The Kingdom of God Ministry

09/07/2020

The Greek word for collection is logia. It means, "an extra collection," one that is not compulsory. This was not a "tax" upon the Christians of Corinth. They were free to give as their heart directed them.

It is also possible that the sense of "an extra collection" refers to the idea that this was a collect to receive gifts above their regular giving. Paul may be receiving a special offering for the poor of Jerusalem.

As I have given orders … so you must do also: For Paul, this was not an option. The Corinthian Christians were responsible to take an offering among themselves for the needs of the poor Christians of Jerusalem. They could not say, "Money is unspiritual. We will just pray for them."

The commandment coupled with the idea of "an extra collection" shows that they were commanded to take an offering, but not every Christian was commanded to individually give. They had to give as God put it on their heart to give.

On the first day of the week: Paul wanted their giving to be systematic, not haphazard. When they came together for worship and the word, they were commanded to receive an offering at the same time.

The first day of the week also refers to the fact that early Christians met on Sunday, not the Sabbath. They were not against meeting on the Sabbath; they just knew that all days were alike to the Lord (Colossians 2:16-17), and wanted to celebrate the day Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24:1).

"It is plain from hence, that the gospel churches were wont to assemble upon that day; nor do we read in Scripture of any assembly of Christians for religious worship on any other day." (Poole)

"When the question was propounded, 'Hast thou kept the Lord's day?' The answer was returned, 'I am a Christian, I can do no less than keep the Lord's day.' But the world is now grown perfectly profane, and can play on the Lord's day without book; the sabbath of the Lord, the sanctified day of his rest, is shamelessly troubled and disquieted." (John Trapp, writing in 1647)

Let each one of you: Who was supposed to give? Each one. Paul wanted all to give. Every Christian should be a giver, because God is giver (John 3:16).
Lay something aside, storing up has the idea of coming to church with your gift already prepared. In other words, you should seek God about your gift at home, and prepare it at home. This makes one seek the Lord more in their giving, and helps them resist any manipulation to give.

Commentators Fee, Vincent, and Robertson all agree that Paul intends that each one should gather his money for giving at his own home.

23/05/2020

09/12/2018

Tithing Did Not Begin until Israel Was in the Land
Deut. 12:1 These are the statutes and judgments, which you shall observe to do in the land [Hebrew: eretz] which the LORD God of your fathers gives you to possess it, all the days that you live upon the earth [in the land: NIV; Hebrew: adamah].
Deut. 12:5 But to the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even to his habitation shall you seek, and there you shall come;
Deut. 12:6 And there you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the first offspring of your herds and of your flocks.
Deut. 12:19 Take heed to yourselves that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live upon the earth [in your land: NAS; Hebrew: adamah].
Did you realize that Israel did not pay tithes during the 40 years in the desert? The tithe of the Old Covenant Mosaic Law was integrally connected to the land of Canaan. Therefore, there was no tithing during the 40 years in the wilderness. This is logical because no tribe had an inheritance and the Levites were not given tithes before there was an inheritance from which to tithe. According to Deuteronomy 12:1 the statutes and judgments about giving, including tithing, did not begin until Israel was actually in the land, and were to last as long as Israel stayed in the land.
In Sketches of Jewish Social Life, Old Testament and Hebrew scholar, Alfred Edersheim devoted the first two chapters to discussions of the holy land of Israel which are well worth reading. After the exile, the country was subdivided into three different zones of "holiness." Only tithes from the most holy land-zone could be brought to the temple. Tithes from lesser holy land zones within Israel could provide for local shrines and the poor. However, since even the "dust" from pagan Gentile lands defiled, it is certain that no temple tithe could come from "defiled" ground.
Again, although, God does indeed own all the heavens and all the earth, this fact is never used as the reason for the tithe. God’s special promised land was the land of Canaan. Israel’s holy inheritance was only the land of Canaan. Whereas the eleven tribes divided this holy land into twelve (or thirteen) sections, the inheritance of the Levite was the tithe from their land in Canaan. Again, the Old Covenant concept of tithing was part of the Old Covenant concept of a holy inheritance. It is unscriptural to separate tithing from the concept of the holy land from which it came.
A Legitimate Tithe Must Come Only from the Land of Canaan
When Leviticus 27:30 says "all of the tithe of the land is holy" it means the "THE LAND OF CANAAN" after God had sanctified it, not just any land! God’s Word does not say, or imply, all of the tithe "of the land of the United States," or "of the land of Great Britain," etc. It is not a holy tithe merely because it comes from "land" per se; it is only a holy tithe if it comes from "the sanctified land of Israel." Moses prayed in Deuteronomy 26:15, "Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the land which you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land that flows with milk and honey." The reverence for the land is the reason that the body of Christ was not allowed to stay on the cross overnight. "And if a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is to be put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God) that your land be not defiled, which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance" (Deut. 21:22-23).
Tithing Was to Stop if Israel Were Expelled from Its Land
12:19 Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live upon the earth. (The NKJ, NAS, NIV, and RSV all read, "as long as you live in your land.")
As previously mentioned, according to Deuteronomy 12:19, as long as Israel lived in its land, it was to give tithes to the Levite instead of land inheritance. However, should Israel be expelled from its land of Canaan and lose its inheritance, then the Levite would also lose his inheritance of the tithe from the sanctified land. Therefore, tithing should cease.
After the exile this was illegally modified to include lands on which Israelites lived in Babylon and Egypt, but even those inferior tithes were not holy enough to be brought to Jerusalem and stayed in the local synagogues for the poor. The basic concept that pagan dust defiled never changed as far as the temple tithes from Levitical cities in Israel were concerned.
The Second Tithe Could Only Be Eaten in Jerusalem
14:23 And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the first offspring of your herds and of your flocks, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
Originally, the second yearly tithe must be brought only to the city of Jerusalem for all to consume. This was to prevent competitive points of importance and false worship. After the nation split, northern Israel set up its own worship centers at Bethel land Dan and false worship resulted. Amos 4:4 is an example of including tithing in false worship.

