One of the scriptures that is used to promote the present day practice of tithing is Genesis 14:18-20 where Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek. People who teach that tithing is still required today like to use this scripture to try to prove their point because it seems to counter the Christians who have realized that New Testament believers are not under the Mosaic law of tithing. Truly, certain Israelites were commanded in the Mosaic Law to tithe the produce of the land for the support of the Levites who were given no land, but Abraham tithed before Moses even came on the scene, so, they say we are obligated to tithe just like Abraham did because Abraham tithed "before the Law."
So, let us look at what actually happened with Abraham and Melchizedek. The story in Genesis 14 tells us that Abraham's nephew Lot and his family had been kidnapped by some kings after a battle in which Sodom, where Lot was living, was defeated. Abraham, being the good uncle that he was, went after them and rescued Lot and his family. He also took back all the things that these kings had stolen from Sodom. After the battle was over Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils of the war to Melchizedek. Then, he gave the rest of the stuff back to the king of Sodom.
Now, for the purposes of our discussion here, there is a very important question we must ask ourselves. Did Abraham tithe in the same sense of the word "tithe" as we use it today? Obviously, he did not. He gave a tenth to Melchizedek (who this man really was is still in question) one time, and what he gave a tenth of was not even his own stuff! It was the spoils of war. Then, after he gave a tenth of it to Melchizedek, he gave the rest of it back to the king of Sodom. He did not keep ANY OF IT for himself! There is no evidence that Abraham ever gave anyone a tenth of anything ever again. Is this a proper pattern for New Testament giving? I don't think so. If you think it is, be sure the next time you win a battle that you give all the spoils of the war away.
"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." II Cor. 9:7
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
What is a Tithe?
"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." II Cor. 9:7
Technically, a tithe means a tenth, and most of us who have been to church know that when you hear the word "tithe" that means that you are expected to give ten percent of your income that week to the offering plate, and offerings on top of that.
There was a time, a short period of time, when I believed what I was told, that God expected me to give that ten percent, and I would be "cursed with a curse" (Malachi 3:9) if I didn't give it. God expected it, and that was all there was to it. I had no choice in the matter, no free will about it. The only choice I had was choosing which "church" to give it to, but, of course, I was told that should be the one I was attending at the time.
When my husband was saved, twenty-five years ago, we began to study the scriptures together. Now, he is very good at asking questions, so he began to ask about this practice of tithing. Where was the command to do this in the scriptures? I was sure I knew the answer to that question, so I began to show him all the scriptures I had been taught about tithing, but as we really began to study these scriptures we realized that all was not as we had been taught.
In my next few posts I would like to address some of the scriptures that we typically hear being used regarding tithing. It is important for us to understand what the scriptures have to say on this subject. Be a Berean! Acts 17:11 "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
Technically, a tithe means a tenth, and most of us who have been to church know that when you hear the word "tithe" that means that you are expected to give ten percent of your income that week to the offering plate, and offerings on top of that.
There was a time, a short period of time, when I believed what I was told, that God expected me to give that ten percent, and I would be "cursed with a curse" (Malachi 3:9) if I didn't give it. God expected it, and that was all there was to it. I had no choice in the matter, no free will about it. The only choice I had was choosing which "church" to give it to, but, of course, I was told that should be the one I was attending at the time.
When my husband was saved, twenty-five years ago, we began to study the scriptures together. Now, he is very good at asking questions, so he began to ask about this practice of tithing. Where was the command to do this in the scriptures? I was sure I knew the answer to that question, so I began to show him all the scriptures I had been taught about tithing, but as we really began to study these scriptures we realized that all was not as we had been taught.
In my next few posts I would like to address some of the scriptures that we typically hear being used regarding tithing. It is important for us to understand what the scriptures have to say on this subject. Be a Berean! Acts 17:11 "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Fifteen Weeks on the Gerson Therapy
Hello again! It's been over a month since my last post. I have been very busy doing my therapy. It is extremely time consuming, and I can understand why people would not want to do it, but I can testify that for me it has been totally worthwhile. So far, I have avoided having a costly, risky, painful surgery, possibly losing half a lung, then probably having chemo and/or radiation, and we all know what kind of side effects those can cause, and I would still have no guarantee of a cure.
I am still convinced, at this point, that God has led me to do this therapy. I am feeling more healthy all the time. I am working 20 hours a week right now, and my energy level is good. I am not feeling toxic like I did at the beginning, which is a sign that the cancer is on the run. I really have no symptoms of lung cancer, no cough or shortness of breath. It has been six months since I had that first CT scan that told me I had a problem. If the cancer was spreading I would surely be feeling worse by now. At this point, I am guardedly optimistic.
The blood work I had done after four weeks on the therapy showed my white blood cell count to be a little low, but after ten weeks of the therapy it was in the normal range, although at the low end of it. I will have more blood work done sometime in July, and I expect the results to be even better.
I am so thankful to God for leading me in this direction. I would recommend the Gerson Therapy to anyone who has any kind of degenerative disease, not just cancer, as it works by boosting the immune system. It is known to cure many other diseases besides cancer. We don't give our own immune system enough credit or support. God made a body that can heal itself if given the right raw materials and care. I am disappointed in the medical establishment that they have neglected to investigate this alternative. I don't think most doctors are even aware of this possibility.
On the spiritual side of things, there are two scriptures that have been especially dear to me in the last few weeks, Psalm 23 and Psalm 91. I take them personally! God is so good!!
In closing, if you want more info on the Gerson Therapy, watch these videos on Netflix, or they may be available on YouTube:
The Gerson Miracle
The Beautiful Truth
Dying to Have Known
Food Matters
I am still convinced, at this point, that God has led me to do this therapy. I am feeling more healthy all the time. I am working 20 hours a week right now, and my energy level is good. I am not feeling toxic like I did at the beginning, which is a sign that the cancer is on the run. I really have no symptoms of lung cancer, no cough or shortness of breath. It has been six months since I had that first CT scan that told me I had a problem. If the cancer was spreading I would surely be feeling worse by now. At this point, I am guardedly optimistic.
The blood work I had done after four weeks on the therapy showed my white blood cell count to be a little low, but after ten weeks of the therapy it was in the normal range, although at the low end of it. I will have more blood work done sometime in July, and I expect the results to be even better.
I am so thankful to God for leading me in this direction. I would recommend the Gerson Therapy to anyone who has any kind of degenerative disease, not just cancer, as it works by boosting the immune system. It is known to cure many other diseases besides cancer. We don't give our own immune system enough credit or support. God made a body that can heal itself if given the right raw materials and care. I am disappointed in the medical establishment that they have neglected to investigate this alternative. I don't think most doctors are even aware of this possibility.
On the spiritual side of things, there are two scriptures that have been especially dear to me in the last few weeks, Psalm 23 and Psalm 91. I take them personally! God is so good!!
In closing, if you want more info on the Gerson Therapy, watch these videos on Netflix, or they may be available on YouTube:
The Gerson Miracle
The Beautiful Truth
Dying to Have Known
Food Matters
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