It has stood the test of time.
00:00:06.13\00:00:10.81
God's book, the Bible.
00:00:10.81\00:00:14.71
Still relevant in
today's complex world.
00:00:15.88\00:00:20.15
It Is Written.
00:00:20.82\00:00:23.75
Sharing hope around the globe.
00:00:23.82\00:00:28.82
I've come to eastern Tennessee
today to speak with Ed Reid on
00:00:35.76\00:00:39.27
the subject of stewardship,
Christian stewardship from
00:00:39.27\00:00:42.84
a biblical point of
view. A moment ago, Ed,
00:00:42.84\00:00:45.44
we talked about tithing.
That's the practice of taking a
00:00:45.44\00:00:47.64
tenth of one's income and giving
it to the Lord in harmony with
00:00:47.64\00:00:51.75
what He has asked us to
do in both the Old Testament
00:00:51.75\00:00:54.62
and the New Testament.
But someone wanting to tithe
00:00:54.62\00:00:57.55
or thinking of tithing
is going to ask the question
00:00:57.55\00:00:59.72
"Where do I put this money?
To whom do I give the money?"
00:00:59.72\00:01:03.66
Where do we tithe?
ER: A very good question
00:01:03.66\00:01:06.63
and it's a common
question that people have.
00:01:06.63\00:01:08.90
There are three things,
elements, that are involved in
00:01:08.90\00:01:11.27
an honest tithe and that
is the percent, which everyone
00:01:11.27\00:01:14.00
pretty well agrees is a
tenth. The second one is
00:01:14.00\00:01:16.94
the place to return it.
And then the third one is
00:01:16.94\00:01:19.47
"What should it be used
for?" So, the tithe is not like
00:01:19.47\00:01:24.15
an offering
because it belongs to God.
00:01:24.15\00:01:26.65
And you know, Leviticus 27:30
says the tithe is holy and it
00:01:26.65\00:01:29.52
belongs to the
Lord. So, God determines
00:01:29.52\00:01:32.52
what is done with it, not me.
If I want to support a ministry
00:01:32.52\00:01:35.76
with my offering, I
can do that but my tithe
00:01:35.76\00:01:37.83
is a different story. So,
since we have Numbers 18:21
00:01:37.83\00:01:42.43
that God says he wants to
support the preachers with his
00:01:42.43\00:01:44.37
tithe, he could take his tithe
back to heaven if he wanted to
00:01:44.37\00:01:47.60
or he could do it like the they
did to the sacrificial Lamb,
00:01:47.60\00:01:49.74
burn it up. It's his.
00:01:49.74\00:01:51.14
He could do
whatever he wants to.
00:01:51.14\00:01:52.41
But he says, I've used
it to@ support the ministry.
00:01:52.41\00:01:55.18
And it's a very,
very interesting thing.
00:01:55.18\00:01:57.25
In the Bible, and in the Old
Testament and the New Testament
00:01:57.25\00:02:00.72
there was a central storehouse
to which the tithe is brought.
00:02:00.72\00:02:04.32
And it's a very interesting
one and it's to show you how
00:02:04.32\00:02:06.96
important it is right over
in the Book of Exodus, just two
00:02:06.96\00:02:10.46
chapters away from
the Ten Commandments,
00:02:10.46\00:02:12.69
and this would be Exodus 23
and I'll point it out to you
00:02:12.69\00:02:17.60
as well so you can see it,
Exodus 23:14-19, three times
00:02:17.60\00:02:24.47
every year all the males
had to appear before the Lord in
00:02:24.47\00:02:27.74
Jerusalem and the real
interesting thing about it,
00:02:27.74\00:02:30.58
this to me is a
fascinating thing,
00:02:30.58\00:02:32.55
it's Pentecost,
well, first Passover,
00:02:32.55\00:02:35.25
then Pentecost, then the
Feast of the Tabernacles,
00:02:35.25\00:02:36.89
three times a year all the
males, and verse 19 says the
00:02:36.89\00:02:40.39
first fruits of your
land you shall bring to
00:02:40.39\00:02:42.32
the House of the Lord. In
other words, part of that,
00:02:42.32\00:02:44.33
and you see it also over in
Deuteronomy, the 12th chapter of
00:02:44.33\00:02:47.50
the law of the
storehouse, three times a year
00:02:47.50\00:02:49.80
they brought their
tithes to the storehouse.
00:02:49.80\00:02:52.43
Now this is an interesting
situation because even though in
00:02:52.43\00:02:56.14
Israel, there were 48
cities given to the Levites.
00:02:56.14\00:02:59.34
So essentially, they were all
over the place, including the
00:02:59.34\00:03:01.91
six cities of refuge
- you know three were on
00:03:01.91\00:03:03.78
each side of the
Jordan. JB: Right.
00:03:03.78\00:03:05.28
ER: Still, three times a year
God asked them to come to the
00:03:05.28\00:03:07.32
central storehouse in
Jerusalem to bring their tithes.
00:03:07.32\00:03:10.15
Then the Bible talks in the Book
of Nehemiah and 2 Chronicles how
00:03:10.15\00:03:12.85
the Levites took it back out
to their fellow Levites to pay
00:03:12.85\00:03:16.26
their salaries but there
was this central storehouse,
00:03:16.26\00:03:18.43
I guess for accountability.
In fact, when Jesus was 12 years
00:03:18.43\00:03:22.26
old in the temple, remember?
Talking with the elders?
00:03:22.26\00:03:24.90
He was there because the Bible
says it was Passover and his
00:03:24.90\00:03:27.90
family had a custom of going
to Jerusalem on the Passover.
00:03:27.90\00:03:30.81
And there were lots of people.
He got lost in the crowd.
00:03:30.81\00:03:32.91
They thought he was
with him. You understand?
00:03:32.91\00:03:34.48
JB: That's right. ER:
Because everybody came.
00:03:34.48\00:03:36.04
JB: Sure ER: This is
a very important thing.
00:03:36.04\00:03:37.98
Here's a real interesting one.
