CHAPTER 11 "Ten Percent of What?"

  Have you ever wondered where the concept of giving 10% of your income to the church actually came from? Does the Bible really ask for a specific amount from you? How much of the idea of "giving to the Lord" or "tithing", is God's, and how much of it is man's?

 I grew up in church culture, and when I started making money in my teen years I wanted to thank God with some of what I made. I realized the body he gave me to work with, and all the profits I earned, ultimately belonged to him. So when I asked around the church, the standard of "giving to God" a.k.a. the church, the number 10% always came up. The debate was not over whether 10% was correct or not, but whether the 10% should come from the net or gross portion of your income.

  This is something I want to write about, because as you may already know, Jesus actually addressed the issue of money more than almost anything else. He talked about it more than even Heaven and Hell combined. One of every seven verses in Luke's gospel talk about money. Over 25% of the parables are about money. The Bible puts greed on the same destructive level as idolatry. (Eph 5:5, 1 Cor. 5:11)
Jesus brought up the topic of greed more than the topic of prayer. "Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." - Luke 12
  I will try to keep this post specifically to the issue of "tithing", as the topic of money is almost endless in it's applications, i.e. loans and lending money, saving and spending, giving and investing, greed and idolatry. I would really like to write about money as a whole; maybe another day.:)

 Timothy Keller recently wrote a book titled 'Counterfeit Gods'; and it mainly focuses on idolatry and all the deceptive and ugly forms it takes. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=counterfeit+gods&x=0&y=0 I'm not a fan of many books, but this one is top notch.

 The word 'tithe' is actually a mathematical term referring to 10% of an amount; one tenth of something. It is not a word contrived specifically for religious purposes. But I have only ever heard the word 'tithe' when it was associated with church. I had always understood that a Christian should give ten percent of their income to God; so when I found out that it didn't originate from within the church, I was surprised to say the least.
  So, why is this term often used when referring to giving money to a church? Where did it come from? Is it even the most correct usage of the word?

  For a long time Israel was a theocratic state. Theocracy means that God and His law rule a nation. Theocracy does not mean a church, or a religious group is running a nation; however God did often choose to audibly speak to judges and prophets with specific instructions for the people of Israel. It was definitely still a Dictatorship with a capital and divine "D".
  And during this time in history, when the Israeli government was directly run by God, God laid down certain laws concerning taxation for the people. These were not "freewill" gifts or offerings, and depending on each families source of income the tax could be comprised of money, livestock, land, produce, or time, etc.

ONE: Every year the people were to pay 10% of their yearly income to the Levite tribe (the God ordained priests at the time). This would cover all the expenses for them and their families as their priestly duties were full-time. - Leviticus 27, Numbers 18

TWO: Every year the people were to also put 10% of their yearly income towards the national festivals, aka the Festival Tithe. This would often be grain, fruit, meat, etc. that would be shared by everyone at the feasts during the festivals. - Deuteronomy 12

THREE: Every third year the people were to give another 10% of that years assets to the foreigners, poor, widows and orphans. Basically it was a God ordained welfare system. - Deuteronomy 14

  After you total up these three main taxes you come to 23.3% of your yearly income to be paid as taxes. There were a few other taxes for the people such as every seven years they were to let the land rest, i.e. not work their fields. So this meant a total loss in their income for that seventh year. Another one was that every seven years all current debts were to be erased. They also were commanded to leave the corners of their field unpicked, as well as whatever was dropped during the harvesting process was to be left for the poor and widows to glean (Leviticus 19). These were non-negotiable taxes that the people were commanded to pay for the theocratic "government programs" to run. There was also a Temple upkeep tax (Exodus 30:13)
  The people would also give free-will offerings out of their own heart's generosity. And there were times when the people gave unbelievable amounts on top of their taxes!

 So as for where the 10% originally came from and applies to us today or even then for that matter, I'm honestly not sure what to tell you; as the New Testament says absolutely nothing about giving a specific amount to God or the church (as the laws about taxes I just listed apply only to Old Testament theocratic laws).
   The New Testament does however specifically talks about paying your taxes to your government. Jesus even paid into the tax system that supported the Jewish leaders who conspired to kill him, and who also paid off Judas. So to be blunt, whether you agree with what the government does or doesn't do with your tax dollars is irrelevant. As believers that is not our concern. God ultimately signs off on every governing body so we are to leave it with Him. Another opportunity, if you will, to trust God.

So what does the New Testament say about giving of money? Well obviously God doesn't need money...

"The idea of God needing your money is comical." - J. MacArthur

 And even though Christians crave specific rules to follow, the New Testament doesn't give us any commands about the amount, or percentage of money to give. But the New Testament does provide us a very clear picture of what God does want from us.

