I am posting this brief letter in hope of seeing the financial support of this ministry increase this year so that I can continue the work which Christ has called me to. For quite some time the weekly outgoings (as minimal as they are) have been at least a few hundred dollars more than what comes in. It isn’t a huge problem to fix but if left as is I will not be able to continue to minister in this capacity.
I do believe that you would be hard pressed trying to find a true follower of Jesus Christ in our time that is not thankful that the protestant reformation occurred. For without it we would all be deeper in the clutches of Dark Age religious tyranny. We would not have a Bible in our own language, we wouldn’t know that we have direct access to God and we would still be trying to buy our way into heaven, not to mention whipping ourself to try to please Him. Yet much of the church of their time stood vehemently against the reformers.
There were a few people who asked if I had this in written form rather than just audio/video. So, after prayerfully pondering the laborious task, I felt the Lord wanted me to do so. This is such an important subject for the church because when we get this stuff wrong it causes a world of hurt to many… not to mention the dishonour to the Lord.
I’m glad I did write this and not just settle for the videos, as writting allows you to be more succinct and also gives more time to meditate as you minister. I think I received even more clarity while writing this than I had before.
The topic of ministry money is of great importance in this reformation season due to the lack of clarity and the many imbalanced views presented. On the one hand we have legalism, rapacity and mans’ kingdom building, on the other hand reactionary fear, confusion and disguised individualism. This series endeavours to present a biblical balance in the area of finances in Kingdom ministry. Surely the aim is biblical and Holy Spirit integrity and freedom in our financial support for the extension and enhancement of Christ’s great Kingdom.
Part 5 - Ministry Support and General Benevolence
Duplication and embedding of these videos is permitted as long as they are complete and a link to www.christisall.org is included.
The topic of ministry money is of great importance in this reformation season due to the lack of clarity and the many imbalanced views presented. On the one hand we have legalism, rapacity and mans’ kingdom building, on the other hand reactionary fear, confusion and disguised individualism. This series endeavours to present a biblical balance in the area of finances in Kingdom ministry. Surely the aim is biblical and Holy Spirit integrity and freedom in our financial support for the extension and enhancement of Christ’s great Kingdom.
Part 4 - Partnership and Participation in Ministry
Duplication and embedding of these videos is permitted as long as they are complete and a link to www.christisall.org is included.
The topic of ministry money is of great importance in this reformation season due to the lack of clarity and the many imbalanced views presented. On the one hand we have legalism, rapacity and mans’ kingdom building, on the other hand reactionary fear, confusion and disguised individualism. This series endeavours to present a biblical balance in the area of finances in Kingdom ministry. Surely the aim is biblical and Holy Spirit integrity and freedom in our financial support for the extension and enhancement of Christ’s great Kingdom.
Part 3 - Plumber and Prophet are both Worthy
Duplication and embedding of these videos is permitted as long as they are complete and a link to www.christisall.org is included.
The topic of ministry money is of great importance in this reformation season due to the lack of clarity and the many imbalanced views presented. On the one hand we have legalism, rapacity and mans’ kingdom building, on the other hand reactionary fear, confusion and disguised individualism. This series endeavours to present a biblical balance in the area of finances in Kingdom ministry. Surely the aim is biblical and Holy Spirit integrity and freedom in our financial support for the extension and enhancement of Christ’s great Kingdom.
Part 2 - The New House and its Levites
Duplication and embedding of these videos is permitted as long as they are complete and a link to www.christisall.org is included.
The topic of ministry money is of great importance in this reformation season due to the lack of clarity and the many imbalanced views presented. On the one hand we have legalism, rapacity and mans’ kingdom building, on the other hand reactionary fear, confusion and disguised individualism. This series endeavours to present a biblical balance in the area of finances in Kingdom ministry. Surely the aim is biblical and Holy Spirit integrity and freedom in our financial support for the extension and enhancement of Christ’s great Kingdom.
Part 1 - A Biblically Balanced New Covenant Analysis of First Fruits Giving
Duplication and embedding of these videos is permitted as long as they are complete and a link to www.christisall.org is included.
This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)
Money- Luring with luxury and Mammonistic manipulation
by Brett Jacobsen
This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)
A friend of mine sent me this little story. Although I think that our nights could be spent more wisely than sipping wine (perhaps Holy Spirit new wine), I think the story has an interesting truth to it. How much of our striving to succeed is a waste of precious time? Of course we should "with quietness [...] work, and eat [our] own bread" but are we reverting back to being under the curse when we strive to "get ahead" (2 Thes 3:12)?