Three times a year-and two of
00:03:37.98\00:03:41.62
those feasts were eight
days long so they're gone like a
00:03:41.62\00:03:45.05
whole month of the year,
just traveling to Jerusalem
00:03:45.05\00:03:47.26
and being in those
feasts. Well, you know there are
00:03:47.26\00:03:49.12
war-like tribes all around the
Israelites and you would think,
00:03:49.12\00:03:51.89
well, somebody is going to take
their land or come and ransack
00:03:51.89\00:03:53.66
their property, but God says in
Exodus 34, when you come those
00:03:53.66\00:03:57.20
three times a year, I'm going to
protect your place and nobody is
00:03:57.20\00:03:59.43
going to bother it.
ER: Isn't that incredible?
00:03:59.43\00:04:01.57
JB: And that's what
God did. ER: Oh yeah.
00:04:01.57\00:04:03.27
Amazing. JB: That's remarkable.
00:04:03.27\00:04:04.37
So tithing, then, to
the central storehouse.
00:04:04.37\00:04:07.28
ER: So I would just say that
that's what our church practices
00:04:07.28\00:04:10.91
but I will just tell you that
you bring it to the church for
00:04:10.91\00:04:14.22
the salary of the pastors.
This is not to pay parking lots
00:04:14.22\00:04:17.09
or buy choir robes. This
is for pastors' salaries,
00:04:17.09\00:04:19.95
those salaries
of church workers,
00:04:19.95\00:04:21.46
you know, throughout
the Christian denomination.
00:04:21.46\00:04:23.49
So that's what you
do with your tithe.
00:04:23.49\00:04:25.26
You take it to a
central storehouse.
00:04:25.26\00:04:27.30
If you belong to a Christian
denomination, you would take it
00:04:27.30\00:04:29.93
to that denomination
to pay their pastors.
00:04:29.93\00:04:32.57
That is the Biblical model.
JB: It requires a bit of faith,
00:04:32.57\00:04:35.24
doesn't it, on the part of
the person to look at his or her
00:04:35.24\00:04:37.04
paycheck and say, I'm
cutting 10% out of that
00:04:37.04\00:04:39.81
and taking that
to the Lord. ER: Yes.
00:04:39.81\00:04:41.31
Oh yes, indeed. And
it takes even more if you
00:04:41.31\00:04:43.61
don't think the church
is doing the right thing.
00:04:43.61\00:04:45.75
JB: What do you do if you don't
think the church is doing the
00:04:45.75\00:04:46.98
right thing? ER:
Well, remember that the
00:04:46.98\00:04:48.65
people that handle the tithe,
that's their responsibility
00:04:48.65\00:04:51.09
at that point.
I've just done what God
00:04:51.09\00:04:52.82
has asked me to do.
And God will hold them
00:04:52.82\00:04:54.76
responsible if it is mismanaged.
And by the way, you read earlier
00:04:54.76\00:04:58.83
in our presentation here
Malachi the third chapter.
00:04:58.83\00:05:01.83
JB: Yes. ER: Well
that was given at a
00:05:01.83\00:05:03.90
time of great apostasy.
You know, the tithe legislation
00:05:03.90\00:05:07.40
is back in Leviticus,
Exodus and Deuteronomy.
00:05:07.40\00:05:10.44
But here you have in Malachi,
the last book of the Old
00:05:10.44\00:05:12.71
Testament, a time of great
apostasy right before that great
00:05:12.71\00:05:15.04
long period of quietness and no
prophets for 400 years and God
00:05:15.04\00:05:18.61
is saying come back to me but
they weren't tithing because of
00:05:18.61\00:05:21.98
problems in the
church. But God said,
00:05:21.98\00:05:24.19
that's not your
problem. That's my problem.
00:05:24.19\00:05:26.22
I'll deal with that.
You do what I ask you to do.
00:05:26.22\00:05:28.32
JB: I notice that Jesus
commended the lady who brought
00:05:28.32\00:05:30.43
the two mites.
Now we are not told
00:05:30.43\00:05:31.89
it was tithe. It
was that plus it was
00:05:31.89\00:05:34.10
all she had. ER: Yes.
00:05:34.10\00:05:35.46
JB: He commended her because
she made a gift to a church
00:05:35.46\00:05:40.24
who was planning to
kill him. ER: Yes indeed.
00:05:40.24\00:05:42.37
JB: Church can't get
much worse than that.
00:05:42.37\00:05:43.67
ER: That's exactly right.
JB: And Jesus still said this is
00:05:43.67\00:05:45.21
the right thing to do. ER: Yes.
00:05:45.21\00:05:46.54
JB: And in fact - let's
talk about this briefly because@
00:05:46.54\00:05:48.98
you're going to get the people
who say, Oh, that's Jewish.
00:05:48.98\00:05:51.11
What I find is that if
Christians don't want to do
00:05:51.11\00:05:53.11
something, they blame the
Jews. That's a Jewish thing.
00:05:53.11\00:05:55.05
They do that about all
kinds of different things.
00:05:55.05\00:05:56.48
ER: Yes. JB: How
do we know that it's a
00:05:56.48\00:05:57.69
New Testament
principle? ER: Well, it's really
00:05:57.69\00:05:59.49
interesting that you ask that.
By the way, the Old Testament
00:05:59.49\00:06:03.29
was the only Bible that
Jesus and the disciples had.
00:06:03.29\00:06:05.96
JB: Right. ER:
That's where we believe in
00:06:05.96\00:06:07.66
the principles of
the Old Testament.
00:06:07.66\00:06:09.16
But you have tithing clearly
taught in the Old Testament.
00:06:09.16\00:06:11.37
Jesus in Matthew 23:23 talked
about how detailed the leaders,
00:06:11.37\00:06:17.04
especially the Pharisees, were.
You tithe the mint, the anise
00:06:17.04\00:06:20.28
and cumin... but
he's not criticizing them.
00:06:20.28\00:06:22.64
He says this you
ought to do but don't leave
00:06:22.64\00:06:24.88
the other things undone-
justice and mercy and so on.
00:06:24.88\00:06:27.65
And then Paul, over in
his writings, in Corinthians,
00:06:27.65\00:06:31.02
looks back at the
Old Testament and says:
00:06:31.02\00:06:33.09
Those who preach the gospel
should live of the gospel,
00:06:33.09\00:06:36.59
just like they did
in the Old Testament.
