So, God reveals that there is only the god of Mammon and the One True God. The God of Mammon is revealed in many deities we’ve invented as a means to satisfy our good pleasure. The God of the Universe, the Creator, Yahweh, is revealed in all things, especially our hearts. He is the essential producer. His ways endure forever. Money is an illusion and fleeting (Proverbs 23:5).
MAMMON
I remember being told by Rabbi Randi Lechner that serving mammon was choosing the same thing that Esau did when he traded his birthright for some soup. While the connection is not readily seen, it is tied to all forms of idolatry. Instead of serving God by keeping his commands about how to treat the land and what to eat and other things, we choose our own ways and perhaps end up infertile and sick. Then, we turn to pagan worship of trees of gods we make up to "bless us with fertility."
Mammon has been translated as money, but Rabbi Lechner called it "the god of our bellies."
THE TRUE GOD
I have to write about this subject because the Spirit has opened my eyes about this. Yahweh, the One True God, is High King of Heaven. We pray, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven, and we pretend that we are stewards in His Kingdom.
While sitting under the teachings of a rabbi during Rosh Hashanah a few months back, I learned that Rosh Hashanah, the biblical new yea,r had a special significance that I did not know of before. It is one of the Feasts of God to which the males were to bring special offerings. The rabbi shared that it is a type of coronation ceremony in which we as believers are to bring our offerings and let Him know that we choose Him for another year as our King.
It was through this teaching that I saw the correlation to tithing. As "loyal subjects" or stewards in the Kingdom of God, tithing is much like paying tribute to our Ruler. Now, for those that would rather not, and have certain claims such as sons and daughters of the King don't pay tribute, help yourself. All I know is, when I was ascribing to this teaching of "just give from your heart." My financial life was a mess.
But, now, that I have been obedient in love for my King by tithing and giving special offerings, He gives me wisdom on how to earn more; He blesses my businesses with increase, and, I prosper as I give. In short, if we follow the instructions He left for us, I mean just short of slaughtering animals and stoning people to death, we have complete and blessed lives. And, because we have demonstrated that we are truly trusting in Him as King, He puts a hedge of protection around everything we have and rebukes the devourer (of finances, friendships, sanity, health...).
Praise God.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
God and Mammon
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Lessons on Tithing
The Tithe
The portion that you return to your Savior and High Priest.
I might have written about this sooner if I had remembered. I was discussing with my aunt a dream that God had given me. Although I do not remember the dream completely, I remember the lesson. I had just told my cousin who mentioned that she was struggling financially that she needed to tithe.
I had only just heard it from one of my mentors, and I decided to pass the good advice along. I was shocked to learn that only 20% of Christians actually tithe 10% of their income or more. My parents make it a habit to do so, and they definitely have more than enough.
I had been heeding the counsel of some as I received allowances and tax-free money from the government that I did not "need" to tithe. My aunt even told me, of some money I had recently received, that I did not need to correct my balance with God, just go forward in the future. I was convicted to make it right. But, what of this story that we are in the age of Grace?
Well my friends, I say that you can continue to suffer hardship in your ignorance or you can trust God to do what He says. Even more, in the next verse He speaks of rebuking "the devourer," meaning there is a being appointed to destroy all these good things we are accumulating with the Lord's tithe.
Malachi 3:10
Bring in all the tithe unto the treasure-house, And there is food in My house; When ye have tried Me, now, with this, Said Jehovah of Hosts, Do not I open to you the windows of heaven? Yea, I have emptied on you a blessing till there is no space. (YLT)
I always write from what the Holy Spirit teaches me and my personal experience. It has been two months that I have been careful to watch where my money is going and to give to the Lord what is His to bless the poor and needy. And I see my income increasing, just as God said.
Now, I remember what the Holy Spirit revealed that made me tremble. Jesus, the High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek gave the Jewish people the high priest model to reveal Himself to us. And now we have removed ourselves from it. But, this is one of the ways of God. We bring the tithe, and He blesses it, blesses us, and from it His family and work is sustained. So, when you are tempted to hold on to the tithe picture Jesus hungry, thirsty, and homeless and you ignoring Him.
