Mr. Camping's Fateful Finger of Fate continues...

Now what will happen?

It’s been 10 days since Harold Camping of the Family Radio empire predicted that the world was going to end on May 21st at 6 pm [time zone irrelevant]. He predicted that on that Saturday the world would see the second coming of Christ and the rapture of some 200 million souls. The rest of earth’s population would be left behind to suffer all manner of horrible demise, culminating in the earth being consumed by fire on October 21st.

Well, we’re all still here, so Mr. Camping’s prediction didn’t turn out as he predicted. So what does Mr. Camping do now? You guessed it... he made a few minor adjustments to his prediction and continues on to a new date for the end of the world.

Here’s the latest on Family Radio evangelist Harold Camping’s “revised” prediction. In a special radio broadcast Monday May 23rd, two days after the failed end, he said his predicted May 21, 2011 Rapture was actually “an invisible judgment day“ where all of humanity were judged by God. He said he had come to understand that May 21st was a spiritual, rather than physical event. He went on to say....

“We had all of our dates correct,” said Camping, clarifying that he now understands that Christ’s May 21st arrival was “an invisible spiritual coming” ushering in the last five months before final judgment is executed and the destruction of earth.

Camping carefully walked listeners through his numerological timeline, insisting that his teaching has not changed and that the world will still end on October 21, 2011. “It won’t be a spiritual coming on October 21st,” Camping said, adding, “the world is going to be destroyed all together... it will be very quick.” Doesn’t he realize Oct. 21st is smack dab in the middle of football season?

Now, just for fun let me toss out a couple of Bible verses that seem to suggest Mr. Camping ain’t no way no how able to make such predictions. First lets look at a passage from the Old Testament... a time when lots of guys were going around making predictions in the “name of God” and getting people all stirred up. In Deuteronomy 18:21-22 we find this advise: “You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him..."

What does that passage say to you? I thinks it simple and straightforward. If someone makes a [false] prophecy – something that doesn’t happen as predicted, and they have claimed to be a prophet of God, which is exactly what Mr. Camping by his audacious predictions and “special knowledge” claims to be... then they are a false prophet and are not to be listened to. Does Mr. Camping set himself up to be the prophet of God? He most certainly does.

Let’s take this reasoning one step further. Consider the blunt words of Matthew 24:36. Please check your Bibles... the words in chapter 24 are in “red” meaning they are the directly spoken words of Jesus, the Messiah; God Incarnate; God the Son, known to mankind as Jesus, the Christ. Here’s what He himself said on the matter Mr. Camping seems to know so much about... “when the end will come.” Matthew 24:36 says... "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Wait a minute... NOT the Son? Only the Father? Wow! The savior of mankind... the central figure in the Bible’s message... the author and perfecter of our faith... the originator of the plan of eternal salvation... He doesn’t know the day or the hour when HE will return... HIS “own” second coming???

The Bible, our only record and authority of what God has done in the past and will do in the future makes it very clear that Harold Camping was and continues to be wrong. His use of numerology to make his predictions is nothing more than fortune-telling which God condemns. Mr. Camping has no special knowledge... no hotline of new prophecy being uttered exclusively to him by God.

I suspect that many of his disciples—some of whom quit jobs, sold homes and took other drastic actions, confident of his prediction—are feeling pretty frustrated right about now. It would be easy enough simply to poke fun at Camping, but I keep thinking of those gullible followers who made life-transforming decisions on the basis of the foolish teachings of their spiritual leader.

What do we learn from all this? For one thing, it is a reminder that "concerning that hour no one knows" regarding the second coming of Christ. Not even Jesus, who is seated next to the Father. Anyone who claims to know and predict such things is either foolish or a premeditated liar.