00:06:36.59\00:06:38.09
JB: That's right. ER:
So it's clearly there.
00:06:38.09\00:06:40.06
Plus over in Hebrews 7:10,@
where it talks about returning
00:06:40.06\00:06:44.70
tithe unto the Lord
who is a priest forever
00:06:44.70\00:06:47.04
after the order of
Melchizedec so it's clearly in
00:06:47.04\00:06:49.30
the New Testament as
well. JB: That's right.
00:06:49.30\00:06:50.91
You have Jesus
endorsing the system.
00:06:50.91\00:06:52.91
Paul endorsing the system.
The writer to the Hebrews
00:06:52.91\00:06:55.34
endorsing the system. It
can't get much more clearer
00:06:55.34\00:06:57.45
than that, can
it? ER: That's true.
00:06:57.45\00:06:58.65
JB: No it can't. And
what I'd like to do is as
00:06:58.65\00:07:00.55
we've spoken already,
we're talking about tithing not
00:07:00.55\00:07:02.52
just as a well let's all
pull together and pay the bills.
00:07:02.52\00:07:05.72
It's not just that.
God has given this to us
00:07:05.72\00:07:08.09
as a spiritual exercise.
As a step of faith and as
00:07:08.09\00:07:11.03
preparation for real
challenges that are coming.
00:07:11.03\00:07:13.86
ER: You brought in the spiritual
aspect of it and I am 100%
00:07:13.86\00:07:17.30
agreeable with that.
But let me just tell you,
00:07:17.30\00:07:19.67
more than we think,
Jesus tied our stewardship
00:07:19.67\00:07:22.90
to eternal life.
Now this is amazing.
00:07:22.90\00:07:26.24
This is not a legalistic
thing but it shows an attitude.
00:07:26.24\00:07:29.01
Let me give you an
example. The rich young ruler
00:07:29.01\00:07:31.21
came to Jesus. And he
said, "What can I do to
00:07:31.21\00:07:33.31
inherit eternal
life?" Well Jesus first said,
00:07:33.31\00:07:35.32
"Keep the
Commandments", and then he says
00:07:35.32\00:07:36.92
"which ones" so Jesus
started quoting some of
00:07:36.92\00:07:38.49
the 10 commandments. He
says I've been doing this
00:07:38.49\00:07:40.06
since I was a little
kid. What do I lack yet?
00:07:40.06\00:07:42.06
And then this bombshell
of the whole New Testament.
00:07:42.06\00:07:44.53
"Sell everything you
have and give it to the poor.
00:07:44.53\00:07:47.13
Then you will have treasures in
heaven and come and follow me.
00:07:47.13\00:07:49.56
Well, he went away
sorrowful because he had great
00:07:49.56\00:07:51.30
possessions. But the
interesting thing about
00:07:51.30\00:07:53.20
it when we see it because
Matthew, Mark and Luke all talk
00:07:53.20\00:07:55.70
about this story.
It's an amazing thing.
00:07:55.70\00:07:58.64
He was sincere when he
asked, "what could I do?"
00:07:58.64\00:08:01.24
If Jesus said, "well, you know,
00:08:01.24\00:08:02.98
give a tithe, you know,
or put some of you money
00:08:02.98\00:08:05.08
into an escrow account
and give the interest to the
00:08:05.08\00:08:06.68
poor", he didn't say it. He
asked him to give everything,
00:08:06.68\00:08:10.15
because he knew that
man's problem was the money.
00:08:10.15\00:08:14.19
He doesn't you and he doesn't
ask you or me to do that unless
00:08:14.19\00:08:16.69
that's our big problem. But
remember his first question,
00:08:16.69\00:08:19.23
"What do I need to do to inherit
eternal life?" Don't let money
00:08:19.23\00:08:21.36
get in the way, Jesus
said. You come and follow me
00:08:21.36\00:08:23.47
and you'll be
safe. So give everything.
00:08:23.47\00:08:26.03
But he lost
eternal life over that.
00:08:26.03\00:08:28.27
JB: He let money get
in the way. ER: Oh yes.
00:08:28.27\00:08:29.74
Isn't that incredible? Now
another amazing one is this,
00:08:29.74\00:08:33.58
when Zacchaeus- tax
collector, Jewish tax collector-
00:08:33.58\00:08:37.08
he decided he
wanted to see Jesus.
00:08:37.08\00:08:39.31
Now this is amazing because
when you want to see Jesus,
00:08:39.31\00:08:41.45
He wants to see you too.
But when he came to the place
00:08:41.45\00:08:43.79
where Jesus was to pass,
people were lined up already.
00:08:43.79\00:08:46.65
We know he was a rich
man, he was a short man,
00:08:46.65\00:08:48.49
and he wanted to see
Jesus. So, he ran ahead,
00:08:48.49\00:08:51.06
climbed up in a tree. Now
he's an attorney or a CPA.
00:08:51.06\00:08:54.73
He's probably got
a business suit on.
00:08:54.73\00:08:56.30
He climbed a tree.
This is incredible.
00:08:56.30\00:08:58.83
JB: Wearing his best clothes.
ER: Jesus walks under the tree,
00:08:58.83\00:09:00.94
looks up. This is incredible.
00:09:00.94\00:09:02.87
He calls him by name,
though they have never met.
00:09:02.87\00:09:05.27
Now the story is he
invited himself home for lunch.
00:09:05.27\00:09:08.84
And when Jesus, by the
way, you can imagine what
00:09:08.84\00:09:11.48
Zacchaeus must have thought
of because when you get Jesus,
00:09:11.48\00:09:13.92
you get 12 hungry disciples
that don't get regular meals,
00:09:13.92\00:09:16.18
so 13 men are coming
to lunch. But of course,
00:09:16.18\00:09:18.75
he's a wealthy man.
At the end of the meal,
00:09:18.75\00:09:21.09
Zacchaeus stands up and says
- this is after one encounter
00:09:21.09\00:09:24.53
with Jesus - "I am
gonna do something now.
00:09:24.53\00:09:27.66
My life is
going to be different.
