Author: Steve Phillips

By disobedience, Tradition raises a testimony and establishes practices whose message is this: The Word of God is Irrelevant. By disobedience to Christ, Tradition becomes entrenched generation after generation. And even if passages in the Word of God are read that contradict Tradition, they are quickly passed over as having nothing to do with present realities.

And so Tradition supplants Scripture, customs overrule obedience, and man-made systems replace biblical simplicity. And so the precepts of men prevail as the commandment of God is forsaken, nullified, and deprived of its authority.

But make no mistake, Christ shares no co-regency. The Word of God and Tradition are sworn enemies. No treaty or alliance can be forged between the two.

We are branded hypocrites by Christ for tolerating and practicing Tradition’s customs inherited from the Custodians of denominational Shrines. Yes, hypocrites and evil men. Mk.7:6-9,13 says: “The Pharisees and scribes asked Him, ‘Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders?’

“And He said to them, ‘Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

“‘For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men…All too well you reject the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition…thus making void the Word of God by your tradition which you have handed down.’”

Man-made Tradition crafted in Christendom’s Shrines cancels the Word of God. Any who subject themselves to it are constituted hypocrites and fools. You cannot serve Tradition and Christ. We must repent of it according to the warning of Col.2:8:

“Be careful not to allow anyone to take you captive through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to the Traditions of men and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Dear Listener, note it well; each one of us are responsible to not allow any to take us captive by man-made Tradition. If you are held in bondage by man-devised religious systems, you have no one to blame but yourself. You are not an unwilling victim of religious error; you have chosen it. We must repent of the evil of man-crafted Tradition.

Col.2:16-23 makes this very clear: “Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast or Sabbath days. These are only a shadow of the good things to come, but the reality is Christ!

“Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and worship of angels cheat you of your prize. That person goes on at great lengths about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind.

“He has not held fast to the Head, from whom the whole body grows with the growth that is from God. If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to regulations and rules as though you still lived in the world?

“They are based on human commandments and teachings: even though they have an appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed religion, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body. They are a wisdom with no true value; in reality they result in fleshly indulgence.”

Dear Listener, Tradition is the enemy of Christ and the corruption of all godliness. Forsake it and return to the simplicity of devotion to Christ according to His Word.

Where are sanctuaries and cathedrals to be found in the NT? Nowhere. Where are Reverends, Archbishops, GOs, President and Founders, and Presiding Senior Pastors found in the NT? Nowhere. Where are to be seen Choirs and Worship Teams in the NT? Nowhere. Where are found even once demands for tithes, offerings, firstfruits, thanksgivings, or levees in the NT? Nowhere. Where do we find the chaotic uproar of babbling in tongues all at once in the NT church? Nowhere. Where do we find any church anywhere in the NT calling down fire from heaven on supposed enemies to destroy them? Nowhere.

Answer this simple question. Where in the NT can you show your typical Sunday morning church service? Just quote one verse. Show to the world that what Christendom does each Sunday morning has even one passage to support those grand pageants.

We’re waiting. Have you found one yet? No? Hmmn. So you’re saying it’s not biblical, right? Well, agreed; it’s not biblical. So, that raises another question.

If you cannot find your Sunday morning service in the Bible, then where did it come from; what was its origin? How did it come about if not even one verse in the whole New Testament supports this monstrosity we call “church”?

It came from man-made Tradition. Its first shrine was in Babylon where Nimrod institutionalized Tradition at his tower, and it spread worldwide from there.

There Priest-craft prevailed and the custodian king reigned supreme. “Worship” was localized at the Shrine. Individual spiritual priests were no longer tolerated.

All conformed to his scheme. Punishment was meted out for any who did not comply. Money was collected for maintenance of the building and its custodian.

Stones of God’s creation were cast aside for man-made bricks of his own design. Uniformity replaced unity. And rebellion colored it all.

What can be done? What then is the way out? Simple. Forsake Tradition and no longer tolerate and practice its traditions. Simple. Embrace Christ alone as Head of His Church. Simple. “Let love of the brethren continue” -Heb.13:1.

The solution to this Babylonian departure of the professing church is to return to the simplicity of devotion to Christ and His own Pattern. The practical expression of that is contained in the variety of “One Another” passages in the Scriptures.

If we would truly practice these, all men would observe our love and know that we are the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ indeed.

The name of God would cease to be blasphemed among the nations. Jesus Himself would no longer have cause to remove our lampstand and vomit us out of His mouth.

Restoration necessitates Reformation. For if we are restored to biblical life in Christ, the old forms of Christendom’s Traditions cannot contain that new life. Any attempt will ruin both.