Situations like Camping’s failed prediction give sincere truth bearing Christians a black- eye. Here’s a "Christian leader" making outlandish assumptions and bringing ridicule to Christian people working hard to save souls and teaching them how to live in anticipation of Christ’s return. What happens as a result of Camping’s goofy stunt? Many in our culture who might have been thinking about their spiritual circumstances, are put off by all the hype and embarrassing failure. Further, along with the help of eager media organizations, Christians are once more viewed as a bunch of crackpots and the “second coming of Christ” is nothing more than a myth.

Lessons to be learned... Be careful what you say publicly, because you carry the reputation of your church and the ministry of Christ in everything you say and do. Your words are powerful.

Finally... this whole episode is a reminder that every spiritual leader—whether an elder-pastor or pulpit preacher or someone in other influencing roles — needs to be accountable to others. We all need others to give us wise counsel, to help us see when we are going off the deep end, into error or frivolity.

The millions of dollars given to Camping’s Family Radio could have been better spent for Kingdom causes such as preaching the gospel to unreached peoples and doing what God expects... caring for those less fortune than ourselves and watching out that we don’t get polluted by false teachings like those of Harold Camping. (James 1:27)

Until next time, when we explore... Why intelligent people get caught up, fervently and passionately, in believing predictions about the end of the world?



Unleashing the Heart of God in YOU!

Even though tithing isn’t a major New Testament emphasis, the Bible actually says a lot about giving. The very heart of God is about giving because He is a God of love. He gave the greatest gift ever given to fallen man in a sin filled world.... "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

If as Christians, we are to enjoy a rich and vibrant relationship with God, growing in Christlikeness, we must have a heart of love, a giving heart, just as He did. If we have a heart of love we will also have a heart for giving. "He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses." (Proverbs 28:27) "let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." (Ephesians 4:28)

The Apostle Paul said that the churches of Macedonia gave beyond what they could really afford to give because they first gave their heart to the Lord. "For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we had hoped, but first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God." (2 Corinthians 8:3-5)

So what does all this Biblical admonition look like in action, in the context of giving in the modern church experience?

No one can tell you what to give, not even God. However, God hopes that by His great love sacrifices for you, you will develop the heart He wants you to have with a generous spirit of giving, one that will become a natural and sustaining part of your life in Christ.

Reasonably, we should give first at least a tithe to the congregation where we are regularly fed spiritually. After that we should feel motivated to give beyond the administration of our local assembly, to those opportunities, situations and needs that God lays on our heart. I know there is a teaching out there that is believed by many Christians that says, since we are not under “law” that we do not have to give a tithe. They teach that since we are now under “grace” we can give anything we want. However, this is not the teaching of the Word of God.

We need to understand that giving of at least a tithe was started by God and nurtured in the hearts of believers long before the law was ever given. Abraham gave a tithe in Genesis and this is confirmed in Hebrews. He gave because he wanted to give back to God a “little” that had been given to him. "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most high. And he blessed him and said: 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.' And he gave him a tithe of all." (Genesis 14:18-20)

Jacob lived before Moses and the law, and he gave a tithe of all he had. "And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You." (Genesis 28:22) So at least a tithe becomes our starting point.

Understanding the principle of tithing and giving is not a matter of law, it’s a critical cornerstone of our expressive love for God. We need to constantly refresh our minds with God’s views on tithing and giving and the consequences of being stingy with what already belongs to Him. Remember Malachi 3:8-11 where God says: "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings, you are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation...” These curses and blessings concerning tithing and giving were not just given to ancient Israel... they’ve applied to all believers through the ages. In Proverbs 3:9-10 there is another guiding principle for every believer... "Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." Maybe you don’t have a barn or wine vats to fill, but I think you get the idea of what God is telling us.

Jesus also included the warning that we should not brag to others about our giving. "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory form men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." (Matthew 6:1-4)

You probably know well the story of the “widow's mite” of which Jesus spoke about... "Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." (Mark 12:41-44) Can you relate to what this widow did? Most of us can not. God wants sacrificial giving. Everything we have is from Him to begin with. God loves for us to step out in faith and trust Him with our giving. This is the avenue by which He will reward us abundantly.

