Rick

Tithing should be done scripturally. Out of the abundance of the heart. Not out of obligation as some teach today. Be a joyful giver and not one who is giving in order to meet a percentage or a standard. Thats as simple as it gets. Rick

Knowing a little about how computers work using binary code etc., I know that any microprocessor will react according to the data provided during programming etc.. It's hard for me to read the above article and not giggle a little when I see it being tied to psychic phenomenon etc., especially with the talk of a global consciousness affecting its process. A random number generator will generate numbers at random. At times these numbers could coincide with an event and be attributed to it..., but im sure that there is no mention of the times that the numbers fluctuated and no mention is given as to an explanation as to why. That would decrease interest and not give the article the hint of credibility the writer seeks to convey. Although Im fully aware there is a spirit world as well as a physical one, I tend to be leery of attributing power to a machine that was created and programmed by a man. To make it appear so seemingly powerful as to foretell the future is to place it in a position equal with God. Who alone knows the beginning from the end. The only spiritual influences to me, that seem to be present are those that are affecting the writer as he looks to a machine for his future, and not to his God. Rick

Good study! You could also add: " Rom:5:10: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Saved by His life...Not our own. Rick

Ronald, You may be able to repair Internet Explorer. There should be an option under start/ programs/accessories/system tools/system information for doing this. In some cases you can also go through the add/ remove programs of your control panel to repair it. But best to check your comp information owner's manual first to prevent any potential snags. Rick

Hi Pookierock! Welcome! Since your new here and dont know any better....I mean...Havent been told yet. lol It's customary for all new chatters to bring doughnuts to chat for the admins for the first week or so. hehehe Preferably chocolate iced with the cream filling inside? ( My favorite! ) Some even bring coffee. But if you have a problem finding doughnuts, a bag of chips, cookies or anything edible would be fine. Oh, and be sure to bring something for Bro Chuck. ( He likes those little round biscuits that come in the boxes, that are shaped like bones??. I think the brand name is " Purina" ) Just Kidding! Welcome to Worthy! Hope you learn soon to call it home. Rick

Dad Ernie, That pretty well explains the purchase of the field. I have to admit this is not an area that I have looked into before, and honestly never really thought much about until Adstar's question. The two accounts of the purchase of the field ( Judas in one account and the priests in the other account) seem to be reconciled in the priests purchasing the field with the money that Judas earned from his betrayal. But thats pretty much what you posted up. Since Judas went straightway and hanged himself, it would make sense that he didn't actually purchase the field himself. But it was purchased with the money he earned. Thanks for clearing that up! Rick

Hi Adstar! Great question! Although Im not certain of the answer, I do have an idea as to a possible scenario that might explain his purchase of the field. Jn:13:29: For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. Isnt it possible that since Judas also carried the bag consisting of the finances of the ministry that he could have failed to return it to the other apostles after betraying Christ ? His wickedness and the portion of the ministry he recieved may have been from the finances of the apostles??. We may be assuming that the wickedness being mentioned was only in his betrayal of Christ, whereas it may have been much more and included stealing. His portion could possibly be the money from the bag that he carried and valued more than the Saviour. It may indicate that his portion may have been the money instead of the future reward of eternal life. I may be wrong, but there's no account of his returning the bag he carried or any mention of what became of it after the betrayal. Its possible that this money was used to buy the field. Rick

If tithing is an unscriptural and obligatory requirement being placed on God's people, then God is already being robbed. " Mt:25:40: And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Rick

Steve, Maybe giving money in the correct scriptural context would be a better description. But that would make for sound doctrine and stewardship for a believer. No sense in feeding the wolves. Yod, Abram tithed 10% on the spoils of war. Not on his personal possessions, income, etc. Unless Ive overlooked something, I cant find anything that would indicate that Abraham ever tithed again. If we use this event as an example of tithing, we could just as easily say that we are to tithe only on the spoils of war. Its not a very good example of using tithes as a way of explaining how we should presently give. The spoils were taken in the process of recovering Lot from the hands of the enemies. Abram kept nothing for himself which would indicate that he was not tithing from his own personal increase. God Bless! Rick

Generous giving = leaders becoming wealthy? As it happens, I belong to a church where the members give generously every week. With this money we plant churches, feed the poor, pay the staff, etc. We don't have a fancy building to maintain. Nothing left for a gym or a waterslide, etc. As for the lifestyles of our leaders: I have been into their homes, which are not luxurious. No fancy cars, private schools, no designer clothes, no jet-setting vacations. Looks like a whola lotta generalizing here. Steve, Im not saying that giving should not be done, just that the reason for giving should be based on the abundance of the heart instead of obligation. Im sure there are many that use tithes in a productive way. But Im also just as sure that there are those that use tithes for their own personal benefit. My gripe is with those that stand before a needy congregation and through legalism and error use tithing as a way of extorting money from those who need it most. Many will stand boldly and declare that tithing is required of them. Then they will continue to call for the member to give their God due 10%. And if they fail to do so, they lack faith, or will not recieve the blessings of God. In some cases they may even suffer loss because they failed to plant this " seed money". Im sure we all have heard of those that do this, the whole time living far above the meager earnings of those that in most cases are the target of their selfish greed. Not all denominations are Biblically sound. But yet one thing most have in common is that they require financial support in order to continue. Sure there are needs to be met. But through obligation and basically a spiritual threat, the members are called to support these unsound and sometimes harmful religious organizations. Maybe its because they lack cheerful givers and need to coerce in order to acquire the money they need to operate. Whereas if it was a God centered group without a love for money, whose spiritual needs were being met Biblically through their church, the love of God and the desire to reach out with the gospel to others would compel them to be those cheerful givers. The early church grew with alot less than present day churches. The gospel was taken by foot to those that were encountered. It continued to grow and prosper. Not through the love of money, but through the love of God. How many modern day religious organizations are actually no different than the temple that had the money changers? They operate a den of thieves. It's these I speak of. God Bless! Rick

What is being taught today is basically a way to make some very wealthy at the expense of those that are seeking help. They represent giving as a means of investing in order to make money. Giving should be out of the abundance of the heart and not out of obligation. " 2Cor:9:7: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Rick

Terrific post! I think it described " The Masterpriece" beautifully! It sure helps to know the artist to understand the work. God Bless! Rick

Glad I could help Shiloh. God Bless! Rick