(Mark 12:17) “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” Like the air we breath and the water we drink, the taxing and the giving of money is a part of life. As Christians it’s important that we not hold onto our money too tightly because God requires that we pay both our taxes and our tithes. 1) Taxes. God ordained and instituted government for our good (Rom. 13:4). Many things are payed for by taxes; our police force and judges, garbage disposal, schools, military, road and bridge repairs, and yes even our politicians. (Rom. 13:6) “For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.” 2) Tithes and Offerings. Just as in the O.T. where God required Israel to tithe 10% of their income to support the Levites who worked and cared for the spiritual welfare of God’s house and ministers, so it is in the N. T. church, that the needs of the Pastor and ministry be supported by the love gifts and tithes of God’s people. (1 Cor. 16:1-2) “Now concerning the collection for the saints,... Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” These commands are not just suggestions to every believer, but required. “Render” therefore means to “do it.”
(Deut. 6:5-7) “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…” Before Israel went in to posses the Promised Land, the Lord warned Israel’s leadership of the importance of the above commandments. 1) To Love God first above all. God wanted the Fathers of Israel to give first place in the hearts to Him. Why? Because He knew how quickly they would forget Him if they didn’t. If the fathers forget so will the family; therefore God commanded them to make God the Lord of their heart, soul, and might. 2) To Know the Word of God. How can a father teach to his family that which he knows not himself? How sad it is when the leadership of the home does not know or study what they are to live and teach. Therefore, God expects fathers to study the Word so that the Word directs the home and not the world. 3) To Tea…
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