Giving is not really giving unless it is sacrificial. Remember the little boy who gave up his lunch to Jesus, and how Jesus feed more than five thousand people with that small bit of food given sacrificially. (Read John 6:5-13) It does not matter how little we have to give, we need to be willing to give it, and God will bless others and ourselves for "sacrificing."

We are to give with joy. "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7) Cheerful in the Greek language is hilaros (hil-ar-oss); It means to be willing, good-natured, joyfully, ready. The word describes a spirit of enjoyment in giving that sweeps away all restraints. The English word "hilarious" is a transliteration.

How important is giving? Your eternal salvation depends on developing and manifesting a life-long heart of giving. there is no way around this expectation that god has of those who claim to be His followers.

There will come a time when all people will be shown to be true believers by their giving. Notice what Jesus says in Matthew 25:31-46.... When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the king will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the king will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'”

What a grim warning! The passage goes on to say that those that did not give when they saw those in need were not His sheep and destined for everlasting banishment. Strong language indeed, but explicit of the way God feels about giving. Cain said to God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9) The answer is obviously, "Yes we are!

Jesus illustrated this with the story of the Good Samaritan. "And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, 'What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?' So he answered and said, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.' And He said to him, 'You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.' But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' Then Jesus answered and said: 'A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave then to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:25-37)

There is so much more that can be said about this subject of giving, but I would like to close out this discussion with these reminders... Jesus said that He would reward us if we even give a cup of cold water. (Matthew 10:42) God is watching our every action, and He knows our every motive. He wants us to give, because He is a giving God. "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this... to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)

The Fickle Finger of Fate

Tomorrow, May 21, 2011 the world as we know it is supposed to come to an end. It’s been predicted, that the Lord Jesus Christ will return sometime around sundown Jerusalem time, gather up His flock and usher in a new heavens and new earth.

It won’t happen. As Sunday May 22nd dawns around the world in all time zones, life will be continuing... there will be no evidence that Christ returned or the world had come to an end.

The fellow responsible for this most recent “end of the world” prediction is pictured here, Harold Camping, with his fickle finger pointing upward, no doubt pontificating about the fate of the world. He’s been doing this for a long time. His first failed prediction came in September 1994... he sort of apologized but kept right on working his predictive schemes. I think he’s obsessed with trying to nail down the exact day and time of Christ’s return.

If Mr, Camping were speaking from any normal pulpit, it would be easy to dismiss him as just another half-baked religious eccentric wrongly predicting the apocalypse. But this fellow has access to an audience that far exceeds the normal pulpit. Every day Mr Camping, an 89-year-old former civil engineer, speaks to his followers via the Family Radio Network, a religious broadcasting organization funded entirely by donations from [scared] listeners. Through the generosity of his [gullible] listeners his network now owns 66 radio stations in the US alone with assets in excess of $120 million. So, by way of this elderly man's ubiquity on America's airwaves and billboards, his unlikely Doomsday message is almost impossible to miss. The “prediction business” seems to be a cash cow for his little empire.

He claims to be a biblical scholar, at least one who knows scripture. But he’s really not a scholar at all. He’s a numerologist. Camping sees patterns in numbers “hidden” in the Bible that he believes unlock prophecy and by this “special knowledge” he’s able to predict the world’s end.

Would you like to know how he came up with his prediction? I thought you would. Take a look at the essence of his calculation that led to tomorrow’s date of May 21, 2011...

First the basics of his numerological formula: the number Five (5), Camping says, equals "atonement." the number Ten (10) represents "completeness." The number Seventeen (17) means "heaven." So here’s how he reached his conclusion for the May 21, 2011 prediction:

Christ hung on the cross April 1, 33 A.D. He then leaps forward to April 1 of 2011 A.D., he does a subtraction of 2011 minus 33 which equals 1,978 years.

Camping then multiplied 1,978 by 365.2422 days - the number of days in each solar year, not to be confused with a calendar year.