 There is one story that stands out to me that puts the importance where it belongs in regards to how God views your money. Jesus was sitting by the treasury and was just watching people as they came by to give their gifts to God. Some wealthy people were putting in huge amounts of money; but one widow came by and put in 2 copper coins (today's equivalent would be about 5 dollars). This was all the money she had to her name. "Calling his disciples to Him, He (Jesus) said to them, 'Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they put all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.'" - Mark 12

                                     

God doesn't want you to give something that you don't want to give. He is fine with it. Because you can still give a lot away and have your motives be very wrong. He does not need money to accomplish His will!

 If you don't want to give a lot of money, a small amount, or none at all, then don't! 

  It will be USED, but you will not be blessed for it, and you are missing the point entirely.

All wealth ultimately belongs to God anyway, but we still struggle so much with loosening our grip of our stuff, time, and money. The act of giving is more for the giver than anyone else. "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

  Your attitude towards money is a direct reflection of your heart's state before God. In Matthew 19 a rich man came to Jesus and was asking about how to get to Heaven. The man was very moral, and a standup citizen. From the outside he would have appeared to be very Godly. But Jesus knew exactly what was standing between this man's heart and God; his idol was money. He told the man to sell all his stuff, and follow him. All the man could do was walk away, because he was too attached to his wealth to do what Jesus asked.
  Giving should be something a believer wants to do. He or she will be keeping their eyes and ears peeled for opportunities to give. There are times when that isn't the easiest, or the path of least resistance. If you know you should give something of yourself (money, time, skills etc.) to someone and you choose not to, that is sinning. "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is a sin for them." - James

Without going into a whole other topic, the issue of Christians being in debt, lending and borrowing money is something I want to touch on. The Bible specifically speaks against co-signing for a non-family member for anything. "One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbour." - King Solomon (wealthiest man to ever live) Prv. 6:1, 17:18

   If you are in debt, it completely takes away your ability to help others. Emotional debt, spiritual debt, and time debts will also keep you pinned down in your life. I.e. If you are married and are struggling in that marriage, you are basically incapable of helping another couple who needs help at that point in your life. Or if you have slacked in your walk with God, your advice and council to those who need it will be very watered down with worldliness, being of very little worth.

   So work hard in all areas of your life. At work, put in the effort as if your boss was Christ himself. Focus on the effort, not so much the paycheque or physical rewards of you effort. Let God bless you as He sees fit! This way you will be in a position to do God's will by helping others when the time comes.

  Your confidence and security can not be found in anything other than Jesus Christ. The first (or oldest) book in the Bible to be written was the book of Job. Job was definitely a blessed business man. He wrote this during his great time of suffering: "If I have put my confidence in gold, and called fine gold my trust, if I have gloated because my wealth was great, and because my hand had secured so much;..."

The "death toll" of men and women which the pursuit of money has devoured, in my opinion, is higher than almost any other sin. Because in its simplest form, it is idolatry. Anything that takes the place of Christ, is an idol. 

 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy)

What is more important in this life between loving a chubby bank account, or a heart that is right before God? The Bible doesn't say anything against having lots of money (many Christians in the Bible were very wealthy, i.e. Abraham, Joseph of Arimathea, Job, Noah, Lydia, King Hezekiah, Solomon, etc.), only against loving it. The state of your heart towards money, in Biblical theory, should remained unchanged regardless of how many, or how few worldly assets you have. But this does usually get more challenging when more zeros follow the first number in your pay cheques!

  Yet ivory tower banking tycoons are far from the only ones who can struggle with idolatry. Idols that can be standing in the way of having a generous heart and a correct perspective on giving could be your time, pride, laziness, public image, and of course your bank account and your stuff (Be it the latest ipad, next planned vacation/trip, newest vehicle, or the modern style in clothes on your back-> large ticket "items" can sap your mental, emotional, and physical energy just as much as the smaller priced "items", and no one is exempt from this).
   The Bible refers to giving away parts of yourself much like investing. If you invest a lot, you will reap a big return. If you only invest a little, you will only get a little back...
  Jesus promised this in Luke 6, "Give, and it will be given to you." And Solomon wrote, "Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and vats will brim over with new wine."

And in Paul's second letter to Corinth - A.D. 55...
    "So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
    Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endured forever.'"

  On a personal note, over the last three years (2009-2011) Christa and I have had most of our lives taken away by her health. This has obviously put us in a precarious financial spot. Our families, relatives, and friends have been unbelievable in their support, and unlike most with these types of health issues not currently covered by HealthCare, we have not had to go into debt over Christa's Lyme disease + co-infections.
  Help has come in the form of generous cheques, cooked meals, flowers, and huge amounts of time given running errands we couldn't do ourselves at the time. And also a lot of gifts that were only meant for us to enjoy and have fun with.
   But here's the thing; up to a few years ago Christa and I have always been the ones in the position to help others in different ways. So we have had to really keep our pride in check as we learned to accept these gifts with a thankful heart. Knowing that not only are we blessed by them, but that those who gave are also blessed by helping us. Who are we to say no to help, or to be unnecessarily uncomfortable in accepting food? It has definitely been humbling, but in that, we have learnt a little better how to give, as we will one day be in that position to give to others again. We have now been on both ends of the act of giving, and the purpose of both sides is to give glory to Christ.