00:09:27.66\00:09:29.20
Anything that I have taken from
people I am going to restore it
00:09:29.20\00:09:31.30
fourfold and I am going
to give half of what I have
00:09:31.30\00:09:33.70
to the poor."
Jesus did not tell him
00:09:33.70\00:09:36.60
"good idea,
that's a wonderful idea".
00:09:36.60\00:09:38.81
He said, "Today, salvation
has come to your house.
00:09:38.81\00:09:42.38
The rich young ruler and
Zachaeus both tie stewardship
00:09:42.38\00:09:44.81
to eternal life. JB:
Because for very many people
00:09:44.81\00:09:48.35
their
stewardship, or lack thereof,
00:09:48.35\00:09:50.49
or their stewardship practices
reveal what is going on
00:09:50.49\00:09:52.92
in the heart. ER: Exactly.
00:09:52.92\00:09:54.36
Jesus' whole goal for us is to
transform us from the inside out
00:09:54.36\00:09:58.76
through the Holy Spirit's power
so that we can be fit to live in
00:09:58.76\00:10:01.76
the company of the
holy beings in heaven.
00:10:01.76\00:10:03.67
And that's an amazing thing!
No selfishness will be there.
00:10:03.67\00:10:08.40
JB: Great points. Back
with more with Ed Reid and
00:10:08.40\00:10:11.07
stewardship
principles in just a moment.
00:10:11.07\00:10:12.54
Don't go away.
00:10:12.54\00:10:13.64
¤ [Gentle
Melody] ¤ In Matthew 4:4,
00:10:14.04\00:10:17.21
the word of God
says "It is written,
00:10:17.21\00:10:19.55
man shall not
live by bread alone
00:10:19.55\00:10:21.72
but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God."
00:10:21.72\00:10:25.29
Every Word is a one-minute
Bible-based daily devotional
00:10:25.29\00:10:28.69
presented by
Pastor John Bradshaw
00:10:28.69\00:10:30.89
and designed especially
for busy people like you.
00:10:30.89\00:10:33.83
Look for Every Word on selected
networks or watch it online
00:10:33.83\00:10:37.60
everyday on our
website: itiswritten.com.
00:10:37.60\00:10:40.70
Receive a daily spiritual
boost. Watch Every Word.
00:10:40.94\00:10:44.61
You'll be glad you did.
00:10:44.61\00:10:47.58
¤ [Rythmic Melody] ¤
00:10:49.34\00:10:52.45
Thanks for stopping by. I
read that one state lottery
00:10:56.58\00:10:59.39
had a prize of
1.2 million dollars
00:10:59.39\00:11:02.66
that went unclaimed.
That means, someone had a
00:11:02.66\00:11:05.06
winning ticket - worth over a
million dollars - and never came
00:11:05.06\00:11:07.66
forward to collect their prize.
Now I'm not meaning to promote
00:11:07.66\00:11:10.33
gambling or endorse gambling,
but I think you get my point .
00:11:10.33\00:11:13.07
Someone could have been very,
very rich, except they never
00:11:13.07\00:11:15.80
came forward to get
what was rightfully theirs.
00:11:15.80\00:11:18.41
You know, people lose
out on much more than that
00:11:18.41\00:11:21.11
every single day. In
Luke 11:13 it says that,
00:11:21.11\00:11:23.85
God will "give the Holy
Spirit to them that ask Him."
00:11:23.85\00:11:28.12
Having the Holy Spirit
in your life would make you
00:11:28.12\00:11:30.02
a child of God, a
joint-heir with Christ.
00:11:30.02\00:11:33.12
That would make you a spiritual
multi-billionaire, or more.
00:11:33.12\00:11:37.49
Don't miss the spiritual
riches God wants you to have.
00:11:37.49\00:11:40.86
Claim the Holy Spirit
today, and God will fill you
00:11:40.86\00:11:43.60
with His
presence. I'm John Bradshaw
00:11:43.60\00:11:45.63
for It Is Written. Let's
live today by Every Word.
00:11:45.63\00:11:48.77
¤ [Adventurous Theme] ¤
00:11:50.31\00:11:53.51
Time for today's Bible question.
00:12:05.62\00:12:07.39
Here it is. Are
there Bible verses
00:12:07.39\00:12:09.86
about gambling at a
casino? Great question.
00:12:09.86\00:12:13.83
The short answer is, No,
there are not Bible verses about
00:12:13.83\00:12:17.17
gambling at a casino, and that's
for pretty obvious reasons:
00:12:17.17\00:12:19.73
there were no
casinos in Bible times.
00:12:19.73\00:12:22.04
But what about the
principle of gambling?
00:12:22.04\00:12:24.34
Now, let's consider a few
Bible verses and see if we can
00:12:24.34\00:12:27.38
find the principles
that speak to the subject.
00:12:27.38\00:12:29.88
In Proverbs 3:9
the Bible says this,
00:12:29.88\00:12:33.05
"Honour the Lord
with thy substance,
00:12:33.05\00:12:35.22
and with the firstfruits
of all thine increase."
00:12:35.22\00:12:37.82
That means what we have
been given by God is to be used
00:12:37.82\00:12:40.36
in honoring Him.
Keep this in mind.
00:12:40.36\00:12:42.82
Part of the everlasting
gospel message in Revelation 14
00:12:42.82\00:12:46.03
is that we "fear God
and give glory to Him."
00:12:46.03\00:12:49.23
It isn't easy to see how
taking the money that God has
00:12:49.23\00:12:51.83
given us and then gambling
it would be honoring Him.
00:12:51.83\00:12:56.10
1 Timothy 6:9 & 10 say,
"Those who desire to be rich
00:12:56.10\00:12:59.84
fall into temptation
and a snare, and into many
00:12:59.84\00:13:02.44
foolish and harmful lusts
which drown men in destruction
00:13:02.44\00:13:06.48
and perdition. For the
love of money is a root
00:13:06.48\00:13:08.78
of all kinds of evil, for which
some have strayed from the faith
00:13:08.78\00:13:12.35
in their greediness, and
pierced themselves through
00:13:12.35\00:13:15.36
with many
sorrows." This is a lot like
00:13:15.36\00:13:17.89
Proverbs 28:22 which says,
"He that hasteth to be rich
00:13:17.89\00:13:21.20
hath an evil eye."
