To
have a clear understanding of how all these are feasible and attainable one has
to compare the spiritual life with the physical life because, similar to the
physical man the spirit man requires a source from which life is being
generated, sustained, nourished, rejuvenated and entertained and they are as
follows:
·
The
source of our existence
Jesus
Christ is the source of our life and existence in the Sprit for, in Him we
live, in Him we move and in Him we have our existence.
·
The
source of nourishment is in;
- The blood of Jesus Christ
- The flesh of Jesus Christ
The
blood of Jesus Christ is our spiritual drink and the body of Jesus Christ is
our spiritual food they are the number one source of our spiritual nourishment
and so, we have been duly admonished by Jesus Himself saying; “Do not labor for
the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life,
which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on
Him" (John 6:27).
Jesus
Christ later confirmed this by saying; “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in
you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will
raise him up at the last day.’
“For
My flesh is (real) food indeed, and My blood is (real) drink indeed. He who
eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living
Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will
live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven --- not as
your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live
forever" (John 6:53-58).
Unfortunately,
the majorities of us who profess to be believers are unable or are not willing
to conceive this idea and rather imitate the example of the first set of
followers who, from the time Jesus made this statement many of His disciples
went back and walked with Him no more.
·
The
source of development
While
the source of our physical development is through physical exercises, the
source of our spiritual development is through the sturdy of God’s word and so
we have been admonished to; “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever”(2Peter 3:18).
Therefore,
in order to develop the new man which was created according to God, in true
righteousness and holiness it is imperative that we study the word of God in
order to put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image
of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:10).
·
The
source of rejuvenation
While
the source of rejuvenation in the physical realm is through rest and sleep, the
source of rejuvenation in the spiritual realm is through prayer and fasting.
Just
before Jesus Christ was betrayed into the hands of sinners and was feeling very
sorrowful and said to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee;” "My soul is exceedingly
sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."
While
the disciples fell asleep, Jesus went a little farther and fell on His face,
and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass
from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
Then
He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter,
"What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you
enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"
(Matthew 26:39-41).
·
Entertainment
Another
very important aspect of life is that of entertainment. In the spiritual realm
or the life which is in accordance to the Spirit, the Lord has ordained
specific days for His people to appear before Him and to eat and drink and
rejoice before Him, for thus He said:
“You
shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year
by year. And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He
chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and
your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to
fear the LORD your God always.’
“But
if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the
tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too
far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, then you shall exchange
it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD
your God chooses.
And
you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep,
for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there
before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.
You
shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor
inheritance with you” (Deuteronomy 14:22-27).
So
here can one clearly see that, the rationale or objective for tithing is not to
enrich pastors of churches and enabling them to live in luxury at the expense
of the poor membership but to be able to appear before the Lord at His ordained
festivals to rejoice and worship before Him. In fact, in our New Testament
dispensation it is stated that; “We have an altar from which those who serve
the tabernacle have no right to eat” (Hebrews 13:10).
Even
in the Old Testament dispensation where the laws of tithing were commanded what
the Levitical priesthood was receiving from the people was a “HEAVE OFFERING”
which is ten percent of the tithe(See Numbers 18:8-28).
Because the rationale for the tithe is for the
Lord’s people to appear before Him on His feast days to rejoice before Him
together with their household, the Levites, the widows and the fatherless.
It
is only every third year is the year of tithing as we have been duly instructed
saying; “At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your
produce of that year and store it up within your gates.’
“And
the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the
stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come
and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work
of your hand which you do” (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
So
I beg to ask a question, which Minister or Pastor of any religion we know today
that do not have any inheritance and therefore are qualified and entitled to
receive the tithe?
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With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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