Next, Camping says that April 1 to May 21 encompasses 51 days. So he adds 51 to the sum of the previous multiplication total, and it equals 722,500.

Camping then concluded that (5 x 10 x 17) x (5 x 10 x 17) = 722,500. Or put into words: (Atonement x Completeness x Heaven), squared.

Did you figure out how his calculations worked out to 5.21.2011? Neither did I. It’s not my intent to be insulting [oh yes it is] but his calculations are just plain goofy. The Bible does not have hidden codes or numerological calculations that must be uncovered to reveal future events. If he’s really read his Bible, the same Bible I’ve read numerous times, he would know that!

I have to illustrate how this sort of predictive goofiness works. You can use numbers to prove anything if you have an agenda that demands a certain outcome. Let me show you how easy this can be done. You can decide the formula and assign values. I worked the following out myself so the math is very simple and it works! Here goes...

First, let me establish the following numerical assumptions and toss out a few Bible verse to give you the impression it’s all Biblically sound:


Number One (1) is the number that represents unity: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Ephesians 4:5... "one Lord, one faith, one baptism."


The number Three (3) is the number that represents divine perfection: The Trinity consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; Three bear witness (1 John 5:8).

Now comes the stretching and reaching... Let’s consider the Three appearances of Christ past, present, future; Let’s consider both the Tabernacle and the Temple because they consisted of three parts: The Court, The Holy place, The Sanctuary.

Okay, here comes the “divine math”...

1(Father) 1(Son) 1(Holy Spirit), 111, x 3 (this is the number of divine perfection, "and these three are one") = 333, the trinity. Let’s “Double” that number... to greatly increase our assurance that this is in fact established by God and will shortly come to pass. I’ll use Genesis 41:32 to support this assertion, flimsy as it is. Doubling it equals 666. Wow... isn’t that the mark of the beast? Yikes!

This numerological calculation, of course incredibly Biblically sound and proven by hidden codes [NOT], has just proved that the Beast of Revelation is in fact the Truine God!

Anything else you would like me “prove” for you?

Here’s the rock-solid facts: God’s Word of Truth is available to all, not just those who seem to think by some special skill or knowledge they can crack some non-existent numerical code hidden in the biblical text. There’s a harmful elitism and mysticism in saying we need some sort of special knowledge to understand part of God’s message to us. God warns that He has hidden things from the wise and revealed them to babes (Luke 10:21). “Babes” is a metaphor for the innocent and honest of heart who seek to know God and His truths.

We can certainly find useful and helpful mathematical references in the Bible to help us understand certain aspects of God’s message to us. That being said, we MUST never use math in attempts to unlock so-called unrevealed mysteries of the Bible. God has given us Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit, not numerology or hidden codes, to help us understand His Word. Such attempts in using numerology to predict what can’t be predicted are hated by God and place those who put their faith in such things in a tenuous position, as His Word has clearly told us... He practiced divination and magic and consulted fortune-tellers and mediums. He sinned greatly against the Lord and stirred up his anger. (2 Kings 21.6 and 2 Chronicles 33.6). (Read also Samuel 28.3-25). I make fools of fortune-tellers and frustrate the predictions of astrologers. The words of the wise I refute and show that their wisdom is foolishness (Isaiah 44.25).

So what about old Harold Camping? Will he be shamed and embarrassed and say "I was wrong" about his failed prediction of Christ’s return on May 21? Probably not. Nor will he make amends or refunds to the thousands of people who believed his predictions, sold all their possessions and gave his radio empire their life savings.

An untold number of people have tried to predict the Lord's return by using elaborate calculations, what they believe are “end-time signs” and various time tables. They can’t no way, no how, begin to predict what only God the Father knows. THIS is what the BIBLE says regarding knowing dates and predicting the return of Christ... "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36) He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (Acts 1:7)

Of one thing I am convinced... whether today, tomorrow, next month or next year, this sort of thing will happen again and again. People will continue to believe the misleading nonsense of men who know nothing of God’s time table... nothing more than you do.