  So to summarize this post on giving:
      If you only want a small return on your talents, time, and money, give only a little away. And if in your heart you don't really want to give anything at all, then just keep it. But if you are sincere about giving, and don't necessarily think first on want a substantial return you'll get, give lots away, and you shall be blessed! Hang on to what God has entrusted to you with care, but at the same time, loosely. Be very wise with it and give carefully; but fully realize that it isn't your time. It isn't your talents. It isn't your money. It never was. It is all on loan as a tool to use in your one life.

   The New Testament completely does away with the idea of giving a specific amount, and places all emphasis on the heart of the giver, not the amount or a percentage (personally, I would much prefer exact numbers and regulations to deal with, but God knows I would try to find a way around them:)). No, what God wants, is a heart that has bent its knee to Him, and Him alone.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=615101332431

CHAPTER 10 "CCR - Climbing the Christian Ranks"

Before I get going, I just want say this post isn't short, but it won't be as long as my previous one on marriage. 

  This post is about something that has been rattling around my head for a few years now and it may not digest well for many church going people and may be controversial for some, but nonetheless I want to write it. My intent is not to get a reaction, but to shed some light on some things that the Bible does not teach, and more importantly what is does teach.

On a personal note, I was born just outside the Bible school my parents were attending. I grew up on the "mission field" of Eastern Canada where my dad pastored a small french church for a long time. I have taught Sunday school and Bible studies for years. I have attended two bible schools; one in Alberta, the other in New Zealand. I have led youth events. I have played guitar for years on music/worship teams. I have done many Christian sports camps. I have been a Young Life leader. I have done "unofficial" outreach with unsaved young people. I have done international mission trips. I have given my "testimony" and preached sermons.
 I have breathed, smelt, heard, tasted and been saturated in organized church since as long as I could remember. I have easily heard thousands of sermons and been to 2500+ church gatherings of some type in my young life.

 Why do I say all this? Because so much of what I just listed about myself is totally and completely worthless. It doesn't mean anything. My worth and purpose as a christian is not defined by any of these things. 
  Because I want you to know, I do not say all this from an outsider's perspective. I speak from the inside of today's churches. My wife and I have dozens of close friends and acquaintances who fill many paid church positions, and just as many who are currently in various levels of seminary training for said positions.

   One thing I have noticed growing up in the "church culture" since I was very young, was just how much prestige, attention, and respect that could sometimes correlate to the years one spent at a seminary. This is not always the case in smaller churches, but it is very prevalent in churches that have 150+ people, and especially so in the mega churches where weekly attendance is in the high hundreds or thousands.
  When I was young I first noticed this, and at that impressionable stage of life I assumed it normal. I began to notice other things along these lines, such as the yearly salaries generally corresponded with what "Christian degree" and formal education you had from a seminary.
   
   For example, if you did 2 years at a seminary, you would expect an intern position of sorts, but certainly not a pastoral position, but probably one in youth, college, or music ministry, and a salary in the ball park of $20,000-35,000. But if you could stick it out for 3-4 years at seminary, you could make $35,000-45,000 a year if God "called" you to the right church to fill the position of an associate pastor. Another option would be to get a masters or a doctorate over 5-7 years at seminary. This could put you in the running for senior pastorate position with a yearly salary ranging well into six digits (More on paid church positions later). And if you managed your resources well, spoke in a way that drew people to you, and didn't take a definitive stance on too many controversial issues, you would most likely be offered or "called" to a bigger and more profitable church. The temptation to avoid preaching on certain difficult topics, and cling to the cozier passages of the Bible week after week is hard to resist when new people keep coming in the doors.

• "...but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void." (1 Cor. 1)

 Jesus was just as eager to turn away truth "seekers", as he was to accept genuine repentant believers. Think of the wealthy ruler who approached Jesus in Luke 18. He fit the bill perfectly for a "prospective convert". He walks into church and starts asking about how to get to Heaven. He is obviously willing to talk about spiritual things. He knows the Bible. He is morally perfect in his living. He is very rich. What else could a church body want from a guy? All he needs to add to his great life is Jesus, right? But at all costs, do not let this one off the line. 

  But what did Jesus do with him? He shows him exactly where he falls short. He immediately pinpoints where this stand up citizen has failed. Not failed by human standards, but by God's. Jesus knew his heart. Jesus knew this man's security was tied up in this life. And while this man is standing there discouraged and stunned, Jesus then loudly speaks to everyone around, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"

  Is Jesus being cruel? Cold and uncaring about this man's feelings? I suppose it depends on who you would be in this story. This man's feelings did not matter in comparison to the severity of eternity, Hell, and Heaven. What do you think would happen if this type of "evangelism" was carried out in today's average church? If things like forgiveness would only be taught along side of the gravity of sin? I believe the immediate effect would be a drastic decline in attendance, followed by a genuine rebuilding of the entire church. 

