Making a Positive Difference

By: David Gibson 

            “Jeremiah lamented for Josiah…” (2 Chron. 35:25). Evidently he did not live to see his fortieth birthday, but even though Josiah didn’t live long, he lived well. God said of him “He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy” (Jer. 22:16). He is especially remembered for leading his people back to God after a long period of apostasy (2 Chron. 34-35). Josiah made a difference.

            When Stephen was martyred for courageously preaching Christ, those who buried him “made great lamentation over him” (Acts 8:2). He was one of the seven chosen to provide for the daily needs of poor widows in the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1-6). Stephen made a difference.

            When Dorcas died the widows wept. The Scriptures speak of her “good works and alms deeds which she did” (Acts 9:36). Dorcas made a difference.

            Josiah, Stephen and Dorcas. When people who live like this die, their loss is keenly felt. All three could have chosen to live for themselves, but they didn’t. All three could have let others do it, but they didn’t God was pleased with each of them because they obeyed Him and served others.

            Let’s be constantly on the lookout for ways to make a difference. They are there. God has given us our resources, talents and opportunities to serve. We can’t afford to let what little time we have to be frittered away with mindless pursuits that accomplish nothing.

            When we give of ourselves for others, it can be time consuming, expensive and exhausting. We may face opposition as Stephen did. There is a price to be paid. But oh how much richer our lives will be! And when we die we will be missed!

Tithing – Part 2

By: Larry Yarber 

"Every man according as he proposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2nd Corinthians 9:7).

In our last article we noted how some form of tithing was practiced by the Patriarchs long before the Mosaic Law was given (Genesis 14:17-20 and Genesis 28:22), and since many of the Near Eastern countries also practiced tithing (Egypt, Syria, Babylon, etc.), it is evident that tithing was a custom of mankind long before the day of Israel and of Moses. However, the tithing of the Patriarchal Age doesn't seem to have been as sophisticated or intricate as the tithing of the Mosaic Age (Deuteronomy 26:12 and Numbers 18:26). Nonetheless, tithing was observed by those of both dispensations of time. The question before us is, is tithing applicable still for those of us who live in the Christian Age?

            Tithing is only mentioned a few times in the New Testament and in each of these instances it is a brief comment associated with the Law of Moses or the Patriarchal Age (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, 18:12, and Hebrews 7:1-10). However, some brethren believe that the tithing of the Hebrew text is as binding today as it was in the other dispensations of time. Brother Burtman Coffman in his commentary on Hebrews explains the phrase found in verse number eight in this manner, "There (in heaven) he (Christ) receiveth tithes"! Then, "and this cannot be unless his disciples give them" (COFFMAN, Hebrews - pg 137). He goes on to point out that our righteousness is to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees and that they were required to give a tenth of all they earned (Matthew 5:20 and 23:23). Others add to this, since we are under a better covenant established upon better promises why should we be allowed to give less than those who lived under the other covenants, "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament" (Hebrews 7:22) and, " ... by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6)? While there is much to be said of Coffman's position on tithing, I'm not convinced that his explanation of Hebrews 7:8 is the correct interpretation of this text. Some, like Adam Clarke, explain it in this way, "There (Genesis 14:20 - Abraham) he (Melchizedek) receiveth them (tithes)" (CLARKE'S COMMENTARY, Vol 6, pg 733). Thus, Clarke believes the phrase to be speaking of Abraham having paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20).

            Regardless of how we interpret Hebrews 7:8, Christians are still commanded to give an appropriate amount of that which God has given them, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have GIVEN ORDER to the churches of Galatia, even so DO YE. 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" (1st Corinthians 16:1-2 - all emphasis mine, LY). As our opening scripture noted (2nd Corinthians 9:7), we are not to give grudgingly or of necessity but cheerfully, and as we have planned in our heart. Some have mistakenly interpreted this to mean God will accept any sum of money as long as it is given in the proper attitude. However, when we combine the teachings of these two passages (1st Corinthians 16:1-2 and 2nd Corinthians 9:7), we find we are commanded to give, to do so as we have been prospered, not only out of necessity, nor grudgingly, but from a cheerful heart. Anything less is unacceptable to God! And, as brother Coffman and others have pointed out, since we live under a better covenant established upon better promises, why would any Christian be inclined to give less than those who lived under a less perfect covenant containing fewer spiritual blessings than the covenant of Christ?

            May we all give with the attitude, "I would rather face the judgment of God having given more than He demanded than having given less than He desired".

Those Who Cannot Be Saved

1.      Those who do not desire it. However wonderful heaven is if a person does not will to go there, then neither he nor his loved ones can have any home of his going. God does not force one to love Him and to dwell in eternal happiness. Man was made a free moral agent to choose for himself his eternal destiny and God respects his choice, whether it be wise or unwise.

2.      Those who refuse God’s will. According to Paul’s writing in Romans 10:13-15, people must hear the word and answer the call. The gospel is preached that men may know what to do, and those who refuse to respond cannot please Him (Matthew 7:21).

3.      Those who hold to their sins. Iniquity is a cloud that separates the guilty from God (Isa. 59:1-2). This cloud must be removed if we would approach God. The one who will not turn from evil will not let God save him (Luke 13:3).

4.      Those who trust in their own works. To have confidence in self is fine, but no man can save himself (Jer. 10:23); additional help must be accepted. A man may decide on what pleases him, but God does not see as do men, and He is the one to specify the conditions by which the lost may return to safety. If he is not obedient, man cannot be saved (Mt. 7:21).

5.      Those who hold grudges. The Lord said, “…if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Mt. 6:15). The one who will not forgive another shows that he has no capacity to forgive, hence can receive no forgiveness.

6.      Those who are careless. Since men have no lease on life it is exceedingly unwise to put off serving God. The careless are wasting opportunities, are not true to the Lord, and cannot be saved. (Heb. 2:1-4).

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