Not only in gambling
00:13:21.20\00:13:24.40
are you throwing away
what God has given you to use
00:13:24.40\00:13:26.80
in honoring Him, but with any
00:13:26.80\00:13:29.20
get-rich-quick scheme,
and that's what gambling is,
00:13:29.20\00:13:31.34
there's the desire
to gain, to have more,
00:13:31.34\00:13:34.41
to get, get, get.
In the Ten Commandments
00:13:34.41\00:13:36.98
God spoke to this, he
said, "Thou shalt not covet."
00:13:36.98\00:13:40.02
Gambling is
covetousness - God wants us to
00:13:40.02\00:13:42.78
keep away from
that. Hebrews 13:5 says,
00:13:42.78\00:13:45.22
"Let your conduct be
without covetousness."
00:13:45.22\00:13:49.72
And let me suggest
this: when it comes to casinos
00:13:49.72\00:13:51.69
and other places where
there is gambling, the activity
00:13:51.69\00:13:53.73
of gambling is almost
always associated with vice
00:13:53.73\00:13:57.53
and sin of all kinds.
Gambling brings a person into
00:13:57.53\00:14:00.97
association with all manner
of things that God doesn't
00:14:00.97\00:14:03.77
want you tied up with. The
lifestyle, the association,
00:14:03.77\00:14:07.98
the wasting of money -
not for a believer in Jesus.
00:14:07.98\00:14:11.75
And yet you might
say, "Oh, come on.
00:14:11.75\00:14:13.48
It's so little that I
spend on my lottery tickets,".
00:14:13.48\00:14:16.35
Well, if it's little,
then you probably won't miss
00:14:16.35\00:14:20.09
not doing it anymore.
That's money that God could use
00:14:20.09\00:14:23.29
in much more productive ways.
Instead of taking your money and
00:14:23.29\00:14:26.83
depositing it in
Satan's bank, it is far better
00:14:26.83\00:14:30.83
to invest it in the bank
of heaven for God's glory.
00:14:30.83\00:14:35.17
If you have a Bible question,
please go to our website:
00:14:35.17\00:14:37.17
itiswritten.com and
you can submit it there.
00:14:37.17\00:14:39.34
And I'll do what I can to
answer your Bible question
00:14:39.34\00:14:42.84
in a future program.
00:14:42.84\00:14:45.18
¤ [Adventurous theme] ¤
00:14:45.25\00:14:48.75
¤ [Thoughtful Theme] ¤
00:14:52.85\00:14:57.89
"But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost
00:14:59.89\00:15:03.30
is come upon you: and ye shall
be witnesses unto me both in
00:15:03.30\00:15:06.74
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the
00:15:06.74\00:15:10.77
uttermost part of the earth."
00:15:10.77\00:15:14.04
The uttermost part of the earth
seems like an appropriate way to
00:15:15.24\00:15:19.08
describe Mongolia, sandwiched
between China and Siberia.
00:15:19.08\00:15:25.69
About two and a half percent
of Mongolians are Christians.
00:15:25.69\00:15:29.69
Or to put it another
way, Mongolian is 97.5 percent
00:15:29.69\00:15:35.90
non-Christian.
00:15:35.90\00:15:38.17
Per capita there are less
Christians in Mongolia today
00:15:38.43\00:15:43.37
than there are in Saudi Arabia.
Official statistics say there
00:15:43.37\00:15:47.21
are more
Christians in North Korea
00:15:47.21\00:15:49.94
than there are in Mongolia.
00:15:49.94\00:15:52.21
In 1989 there were four
Christians in all of Mongolia.
00:15:52.45\00:15:58.25
There's simply very little
knowledge of Christianity.
00:15:58.25\00:16:02.69
The church hasn't
made real inroads here.
00:16:02.69\00:16:06.29
And according to the
Bible, somehow or other,
00:16:06.29\00:16:09.60
Mongolians will all be given
an opportunity to know Jesus.
00:16:09.60\00:16:15.27
It Is Written's Mission Mongolia
is bringing the Good News of
00:16:15.27\00:16:19.07
Jesus Christ to the
people@ of Mongolia.
00:16:19.07\00:16:22.54
People here must be reached,
and they are being reached
00:16:22.54\00:16:25.75
with Mission Mongolia.
People are having their health
00:16:25.75\00:16:29.45
needs met. Those
who need clothing to
00:16:29.45\00:16:32.19
protect themselves
against the brutally cold winter
00:16:32.19\00:16:35.56
are being helped also.
Your support of Mission Mongolia
00:16:35.56\00:16:39.69
will make it
possible for It Is Written
00:16:39.69\00:16:41.56
to send teams of missionaries
to Mongolia, to share the Gospel
00:16:41.56\00:16:44.80
of Jesus Christ. Doctors, nurses
00:16:44.80\00:16:47.90
and other medical workers
will minister to those needing
00:16:47.90\00:16:50.77
medical attention.
00:16:50.77\00:16:52.81
Bibles are needed in
the Mongolian language.
00:16:52.97\00:16:55.98
And your help will make it
possible for people to own their
00:16:55.98\00:16:58.25
very own Bible for the
first time, and learn of Jesus.
00:16:58.25\00:17:03.22
Other humanitarian needs will
also be met, as Mission Mongolia
00:17:03.45\00:17:07.89
provides for many people who are
being left behind by a society
00:17:07.89\00:17:12.66
relentlessly rushing forward.
00:17:12.66\00:17:14.66
Don't leave
Mongolians in the dark.
00:17:14.83\00:17:18.17
Your help will make it
possible for Mission Mongolia
00:17:18.17\00:17:21.30
to introduce people to
Jesus. Call now, 1-800-253-3000.
00:17:21.30\00:17:29.44
That's 1-800-253-3000,
to support Mission Mongolia.
00:17:29.44\00:17:36.02
Or visit us online
at www.itiswritten.com.
00:17:36.02\00:17:41.19
Or you can support this work or
learn more about it by writing
00:17:41.42\00:17:44.63
to It Is Written, P O Box 6,
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37401.
