Greetings Little Flock,
 

First allow me to say that this is not an in-depth study but has enough scripture to give us an understanding of what is expected of the church and the children of God... This is a special message concerning tithes which stemmed from the letter I've placed below from Heidi. I pray that it will shed some light as to the duties of the child of God and the difference between tithing in church and giving extra love gifts for God's servants who may be in need as God lays a burden upon the hearts of someone to help them...

Note here: Speaking of gifts: I am typing on such a love gift as a dear pastor friend, Harold Kelley from Pennsylvania, saw the need after my old computer was laying down and he got me this new one... It was not a tithe as the Jim Keeling Ministry is not a local visible body of believers which constitutes a church.  But it is an outreach of spreading the gospel thru the web with a following of around 2000 folks whom I loving call, my little flock... And there have been other gifts So you see there is a difference. Here is Heidi's letter and my response will be below...

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Hi Jim,

Heidi

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Greetings Little Flock and this answer for Heidi,

Today I guess we need to talk a little bit about tithing. Some such as Heidi are confused as to what we should do as it was required by Old Testament law but what about today? Lord willing I'll try and answer this as best I can and leave the answer up to your own relationship with God and to your conscience...

The law is something we need to keep in mind and following the ten commandments is our guidelines left to us by God. This has nothing to do with a person's salvation as Jesus fulfilled that shadow of the law... But when you think on it; everything we have, is in all truth, belonging to God. It isn't ours and we sure aren't taking it with us so what we have is a gift type loan from God for us to have while we are here and to enjoy. It belongs to Him and we should be willing to give back the 10% as our love gift to Him. Here are a few scriptures left as our guidelines. But notice 1 Corinthians 16:1,2  in particular as it is written to the church... And when we think about it, the church (building and giving to missionaries and such) couldn't keep going were it not for the tithe giving of the children of God who belong to that particular body of Christ... And it is in this aspect that we are to give back that portion to keep the church going, such as the lights and water, supporting the pastor, and to evangelize the world thru offerings to the missionaries on the fields of labor, etc.... But you be the judge as to your tithe giving as the Lord lays it upon your hearts...

Malachi 3:8

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Note; You nor I can out give Our Heavenly Father..

1 Corinthians 16:1,2

1. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

1Timothy 6: 17, 19

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

And so whether you set in your hearts to give 10%, 20%, 3%, or nothing of the bounty God has bestowed upon you; The choice is yours to make... But remember this one thing: If you promise to give God something, don't renege on it. It is better not to promise something than to promise you will and then back out... Read this scripture carefully concerning the sin and death of Ananias and Saphira.

Acts 5: 1, 11

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.