READ your Bible with an open mind and seeking heart and you will understand “how to live your life” ready and prepared for Christ’s return... whenever He comes.

Giving to God, what’s already His!

What comes to mind when you think of a robber or thief? You might visualize a bank robber, a house burglar, or a shop-lifter. But could you imagine one of your fellow church members, or even yourself as a robber? Such a thought may seem outrageous to you, yet the scripture below clearly states that all those who do not pay their tithes are in essence... robbing God.

Malachi 3:8-11 says this... “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, In what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this, Says the LORD of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, Says the LORD of hosts;”

Everything Comes From God
Someone may ask, “How could I have robbed God by not paying tithes? The money I earn is mine, and I haven’t stolen anything from God!”

As we know, “robbery” is the act of taking something that does not belong to you. God specifically used the term “robbery” in Malachi to show that the tithe (which means a tenth) belongs to Him. We must understand that God is the owner of this earth, and everything on it belongs to Him. “The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).

Understanding the concept of “tithing and giving” is an essential component of our faith and maintaining a solid relationship with God. Our only reliable source of understanding this concept is the Bible. Scripture says, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, says the LORD of hosts” (Hag. 2:8). The natural tendency of man is to become possessive of the treasures of this world, especially those things you feel you’ve worked hard to earn and acquire. However, we need to remember that God created this planet and everyone on it, and even though Satan holds temporary dominion through sin (2 Cor. 4:4), the earth still belongs to God. We belong to God and everything we have belongs to Him. We are then caretakers of His wealth.

Furthermore, God is responsible for every means that people have to make a living (John 3:27, Jas. 1:17). The first human career path was agriculture. Are you a farmer? Farmers plant God’s seeds in His earth and rely upon His rain and sunshine to ripen it to harvest. Are you an auto worker? All the steel, glass, rubber, plastic, oil and gasoline are products from God’s earth. Are you a craftsman? Your talent or skill to work at a trade is given by God. He has given you your brain, eyes, ears, mouth, hands, fingers, legs, and feet that you use to earn your living. Even the silver and copper in our coins, and the wood pulp in our paper currency comes from God’s earth. It is extremely fair of God to only require a tenth to be returned to Him, since He owns 100% of this planet.

Unfortunately, many Christians misunderstand the idea of tithing and giving. They often think of it as giving a tenth from “their own” property to God. However, in reality it is God that has done the giving to us, and claims the return of only 10% of His own property.

Tithing is not taking a tenth of our own money and giving it to God, but it is returning a tenth of what was already His to begin with! Scripture says... “But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You” (1 Chron. 29:14). God is so generous to us. He gives us the 90% and retains only 10% of what is ALL rightfully His.

We are Stewards Of God’s Property
Someone once suggested, “Well, if the tenth already belongs to God, why doesn’t He just automatically withhold the tithe and then give us the rest, like the IRS withholds taxes from our wages? That way God won’t have to depend on us to pay our tithes.”

God has chosen for us to personally involved, returning the tithe so that we can demonstrate our stewardship of his property. Stewardship is the faithful and responsible management of something that belongs to someone else. Obviously, if God observes that we are irresponsible in returning the small percentage that belongs to Him as He has directed, He knows that we can neither be trusted with any greater responsibilities or blessings in the Kingdom of God (Luke 16:10-11).

Tithing is a test of our stewardship over the property of God, a test of our honesty to return to God what is rightfully His, a test of our obedience to do what He told us to do, and a test of our love and desire to please Him with our lives. Tithing is a demonstration that we believe in God, and that we acknowledge that He is the provider of all material blessings. If you haven’t the faith to believe that the tithe belongs to the Lord, neither can you have faith in Him to meet your financial needs. After all, if you don’t believe that the tenth is His, you must not believe that the whole earth is His either. Without that confidence in His holiness and supremacy, there could be no confidence in His ability to provide our needs.