00:17:44.63\00:17:52.57
JB: Thank you for
being with me today.
00:17:53.30\00:17:54.97
Today I am speaking with
Ed Reid on the subject of
00:17:54.97\00:17:57.67
Christian stewardship. Ed,
we have been speaking about
00:17:57.67\00:18:00.51
tithing and as you look at
tithing in the Bible, well,
00:18:00.51\00:18:05.45
there's two things
here: The Word of God says
00:18:05.45\00:18:08.45
in Malachi, particularly:
Tithes and offerings.
00:18:08.45\00:18:13.46
We alluded to this a moment ago
but let's briefly touch on the
00:18:13.66\00:18:16.12
difference between
tithing and offering and how
00:18:16.12\00:18:19.06
both are important.
ER: Well, the Bible is very
00:18:19.06\00:18:22.36
clear that God is
the owner of everything.
00:18:22.36\00:18:23.93
Psalms 24:10, Genesis 1:1,
etc. But the real bottom line is
00:18:23.93\00:18:28.94
God says I've reserved
the tithe and made it holy
00:18:28.94\00:18:32.14
and you give that for
the support of ministry but
00:18:32.14\00:18:34.58
tithe is almost always mentioned
in conjunction with offerings as
00:18:34.58\00:18:38.75
well, our free will offerings,
as we call it, and they are
00:18:38.75\00:18:41.95
special offerings like
the building of the temple,
00:18:41.95\00:18:43.69
and so on, but a thank offering,
00:18:43.69\00:18:45.95
or a special regular
offering that we give.
00:18:45.95\00:18:48.59
So the Bible specifies a
percentage for tithe, a tenth
00:18:48.59\00:18:52.43
and I say only a tenth because
who would be fool enough not to
00:18:52.43\00:18:56.73
have the Creator of the
Universe not as a partner,
00:18:56.73\00:18:59.07
a 10th partner,
running your whole business
00:18:59.07\00:19:01.14
for you. I mean
this is incredible.
00:19:01.14\00:19:02.54
JB: Yea, it is. ER:
But the offerings are not
00:19:02.54\00:19:04.94
given a percentage because
they are at our discretion,
00:19:04.94\00:19:08.91
based on as the Bible
says, as God has prospered you.
00:19:08.91\00:19:11.88
So I could say, my wife and
I have been tithing on what we
00:19:11.88\00:19:15.95
call 10 plus 10 for many years.
We do a 10th for tithe and a
00:19:15.95\00:19:19.22
10th for offering. But
as we get older and our
00:19:19.22\00:19:21.89
children are educated and our
debts are paid off, we can do
00:19:21.89\00:19:24.36
more than that and
there are many people in their
00:19:24.36\00:19:26.49
professional life who make
significant enough income that
00:19:26.49\00:19:29.66
once their tenth of their profit
or their increase or their
00:19:29.66\00:19:33.44
income is taking away as the
tithe then they could give away
00:19:33.44\00:19:37.17
huge portions as offerings
to advance the cause of God that
00:19:37.17\00:19:39.71
they like and so that was not
a percentage, it could even be
00:19:39.71\00:19:42.38
more than a
tenth, maybe lots more.
00:19:42.38\00:19:44.18
JB: Which leads me
to an important point.
00:19:44.18\00:19:46.28
You said some
people may wish to do more.
00:19:46.28\00:19:49.02
Now some people approach tithing
as (groan) What's 10 percent?
00:19:49.02\00:19:52.02
I'll get 10% and
that's that. ER: Yeah.
00:19:52.02\00:19:56.16
JB: The idea of giving tithes
and offerings shouldn't be
00:19:56.16\00:19:57.76
onerous to us. We
should consider it
00:19:57.76\00:19:59.69
a huge blessing. ER:
Look for opportunities.
00:19:59.69\00:20:02.06
JB: Yeah, opportunities.
Now, what would you say to
00:20:02.06\00:20:04.53
someone who is kind of
struggling with the whole
00:20:04.53\00:20:05.87
concept of tithing and
maybe giving more in terms of
00:20:05.87\00:20:08.74
offering? ER: I
would just say that
00:20:08.74\00:20:10.17
tithing is not an expression
of gratitude or generosity.
00:20:10.17\00:20:13.31
It is a matter
of simple honesty.
00:20:13.31\00:20:15.04
Once I get that part taken care
of, then the gratitude comes in
00:20:15.04\00:20:17.81
with my offerings and I can just
look at my life and say, "God
00:20:17.81\00:20:20.72
has blessed our family so much,
I just want to say thank you."
00:20:20.72\00:20:23.85
And I want to say it on
a regular basis because God
00:20:23.85\00:20:25.89
blesses me so much.
That's what offerings are.
00:20:25.89\00:20:28.79
And I want to say, for example,
I want to keep our church
00:20:28.79\00:20:31.49
looking nice, or
paid off, whatever it is.
00:20:31.49\00:20:34.36
And I want to make contributions
to that because the way our
00:20:34.36\00:20:36.93
church looks is a reflection
of what I think about God.
00:20:36.93\00:20:40.24
I mean there's lots of
things about that that are very
00:20:40.24\00:20:42.44
interesting and if I want to
advance other ministries that
00:20:42.44\00:20:47.01
are, you know, maybe independent
or supporting ministries, I can
00:20:47.01\00:20:49.78
do that with my offerings
because they are discretionary.
00:20:49.78\00:20:52.88
Oh, and let me
say another thing.
00:20:52.88\00:20:54.42
Since God is the
owner of everything,
00:20:54.42\00:20:56.62
when I am done with
it, what do I do with it?
00:20:56.62\00:20:59.12
JB: There's a good question.
ER: Give it back to him.
00:20:59.12\00:21:01.92
Now once my needs are taken care
of and my family's needs are
00:21:01.92\00:21:04.46
taken care of, then I return to
God what I don't need and I make
00:21:04.46\00:21:07.60
provision to do that through
my estate plan when I pass away.
00:21:07.60\00:21:11.40
And much of the ministry
of It Is Written and other
00:21:11.40\00:21:13.47
organizations depend on estate
planning and gifts of people
00:21:13.47\00:21:17.24
returning to God.
