Why must you hide in the shadows?

I believe in tithing.

Malachi 3:10-12 God’s Word does speak of His provision for all of us

This conversation is so disheartening..What was the focus anyway?

It most certainly wasn’t on God.. nor Ramona.. It was on Jeff. How disheartening

Has anyone posted that to Twitter?

Hey, poor lady, why are you asking humans what to do anyways?

Most of the time we are 90% wrong about everything.

You should only be asking One.

Yeah that’s one way I seem to hear from God.
Sometimes I have dreams about things, Sometimes it’s the way events play out, the words that come into my mouth, the things that other people say, and the way that they say it, the thoughts I have that aren’t my own – of course it’s not only God through his holy spirit that tries to influence us this way; you’re right, often the devil will try to use these same avenues for his purposes, to confuse, distract, steal away.
And it’s true, we need to get used to discerning between conscience/learned patterns and spirit. Between the flesh and the spirit, then between different kinds of spirits.
I think once we get used to it, we can discern different spirits in many kinds of things. (I’m not talking about some creepy voodoo life-force theology – just that angels and demons can seem to try to influence things.)
I’ve learned that sometimes things we struggle with aren’t simply because of our human ineptitude but are direct attacks from the devil to undermine our authority and power.
Which, In Christ, as kings and priests, we are inherently entitled to.
So often when I do have a strong peace in something (usually through praying about it and seeking God) it can end up being undermined by things like relationship problems between friends and family or struggling with attitudes and belief systems, which can cause you to question what you already came to believe or doubting what God has ‘told you’.
But it does seem to be a constant battle between our flesh and our Spirit, as Paul talks about a lot in his letters.
One we can never relax and be done with, unfortunately, making the words that proceed out of the mouth of God all the more necessary and dilectible. )
Of course, that’s just the way I see it

Those are just nitpicking and just my little opinion.
Jeff

In summary:

Yes, it’s probably not a good idea to write a doctrine on ‘giving’ as a quick-fix to financial need.

I think the main pointer is that you probably can’t do anything to your capacity without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and once he’s in your ear, you will probably find your solution anyway – on whichever path it lies – whether through patience, perseverance, revelation or otherwise.

Think yourself incapable? Go to somebody you trust who does for advice.

Something I’ve had to learn is not to forget to ask God, and not to doubt the answer that I get. (Usually it’s simply a peace or a knowing – which is a grace-given gift of faith more than sufficient for me.)

But in those really dry times where you can’t seem to find God, that’s when you need to hang onto his seeds of promise; which is really more to remind yourself who God is.

When the storms come, you wanna let go of everything you don’t need and cling to his word. Find your identity in him and stand fast.

Then when the rain subsides and the clouds disperse, supposing you’re still there… you are now in a time of favour and growth! Make the most if it. This is where the fruits of the spirit are easiest to bear and to most effect.

Well there I go – off on a tangent again, that quickly crept from a summary into something else.

Well enjoy and have a good day, lol.

Cheers.

I’ll say that I’m all for giving a percentage of income. I don’t talk about it usually because it’s between me and my wife, and God. I also ask from God everyday. And God does reward the giver. But if someone is in financial trouble and you tell them to give to God so that God will give back to them, that’s teaching them a wrong attitude. Now I’ve used too many words.

The thing about Job is his ‘friends’. Many people in this thread resemble them. I’ve been on the receiving end of this and it’s terribly deflating.

Thank you for stopping by and writing though. I really do appreciate it and I agree with much of what you say.
Jeff

In Isaiah 39:4 “The prophet asked, “What did they see in your palace?” “They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.” 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD Almighty: 6 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.”

Job 5:5 “But I have seen a fool taking root… 8 But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. 9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”

Countless stories like where Saul saught the spirits, rather than seek God for truth, etc.

God cares enough about our circumstances that we can ask him, in confidence that he will provide. It’s not SO MUCH about the giving, as the not keeping. Like the mana that was stored up which turned to rot – Or the talent buried in the ground, or the branch which bore no fruit which was cut off.

Mark 10:24 “The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” ”

This story is about a man who acknowledges Jesus as God, then asks what he must do to enter the kingdom of God, and when he asks him to sell all his possession and come follow him, he consigns that he cannot. It is not a religious act of giving (AND THANK GOD FOR THAT) but a challenge to us, that if our lives belong to God then we need not the security of our wealth, but his divine provision.

I pray that we can find that security in him.

As though the coin belongs to Caesar (so to speak) the whole Eearth belongs to our God – in the same way our lives, and the duty of our care when we abide in his house.