 Jesus would often have very large crowds numbering in the thousands listening to his words, but how many times did he say something that caused a stampede in the opposite direction? 

•  John 6 tells of when Jesus finished preaching, and it was not received well by the people. "On hearing it, many of his disciples said, 'This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, 'Does this offend you?'...He went on to say, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.' From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 'You do not want to leave me too, do you?'"

  I can't help but see a direct comparison to the way a successful company is run in the business world. You go to university or college and get your degree. You then bring your resume to an interview where you potential competency is evaluated. If all goes well you will be offered a position and salary according to your experience and education. Once you've been in the business for awhile, your success is graded by your marketing skills, ability to complete the tasks at hand, and total revenue generated. This is the way one can expect things to go quite often in the business world, but I fail to see any major differences with the way almost every single church is run in our present day in 2011. One can climb the corporate ladder of a church in the exact same way as in a company.


  Now, I am being a bit cynical? Maybe a little, but only a little. I know full well that no church is perfect, or has it all together, but some hills are worth dying on. This is one of those hills....


    This is something I see over and over again in first hand experience, and read and hear about constantly when it comes to the pulse of 90%+ of churches today. The "higher ranked" Christians will generally go for lunch with the visiting missionaries or guest speakers, while everyone else goes to Swiss Chalet or Denny's with the other lowly church peasants.
  And if the person on the stage that week happens to be a renown speaker or well known author, the amount of worship ...err I mean attention given to them is staggering. The pastor can be referred to, and approached as a celebrity of sorts. I see "sucking up" to the pastor as a very common way to validate your own worth within the church. To be able to say, "I know him pretty well.", or " When we went for lunch last...", can boost the self esteem of someone who has put their confidence in a mere man. These types of relational church pursuits are very unhealthy dead end roads to go down. God has not designed any man to fulfil that role of, well, God. 


  If a younger or newer Christian in a church begins to get fired up and passionate in their faith, learning about the Bible at a furious rate, and their life starts to show significant signs of change by becoming more like the person of Christ, one of two things will happen as other church members notice.
   One, they will tell you in subtle ways to calm down and quit "running" at such a high speed.
   Or two, that person will be encouraged to go to seminary to get a Bible degree to ease the ruffled and singed feathers of other Christians who's moral boats have been tipped a little too much for comfort. Because if someone does not have a seminary degree, then the accountability before God must be less; right? How can one be expected to live in the same moral league as one who has a "Masters of Divinity" degree?
    Because if someone has a Rev., Dr., or Pastor in front of their name, then how can someone else possibly be expected to know as much, be as moral, or be as passionate about God and the Bible as someone who has gone to seminary? The Bible says otherwise.


  "There is only one place a man can do something for 20, 30, or 40 years and not get any better at it, and still be accepted by his peers: Church." - V. Baucham (He has a great talk on this topic: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=41511125147 )

• Titus 2 - "Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith...Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,..." Hebrews 5 - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles..."

Pastor Mark Driscoll has such a sold article on the pros and cons of Seminary:  http://theresurgence.com/2013/01/22/should-i-get-a-ministry-degree-or-a-real-world-one?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=pastormark&utm_campaign=Pastor%2BMark%2BFacebook

  Do I think Bible schools are a bad idea? Often, but not always. Yes, seminary has the potential for one to genuinely grow in their faith and knowledge, but it is far from a guarantee. The Bible says nothing about needing a degree or certificate given by men to be able to teach or lead in a church. Nothing. 
   The books of Titus and 1 Timothy give more than enough clarification as to the education and qualification of a church leader. It is unfortunate how many Godly men are not encouraged or given a chance to teach, while the pulpit is often filled with someone who has a 'Masters of Divinity' degree who may fill all church requirements while failing Biblical ones. I rarely hear of Pastors who are interviewed in a way other than one that follows the business model. I find this strange as the Bible gives such a clear picture of what a man should be, to lead a church.

•   Titus 1 "...namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of on wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious (quick to argue), not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict."

• 1 Timoth 3 adds a few things to this list, "...able to teach...respectable...free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control will all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church..."

 Why are men not critiqued by these standards anymore? But by the world business model standards instead? By attendance, resumes, percentages and stats. And what part of these definitive standards God has laid out in the Bible are not directly applicable to all warm blooded men of God? If this list only applies to pastors and elders, then where does a man look for a standard to reach for? No, this is for every saved man. Period.
   And yes some men choose to teach the whole church, but all Christian men should be capable of at least teaching their own families.


 And those same parts of the Bible also lay out the standard for women. Do they only apply to women who are musically gifted, Sunday school directors, and Pastor's wives?

• "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure...so that the word of God will not be dishonored." (Titus) 

If one man is hired to be the main leader of a church, then ministry which is every single saved person's responsibility and privilege, often falls to the paid church staff. I mean, why should I go visit sick people when I pay 10% of my paycheck to the church? (more on tithing in the next post)  
     Why should I help clean up when we hire a janitor? Shouldn't the powerpoint and music be more modern and smoother with what the church can afford?

