Walk with integrity and be trustworthy!
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 16:
10 “The one who faithfully manages the little he has been given will be promoted and trusted with greater responsibilities. But those who cheat with the little they have been given will not be considered trustworthy to receive more.
Our trustworthiness is determined by our actions, not just our words. No matter where you are in life, this is where you start to prove your trustworthiness to FATHER. HE is interested in your intent!
11 If you have not handled the riches of this world with integrity, why should you be trusted with the Eternal treasures of the Spiritual world?
Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one’s actions.
12 And if you’ve not proven yourself faithful with what belongs to another, why should you be given wealth of your own?
Who does the tithe belong to? It was never mine and it is a very fundamental indicator of trustworthiness. This is what the tree in the Garden was all about. I had to come to grips with trusting FATHER when I gave the tithe, that HE would bless the 90% I kept. HE did so. This is why I have no issue with tithing.
13 It is impossible for a person to serve two masters at the same time. You will be forced to love one and reject the other. One master will be despised and the other will have your loyal devotion. Your choice between God and the wealth of this world is no different. You must enthusiastically love one and definitively reject the other.”
14 Now, the Jewish religious leaders listening to Jesus were lovers of money. They laughed at what he said and mocked his teachings,
15 so Jesus addressed them directly. “You always want to look spiritual in the eyes of others, but you have forgotten the Eyes of God, which see what is inside you. The very things that you approve of and applaud are the things God despises.
16 The law of Moses and the revelation of the prophets have prepared you for the arrival of the Kingdom announced by John. Since that time, the wonderful news of God’s Kingdom is being preached, and people’s hearts burn with extreme passion to receive it.
17 Heaven and earth will disintegrate before even the smallest detail of the Law will fail or lose its power.”
I have been in “Christian” services where the five-fold ministry has coerced people to give in various manners. You virtually have to pay to get a “word” or prophecy. You have to pay to get healed. The list goes on. Many in the ministry started out with good intentions but got corrupted along the way by money and pride. This is not a new issue but has played over and over again throughout history. Money is extracted from the poor and given to the rich. Jesus told the rich young ruler to do the opposite.
FATHER spoke in Micah chapter 6:
1 Listen to what the LORD is saying: “Stand up and state your case against Me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints.
2 And now, O mountains, listen to the LORD’s complaint! He has a case against His people. He will bring charges against Israel.
3 “O My people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of Me? Answer Me!
4 For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you.
5 Don’t you remember, My people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal, when I, the LORD, did everything I could to teach you about My faithfulness.”
6 What can we bring to the LORD? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?
8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
9 Fear the LORD if you are wise! His voice calls to everyone in Jerusalem: “The armies of destruction are coming; the LORD is sending them.”
FATHER hasn’t changed!