It is a proverb worth noting: We do not live what we learn; we learn what we live. People imitate what they observe. As long as the professing church practices man-crafted Traditions, nothing will change. Unless we actually begin to live these “one anothers,” we will abide in Babylonian bondage despite however many “correct” ideas we may have about Christ and His church.

And man-made church systems will never allow these to actually be practiced in their gatherings. In a very real and practical sense, actually doing these “one anothers” are an abomination to the Shrines’ Custodians.

The New Wine of Jesus’ New Covenant cannot be contained in the Old Wineskins of religious Tradition. One must be forsaken for the other. Lk.5:37: “Otherwise, the new wine will burst the wineskins and it will be spilled out.” True spiritual life in Christ and religious Tradition are incompatible.

But beware! The Custodians of Tradition’s Shrines will never agree to actually practice the Bible. Lk.5:39 warns: “No one, after drinking old wine wants the new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’”

Copyright Steve Phillips 2020

Disciples are yoked to Christ as learners who walk with Him in meekness and lowliness [Mt.11:29]. By definition, a disciple is a learner and pride spoils the process. The goal of such association is conformity to the Master. Lk.6:40: “Every disciple when fully trained, will be like his Master.”

Apprenticeship by observation and participation was ever Christ’s method to instruct, train, and equip disciples. For them to be able to repeat mechanically memorized information gained in a classroom setting was never His purpose. His school required men to reason about spiritual issues for themselves.

By encountering life situations with the Word of God and by the use of repeated questions, disciples’ inner character was developed. Paul followed this example of developing men. 2 Tim.3:10,11: “You followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, and sufferings.”

In the extension of the kingdom of heaven through discipleship, Wisdom dictated to perpetuate life by life, not by pen or sword; Grace dictated that those chosen be from the mainstream of common humanity and not from the exceptional or elite, that no flesh may boast in His presence.

Every disciple begins as an ignorant learner and must learn Prov.3:5,6: to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Paul himself pressed on “that I might know Him” -Phil.3:10.  He admits that “I know in part” -1 Cor.13:12. Even when in prison at the end of his days, he asked Timothy to “bring the books, especially the parchments” [containing the Scriptures] -2 Tim.4:13.

It is therefore a life-long process of becoming increasingly conformed to the image of Christ. We become like Him when we are yoked to Him and walk in His path, learning from His meekness and lowliness of heart [Mt.11:28-30].

The Lord Jesus Himself followed in this process of discipleship. Every morning His ear was open to hear from His Father [Isa.50:4-7]. What He heard, He obeyed and did not turn back. Having heard and learned, He could sustain the weary with a Word.

Discipleship requires hating all the influence of natural associations that would draw the heart from Christ as Lord: even, and especially, that of “your own soul” – Lk.14:25. We must distrust our desires and assessments. If we are relying upon these, we are not listening to and learning from Christ; we are not disciples.

If we turn back because of the scorn and rejection of men, if we abandon the cross, we shall never die to self; we are not His disciples [Lk.14:26]. And there is no such thing as a disciple who has not lost his life for the sake of Christ [Mt.16:24,25].

All reliance upon our own resources must be given up. Discipleship is relying upon the strength, wisdom, and life of Christ alone. Trusting our own natural abilities, wisdom, and desires simply shows that we are not His disciples [Lk.14:33].

Timothy was a disciple indeed. Acts 16:1,2: “A disciple was there, named Timothy and he was well spoken of by the brethren.” He served Paul like a son serving his father. So much so, that sending Timothy was the same as sending Paul [1 Cor.4:14-17].

Paul said of him in Phil.2:20-22: “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.”

A disciple, a learner, does not know “as he ought to know” -1 Cor.8:2. He is not a fool, trusting in his own heart [Prov.28:26]. Listening to, following, and yielding to reproof give evidence of being a true disciple. Prov.10:17: “He is on the path of life who keeps instruction, but he who refuses reproof goes astray.” Those who reject instruction, demonstrate that they are not disciples at all, but rather simply fools. Prov.12:1: “He who hates correction is stupid.”

Many have the outward show of being disciples, but few are genuine. Jn.6:60,66: “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ After this many of His disciples quit following Him and walked with Him no more.”

A disciple loves the one discipling him, and the one discipling affectionately loves the disciple as well [2 Tim.1:2,4]. Discipleship is a relationship of love and mutual respect without constraint. Jesus said in Jn.15:15: “I no more call you slaves, but I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I have heard from My Father.” This expresses well the discipleship relationship. Nothing is by force as if the “Discipler” were a master and the disciple his slave.

