With no temple standing, it's not easy to determine just what we should do with a tithe. To further complicate that issue, I live an agrarian lifestyle, and Scripture is full of what's expected with first fruits, first of the flock, first and 10th, but I don't know where to give the offering, so I continue to seek and search out the matter.
I've got some pretty good solid foundational understandings, and I believe YHWH is blessing my seeking, but there is still the matter for all of us, as to how to give to YHWH or meet a need in His Name.
I'll begin with the obvious. The prosperity teaching is wrong. I do not believe YHWH will make sure you get 100 times whatever you donate to the preacher with a private jet and multi-million dollar, tax free mansion. I also know you don't "capture" the Holy Spirit leading all the latest books. That's not to say, books are not of value, as sometimes the author addresses the exact issue that has blocked our understanding, or opens the insight for a particular Scripture, but a book of eternal value gets us in the Word, and confirms the Word. I don't want to reap the harvest of judgement some of those prosperity folks are sowing.
The next area of consternation for me is the increasing number of people who are simply asking for money. Chances are they need it more than the group mentioned in the previous paragraph, but they may be in the place of "want" because they can't handle money properly. I try to make a point of taking along fruit and water and my latest book when I head to town. Then when I see someone with a "sign" at the corner, I can give them something to eat, something refreshing, and something to think about. I usually include a dollar or two, but that's my limit. I don't believe in giving someone something that could cause them to stumble. Money is not easy for most people to manage, and clearly someone who is begging has difficulty with money. I don't want to turn anyone away that might be hungry, but I also don't want to enable someone to buy something that I don't want to provide. I certainly don't want to help someone stay in addiction bondage, of any kind. I don't want to sow a harvest of addiction or poverty for myself or my children.
As I look in Scripture, for places to share and give, I of course know, I am to support the ministry of which I'm called with asking donations. I also read of widows, orphans, and visiting those in prison. That's the soil in which we're called to sow. Who knows what affect we may have on a child who doesn't have a strong G-dly influence, and we certainly need to stop assuming everyone who is old knows G-d. If that were the case, end of life medical treatments would not be so numerous.
When it comes to sowing into the kingdom, of course we use our earthly resources, as well as our time, but we must sow wisely in soil YHWH has prepared. I don't ever teach to give to receive, but we are called to be accountable in our giving.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Simply Abundant
This book I wrote four years ago, has had a sort of resurgence as of late. I don't know if more folks are embracing the idea of simplifying or just rejecting complicated "solutions." At any rate, Simply Abundant, is making a second round of readers. As the book explains, although I was outside of mainstream, I didn't invest thousands of dollars to go off the grid. I simply began moving in that direction, with incremental goals.
Simply abundant covers everything from simple ideas of celebrating Sabbath to ideas for stretching a dollar to healthier food and less stress. People have told me, "Everyone can't do that!" That's what Pharaoh told Moses, too, but as it turned out, Pharaoh was wrong.
Although Simply Abundant is a pretty much upbeat modern version of pioneering, it emphasizes the importance of enjoying simplicity, rather than complicating efficiency.
Simply abundant covers everything from simple ideas of celebrating Sabbath to ideas for stretching a dollar to healthier food and less stress. People have told me, "Everyone can't do that!" That's what Pharaoh told Moses, too, but as it turned out, Pharaoh was wrong.
Although Simply Abundant is a pretty much upbeat modern version of pioneering, it emphasizes the importance of enjoying simplicity, rather than complicating efficiency.
Our society has placed great importance on material possessions as a sign of personal value, and that's simply wrong. We've relegated G-d given talents to the back burner and called them hobbies, when in fact, our Creator placed those in us to be able to earn a living and enjoy the life He gives us. He gave Instructions for health, family, and a relationship with Him. Simply Abundant shares the joy of basics. It is possible to live without planning to be in debt til we die. It is possible to live quite comfortably on what most folks spend on entertainment, because when you're enjoying the life YHWH planned, there is little stress, or need for distraction.
There is always something to do and plans to enjoy. Beginning at midnight Monday night through midnight Wednesday, this book will be offered for lending through kindle, I think . . . if I did it right!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
The Prosperity Gospel
I don't like to teach against what I don't believe. I prefer to share what I do believe, but Scripture tells us the love of money is the root of all evil and it's been woven through our culture and beliefs in a very serpentine manner. I want to take the time to dispel a few presumptions. The Bible is very clear regarding YHWH's definition of sin, He loves us so much He actually had Moses write out Instructions, the DOs and the DON'Ts, but Timothy was warned that the foundation for temptation was the "love of money." So, rather than call it what it is, idolatry; many of the prosperity faith have taught us to call idolatry blessings!
I used to think the prosperity teaching was so ridiculous, it wouldn't survive through the American economic recession, but it's alive and well and it's spawned other "another gospel" that Paul warned against. Here are just a few more heretical teachings. Now, not only does G-d want us to be rich, He also wants us to not feel so guilty about our sin . . . He wants us to have a "user-friendly Bible" that doesn't discourage our current decisions. He wants us to have a good positive attitude, and in our move away from pagan customs, He's good with us just redefining and making it up as we go along! Some folks believe His definition of abomination has "evolved."
But He still wants us to buy the books of the original Prosperity Promoters. In all of this religious transition, the one teaching that remains consistent and the one law that isn't legalism, is tithing . . . keep those finances coming in.Those mansions and private jets don't pay for themselves, you know! Tax exemption just allows one to keep what comes in, it doesn't actually generate an income!