Now these are considered
00:21:17.24\00:21:19.64
offerings, because I have
already tithed it all along so
00:21:19.64\00:21:22.04
I have the discretion
to what I do with that.
00:21:22.04\00:21:25.05
So I can give it for certain
ministries that have attracted
00:21:25.05\00:21:28.15
my attention over the years.
JB: So most people, they will
00:21:28.15\00:21:30.49
never have as much money
to give, as they will have
00:21:30.49\00:21:34.02
when they die. ER:
That's exactly right.
00:21:34.02\00:21:35.16
Sure. And I would
say that if you do,
00:21:35.16\00:21:38.03
you're giving
while you're living
00:21:38.03\00:21:39.03
then you're
knowing where it's going.
00:21:39.03\00:21:40.20
So I would only save what I
actually needed to keep, like
00:21:40.20\00:21:43.03
maybe the house I lived in but
other assets I would return to
00:21:43.03\00:21:46.00
God so I am sure I can see
the benefit of it, so that I can
00:21:46.00\00:21:49.24
send Godpods to
Papua New Guinea,
00:21:49.24\00:21:51.11
or wherever. Do you
see what I'm saying?
00:21:51.11\00:21:52.71
JB: Yeah, sure. ER: Or
I can sponsor evangelism
00:21:52.71\00:21:55.14
in Las Vegas or
wherever it might be.
00:21:55.14\00:21:57.95
I can see the good it will
do right now, with my own eyes.
00:21:57.95\00:22:00.95
JB: Let's encourage
people from the Bible.
00:22:00.95\00:22:02.88
What are the encouraging
principles, thoughts, Bible
00:22:02.88\00:22:04.99
verses that will encourage
people to be faithful stewards
00:22:04.99\00:22:08.42
to put God first, to have the
courage to say, Lord, if belongs
00:22:08.42\00:22:10.79
to you I want to give it
to you and if I've got more
00:22:10.79\00:22:12.99
I want to give it to you
too. ER: Well, this is a good
00:22:12.99\00:22:14.73
question because in spite of the
fact that tithes and offerings
00:22:14.73\00:22:17.87
are clearly taught in Scripture,
they are almost always
00:22:17.87\00:22:20.87
accompanied with
God's promised blessings.
00:22:20.87\00:22:23.64
He doesn't have to do that,
I mean, it's just something we
00:22:23.64\00:22:25.27
should do. But he
promises us to bless us.
00:22:25.27\00:22:27.71
I mean, you just think about it.
From Malachi 3, I will open the
00:22:27.71\00:22:30.45
windows of heaven and pour out
such blessings you don't have
00:22:30.45\00:22:32.25
enough room to receive it.
JB: Right ER: You will have a
00:22:32.25\00:22:33.85
surplus and I love the
part in verse 11 that you read:
00:22:33.85\00:22:36.58
I will rebuke the
devourer for your sake.
00:22:36.58\00:22:38.95
Your old car is
going to run longer.
00:22:38.95\00:22:40.39
Your tires will
wear longer. You know,
00:22:40.39\00:22:42.52
things like that really happen.
JB: Have you experienced that?
00:22:42.52\00:22:44.43
ER: Oh, I have
indeed. JB: So have I.
00:22:44.43\00:22:45.83
ER: Yeah. This is incredible.
00:22:45.83\00:22:47.23
JB: The tires that you
thought you were going to
00:22:47.23\00:22:49.03
have to replace. We
were looking for something to
00:22:49.03\00:22:51.07
buy... well,
let's wait a week...
00:22:51.07\00:22:52.77
Wow, look at
that, we get it 75% off.
00:22:52.77\00:22:54.57
Where did that come
from? I think it's a blessing
00:22:54.57\00:22:57.11
of God. ER: Yes, it is indeed.
00:22:57.11\00:22:58.61
JB: Oh, question. How
about the person who says
00:22:58.61\00:23:01.08
I've just found me a
get rich quick scheme.
00:23:01.08\00:23:03.18
I'll tithe and
expect God to make me rich?
00:23:03.18\00:23:05.58
ER: Well the real interesting
thing is if it is the chicken or
00:23:05.58\00:23:08.32
the egg question. Should
we tithe to get blessings
00:23:08.32\00:23:10.62
or do we tithe the
blessings we already have?
00:23:10.62\00:23:13.46
God says you be faithful with
the blessings I've given you and
00:23:13.46\00:23:15.89
I'll keep the channel open.
There will be more blessings@
00:23:15.89\00:23:17.66
coming. JB: That's right.
00:23:17.66\00:23:18.86
I don't know that it's
wise to be selfish about it.
00:23:18.86\00:23:21.03
Okay, if I do this, God is
going to make me a rich man
00:23:21.03\00:23:23.83
or a rich woman. You
know, that may happen
00:23:23.83\00:23:26.63
but that's really
not the point, is it?
00:23:26.63\00:23:28.20
ER: Many people will lose their
eternal life because of riches.
00:23:28.20\00:23:31.01
And so I will just tell you that
as a young man, I told God in
00:23:31.01\00:23:33.41
prayer: You have my permission
to do whatever it takes
00:23:33.41\00:23:35.91
to save me, and
I really meant it.
00:23:35.91\00:23:38.18
But then I added please help me
learn my lessons the easy way.
00:23:38.18\00:23:41.08
In other words, if it's
not good for me to be wealthy,
00:23:41.08\00:23:43.62
I'll be happy
with what you give me.
00:23:43.62\00:23:45.32
And I'll give your tenth to you,
be honest and offerings as I am
00:23:45.32\00:23:48.56
able to do. JB:
Biblically speaking, this is
00:23:48.56\00:23:50.16
a very important
subject. ER: Oh yes.
00:23:50.16\00:23:52.06
JB: Tremendously important and
God has proven time and time and
00:23:52.06\00:23:55.26
time again that he is faithful.
Would you say one of the key
00:23:55.26\00:24:00.34
ideas undergirding this subject
is simply ... it's a matter of
00:24:00.34\00:24:03.64
faith and trust in
God. ER: Oh, it has to be.