"In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return to the ground" (Gen 3:19)
Ron McGatlin seems to me to have a big heart for Christ's Kingdom. This article is from Ron's Open Heaven mail out which you can subscribe to at www.openheaven.com. It is of great importance that we find balance in this hour regarding leadership and authority so that we see Christ lifted up as the only head of His body.
Grace and peace,
Bretto
Receiving God's Government
by Ron McGatlin
The current movement toward the governance of God continues at a rapid pace. Adjustments are not always easy. However, there is no alternative for God's people. Turning back is not an option. Life is before us and not behind us. Where we once found life there is now dry brush awaiting a spark and a wind to become a fire storm.
Are we biblically balanced in the area of finance?
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about a biblically balanced life in the area of finances. God seems to be exposing many of the fancy “ministries” which thrive on excess, and survive by promoting the love of money. Conversely, there are millions of brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide who live way below any poverty line. Sure, we in the West may say, “these third world countries are heavily paganised and given to idols”… as if every Western country, even “Christian countries”, aren’t largely given to our own forms of idolatry and paganism. It is clear that a biblically balanced form of prosperity exists for those who are dead to self and alive in Christ. But why does the Lord prosper us and how much is enough for us before we should be sharing the wealth around? Did God not say that “it is he that gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant” (Deut 8:18)? So then, if the main reason that God wishes to prosper us with wealth is so that He can “establish His covenant” how can we justify lascivious living and selfish hording? Here are some sobering words penned by Paul the apostle which I would like to hear your thoughts on:
We have now reduced the price of Heaven's Underground Blueprint to what it costs to print (plus freight and tax) because we feel the Lord would have us do so. Although I wouldn’t condemn people who do make a profit from their book sales, I am not comfortable with doing it myself. So, you can now purchase the book for cost price no mater which country you’re from, but the freight is on you. You can also get the e-book version for free if you like. Of course we are open to donations towards the ministry from people who purchase the book (or get it free), but there is no compulsion. If you would like to read the introduction and back cover of Heaven's Underground Blueprint, and/or obtain a copy, click here- http://www.christisall.org/hub-book
This post, called Talking Tithes and Other Money Issues, is in three parts. The first is a small article form Heaven’s Underground Blueprint concerning money amongst true New Testament communities. The next part is a lengthy dialogue/disputation between myself and my now friend Tom Sparks which was in response to my article some time ago. The third part is a link to an article of Tom’s called Provisioning the Minister of God which he has recently posted on his sight. (In my opinion, his article is insightful, balanced, clear, and biblically anchored).
Brett Jacobsen's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint is now available. The book has a twofold thrust: it is a prophetic work that paralells church history with Old Testament Israel, presenting insight into current happenings and great hope for the future. It also is instructive in the current reformation of the church into underground community. Some of the main topics covered are: How the church spiralled down into the Dark Ages (and largely remains there), How God is changing the guard of church leadership, How to do New Testament community, What is New Testament leadership instead of hierarchical humanism, Biblical unity rather than ecumenical compromise, God's proccess of reformation, de-construction or destruction, Promised Land Christianity, Reformation of eschatology, and more.
This five part teaching series on reformed New Testament community is taken from Brett Jacobsen’s book Heaven's Underground Blueprint which is available here - http://www.christisall.org/hub-book.
Money in New Testament communities
I should probably write a whole separate book on the use and misuse of money in the church, but due to limited space I will stick to the matter of money amongst a New Testament community.
Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:19, emphasis added).
Jesus obviously believed that there were lesser commandments, as revealed in the quote above. He therefore must have also believed that there were greater commandments.
To their credit, the scribes and Pharisees kept the lesser commandments, yet Jesus condemned them for ignoring the greater ones:
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! (Matt. 23:23-24).
This series sounds a warning to the contemporary church. It will show that spiritual Jerusalem, the church of Jesus Christ – the city of God, has been invaded by Babylon, the city of man. We will show how this conflict plays out in the contemporary scene and how Babylon will ultimately fall in this glorious climax of the ages.
Babylon – the Church, seduced by a spirit of pride
Brett Jacobsen's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint is now available. The book has a twofold thrust: it is a prophetic work that paralells church history with Old Testament Israel, presenting insight into current happenings and great hope for the future. It also is instructive in the current reformation of the church into underground community. Some of the main topics covered are: How the church spiralled down into the Dark Ages (and largely remains there), How God is changing the guard of church leadership, How to do New Testament community, What is New Testament leadership instead of hierarchical humanism, Biblical unity rather than ecumenical compromise, God's proccess of reformation, de-construction or destruction, Promised Land Christianity, Reformation of eschatology, and more.
