just thinking

[patricia1]

I was wondering if the tree of knowledge that adam and eve were not to eat of also signified the fact they also took from God what belong to Him and Him only?

Thus also a issue of tithing can be made as well?

what do you guys think?

[stan4257]

I was wondering if the tree of knowledge that adam and eve were not to eat of also signified the fact they also took from God what belong to Him and Him only?

Thus also a issue of tithing can be made as well?

what do you guys think?

That's a good point but I am not sure if it could be made from the idea that somebody eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would be depriving God of anything, not unless the fruit was intended for somebody else.

There might be other circumstances in which what belongs to God is either not given to him or is taken from him without authority, but I am similarly unsure if this could be done without God knowing and allowing it to happen as part of God's plan.

But the idea is intriguing and not one I had thought of before.

Thank you.

[tsth]

I think that the tree of knowledge (of good and evil) and the eating of it, was the beginning of free-will. Otherwise, that tree would not have even been there.

What other point was there in it, than for man to be able to choose between the good and the evil? You can't discern between 2 if you don't have knowledge of them.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[OneLight]

I agree with the above posts. Everything belongs to God and what we have is only on loan from Him. To try and figure out the whole "free will" aspect of us is way beyond my comprehension. God knew that Adam and Eve would eat of it and what the circumstances would be. It all fits nicely into His plan and we will never be able to understand what that is.

As for the tithing. I see this as God asking for some back of what He has given us so that the Body will be lacking nothing physically, if we all obeyed.

[EricH]

I think that the tree of knowledge (of good and evil) and the eating of it, was the beginning of free-will. Otherwise, that tree would not have even been there.

What other point was there in it, than for man to be able to choose between the good and the evil? You can't discern between 2 if you don't have knowledge of them.

In His Love,

Suzanne

I actually think that people only truly had free-will before they took the fruit. it was in taking the fruit that they lost their ability to choose correctly and became depraved

[stan4257]

I actually think that people only truly had free-will before they took the fruit. it was in taking the fruit that they lost their ability to choose correctly and became depraved

Yes. There is no suggestion I can see that mankind could not make choices prior to the fall. The whole episode seems to point to a loss of innocence by becoming aware that some things were good to do and others were not. The choice from then on was between good and bad choices.

Sin did not and could not have existed previously when awareness of the difference between right and wrong did not exist.

And, as you say, us being us, it became inevitable that we, knowing the difference between right and wrong would, at least sometimes, make deliberate decisions that were not the right ones, and by doing so, sin.

Though I am not quite so sure that the ability to sin actually takes away our free will or there might be an argument that Christians have no free will.

When I do wrong, that is to say, do something that my knowledge of good and evil shows me to be wrong, not when doing so inadvertently, I am exercising my free will to make choices.

Which of course brings us full circle to whether or not forgiveness allows us to continually make wrong choices knowing we will be forgiven because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but that is another discussion.

[Guest]

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

1 John 5:11-12

What other point was there in it, than for man to be able to choose between the good and the evil? You can't discern between 2 if you don't have knowledge of them.

I actually think that people only truly had free-will before they took the fruit. it was in taking the fruit that they lost their ability to choose correctly and became depraved

Oh Good Question And Discussion!

Could It Be?

The New Birth Gives Us Back Our Ability To Choose Correctly

Because God The Holy Ghost Dwells Within Us And Gives Us Both The Will And The Way To Do God's Will?

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13

Could It Be?

The Lord Jesus Christ Did Make Us Free

"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:34-36

Could It Be?

If We Will But Abide In Him

And If His Words Abide In Us

We WILL Glorify Our Heavenly Father

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." John 15:7-9

Oh What Wonders To Behold! Even Angels Are Amazed!

"Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." 1 Peter 1:12

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/r/praisegf.htm

Amen!

[Ddavid from NC]

I have always believe that the "knowledge" issue, was man's insistence for independent thought and action. Therefore he was self-deceived into believing he would control his own destiny and pursue his own interest, that God was holding out on him keeping secrets of other possibilities.

The tithing issue is one of submission and recognition of where blessings come. The idea of a percentage is one of stewardship of God's money (100%). there is no way to consistently contribute 10% and gifts and offerings without a budget and wise use of 100%.

[patricia1]

It is not that God needed the fruit. If I was to give a little sermonette that has to do with titheing. God does not need our 10 per cent or offerrings. It is a matter of obedience and command.

the receprocity issue as well. They were reaping and had everything they needed. Yet they took from God what belonged to God and reaped.... well you know the rest. The Glory lifted.

Can one say it was a firstfruit that was there as Gods 1/10th of what he gave Adam and eve?

When God requires our Firstfruits, it is not only in money.

In having the ability, as Joe points out, to choose rightly...and not because we would normally do so...

is do to the fact of the forgiveness of our sins and the power through the Holy Spirit to help us along to make Gods choice instead of our own and we do not , we in essence revert back to that tree and eat of the forbidden fruit.

This is where I like to go with the thread.

I love all the responses and the fuel for thought given..Thanks for all the responses!

[stan4257]

If I was to give a little sermonette that has to do with titheing. God does not need our 10 per cent or offerrings. It is a matter of obedience and command.

I love little sermonettes, particularly in Worthy Boards where I can put up my hand in church and answer back.

I think that the tithe of the Israelites in the desert was an essential need of the Priests and temple servants who had no inheritance or other means of subsistence.

Without the tithe they might have starved to death.