Selective Hearing Spiritual Offering

Often Christians are "selective hearing" on various topics. From the "surface", Christians are looking doctrines the way people WANT to hear so they could give their time to pursuits more to their liking. In regards to tithing, Jesus spoke the issues of a person's heart and a Christian's motive. God is not impressed by our works such as tithing. In 1. Samuel 16:7, The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord don't make decisions the way you do. People judge by outward appearance (i.e. works), but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions (heart)." (NLT) "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. The problem with traditions, especially tradition relating to tithing. Reading the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah was saying to the people of Israel, "God grows weary of your sacrifices and offerings when your hearts and minds are not in tune with Him!". This statement also similar to Jesus' complains to the Pharisee. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” This trap is so easy for us to fall into due to unawareness of human pride and arrogant. There are those of us who are "stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" (Acts 7:51). So when we read 2 Corinthians 9:7 says: "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Mark 12:33 says: To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Our worth in our hearts are more worthy than any offerings that we give to God. 1 Peter 2:5 reminds us that we also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. That verse ties to Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Church's Spiritual Condition

We all have to realize that a local church's accomplishments will depend upon members' spiritual condition. The church's financial health will be healthy if the people are submitting to the Holy Spirit, who will give them fruit. "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17). Financial income and expenditures do not determine the quality of a church. Quality is measured by the Christ-like living of a local church members. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 says: "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Zealous Christian

A true Christian is zealous but it is also possible to be zealous and not behave like a Christian. If zeal indicates godliness, then Christian virtues should be used. Becoming engrossed in spiritual debates which lead spiritual distractions. God always unites and the devil always divides. It should be easy to find our way around in this confused and confusing world but sin has brought confusion. Everyone who is saved is a member of God's Kingdom. Christianity today is so entangled with "reasonings". Someone has said "The wisest person in the world is the person who knows the most about God and place the Bible as the most important book in the world." God gave me the Bible which is His Word so that I can diligently search scripture to determine if what I am being taught is consistent with the Word of God. In doing so, I can avoid being led blindly. I need to cultivate a healthy skepticism toward everything that cannot be supported by the Bible. Belief is faith only when it has God's revealed truth in any particular topics. The Bible will only do me good if I keep an open mind and allow the Holy Spirit to teach me with a tender heart to believe and my surrendered will to obey. Am I studying the Bible for myself and observing God's Word? Is my personal Bible study a daily discipline for my spiritual growth? The purpose for reading the Bible is to change me as I read, believe and obey. As long as we remain in this twisted world, the Church will have her own problems and in reality as history shows, we cannot escape them. God would rather see us accept the problems as opportunities to exercise our spiritual virtues. The cross is a symbol of the selfless, others-centered life of Christ. Love alone can make my conduct acceptable to God. My Christian testimonies (action, words and motives) are important to God because it is motive that gives to every holy act that Glorifies God. I need to "take delight in the Lord, and He will give me my heart's desires" (Psalm 37:4). 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.