We are often caught in between our work, (that which have received the gift (s) of the Spirit) and other secondary, non-essentials.
Scriptures teach non-essentials or less essentials
Jesus said this about the tithe
Matthew 23:23 KJV
[23] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Weightier matters of the law
It's noteworthy that even James never included the tithe in the admonitions to the Gentiles churches
Acts 15:20,28-29 KJV
[20] But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
[28] For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
[29] That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
The way several of today’s churches (most of which qualified then as Gentiles) harp on this, they seem to be more Jewish than the Jew.
That said
Jesus had to also deal with these non-essentials, or secondary matters
Matthew 12:11-12 KJV
[11] And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? [12] How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Healing, kindness with keeping the law of Sabbath days.
The apostles battled this too
Acts 6:1 KJV
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Material needs.
Complaints from church members.
If you were seeker sensitive, the apostles’ response should resonate in your Heart.
Acts 6:2,4 KJV
[2] Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Prayer and ministry of the Word.
That should be your priority above free food, clothes, job opportunities etc.
It's worthy of note those who were chosen to distribute food were so chosen for being spiritual.
Acts 6:3,5 KJV
[3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business
. [5] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Not astute business men, or those who have held their businesses and made billions on NAIRA or dollars.
This also wasn't an excuse to teach things like
"Skills acquisition to prevent poverty, or investment opportunities in Jerusalem or Asia."
The local church isn't a multi-purpose center.
It's of note that the church had professionals, well established in chosen career
Romans 16:23 KJV
[23] Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
Chamberlain means either director of city works or treasurer.
Yet, he’s not given a seminar in the services. To teach " how to manage your finances "
They had doctors
Colossians 4:14 KJV
[14] Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Lawyers
Titus 3:13 KJV
[13] Bring Zenas the lawyer ...
Paul himself
Acts 18:3 KJV
[3] And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Such that he could take care of others
Acts 20:34 KJV
[34] Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Also, the very rich and wealthy
1 Timothy 6:17 KJV
[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;
This wasn't a door to the pulpit rather an instruction to and for Christian living.
These professionals were not given pulpits to start to teach the church how they made it.
That said
What about feeding the poor, helping the needy?
Jesus did help the poor and fed five thousand men, yet it wasn't a major, neither was it to have people in the "church "
John 6:26-27 KJV
[26] Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27] Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Imagine!
Today's church growth experts would have told Jesus, he’s not being smart
" keep the entry door of the church as wide as possible and the exit door as shut and impassable as possible"
Not Jesus.
John 6:66 KJV
[66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
They left church!
What was he doing wrong?
"If he had continued giving bread and fish monthly, he would have enough crowds and eventually money to reach other nations ...", experts today will say
Laughs ...,
Compromise never pleases God but men.
watch it.
Jesus had a ministry which was to
TEACH, PRAY, HEAL THE SICK.
The Apostles
TEACH, PRAY, HEAL THE SICK
Whilst Jesus's was for men to believe and the saved
The apostles went further for men to be established and grow spiritually.
Paul also treated it as a minor
Galatians 2:6,10 KJV
[6] But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
[10] Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
He said such instructions added nothing to his message.
Yes, he did remember the poor, but it's a minor.
Church meetings must ALWAYS reflect the work given to the ministry gifts
Ephesians 4:11-14 KJV
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Very Clearly,
We must gather for this
1 Corinthians 11:17-18 KJV
[17] Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
[18] For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
Paul had to put a peg on such non-essentials as it only breeds carnality.
They came to eat
1 Corinthians 11:22 KJV
[22] What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
Do it at home
1 Corinthians 11:34 KJV
[34] And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
The church meetings aren’t for dinners, lunch etc.
When they happen, let it be so measured.
Rather come together for spiritual activities.
1 Corinthians 14:23,26 KJV
[23] If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
The same church was told to reduce carnal activities and be steadfast on the demonstration of the spirit.
Let every pastor take a cue from this
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 KJV
[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.
Even the collection of support for the poor was to be done in measured form.
No gatherings when I come.
Let's maintain the sanctity of church meetings
Jesus flogged men out of the physical temple of the Old Testament
John 2:14-16 KJV
[14] And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
[15] And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
[16] And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
It's not for business summit.
Mark 11:17 KJV
[17] And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
It's a house of prayer
We are such temple today without a physical building
Yet a spiritual building
Ephesians 2:21-22 KJV
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:9,16 KJV
[9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. [16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
We must not defile it.
1 Corinthians 3:17 KJV
[17] If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
The church is not an event center
For cool music, politics, fashion shows, comedy, movies, career talk, some would soon start magic shows!
It's a house for teaching Christ
Demonstration of His Spirit
Praying in His stead
And if we are to engage in the non-essentials like helping the poor etc., it must be measured, and not majored upon
As Paul Said
1 Timothy 3:15 KJV
[15] But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Dear pastor,
The church is here to
Reach the unsaved through preaching
1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV
...it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Not any other means
Also; to
Train believers into maturity
Ephesians 4:12 KJV
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Colossians 1:28 KJV
[28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Where they receive and minister the message of reconciliation to the world
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 KJV
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Preaching not skills display but preaching the message!
All other things must remain in the background!
Reach the World, teach the saved to grow up and be equipped to reach the world by preaching and teaching!
Hope this helps
I call you blessed
Jesus is Lord, we win
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