I'm not speaking against money. I pay bills, and I have no tax exemption. My electricity and internet do come at a financial cost. Even going off the grid has an upfront investment cost. Life on this earth is not free or shouldn't be, but when we live by the Kingdom Economy, we learn the difference between need and greed, and we develop a new appreciation that less is often more. It's a blessing to not have any larger house to clean. It's a blessing to downsize, but I still have more than I need at this time. It's a blessing to have what I consider nice clothes, but a warm coat in winter is more important. Wealth by the standards of YHWH is not what's being taught in mainstream American religion or politics.
The prosperity teaching is just the modern way to say, "love of money," mammon, two masters, and "covet." Not to mention, idolatry, in exalting money and possessions above our Creator and calling it blessed.
I used to think the prosperity teaching was so ridiculous, it wouldn't survive through the American economic recession, but it's alive and well and it's spawned other "another gospel" that Paul warned against. Here are just a few more heretical teachings. Now, not only does G-d want us to be rich, He also wants us to not feel so guilty about our sin . . . He wants us to have a "user-friendly Bible" that doesn't discourage our current decisions. He wants us to have a good positive attitude, and in our move away from pagan customs, He's good with us just redefining and making it up as we go along! Some folks believe His definition of abomination has "evolved."
But He still wants us to buy the books of the original Prosperity Promoters. In all of this religious transition, the one teaching that remains consistent and the one law that isn't legalism, is tithing . . . keep those finances coming in.Those mansions and private jets don't pay for themselves, you know! Tax exemption just allows one to keep what comes in, it doesn't actually generate an income!
I'm not speaking against money. I pay bills, and I have no tax exemption. My electricity and internet do come at a financial cost. Even going off the grid has an upfront investment cost. Life on this earth is not free or shouldn't be, but when we live by the Kingdom Economy, we learn the difference between need and greed, and we develop a new appreciation that less is often more. It's a blessing to not have any larger house to clean. It's a blessing to downsize, but I still have more than I need at this time. It's a blessing to have what I consider nice clothes, but a warm coat in winter is more important. Wealth by the standards of YHWH is not what's being taught in mainstream American religion or politics.
The prosperity teaching is just the modern way to say, "love of money," mammon, two masters, and "covet." Not to mention, idolatry, in exalting money and possessions above our Creator and calling it blessed.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Futures
A fascinating aspect of kingdom economy is the true opportunity to invest in the future. Kingdom citizens have the opportunity to actually invest in things of eternal value, which is the future generations.
In the midst of many of the opportunities, only one, was not well received. My anti-country granddaughter had the idea or was given the idea that I could raise goats for her to sell the kids, to make money for a car in a couple of years. I explained to her, the real value of the goats I raise is the fresh milk, for my soap products and to save money at the store. I save more at the store than I make selling the kids. The kids I sell basically pays for the feed for the milk production. And the business I have does not interest her at all, so basically long distant goat raising probably isn't a great idea. That's the only information that didn't go over well, the rest has been delightful.
I've got two older goats, good milk providers, that simply aren't going to be around forever, and I needed some young blood in the herd. I jokingly refer to the Goat Auction, as "buying stock." So far, it's done better than Wall Street the last few years. I did manage to purchase two lovely young does that look quite promising in the milk department. One is nearly dried up and ready for breeding and the other is producing beautifully and still young enough that I can get her bred and still milk her a couple more months. Futures! Meanwhile, I can dry up the older goats before breeding and that will take less of a toll on them.
I was able to show my granddaughter several dinners made straight from the garden, which means basically no expense as well as no GMO consumption. These are important things for our future generation to know. It's coming down to the reality that real food is going to have to be raised in a home garden.
We also got several buckets ready for producing in the green house this winter. Rather than just starting bedding plants in January in the green house, I'm planning to raise fresh veggies all winter. I'll be keeping you posted. My bucket potatoes have been moderately successful, and I'm making improvements as I go, so I should have a good method to share very soon. It's a new kind of "futures investment," and yet as old as recorded history!
In the midst of many of the opportunities, only one, was not well received. My anti-country granddaughter had the idea or was given the idea that I could raise goats for her to sell the kids, to make money for a car in a couple of years. I explained to her, the real value of the goats I raise is the fresh milk, for my soap products and to save money at the store. I save more at the store than I make selling the kids. The kids I sell basically pays for the feed for the milk production. And the business I have does not interest her at all, so basically long distant goat raising probably isn't a great idea. That's the only information that didn't go over well, the rest has been delightful.
I've got two older goats, good milk providers, that simply aren't going to be around forever, and I needed some young blood in the herd. I jokingly refer to the Goat Auction, as "buying stock." So far, it's done better than Wall Street the last few years. I did manage to purchase two lovely young does that look quite promising in the milk department. One is nearly dried up and ready for breeding and the other is producing beautifully and still young enough that I can get her bred and still milk her a couple more months. Futures! Meanwhile, I can dry up the older goats before breeding and that will take less of a toll on them.
I was able to show my granddaughter several dinners made straight from the garden, which means basically no expense as well as no GMO consumption. These are important things for our future generation to know. It's coming down to the reality that real food is going to have to be raised in a home garden.
We also got several buckets ready for producing in the green house this winter. Rather than just starting bedding plants in January in the green house, I'm planning to raise fresh veggies all winter. I'll be keeping you posted. My bucket potatoes have been moderately successful, and I'm making improvements as I go, so I should have a good method to share very soon. It's a new kind of "futures investment," and yet as old as recorded history!
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