Most of us realize that robbery is a serious offense in our secular society, and those convicted of this crime can be sentenced to years in jail. But what happens to a person who is guilty of robbing God? The scriptures say that he will be “cursed with a curse” (Mal. 3:9). What kind of curse is this? From Malachi we see that God’s blessing to the tither is to open Heaven’s windows and pour out abundant blessings, and to rebuke the devourer (Satan) from destroying their increase and fruitfulness (Mal. 3:10-11). In contrast, the non-tither is cursed by having no protection to prevent the devourer from destroying their prosperity, and God cannot shower them with His abundant Heavenly blessings. This indeed is a curse.

Some claim they can’t afford to pay their tithes. But ask yourself, “Can you afford to be cursed? Can you afford to not have God’s blessings and protection over your finances? Can you afford to be considered a thief or robber of God’s property? Or can you afford to be a person who does not obey the Word of God?” The fact is, you cannot afford not to pay your tithes, because this is a core principle on which God has chosen to evaluate the quality of our faith and to bless us.

You may have wondered to yourself... “Why does God need my tithe?” In answer to this question, He doesn’t need your money or anyone else’s. Remember, God is the owner of the whole universe and all its wealth. However, He has chosen to use our tithes and offerings for the expenses of maintaining places of assembly for spiritual edification, carry foe those less fortunate and the work of evangelism throughout the world. On the first day of the week you are to bring your tithes and offerings to the “storehouse” of your Church where you are spiritually fed (1 Cor. 16:2). How important it is that we are faithful in our tithes and offerings, as this is God’s method of funding the preaching of His Word and the spreading of the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:13-14).

The Tithe Is our Seed
There is a universal law that God has placed in both the natural and spiritual realms. This is the law of sowing and reaping. “...God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7).

All farmers understand God’s law of sowing and reaping. After a harvest in Bible times, before the farmer would use any of the grain as food for his family or livestock, he would first go through the harvest grain and pick out a percentage that exhibited the best qualities of size, weight, color, and set this aside as seed for the next season’s crop planting. This process helped assure that the next generation of crops would produce higher yields and greater quality.

This illustrates our tithe, why it cannot be the 10% that is “left over” after we pay everything else. The part that God claims and uses as seed is the first and best 10% of your increase, called the first fruits. “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine” (Prov. 3:9-10). Do not use the Lord’s tithe for anything else! If you don’t sow, you can’t reap.

How We Receive From God
The tithe is God’s property that we are required to return to Him, however an “offering” is that which we give voluntarily out of our own property after the tithe has been subtracted. As we give our tithes, and give offerings above our tithe to God, He will continue to bless us and multiply our return in proportion to our investment in Him (2 Cor. 9:6).

Challenge yourself to become a tither and a giver to God, and “prove” His promise to bless you, just as He invites you to do in Malachi 3:10. Give to God in faith, expecting Him to bless your return (Mark 11:24), and give cheerfully, expressing joy and confidence in giving to God (2 Cor. 9:7). The same proportion that you open your faith to give to Him, He will use that same proportion as His measurement to bring blessing back to you!

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

Next week... more on the topic of giving to God and what it means in our relationship with Him.

What does the Bible say about Giving?

People often complain, “Churches today only care about money.” They're concerned about how the money they give will be used. if their money will be used wisely. Perhaps because people see so much abuse and misuse of tax dollars by the government, they think the leaders of the church will not do much better.

The church needs funds to operate and maintain its structures. The Barna Group has reported that church giving and tithing in recent years have shown a steady decline. The Barna research notes several reasons people do not tithe: (1) They withhold money because they do not see a sufficient return on their investment. (2) They do not understand how their gifts are making a difference in the world. (3) They are unaware of the financial needs of the church. (4) They are unaware of what the Bible teaches about our responsibility to give financially to the church. (5) Some are selfish and their priorities revolve around their personal needs and desires.