   A Christian comedian had this funny line, "You know when someone at church comes up to you and says, 'You got a servants heart dude, you got a real servants heart.' What they really mean is, 'Start stacking chairs!'"

  This trend has spread into what is called "Youth Ministry" over the last 20 years. Now, without getting too much into the issue of youth ministry, but where else can a 20 something year old guy or girl get paid $20,000-50,000 a year to hang out with kids all day? In answer to "But I have a passion for young people." I like the quote "Well if that's the case, then get married and have your own." Yes, amazing things can still happen within youth groups, but it is far from the ideal set up. 
  Youth ministry has failed its own stated goals in the church. It is not producing life long fruit bearing believers. It's just not. What if some kids got saved through youth group? Well, some people get saved at WalMart. This is bad logic. The point is that a separate ministry for youth is not necessary for young people to get saved. Why? Because the church body itself fulfills that role. Where, throughout history starting in Acts, did a young person fail to find Christ through a church body but needed a youth or college and career group to get answers? College and Career groups provide a place for Youth Group graduates to go without stepping all the way up to the "big church", without feeling uncomfortable and out of place.
   If the church is functioning as it is supposed to, there is no need for this industry...err I mean ministry...
 Does this mean every guy or girl "working" in this ministry is a failing Christian? Of course not, but the entire premiss of youth ministry is not supported by Scripture. As Voddie Baucham (first video clip below) so delicately put it, "There is more Scriptural evidence to become a eunuch then there is to become a youth pastor."


Age segregated "church" is not found in the Bible.
( http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=415111310574 )

  I know the word "pastor" is found in the Bible, but the church structure based on one man preaching the majority of the time (i.e. 75%+ of Sundays) is not found in Scripture; not matter how hard one looks for it. It is far from healthy to have one man, a mere man, be the one responsible for most of the teaching a church body receives.

• "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed." (Prov. 15)

   The amount of upheaval following a pastor leaving a church is an obvious example that comes to mind. If by one man leaving a church body, even one that was in leadership, causes people to consider whether they will stay on in that church or not, is a sad indicator as to where the trust was laid and who was really worshiped in that church. Verbally God was praised, but hearts trusted in man.


 A church body cannot be based on men. Especially one man. Is it a sin to have one pastor who does most if not all of the teaching? No of course not. But it is far from the ideal situation for a church to grow in. What it does however, is place far too much responsibility on one man. That burden is too great for any one person to carry. And as opposed to the attention being temporarily given to one person while they teach, then given fully to God and his Truth, the attention and adoration remains on that one pastor. His words can become more familiar and trusted, than the Word of God. 
  One man can only learn so much. One man has only lived so much. One man has only trusted God in so many ways through suffering. 
   But multiple Godly men teaching one church body, will result in far more consideration given to the subject of the teaching, as opposed to the speaker. 

•    "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." (2 Tim 3:4)
• "Where words are many, sin is not absent." (King Solomon)

Human applause is a very dangerous thing. Look at what happened to King Herod...Acts 12:22,23


  If the church had a handful of men that were in charge of the teaching, then it is much more difficult to come to trust in a single man over the true head of the church; Jesus Christ.
 When the first church were getting going after the ministry of Jesus, they would select multiple leaders for each body of believers, as well as dividing all the rest of the responsibilities to men and women in the church. No one person having any more importance then another.

•  Acts 14 - "When they had appointed elders for them in every church..."
•  Acts 15 - "Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them..."
•  Titus - "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you..."
• Eph 4 - "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangilists, and some as pastors and teachers,..."

 The Bible does not class people spiritually in levels of importance and rank. Once Christ buys you from your former master of sin, then you belong to him. All His slaves are equal.

• "For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord's freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ's slave." (1 Cor. 7:22)

• "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28)

• "...do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you." (Rom 11)

• "There is no one righteous, not even one;...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."(Rom. 3) 

      Yes, this includes your pastor, youth pastor, favorite Christian authors, favorite Christian musicians, and favorite Christian speakers. No one is worthy of human worship. Paul talks about his zeal for God, moral faultlessness, high social and religious training all being worthless. He also talks about how his ministry brought on much long suffering in the form of 5 separate whippings that stripped the back of all flesh, beatings, 3 shipwrecks, stoned 3 times, and always in danger from something. But Paul refused to boast in any of this. His security was found in Christ. Period.


  The leaders are the ones who (should) serve the most!

• "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve; and give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10)

Preaching to, or being in front of hundreds or thousands of people, does NOT make you an "effective" Christian. A ditch digger, wall street trader, salesman, grocery teller, housewife, or tradesperson, can have JUST as much impact on the world, or more, than a famous Christian author or preacher. We must get this idea of human worship dealt with. We often don't even know we're doing it. But we humans crave an object to give attention to. Something or someone tangible to trust and hope in. Bank accounts, vehicles with years left on the warranty, famous people, a house with an X amount of square feet in the right neighbourhood, etc. 
    In the church we look to the popular "teachers" and figureheads. As well our Christian musicians who sound like something on America's top 40, the approval of the higher ranked Christians around you, the satisfaction of other church members knowing how much $$$ you gave, the desire to have others know about what ministries you're involved in, and how many times your face shows up on the slideshow of the recent missions trip.