09/12/2018

Study 5 TWELVE PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE OUR GIVING
BREAD ENOUGH AND TO SPARE
by Francis Dixon
(Scripture Portion: 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15)

In 2 Corinthians 8:7 Paul refers to five graces �- faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness and love, and then he adds a sixth, described as “�this grace of giving”�. This passage is a guide to our giving; we should study this subject and see what God has to say about stewardship. His work today is often hindered through lack of funds; all over the world people are unreached simply because many of God�’s people are undisciplined, careless and selfish with regard to the privilege and responsibility of giving to the Lord.


1. We must begin by giving ourselves to the Lord (verse 5)
The Macedonians gave generously but �”they gave themselves first to the Lord�”. In a sense our gifts are not acceptable to God unless we have first given ourselves to Him (Proverbs 15:8), and compare Romans 6:13; Romans 12:1.


2. Our giving to God must be through human channels (verse 5)
Notice the words ��”…to us…”�� We cannot literally place our gifts into His hand but we can give to His work; and where our giving is through the church or directly to the church, or directly to a mission agency, then we do in fact place our gift into the Lord�’s hand. The Macedonians gave to Paul, and yet they were giving to God �- look up Matthew 25:40.


3. Our giving should be according to the will of God (verse 5)
The implication is that we need to seek God�’s will concerning our giving. Have you ever seriously done this? We also need to exercise discernment in our giving because we need to give to work that is 100% true to God and His Word. There are priorities in giving. We should by all means give to help to alleviate human suffering and distress, but as Christians there is a great deal of specific missionary work which should claim our first attention. Unbelievers support works of charity, but they do not support God�’s work.


4. There is great joy in giving to the Lord (verse 2)
Surely we have proved this! See what the Lord Jesus said in Acts 20:35, and compare Luke 6:38. In 2 Chronicles 29:27 we are told that it was after the burnt offerings had been presented to the Lord “�singing to the Lord began also�”! Joy follows dedication and obedience.


5. Our giving should involve some real sacrifice (verse 2)
Although the Macedonians gave generously, notice that in fact they gave out of their poverty, reminding us of David’s great statement in 2 Samuel 24:24. Do we give at the point of sacrifice, or only give our �”left-overs”� after we have met all our needs and wants? Look up Mark 12:41-44.


6. We are to give willingly and ungrudgingly (verse 3)
Notice the words “…��of themselves”� (KJV); they were not pressed to give but were �”cheerful givers”� (2 Corinthians 9:7), out of love for God.


7. Our giving should be according to our means (verse 3)
“�They gave as much as they were able”�; our giving should be proportionate �- that is, according to the amount we receive, as verse 12 states. We are to give, not out of what we have, but according to what we have. This is how God gives – not out of his riches, but �”according to his glorious riches”� (Philippians 4:19).



8. We are to give as a privilege and not merely as a duty (verse 8)
Christian giving is a duty, but this verse states that we are not under law but under grace. Paul could have made a very good cause for tithing, for the minimum the Jew was required to give was one-tenth of his income. Should we, under grace, give less than the Jew was required to give under the Law?



9. When we give we prove the sincerity of our love (verse 8)
God has proved His great love to us, not simply by words but by the gift of His own Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ �- look up 2 Corinthians 9:15; and we prove our love to Him in the same way, by our giving.



10. When we give we enjoy true Christian fellowship (verse 4)
What fellowship there is when all unite to support God�’s work and to further His cause! You may have only a small amount to give, and I may have only a small amount, but if we both give conscientiously and prayerfully, and if hundreds of others do the same, all our small amounts put together will make a lot!



11. Our giving should be systematic and methodical (verses 11 and 12)
Please read these verses carefully. The Lord does not want us to be undisciplined in our giving, or do it in a haphazard way. We are to decide what proportion of our income we will give to Him. Then we are to decide how the Lord would have us give, what the channel for our giving should be and which work we should support, so we must make it a matter of definite prayer.