One couple expressed their motivation to give this way, “We love to give because we have learned that we get blessed when we give to God. Although most of our giving goes to the local church, we don't give to a church. We don't give to the pastor. We give our offering to God alone. In fact the Bible teaches us to give, for our own good and for our own blessing, from a cheerful heart.”

What does the Bible say about giving? First and foremost, God want us to give because it shows that we recognize He is truly the Lord of our lives. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) Giving is a vital part of spiritual formation and maturity. It requires two things of us:

Faith 
Giving is an active expression of our faith. It recognizes God as the True Provider. It affirms our confidence in His ability to supply all we need. It is an act of gratitude and dependence. And, it allows us to partner with God in His work of "helping and directing us" in searching out and saving souls through our church activities and through mission evangelism around the world.

Faithfulness
Giving requires the highest standard of personal integrity and discipline. It is not a casual or occasional thing. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, the Bible teaches we are to give willingly, generously, and cheerfully. Our pattern should reflect a regular and systematic plan. In Malachi 3:10, we learn God’s standard of the tithe, or first tenth, being set apart in all of our earnings as a gift to God.

Through our tithes and offerings, we prove faithful in the stewardship of all God has provided for us.

More on the subject of Giving next week. Until then... be in prayer about your personal perspectives on giving to God in support of saving souls... The Great Commission.

Important Things our Mothers taught Us

This Sunday, today, is Mother's Day. Make sure you take Mom to a special place for brunch or dinner. Buy her flowers! Gather around and praise her for all the goodness she has bestowed on you throughout your life.

Think about all the great things your Mom taught you! The many many great things! If a few of those great things have slipped your mind, here’s a list of Mom’s Greatest Life Teachings.

My Mother taught me LOGIC: "If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me," as well as, "If everyone else jumped off a cliff would you do it, too?"

My Mother taught me MEDICINE: "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way.

My Mother taught me TO THINK AHEAD: "If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job!"

My Mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE: "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you...Don't talk back to me!"

My Mother taught me HUMOR: "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT: "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.”

My mother taught me about GENETICS: "You are just like your father!"

My mother taught me about my ROOTS: "Do you think you were born in a barn?”

My mother taught me about the WISDOM OF AGE: "When you get to be my age, you will understand," or, "I will explain it all when you get older."

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION: "Just wait until your father gets home."

My mother taught me about RECEIVING: "You are going to get it when I get you home."

My mother taught me RELIGION: "You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL: "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

My mother taught me FORESIGHT: "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS: "Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"

My mother taught me how to be a CONTORTIONIST: "Will you look at the dirt behind your ears and on the back of your neck?!"

My mother taught me about STAMINA: "You'll sit there until all that spinach is finished."

My mother taught me about WEATHER: "It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY: "If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: Don't exaggerate!"

My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: "Stop acting like your father!"

My mother taught me about ENVY: "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"

And the all-time favorite thing my mother taught me, JUSTICE: "One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you. Then you'll see what it's like! I can't wait!"

To all the Mom’s on this Mother’s Day...thanks for all the really great things you taught us! Seriously Mom, we love you and couldn’t have made it this far in life without you!

When God Made Mothers

By the time the Lord made mothers, He was into His sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, "Why are You spending so much time on this one"?

The Lord answered and said, "Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have 200 movable parts, all replaceable, run on black coffee and leftovers, have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and have six pairs of hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No way!"

The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"

"And that's just on the standard model?" the angel asked.

The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yes, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. The third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The angel tried to stop the Lord. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she's sick and can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a 9-year-old to stand in the shower."

The angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?" asked the angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like You have a leak with this model. I told You that You were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak." The Lord objected. "That's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief and her pride."