• "But when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. then you father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you...When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to other that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."(Matt. 6)

 A leader, or teacher, should be almost pitied more than applauded, envied, and elevated. The responsibility is massive. It is not a position to be sought after. There is no human glory when a leader is teaching and leading Biblically, only more responsibility before God. "Pastors" or church leaders are far from being more important than anyone else, but in reality are actually held to more accountability the more they teach. Yes, all men are commanded to reach for a certain standard God has set for them to teach their families (Prov. 22:6), but those who decide to teach to the church body have undertaken a role they are guaranteed to fail at. How can one perfectly explain the Bible? How can any man accurately and perfectly depict God's hatred of sin or His immeasurable love for us? Any good that comes from a man's teaching is only because of God and his Spirit, while any shortcomings are placed squarely on the leader. See how being a church leader can be a daunting task? Pray for them. They are signing up for more responsibility and judgment from God on what they have said or didn't say.

• James (3) says this on the issue - "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

This brings me to the issue of paid church positions. This could easily be a post in itself, so I will try and summarize.
   Financial support for certain positions in the church is Biblical. But it is not the example Paul set for us. He knew that when money starts flowing, things get warped very quickly. Less is more in the case of paid church positions.

• "For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God." (1 Thess 2)

• "For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate."  (2 Thess 3)

   But unfortunately "church" has become a business, as I touched on earlier. In the last century it has gotten completely out of hand. The emphasis and importance of money and materialism within the church body is revolting. The design for a church laid out in Scripture has multiple men leading the church. Multiple men can not all be full-time preachers. This is point. Responsibilities become Biblical, rather than traditional. 


 (Here is a great book on some significant ways the modern church has changed for the worse - http://www.amazon.ca/Why-Men-Hate-Going-Church/dp/0785260382/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306273279&sr=8-1)

  When I often hear the phrase, "He or she is in, or going into full-time ministry." I then say, so they must be a Christian then? You see, there is no such thing as a career Christian, but that is exactly what almost every single church is comprised of. It is supposed to be an equal body of believers, with different roles. Not a pyramid of Christians, with different pay scales and commitment levels. 

  Think of it this way. Imagine you were on a walk with someone you care about very much, i.e. a parent, brother, sister, husband or wife etc. Picture the two of you enjoying the warm summer night air while walking downtown. Now, let's say the two of you were jumped by a gang of 5 or 6 thug-types. After a few minutes of them threatening you, one of them pulls a pistol on you and starts shouting. The person you're downtown with, who you love and care about very much, sees the gun holder is strung out on something, and steps in front of you just as he pulls the trigger. He or she slumps to the ground right in front of you as the gang scurries off. 

  A few months after the funeral you decide to begin speaking at schools about gangs, alcohol, and drug abuse, but mainly you want to tell about what your friend did for you that night. How could you not take every opportunity that comes along to sing this person's praises, and how you owe them your life. Now imagine if you were approached after a talk you just gave, and were offered an career where you could speak full-time, get a salary, and have your own office. Now you have an opportunity get paid to talk about the sacrifice your friend made for you that night. 

  I don't know about you, but just the thought of that repulses me. How could anyone accept money to talk about that? If someone wanted to give you a gas card while you traveled, offered you their guest suite while you were passing through town, gave you a donation, or cover you food expenses, that's a different story. 

 To get a T4 slip for being a better, harder working, or a more full-time Christian than most, just isn't right. (Jesus talked about money constantly; and the extreme dangers of it.) The more paid church positions there are, the more doors are opened where sin can enter the church. How many more countless ways are there for money to be spent from the church. Not within the church.


 Keith Green, realized this during his very successful years before he died at an early age in a plane crash. He was a former child music star. He became Christian in his twenties, and he changed the direction of his music during the 70's and 80's. He began not charging for his concerts and records. He only asked for what people were able to give, as he believed it wasn't right for Christians to be making so much money for presenting the Gospel. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Green

 Many from the Christian music industry to put it mildly, went ballistic. Keith took a lot of flack from the Christian community for this over the years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Wanna_Go_Back_to_Egypt He and his wife mortgaged their own house and found other ways to finance the producing of the album (with a guest appearance by Bob Dylan) he was working on at the time. Of the 200,000 copies sent out, 61,000 of them were free and the rest were purchased by donation. He continued this "policy" for the rest of his career. 




   In the Bible it is far easier to find passages that support giving to widows, orphans, the sick, and the poor and  needy, than it is to hire a music/worship leader; or a children's ministry director. These are careers within church "culture". The church lingo and overall vernacular will sound good and right, but the actions, money trail, and fruit of the Spirit (or lack thereof) will often tell a different story.