Many have this false idea of what discipleship is. It is evil. There is no such relationship in the Scriptures where a “Discipler” lords it over a “disciple” who submits himself under the “Discipler’s” authority. That is bondage and slavery, not discipleship. Much of the so-called discipleship ministry in Nigeria is worse than the oppressive hierarchy found among the General Overseers of denominations.

Jesus never practiced that type of superior/subordinate relationship. He said in Lk.22:27: “I am among you as the One who serves.” Paul referred to brethren with him as “brothers, fellow-workers, fellow-laborers.” He wrote in Philemon 14: “Without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be by compulsion but of your own free will.”

Paul’s fellow-workers do not serve by compulsion. 1 Cor.16:12: “I strongly encouraged Apollos our brother to come to you; and it simply was not his desire to come now; but he will come when he has opportunity.”

The one discipling will lead by being an example [1 Pet.5:3] and will teach and correct [2 Tim.2:24,25]. But the one discipling does not, and must not, lord it over the disciple. Jesus forbids that in Lk.22:25-27: “The kings of the nations lord it over them and exercise authority over them. It is not this way with you.”

Lording it over disciples makes them turn aside from following Christ to become followers of men. 1 Cor.7:23: “You have been bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”

Discipleship’s great task is to perpetuate the faith that has been once for all delivered to the saints. 2 Tim.2:2: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be competent to teach others also.”

This can only be maintained by faith and love in dependence upon the Holy Spirit of God [2 Tim.1:13,14]. No programs, institutions, publications, or creeds can ever maintain the true doctrine of God in living reality.

Diligent watch must be kept over one’s own heart, teaching, and practice. Prov.4:23: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” 1 Tim.4:16: “Pay close attention to how you live and to your teaching. By doing so, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”

Consistent daily reading and study of the Scriptures is mandatory if one is to be a disciple. 2 Tim.2:15: “Study to show yourself approved unto God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, who correctly handles the Word of truth.” Disciples must be steadfast in the Word even in times of departure when men are running after fables rather than sound doctrine [2 Tim.4:1-5]. May we all prove to be disciples indeed.

Copyright Steve Phillips 2020

We are tested by our use of money. God watches to see how we use what has been entrusted into our hands. If we are faithful to use it for godly purposes, the Lord will see that we are trustworthy. And if we are faithful in this very little thing, we will be faithful also in much.

If we are faithless in this very small thing, the Lord will not entrust us with greater responsibilities. Lk.16:10,11: “Whoever is faithful in a very little thing, will be faithful also in much. But whoever is unrighteous in a very little thing, will be unrighteous also in much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

Let us summarize what we have learned over the past weeks about the love that gives.

[1] Love is the true and pure motive behind all giving that meets with God’s approval. Rom.5:5: “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Acts 4:32: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”

[2] One main purpose for giving is to give that others might become believers in Christ. Lk.16:9: “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

[3] Giving to the rich, unfaithful gospel workers, or to lazy persons is foolish and wrong. Prov.22:16: “He who gives to the rich, only comes to poverty.” 2 Jn.10,11: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for he who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.” 2 Thess.3:10: “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either.”

[4] We are to give to the poor. Gal.2:10: “They only asked us to remember the poor – the very thing I also was eager to do.” Prov.28:27: “He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.”

[5] We are to give to genuine gospel workers. Those who benefit in spiritual things “are indebted to minister to them also in material things” –Rom.15:27.

[6] The principle of Christian giving is found in 2 Cor.9:7: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

[7] Tithing is not required of Christians. Heb.7:12: “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.”

[8] There is not even one verse in the entire Bible where tithing was ever money. Tithing was only of food items given to support the Levitical priests in the temple in Jerusalem.

[9] Most giving is to pass directly from the hand of the giver to the receiver. Lk.3:11: “The man who has two shirts is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do the same.”

[10] Giving for a specific need can also be entrusted into the hands of faithful brethren to deliver to those in need. Acts 11:30: “They sent their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.”

[11] There is no verse in the NT where church offerings were collected weekly.

[12] Giving with expectation of gaining in return is evil. 1 Tim.6:5: “Men of corrupt mind…think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

[13] Sorcerers think that giving to men of God will gain spiritual blessings in return. Acts 8:20: “May your silver perish with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money.”

Before we conclude our studies on the love that gives, we must bring a final word to ministers. Rom.2:24: “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

1 Tim.3:2,3; Tit.1:7: “A leader of God’s people must be above reproach…free from the love of money…not greedy for gain.”

Yet you ministers have taught multitudes to follow your greedy ways. Woe to you, Ministers and Pastors, hypocrites: 2 Pet.2:14: “having eyes that never cease from sin, seducing unstable souls; they are experts in greed – an accursed brood!”

