|
Tackling the Elephant: Generous Giving |
|
|
 It has been said that tithing is a Biblical concept, but not particularly a Christian one.
The Old Testament Law is full of commands for the people of Israel to set aside a tenth of their harvest and wealth to give to God, often as a "firstfruit" offering. There were different tithes within the community. Some went to support the Levites as religious/spiritual leaders (see Lev. 27, Num. 18, 2 Chr. 31, etc.), other tithes went to fund major celebratory events, like community-wide festivals (see Deut. 12), while still other tithes were called for once every three years to help the poor (see Deut. 14).
Within the context of the Mosaic Law, failing to tithe was considered "robbing God." This is fully explored in the book of Malachi, where God asked his people to "test Him" by bringing the whole tithe so that he could bless them in return.
The question for followers of Jesus is, what role, if any, tithing has within the reality of the Kingdom and the new community. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Tackling the Elephant: Debt Forgiveness |
|
|
When Yahweh delivered his people from slavery in Egypt as recorded in the book of Exodus, he did so to make them a holy nation of redeemed slaves. In Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy God reveals his laws for such a nation. Scattered throughout are several economic mandates related to debt forgiveness. God envisioned a people made of redeemed slaves who would resist the temptation to enslave one another economically.
“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your brother owes you. However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.” Deut. 15:1-6 (NIV) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Tackling the Elephant: Sharing With the Poor |
|
|
The story of Yahweh’s redeeming Israel from slavery to Egypt points toward the reality of the Kingdom of God expressed in these last days for those who submit to Jesus as Messiah and King.
When God delivered the people of Israel he gave them instructions as to how to treat the poor (widows, orphans, etc.) and the foreigners (aliens, “sojourners”) within the economic community of redeemed slaves. Since they themselves were poor and alien in Egypt, they were to remember their injustice and respond with justice to the outsiders of their community. This is most obviously stated in the laws concerning harvesting as they apply to leaving behind some of the harvest for the poor to glean: |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
| Results 7 - 9 of 9 |
Growth Groups are here at Reunion! If you are looking for a midweek opportunity to connect, then this is your chance. The current fall groups will be starting in October and ending in early December, but the new groups will begin in January. Please 
