Founded by Bryant Wright, Right from the Heart is a
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Giddy Giving Feb 27 2010
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 1 Corinthians 9:7
Here is something preachers say a lot: Give until it hurts. You'll be happy to know that's not my message today, because it's nonsense. The Bible says to give until you feel giddy. Are you kidding? Nope.
Lesson 1: It all belongs to God. Everything we have. It's His.
Lesson 2: The starting point (not the destination) in faithful giving is the tithe (10% of what we earn). The first 10% - not the last. If we don't do this, God's Word says we are a robber. What? Yes, we're robbing God, and robbers are simply low class thieves. Malachi 3:8 says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me." But you ask, "How do we rob You?" "In tithes and offerings." We don't even need to pray about whether or not to tithe. That would be like praying about whether we ought to rob a bank. On certain actions, the Bible is clear about what to do.
Lesson 3: Giddy giving is Biblical. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, the word for "cheerful" actually means hilarious or giddy. Once we realize all we have is God's and show we believe through tithing, then the real adventure in giving begins. Seeking God's will about where to give and how much to give is a spiritual experience that enriches our relationship with Christ. When we do this in faith, we get giddy - so giddy, that we feel all good inside.
So, don't give till it hurts - give till you're giddy.
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10 Comments
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Yes, report it NevermindThe bible says give and it shall be given back to you good measure pressed down shaken together and running over.so we must give with understanding and when we do that the harvest is guaranteed.God is not a man to lie so all that is true.
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Yes, report it NevermindI don't understand the attachment that modern ministrys have with the 10% tithe standard. It is clearly part of the Old Covenant. I understand that the tithe was an important part of Mosaic Law. But it simply does not apply to post-Pentecost, Gentile believers.
We are called to give. How much? Its between you and God.
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Yes, report it NevermindAustin, In the New Testament Jesus says in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." The ten percent is just a small portion of a person's wealth. I believe from Jesus' words that He is expecting more than just ten percent to be given to kingdom purposes. Remember how Jesus took notice of the poor widow in Mark 12:43-44, "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.'" So, I do not come to the conclusion that God can be happy with the typical small percentage that people give. But you are right when you say it is between God and the person. But does that mean it is a stumbling block between God and the person? I think that can be the case. I do not say this out of being a perfect giver, only out of knowing the Word and how I wish to improve year by year in my giving.
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Yes, report it NevermindI personally have no particular dog in this fight and from an outside observer I can not really understand Brent why you would think that RFTH has no right to react to a personal attack on their pastor. Your original comment very very much insinuated that their pastor was involved in internet porn when he evidently doesn't even use the internet-believe it or not there are many people that still don't. So I don't see anything hypocritical in their defending him. Having said that I think there was a slight misunderstanding with some of what you were getting at in a very round about way. I think you were besides making this insinuation also trying to find out how to battle this harmful habit that can become a full blown addiction? I hope everyone can take a breath and maybe you can understand where they were coming from and perhaps be able to better phrase your question.
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Yes, report it NevermindBrent, you seem like you are mad as a hornet who has been disturbed out of his hive. I hope you can find some peace. I have been reading these devotionals for a number of years and I have not seen self-righteousness portrayed. These are short devotionals designed to make people think and consider what the Bible says about everyday topics. They are not meant to be a counseling session for those who have issues that need more in depth therapy. The believers who comment here try to encourage each other and be supportive of RFTH. Not one of us is perfect and we have all at different times acknowledged that we are sinners. I am praying to God that you will find what you need which may not be what this site has to offer. May the peace of God be with you.
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Yes, report it NevermindWell said, Janice
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Yes, report it NevermindJanice, this may sound a little strange, but I look forward to meeting many of the people on this website someday in the afterlife, but I particularly look forward to meeting you. I love your calm down to earth common sense comments. Hopefully now everyone can be respectful again and get back to the original daily devotion of giving tithes. God bless
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Yes, report it NevermindThank you Jubal and Christfollower for your kind words. I have to direct them to Jesus because anything that is good in me comes from Him. I look forward to meeting you all one day in heaven, too.
For Brent in case he is still checking these posts, there is a new website devoted to the harms of porn and it may be helpful in working through that issue. Check out www.pornharms.com. I belong to a national women's group that made me aware of the site.
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Yes, report it NevermindYou're welcome Janice. Your maturity and wisdom shows you are very intuned to the Holy Spirit. I'm glad you cleared up how you knew about that website though, we would have all been wondering how you knew about such things, sorry couldn't help myself :-)
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Yes, report it NevermindChrist said to render to Ceasar what is Ceasar's and unto God what is Gods. I give God the 10% every Sunday and then some extra. I have found that when I am obediant to what he has put into my heart, I cannot out give him. It all belongs to him anyways.