TITHE, ALMS AND OFFERINGS

II Corinthians 9: 12-15 (NIV)

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of GOD's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to GOD. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise GOD for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace GOD has given you. Thanks be to GOD for His indescribable gift!

PREACH THE GOSPEL AND SOMETIMES USE WORDS.

We end this week, in which we have been discussing the difference between the tithe, offering and alms, with a Scripture that should strike at the heart of our Ministry. We are commissioned by GOD to "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel" and many take that call to mean that you leave the country and go to a foreign land and learn the language then preach JESUS. There are many who are called to this ministry by GOD and they have answered that call in a mighty way; laying down their lives for the people. There are still many more who take that commission to preach the Gospel and start communities of worshipers, hearing the Scripture and the Good news of the Gospel on a regular basis.  There remain another group of people who preach the Gospel by their compassion and mercy to others, as their expression of Gospel of JESUS Christ.

In this past week, we have seen a disaster in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other States in the USA. We have also seen the Gospel of JESUS Christ preached by compassionate, giving people who responded to those needs with caring hands that reached out to help. A woman who made soup on a small burner and brought in her neighbors for a meal; a child who opened a lemonade stand for the thirsty; firemen and police; nurses and Doctors; Red Cross workers and volunteers; the media who publicized the need; all were the hands and heart of GOD reaching out to bring help to the helpless. The thanks goes to GOD who put this expression of kindness into the heart and mind of caring people. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE BY WHICH YOU HAVE PROVED YOURSELVES; MEN WILL PRAISE GOD FOR THE OBEDIENCE  THAT ACCOMPANIES YOUR CONFESSION OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, AND FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN SHARING WITH THEM AND WITH EVERYONE ELSE.