 God does not need anyone or anything to save someone. He does not need certain preachers or authors. He does not need extremely talented, funny, or popular Christians to accomplish His will. He does not need buildings to reveal himself to someone. Who do we think we are, that we deserve or are owed money for our service to God!? Do we not, even in a small way, grasp what He did for us?!

  I get too emotionally charged when I get into this topic so I will end it there before I write something I will regret.

  

 When it comes to preachers, the criteria is clear. Is Biblical knowledge and training necessary to teach a church body? It is absolutely critical! 
  But I know multiple men of God who have a very strong desire to fly planes for missions work, third world medical help, preach, teach or serve God in a certain way who qualify by Biblical standards to do so, but have been denied the opportunity because they lack a piece of paper from a seminary. This has to change.
  God does not need anyone to accomplish his will on this planet, but He will hold everyone accountable for what we have done, or haven't done...


   I will say it again, we humans crave someone or something to worship. A tangible object to devote all our attention to. Key word there; TANGIBLE. 
Do you want to know what you worship? Whatever it is you think about most. Whatever it is you are most afraid of losing. 
  There was a time when Israel was a fully theocratic nation; answering only to God through prophets and judges. But the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations around them; have a system just like everyone else.

•  "'Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.' But he thing displeased Samuel when they said, 'Give us a king to judge us.' And Samuel prayed to the Lord, And the Lord said, 'Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.'"  Even though Samuel then went on to explain all the negative outcomes this would cause for the people, they wouldn't listen,  "But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And the said, 'No! But there shall be a king over us, that we may be like the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.'" (1 Samuel 8)

  It really boils down to idol worship. Just like the Israelites when they made a golden calf (Ex. 32) to worship when Moses was gone for too long. Unhealthy prestige, honour, and attention masked by Christian-ese language, given where it doesn't belong. 

  When Christ died He removed the need for priests when the Temple curtain was ripped down the middle. Jesus himself became our only High Priest.

• "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, have become a high priest forever..."(Heb 6)

 This means there is no need anymore for men to come to God on your behalf. So why, when we esteem pastors and church leaders more than we should, do we rein-act the very system Christ did away with when he died?!

 How does this play out in most churches? By thinking and acting like your pastors are Dr. Phil and Oprah. That their words and opinions are law. Why study the Bible myself when the same man we hire, can do so every week for me instead? 
  The first commandment "You shall have no other God's before me." is often broken when we worship the same men who are bringing the word of God themselves. 

  Or think of it this way: If you go to, or take your pastor's advice (or any human's for that matter) on an issue, before you go to the Bible and pray about it yourself, then you are in serious trouble. 

"There is no such thing a great man of God. Only weak, pitiful men of a great and merciful God." - Paul Washer


 My ending thought: if you are involved with any type of organized church, I would strongly encourage you to define what is right and wrong within that church, not from human opinions (including mine) or traditions, but by what the Bible clearly lays out. The Bible was not written to trip you up. It is not a Easter egg hunt for truth. 
   Truth is right there. And once you have your own opinion and belief on how a church should function from the Bible, then act on it accordingly and pick your battles carefully. 
   But there is something I've realized as I have found myself more alone than not, with where I stand on these types of issues. I am never the only one left; even though it can be so frustrating at times, am not flying solo on this flight path. The prophet Elijah said this, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your alters, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left..." God then causes winds strong enough to break chunks of rock off the mountain where Elijah is, an earthquake follows, then fire...and God then answers Elijah in a low whisper, "Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal..." (1 Kings 19) 
   After Paul also refers to this part of history in chapter 11 of his letter to the Romans, he says, "So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace." 

  So ultimately, we are not supposed to follow a man or woman, but to follow Jesus Christ. 


  Thank you for reading this post. I pray God blesses you as He sees fit.

CHAPTER 9 "A circle of love, or a shackle?" 6 of 6

IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

...continued from Chapter 8

  Everyone has their own story in life, but for myself, my journey as a husband has had countless opportunities to either be selfish and do what I want, or do what God wants, which is what Christa needs me to do; and in some cases that is literally keeping her alive. What I mean by opportunities is this, my days are filled with dozens of choices that depending on what I decide, will have drastic results. But nevertheless they are still choices.

  Because of Christa's health being so brutal for most of our marriage, there have been days and even weeks, where I do not do one thing for myself. I have gone full days without eating because I don't have time to make myself something as Christa's body is dragging her into unexplainable agony like wild horses dragging someone behind them. She has swallowed over 65,000 pills over the last 4 years. She has taken 16 trips to the emergency room, but she has had enough reason to go well over a hundred times, but she fights like no one else I've ever heard of.

 The stress and anguish of my heart are far too high to even think about food. 24 hours without sleep is common. I go days without realizing that I haven't taken a full breath because of the trauma we find ourselves in. Running up and down the stairs getting drugs, helping her throw up, pouring baths, giving her mouth-to-mouth oxygen, micro-waving heat bags, researching online, and making sad attempts at laundry and dishes is what fills most of my days.