12. We have a great motive for giving to the Lord (verse 9)
What constrains us to give at all? Surely in view of verse 9 our hearts are deeply moved and our pockets are touched. The measure of our appreciation of His Gift to us will determine the desire, the measure and the expression of our giving to Him. Look up and meditate upon 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

05/12/2017

Who is this Christ who laid down his for me, a sinner like me, you laid down your life for me. Who is this Christ, who laid his life for me, a sinner like me you laid down your life for me.
If I consider my sinful nature, I do not deserve your kindness and which goodness have I shown to deserve your kindness yet you laid down your life for me. A sinner like me you laid down your life for me.
And they ask Peter what shall we do to be saved, ‘Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
What is your stake in the Kingdom of God which Christ Jesus promised John 14 :1“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Act 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
That is upwards Kindness exhibited by Christ. Do you think you deserve His kindness after all the sinned committed? Just read the love of God in the book John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. What kind of tolerance is this and the love beyond the ordinary. Yet we live our life like there is constant life to live. Can anyone exhibit such love by laying his/ her life for another?
Sin is the separation between man and God and keeps God far away from us. Am here to encourage and remind you of the sacrifice made by a special being born unto this world just to redeem man from darkness. Your decision to turn your life around is now. Consider this in Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But rather in the same book verse number 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. This is what our Maker expect from us and I coat from the same book chapter 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
As a sinner the best way to redeem yourself is do Justice to words of Peter According to the book of Art 2:38-39.
My is to let you know and understand but do not forget I will also be judge. Am just a human and fighting hard for the crown of life. Join me today and together worship God like never before.
Christ Loves You.

30/11/2015

The Kingdom of God is a dwelling place for the weak. Hear you will be up lifted through the Grace and your sorrow shall turn into happiness. Come and let worship. Amen

08/09/2015

According to Wikipedia This is the garage of the Second Nigerian Senate President Prince Nweke Nwafor between 1960 to 1966. These were cars that drew large crowds anywhere they drove those years but today, everybody wont drive this because they will feel embarrassed.

I vividly Recall the story of a man who became popular for engaging in money rituals just to buy the 1980 edition of the Honda Prelude. You wouldn't buy that car for GH¢50 today.

Some other guy brutally murdered his brother ( whom their father gave cash to travel for the purpose of re- stocking their warehouse), just because he wanted to acquire the rave of the moment - Pathfinder Jeep. That same vehicle
is now better described as a coffin. I Remember as a kid, my whole street would gather to watch a truck deliver a very large satellite dish to my rich neighbor's house. Today a dish one tenth that size but delivers 5 times the value and now a satellite dish is in almost every home. What about the Volkswagen Santana, Mercedes Benz V boot, 505Evolution, Toyota Crown, all overtaken by latest models of Camry, Honda, Bugatti, Bentley, X6, Lexus, Acura and Infinity. If those earlier model of cars have become irrelevant now, all the current models will be seen as outmoded in very short years to come...VANITY.

Some ladies left their true loves because some rich guy then persuaded them with a 1992 Motorola International 3200. I don't know how you can manage with that wood now. I know of a lot of young students in my area who did everything they could do in the night just to acquire a Blackberry Phone Curve because wanted to let others have their BB Pins. I don't know the use of those phones now. Some boys left their long time fiancees because they wanted to won a Pentium 2 Computer and another woman bought for them. Some left their old loves just because someone with enough money flattered them with a then talk-of-town Mobile Phone.. They found out too late that true love is invaluable.

A friend threw a big party because he launched the Nokia Communicator for over hundred grand in 2002. Today that phone would embarrass the owner and is a joke compared to the low cost
phones in shops now. What about the MTN and ONETOUCH SIM cards that many people went extra miles before they bought for over millions? Today you will not buy it at GH¢1 because all networks are begging people to even take it for free.

People are still making the most horrific sacrifices over 'vanity' and make enemies over worthless material things. What can I
say? Look back at that one thing you want to kill or die for today and see what becomes of it tomorrow. There is absolutely nothing you can't achieve. All you need is a little time and PATIENCE and you would thank God without regrets. There is actually
nothing in this world that is worth dying for. Because something that stands in your face as so valuable, will be useless in just a few years. People stole monies from the public purse to buy the latest cars just to show-off at night clubs, pubs, stadium and market centers. Their joy comes from the hundreds that gather around such cars at public places to take pictures. Today, those same cars are mocked when they drive at same places they were mobbed 20 years ago. I remember a friend telling me he quit school all because he used his fees to purchase the latest 'baggy jeans' and the 1990 Nike Air Cool Sneakers that he wore to big concerts. Today, baggy jeans are an embarrassment.

Think about the terrible mistakes you make just to acquire a latest worldly material. Be mindful of the hearts you hurt in your quest to acquire a flashy product. Value human and love over materials. Don't ever break relationships over money. Never make that horrific sacrifice of placing worldly needs over God and humanity. The world is running at such an unbelievable rate,and everything you seek to die for today, will be an old-fashioned embarrassment tomorrow. Again, Look back at that one thing you want to kill or die for today and see what becomes of it tomorrow. There is actually nothing in this world that is worth dying for...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

Credit: Prince Chijioke