You said “NT after Christ Died speaks only of offerings. I wonder why?”

I can handle your sarcastic vibe but not your erroneous statement.

Offering or offerings are only spoken of 2 times in the New Testament concerning the giving of finances:

*And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. (Luke 21:3-4)
This is speaking of a woman who was actually still under the Old Covenant.

*Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. (Acts 24:17)
This is speaking of Paul bringing a corporate offering from the churches to the church at Jerusalem which was suffering.

There are other words which are mentioned concerning the giving of finances:

5092. time, tee-may’; from G5099; a value, i.e. money paid, or (concr. and collect.) valuables; by anal. esteem (espec. of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:–honour, precious, price, some.

Eg: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour (time), especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. (1 Tim 5:17)
He is putting the onus on the saints to make sure this honour happens, thus it is instructional for us to honour (time- value, money paid etc) the true elders (presbuteros- proven of spiritual maturity) who are “among [us]“. (1 Pet 5:1)

3800. opsonion, op-so’-nee-on; neut. of a presumed der. of the same as G3795; rations for a soldier, i.e. (by extens.) his stipend or pay:–wages.

Eg: I robbed other churches, taking wages (opsonion) of them, to do you service. (2 Cor 11:8)

3408. misthos, mis-thos’; appar. a prim. word; pay for service (lit. or fig.), good or bad:–hire, reward, wages.

Eg: For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward (misthos). (1 Tim 5:18)

And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire (misthos). (Luke 10:7)

5536. chrema, khray’-mah; something useful or needed, i.e. wealth, price:–money, riches.

Eg: brought the money (chrema), and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:37) (not hollywood apostles, true foundation servants)

It is painfully obvious that we are not to just give all over the place with the main part of our financial contributions, though we are to be generous everywhere as well, we are to “Let the elders … be counted worthy”. Remember these “elders [...] are among you.” (1 Pet 5:1) These are a plural team of mature saints that have (most of the time) given up the right to work or run a buisness in order to oversee and be an example to your life. An obscure “offering” here and there, is not only impractical, but is also unbiblical.

How do you suppose true leaders are to “give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)

It seems that you, like many others who are off the systemic church, are yet to find true servant leaders to do life with. When you do, you may understand the joy and value in biblical honour for real leaders.

I thought I was already unambiguous about my money views in the article you commented on ‘Tobiah in the house’. I am not into tihing, as it is not a New Testament principle; I am however a consistent firstfruits type giver into the local eldership that I am “among.” (1 Pet 5:2)

Keep praying and studying.

peace
Bretto

He Ed,

Thanks for your comment.

I did not endorse “leaders who still only use the tithing portion of the old testament”. I was saying that a first fruits mentality among other Old Testament principles flowed accross into the New Tesament, not the legal ten percent and not with compulsion.

“although the New Testament doesn’t enforce tithing with the promise of a curse for any who don’t do it, it clearly inherits enough principles from the Old Testament to continue it in some form as long as it doesn’t become legalism or manipulative leverage. Perhaps a better term than tithing would be first fruits giving.” As you can see I do encourage a first fruits kind of giving instead of tithing as it is scriptural to honour.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 1 Tim 5:17-18

As for your comment “mans need to have a bigger building and nicer things” I couldn’t agree more, actually I thought I did agree more. You should also read the articles I wrote titled “No such thing as a church” and “Normal yet extraordinary” which can be found on this same site. I don’t see a New Testament place for church buildings at all.

You said, “Have you not noticed that in america preachers live better than any saint coming to their church?” I am from Australia which is not quite as bad as over there but is folowing in the same muddy footsteps. You may agree with me in a quote taken from the book I am writing at the moment.

“Many of our modern churches have become Hollywood whores prostituting themselves to the world, using worldly marketing strategies for the sake of instant gratifying results and oh how the saints thrive on it.”

You said, “I am also a preacher who has not been allowed to lead because I will not tithe” and “all I want is for the truth to be spread.” and “Where are there ministry opportunities for a preacher who refuses to preach Law and grace together” and “spirtual warfare is a lot more evident when you try to really spread the gospel instead of making sure we impress people with our new cars and homes” and “If I live a secret life the preachers leaves that to God but If I choose not to tithe I can’t do anything in the church.”

In response; the church is not a building or man made organisation at all, it is the ekklesia - “called out saints”, you are the church with a multitude of ministry opportunities at your proverbial and literal doorstep. Don’t be limited by mans seemingly tight grip on the throat of the “church”. Man rules the pride based Laodicean church accross the globe but not the true underground church of Pliladelphia (brotherly love). I’d encourage you to get a few Jesus followers together and flee the church scene, meet from house to house and in parks, down the beach etc where real people are hungry for real truth. You won’t be recognised by man for all your hard work neither will you receive worldly accolades but you will see heaven move you into a powerfull place.

I also am frustrated to the bone, but while I realise that a large part of christendom is up the creek, I focus on the Word and the prophetic direction the Spirit is giving the open eared church of the hour. Frustration can cause you to rise up and model the real change God is downloading in this hour or it can cause you to retreat in bitterness. Hold fast to your calling and be encouraged that it probably is far from the “church” that won’t let you preach.

One last one. “watching saints suffer man’s control of their finances”.

The way we opperate is that we are not a church and we have not a name as that is unbiblical and futile. We are only part of His church. We have a team of elders and no one owns Gods people. We meet from house to house and in parks. We don’t take up offerings but rather we “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings(collections) when I come 1 Cor 16:2, this is not enforced or manipulated in any way. I’ll explain more in my book which should bfinished before Jesus returns.

I hope this clarified just a little. I would write more but I type with one finger on each hand and it takes a long time.

Loving Jesus
Bretto