  I am no hero. If this is what being a hero is, I wouldn't recommend it...

          It does not feel like a choice, although I suppose it is. Just in the same way after seeing for the first time that Christ went though death instead of me, that giving my life which he bought, to follow Him is in reality a choice. But if something is irresistible, is it still a choice? How could I not choose to follow Him!? And as close tangent to that choice, how could I not choose to care for my bride in this dark season of life?

    Love does not make suffering any easier, but it provides the motivation to endure it.

   Christa is such an unbelievable woman. Almost every memory we have managed to make has been because of pain killers finally working, or more often than not, because of Christa's ability to manage the pain. She somehow is able to have conversations and think clearly up to a 7-8 out of 10 for her, if "10" is passing out from the pain. Even though she has gone through, and still endures more physical torture than I have ever seen, heard, or read about, she still makes my decision to love her a very easy one.

 While holding Christa's limp unconscious body waiting for her to "come to" in-between seizures, I have had long awaited phone calls with doctors and specialists, where I'm trying to focus on getting the information I need, while keeping my wife's body from slamming into something.

  This is a very small look into what our life has looked like more often than not for almost 3 years now.

"Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it." - Winston Churchill

   But with such suffering can come a silver lining. I must stress that this silver lining does not always bring comfort, or warm fuzzy feelings. What it is, is a God given opportunity to serve Him, through taking care of Christa when she can't take care of herself. This is a major part of my purpose in this life. There is often no immediate reward for doing things God's way. I don't take care of her because of what she could give back to me. I do it because I truly love her. And she doesn't choose to stay alive for any other reason then her unbelievable love for me. How could she when the pain is so torturous and unrelenting, month after month...I don't know why she chose me out of all the guys she could have said yes to...

 But even in the dark shadow-lands which Christa and I have walked hand in hand, our suffering is still somehow always slightly overpowered by the love, joy, and purpose Christa and I share. If someone could offer me a life, without all this unrelenting and all consuming unfiltered pain, I wouldn't take it if it meant giving up my relationship with Christa. 

  When we first started seeing each other we had no idea what lay ahead, but even if somehow I was given a vision from God of what was coming, I would still marry her. 

Rewards are not the correct motivation for sacrifice. Jesus Christ is. 

  This dark chapter of our story will hopefully end soon, and circumstances will be less traumatic, but my role and job as a husband remains unchanged. And for that I am truly glad.

 What Christa and I share is something so rare and precious, that I could never trade it for anything. And because of the evil monster that is her health, we have had to fight so fiercely for every bit of our love. The wisest man to ever walk the earth besides the Son of God, was King Solomon who wrote this around 960 B.C., "For love is as strong as death...Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised."

  Think about this famous line that seems to be believed, to some extent, by most people, "If it feels good, do it." This is what people actually use as their line of reasoning for committing what God calls, sin. From cheating on your spouse, to fudging the tax numbers, to being loose with your tongue. "It felt good at the time, so I did it."

  If this is in some way a new thought for you, let me break something to you. Feelings have nothing to do with it. What you feel, can be trusted as much as a fat kid next to cupcakes. Feelings, when used as your compass for life, is like a compass that doesn't point North (Truth), but one that you can turn the arrow in any direction you like.

  But if God, and his Word are your compass, you can be guaranteed to find yourselves in hard circumstances just like anyone, but as a whole you will end up continuing North.

The Lord of the Rings was written by a Christian man, J.R.R. Tolkien, and many Biblical analogies are laced throughout his stories. Frodo's road was far from comfortable, but he knew exactly what he needed to do, and where he needed to go. No matter what showed up in front of him, he knew what his mission was.

 Marriage can hold such rich, untold joys and happy memories. Bliss is a word that comes close to describing what marriage can really be. But the only way these amazing times can truly happen, is if your feet are set and braced correctly, with Christ as your compass, for the stormy seasons which always come to some degree, to everyone in this life.

 In Matthew 7 Jesus tells a story of two men who built their house (lives) on different foundations. One on stone, the other on sand. Stormy weather hit both houses (lives). (Solomon also talks about negative  uninvited circumstances being unrelated to one's belief system in the book of Ecclesiastes.) Here is the rest of the story Jesus told,

  "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 'Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall.' When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching;"

   The purpose of doing it God's way, is not a lack of bad weather in life. If anything you may attract more, but the point is that if your life is built on Christ and the Bible, you will not fall, but have a life able to sustain the beatings life gives out.

 Marriage is by far the most high stakes game of life you will ever play.

  But the more you put what you perceive your rights to be, and what you think you deserve in this life aside, you will put yourself directly in the way of an unbelievable marriage!

    If you have made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on marriage. I pray that your wedding ring (or future ring) will represent a circle of Christ's love, and far from that of a shackle. May God bless you as He sees fit.