Desensitization to the Person of Christ: “Thou shall not Steal”

As many of you might already know we had a devastating series of tornadoes here in north Texas last Saturday evening.  There were several fatalities, loss of homes, personal property and businesses.  With that comes many stories of God’s love, grace, mercy and comfort!  As the body of Christ, the Church which meets as In-Christ Ministries International has partnered with All Nations Fellowship to provide aid and assistance to those affected by the tornadoes. Support included funds for food, personal care items, and medication to name a few.  Katherine and I want to thank all of you who continue to pray for those who were affected by this tragic event and for us as well.  We also want to thank each of you who give in love to this body.  The In-Christ message continues to go forth.  We are scheduled to leave for Ghana in a few weeks.  Your gifts and prayers assist us with the Sunday morning broadcasts, mission trips and anything the Father sets before us! Thank you again!

The message this morning is on desensitization to the person of Christ and the eighth commandment “thou shall not steal.” The Father and I had a great time of fellowship this week (not that we don’t always have great fellowship). I had just finished reading an article on why companies need to tithe. When He begin open the eyes of my understanding. The company’s CEO was being interviewed by a Christian organization. He had some very interesting things to say about corporate tithing.  He did however interchange the words giving and tithing as meaning the same thing.  They are not the same.  God didn’t ask Israel to give the tithe but they were instructed and commanded to pay tithes.  And of course what happens when they didn’t pay.  We read in Malachi;

    ” Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Mal 3:8

I’ve heard this verse is used more times than you imagine.  I’ve heard if you don’t tithe you are “stealing from God”. That is a violation or breaking the 8th commandment, “thou shall not steal” is it not?  Of course it is. But, as much as it sounds like I’m talking about tithing I’m not.  It’s the law itself that’s makes many of steal for God.  Get your Bibles and let’s talk about it!

Love In Christ,

David & Katherine