this passage and you will see that Paul is in no way contradicting himself and the whole of Scripture by negating the blessed gift of tongues for every saint.
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
You see, in this 1 Corinthians 12 chapter, the nine gifts of the Spirit to the body of Christ have already earlier been listed (v8-10). The last two gifts listed are “tongues” and “the interpretation of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:10) They are cited together for a divine reason. So, when Paul later speaks of tongues he is speaking of tongues in the setting of the function of the gifts in the body of Christ to be used in a CORPORATE SETTING and not individual tongues – “do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
The Proper Use of Tongues
Yes as is the case with all of our LORD’s gifts, some have abused or misused them. I sure have seen the misuse of the gifts of the Spirit firsthand. Some people use this as an excuse to not fully surrender to do things God’s way and thereby blame the LORD for the abuse of sinful men. They therefore forfeit the blessings of the LORD, His power, and drastically reduce their ability to be fruitful in this life.
Correcting any misuse of the gifts of the Spirit is exactly why we have 1 Corinthians 14. In this chapter Paul the apostle of Christ gives us the LORD’s guidelines for using the gifts of His Holy Spirit.
Abuse does not negate the right use of the gifts of the Spirit which is what Paul deals with in detail in 1 Corinthians 14.
My goal is not to be right but rather to simply sort all things in Holy Scripture. We must continue to look at all of the counsel of the LORD’s Word and as we do our LORD’s truth will continue to unveil itself (2 Peter 1:19-21).
There is a specific use and instruction for tongues and interpretation of tongues in a group setting.
“Yet IN THE CHURCH I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:19
The church or congregational setting is the context of 1 Corinthians 14:19.
We must beware of our own tendency to have selective hearing based on the human teachers we have listened to in the past. People like John MacArthur have a strong personality and can be convincing, especially if the individual listening to him is not in the Word himself. MacArthur teaches some false doctrines. He is but a man as this writer is. God gave us His Word and we are to let Him be true “and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). Yet John MacArthur’s personality or the way he seems to provide convincing information does not negate the very Word of God nor is MacArthur or any mere man the final authority. MacArthur negates the gifts of God and in doing so he is on dangerous ground as he is speaking against the divine Person of the Holy Ghost and His blessed work. Regrettably, many who listen to John MacArthur do not test his teachings against God’s Word for themselves and receive the due reward of being turned over to “strong delusion” for not personally loving and studying God’s Word for themselves (Acts 17:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
Back to tongues ……
If tongues are demonic, that means Christ’s very own apostle Paul was demonic. After all, Paul said:
“I would that ye all spake with tongues … “ 1 Corinthians 14:5
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” 1 Corinthians 14:18
“forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39
If Paul is demonic, then 2/3 of the New Testament Scriptures were written by an ungodly, demonic man. Right?
Who will you believe, MacArthur or the great apostle Paul?
After introducing tongues concerning the individual’s use of them, Paul then speaks of the use of tongues in the congregational/group setting:
“I would that ye ALL spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?” 1 Corinthians 14:5-6
Here Paul is saying that in order to lift up others above ourselves, we should covet to prophesy because prophesying edifies other members of Jesus’ body as opposed to praying in tongues individually which which has the divine purpose of building up the individual believer (1 Corinthians 13:2-3; Jude 20).
That Paul is speaking of the use and order of tongues in a body or group setting is self-evident in this whole passage and yet there is not a hint of negation (denial) of tongues for the individual prayer life (Romans. 8:26-27).
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church (congregational setting) I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:18-19
The fact that Paul here says that “in the church” setting he’d rather speak words that people can understand only underscores that he is contrasting tongues for his individual communion and edification with Christ and those tongues/interpretation of tongues for use among more than one member of the body.
It is not profitable to blurt out in tongues among more than one believer in a gathering of believers and that’s what Paul is getting at in this chapter. This guideline of tongues amidst a group of Christians does not do away with the blessing of individually praying in the Spirit (Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:5; Jude 20). Under divine inspiration, Paul the apostle says that all believers should speak with tongues which aligns with how the other apostles made sure all believers were baptized with the Holy Ghost after being saved (Acts 8:14-17; 1 Corinthians 14:5). Paul clearly speaks of his own personal praying in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18). The apostle commands “FORBID NOT to speak with tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39).