00:24:03.64\00:24:06.71
Sure. It wouldn't
make sense to a CPA
00:24:06.71\00:24:09.64
to say that you could
live just as well on 90% as 10%
00:24:09.64\00:24:12.85
and when you add in offerings,
say another 10% on 80%.
00:24:12.85\00:24:15.78
But some of the people who have
done that, big people, like JC
00:24:15.78\00:24:18.42
Penny and La Turno, the big
earth moving equipment, some of
00:24:18.42\00:24:21.66
these people lived on 10% and
gave God 90% because they said,
00:24:21.66\00:24:25.33
you know, God has blessed me,
it's his money and I'll use it
00:24:25.33\00:24:27.96
to advance His kingdom.
JB: Friend, I want to encourage
00:24:27.96\00:24:30.50
you today to put God
first and to be faithful.
00:24:30.50\00:24:32.43
Be faithful with your finances
and the stewardship matters and
00:24:32.43\00:24:36.27
you can know that
you can trust God.
00:24:36.27\00:24:39.24
He will never let you
down. You can't outgive God.
00:24:39.24\00:24:42.64
You will never worse off because
you followed biblical principles
00:24:42.64\00:24:45.25
when it comes to matters
of finances and stewardship.
00:24:45.25\00:24:48.45
Ed, thank you.
Thanks for joining me today.
00:24:48.45\00:24:50.45
This has been a blessing.
ER: Well, we have had a good
00:24:50.45\00:24:52.02
time discussing a
very fascinating topic.
00:24:52.02\00:24:54.36
JB: And an
important subject. ER: Yes.
00:24:54.36\00:24:55.62
JB: I appreciate your
time. Thanks you very much.
00:24:55.62\00:24:56.99
ER: Thank you.
Friend, how about we pray
00:24:56.99\00:24:58.73
together and ask God to bless us
as we step forward faithfully to
00:24:58.73\00:25:04.03
put the Lord first and to follow
those Biblical principals he has
00:25:04.03\00:25:08.30
given us in
terms of stewardship.
00:25:08.30\00:25:09.60
Ed, lets pray. ¤
[Gentle Melody] ¤
00:25:09.60\00:25:11.41
Our father in
heaven, we are thankful.
00:25:11.41\00:25:13.38
You have told us that we can
trust you, we can give to you,
00:25:13.38\00:25:16.78
we can be faithful stewards,
confident that you will never
00:25:16.78\00:25:21.02
let us down, you will
never leave us high and dry.
00:25:21.02\00:25:23.65
We are not
going to be worse off.
00:25:23.65\00:25:25.55
What a joy, Lord, to know that
we can do our part financially
00:25:25.55\00:25:28.82
but then participate with Jesus
in being faithful in walking
00:25:28.82\00:25:32.23
side-by-side with him and
allowing your will to be done
00:25:32.23\00:25:35.36
in our finances.
We need your wisdom.
00:25:35.36\00:25:37.30
We need your guidance but we
are confident in your blessing.
00:25:37.30\00:25:41.10
Keep us now, we
pray, in Jesus' name.
00:25:41.10\00:25:43.91
Amen.
00:25:43.91\00:25:46.04
¤ [Gentle Musical Interlude] ¤
00:25:47.34\00:25:49.88
¤ [Thoughtful Melody] ¤
00:26:00.99\00:26:04.09
Today, we've been
talking about crucial financial
00:26:07.50\00:26:09.80
issues that affect all of us.
Our goal at It Is Written is to
00:26:09.80\00:26:12.90
help you live a more satisfying
and God-centered life.
00:26:12.90\00:26:15.97
So this week, our free offer is
a helpful book on finance called
00:26:15.97\00:26:20.18
God Will Provide. It's
a practical discussion on
00:26:20.18\00:26:23.61
how a faithful God has promised
to provide for the needs of his
00:26:23.61\00:26:26.72
faithful children and includes
a special section prepared by
00:26:26.72\00:26:29.92
Ed Reid, on Managing Finances
00:26:29.92\00:26:32.32
in Difficult Times.
Please call or write us and this
00:26:32.32\00:26:35.46
free book will be
on its way to you.
00:26:35.46\00:26:37.26
There is no cost
and no obligation.
00:26:37.26\00:26:40.23
Just call 1 800 253 3000 and ask
for the book God Will Provide.
00:26:40.23\00:26:46.50
You can call any
time, day or night.
00:26:46.50\00:26:48.64
If the line is
busy, please keep trying.
00:26:48.64\00:26:51.64
You can also request
this free book by writing to
00:26:51.64\00:26:54.11
It is Written, P O
Box 6, Chattanooga,
00:26:54.11\00:26:57.71
Tennessee 37401
and we will mail a copy
00:26:57.71\00:27:00.92
to your address
in North America.
00:27:00.92\00:27:03.49
Please note this free book is
limited to the supply on hand.
00:27:03.49\00:27:07.29
For immediate access,
you can downlo a free,
00:27:07.29\00:27:10.09
electronic version of
the book God Will Provide
00:27:10.09\00:27:12.93
from our
website, itiswritten.com.
00:27:12.93\00:27:17.00
It is Written is a faith-based
ministry made possible by
00:27:17.00\00:27:19.27
viewers like you.
If you wish to help the
00:27:19.27\00:27:21.70
worldwide outreach of It
Is Written and help us ensure
00:27:21.70\00:27:24.31
people continue to be blessed by
solid Bible teaching, your tax
00:27:24.31\00:27:27.81
deductible gift may be
sent to the same address
00:27:27.81\00:27:30.51
or you could make a gift
on-line at itiswritten.com.
00:27:30.51\00:27:34.02
Thank you for your letters
and your continued support.
00:27:34.02\00:27:36.48
Our toll free
number is 1 800 253 3000
00:27:36.48\00:27:40.59
and our web
address is itiswritten.com
00:27:40.59\00:27:44.46
[Majestic Theme
Music] Until next time,
00:27:45.43\00:27:47.40
please remember, It is written,
00:27:47.40\00:27:50.10
man shall not
live by bread alone
00:27:50.10\00:27:52.27
but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God.
00:27:52.27\00:27:57.51
¤  [Music Swells] ¤
00:27:58.44\00:28:01.74