The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything; for mothers are truly amazing!"
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When God made Mothers is a work of author Erma Bombeck.
Erma Bombeck was an American humorist who achieved great popularity for her newspaper column that described suburban home life from the mid-1960s until the late 1990s. Bombeck also published 15 books, most becoming best-sellers. From 1965 to 1996, Erma Bombeck wrote over 4,000 newspaper columns chronicling the ordinary life of a midwestern suburban housewife with broad, and sometimes eloquent humor. By the 1970s, her columns were read, twice weekly, by thirty million readers of the 900 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. She died in 1996 at age 69.

Evangelical Leaders Say Tithing is Not Required

NEWS FLASH: Many evangelical churches regularly encourage their members to tithe, or give the church at least 10 percent of their income. Yet, according to the February Evangelical Leaders Survey, most evangelical leaders do not believe the Bible requires Christians to tithe. The survey showed that 58 percent do not believe the Bible requires a tithe, while 42 percent do.

“The Old Testament called for multiple tithes, sort of combining government taxes with religious stewardship. Many churches later adopted 10 percent as the standard,” said Leith Anderson, NAE President. “Since there is such a strong evangelical tradition of tithing I was a little surprised that a majority of our evangelical leaders say the tithe system of the Old Testament does not carry over to the New Testament or to us.”

NAE leaders are adamant that this doesn’t release Christians from giving. Alan Robinson of the Brethren in Christ Church said, “Tithing was an Old Testament legal model that ought to lead New Testament Christians to lives of sacrificial generosity. While tithing is not ‘required’ today, it is my view that Christian generosity will, at a minimum, reflect the Old Testament requirements of the law and should, in fact, greatly exceed it.”

David Neff, Editor-in-Chief of Christianity Today, added, “Anything less [than 10 percent] seems like an ungenerous response to God.”

Although most leaders do not believe the Bible requires Christians to tithe, the overwhelming majority, 95 percent, indicated that they give at least 10 percent. This contrasts with an Empty Tomb, Inc., report that found that evangelicals give churches about 4 percent of their income (and all Christians only 2.43 percent).

One respondent who does not tithe said that he gives more or less depending on the needs and his situation. Another leader, Jerry Dykstra of the Christian Reformed Church in North America who believes tithing is required and indicated that he tithes said, “If folks actually tithed, churches would not know what to do with the money.”

“For many American Christians, sacrificial giving encouraged throughout the Bible would mean giving over 10 percent. Personally I believe that the New Testament teaches ‘proportionate giving’ that may be more or less than 10 percent depending on income. In my home we’ve always given more than 10 percent,” Anderson said. “Increasingly churches offer financial courses and teach on stewardship. My hope is that in coming years, we will see more generous, proportionate, cheerful and sacrificial giving among American evangelicals.”

The Evangelical Leaders Survey is a monthly poll of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Evangelicals. They include the CEOs of denominations and representatives of a broad array of evangelical organizations including missions, universities, publishers and churches.

Okay then, now that you have the perspective of “evangelical leaders”... let’s consider the Biblical perspective of giving. First and foremost... God doesn’t require that we give anything to Him... not our money, not our time. So what’s the deal with tithing and giving?

The best guideline for our giving to God and His work is found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver."

The only passage in the New Testament that explicitly authorizes the tithe does so in a rather backhanded way: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices.... But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” (Matt. 23:23, NIV).

So if tithing, specifically, isn’t a New Testament command or even an emphasis, how should a Christian think about giving? Should Christians tithe? The New Testament’s perspective may surprise you.

The most illuminating New Testament discourse on giving is discussed in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9. Giving was an important aspect of the early Christian's living experience even while living under severe hardships... the Corinthians’ “overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in a rich generosity” (8:2). True giving is always sacrificial and the Corinthians understood the power of giving and the bond created with the God of blessings.

Giving to God’s work, and for the needs of those less fortunate, says volumes about the sort of people we are as Christians. How we give... how much we give and the conditions we place on our giving echo the love we have for God and His mission to evangelize the world.

After a Mother's Day tribute, we’ll explore more about genuine heart-motivated giving and how it shapes our lives and relationship with God, the great provider.

Until then, please be in prayer about what motivates “you” to give to God.