Biblically speaking, there’s more than one purpose and use of tongues. We cannot limit it to one. Such is a common error made by many today who are not thoroughly and honestly studying God’s Word but rather listening to false teachings from mere sinful men who have set themselves up as leaders and refuse to honestly teach the full-counsel of God’s Word. Some get stuck on one part of one doctrine and close their hearts to the whole of what the living Word says of the matter and therefore walk around with a skewed view. Others who are supposedly saved, are not hungry for more of the LORD, which is suspect. Wanting all that God has for us is what this is about, in part. The LORD will not force or push and will only fill those who by faith hunger and thirst for more of Him.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Prayer to Receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
LORD Jesus, thank You so much for finding and saving my wretched soul from sin and Satan and sure damnation! I praise You right this moment for coming and dying on that cross, shedding Your precious blood for my sins. Right this moment, I humbly bow before You my LORD and ask You to take over my life completely. I yield all that I am to You right now and ask You to baptize – to fill me – with the Holy Spirit. I ask You to take over my being completely LORD Jesus. I yield my heart, mind, body, and tongue to You. Use me with Thy great power to do Your work from this moment forward. In Jesus’ Name! Amen.
todd tomasella
FEEDBACK:
“The best method of doing this is to be only, always, and all for Him. We must not offer Him a share of our heart and devotion. There must be no division between Him and others. Whenever iniquity, darkness, Belial, and unbelievers seek to share our nature with the Holy Spirit, and we permit the partnership, He withdraws. No idols must be permitted in any hidden shrine of the heart. The whole nature-spirit (that is, the Holy of Holies) soul (that is, the seat of our individuality), and body-must be the temple of the Eternal, who rules it from the Shekinah, which is enthroned on the Ark of the Covenant. God still walks the world in those who love Him and are wholly yielded to His indwelling. The loneliest spirit finds Him to be father, mother, brother, sister, all. What an incentive to cleanliness not only of flesh but of spirit! Heb_10:22. The Apostle concludes by expressing his intense thankfulness that his converts had not misunderstood the urgency of his former letter.” James Brutton
“When we first left the church (building) I questioned everything that I had been taught especially speaking in tongues. There are times when that’s the only way to pray because I don’t have the words to speak in the natural. I do notice though at church it is only women that give words in tongues and also give the interpretation and I don’t want to speak against it but I do wonder why it is the women and why is it not men giving words? Thank you for this article and speaking truth!” Lori
REPLY:
Hi Lori. I went through the same experience of sifting through what is biblical and what is not and the proper use of those things. 1 Cor. 12 introduced the gifts of the Spirit and ch. 14 tells us how they are to be used and how they are not to be used (misused, abused).
One disciples writes: “BEWARE that calling an act of the Holy Spirit demonic is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the only sin that cannot be forgiven. To say tongues are demonic places you on severely dangerous ground.”
Mathew 12:22-32
“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, THIS FELLOW DOTH NOT CAST OUT DEVILS BUT BEELZEBUB, THE PRINCE OF DEVILS. 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, ?All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: ?but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
One disciples writes: “Tongues are completely biblical. Here’s what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:18-40:
‘I thank my God, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES more than ye all: 19 YET in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, THAT BY MY VOICE I MIGHT TEACH others (common sense) also, than ten thousand words in an UNKNOWN tongue.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 ‘Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.’
Here we see Paul placed all occurrences in their proper order. God is not the author of confusion, and there ARE false tongues, forced about by the flesh. This doesn’t do away with the fact there ARE true tongues. Please think about the following Scripture when calling people fools.
Matthew 5:22
‘But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, THOU FOOL, shall be in danger of hell fire.’”
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“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21
Did you know that God has magnified His Word even above His holy name?
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2
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