Woe to you, Ministers and Pastors, hypocrites, who deceitfully promise prosperity for planting “seeds of faith,” breakthrough for tithes, and gain for giving!

Woe to you Ministering hypocrites! How like Simon the Sorcerer you are! The gift of God cannot be obtained with money [Acts 8:18-24]! You are yet bitterly envious and in the bondage of sin!

Woe to you, Reverends of Riches, who enforce levees, reap from your congregation’s “firstfruits,” extort them in your “thanksgiving” services, and threaten cursing if tithes do not reach your pockets!

Woe to you, Ministers of Mammon, who slay the flock of God without pity while crying out, “Praise the Lord, for I have become rich!” -Zech.11:5.

Woe to you, Prophets of Prosperity, who according to Mic.3:5-12: “lead My people astray. If one feeds them, they proclaim, ‘Peace!’ If he does not, they prepare war against him. The prophets prophesy for money. Yet they lean on the Lord, and say, ‘Is not the Lord among us? No harm can come upon us.’”

Behold, I am against you fools and blind men, says the Lord God. Ezek.34:1-10: “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you butcher the fat sheep but you let your flocks starve!

“You have not taken care of the weak, the diseased you have not tended, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with harshness you have dominated them.

“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord: ‘I the Sovereign Lord declare that I am your enemy! I will take My sheep away from you and never let you be their shepherds; I will stop you from feeding yourselves. I will rescue My sheep from you and not let you eat them.’”

Woe unto you, Reverends of Riches, hypocrites; you “clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness” –Lk.11:39.

Woe to you Blind Bishops, merciless men! Mt.23:14: “You devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation!”

Mt.23:33: “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how shall you escape the damnation of Hell?”

May you repent of your wickedness; 1 Tim.6:11: “You man of God, flee these things!” Flee the love of money which is plunging you into ruin and destruction [1 Tim.6:9,10]!

Dear Listener, Phil.3:18,19 warns: “I tell you that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, whose god is their belly, they glory in their shame, and set their minds on earthly things.”

Eph.5:5: “You can be confident of this one thing; no greedy/covetous man -such a person is an idolater- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Col.3:5: “So put to death…greed which is idolatry.”

You cannot serve God and Mammon. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Copyright Steve Phillips 2020

Following Balaam’s shameless ways of greed brings “the way of truth into disrepute” -2 Pet.2:2. Even though we’ve been repeatedly warned about the “destructive heresies” -2 Pet.2:1 of these false teachers, we continue to follow.

They continue to demand, and we continue to pay what they insist on. We are as foolish and wicked as these false teachers themselves. Teachers and congregations alike walk in the way of Balaam: the way of greed for self-enrichment.

2 Pet.2:3: “Through greed they will make merchandise of you with false words.” Yet this could never be if we refused to pay what they require. We would never be taken advantage of by false words if we ourselves loved the truth.

But we do not. We love money and thus continue to tithe and give according to demand. We imagine that God must bless us with multiplied financial rewards because we gave according to the law of our self-made religion. But it is not like that at all.

Rather, we fall under the condemnation of 1 Tim.6:5 of those who “think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” This same verse says that it is only those who are “of depraved mind and deprived of the truth” who think this way. This reproves the wayward church of today who gives in the expectation of getting.

It is what Simon the sorcerer did. He gave his money in order to spiritually benefit thereby. He saw what he wanted and brought his offering in order to get it. This is lust.

He thought that if he gave money to Men of God, he would get what he wanted in return. He imagined that if he sowed his “seed of faith,” he could get things from God. If he paid the price, he would obtain the same “prosperity” as the apostles.

Witchcraft employs such methods, but not Christianity. The ministers of today have raised multitudes to follow Simon Magus while quite willingly receiving the money which Peter rejected as unholy. Peter’s rebuke rightly falls upon these sons of Simon as they originally did upon the deluded sorcerer of Samaria.

Acts 8:20-23: “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.  Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours.”

It is this shameless and deluded love of money which will condemn Simon and his children of today’s church. 1 Tim.6:9: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts which plunge men into ruin and destruction.”

The desire for money itself is enough to send this generation of church-goers into everlasting judgment. This verse calls wanting riches, “foolish and harmful lusts.”

With this longing in the heart, already one has fallen.  Temptation has overcome you in the snare of “the deceitfulness of riches which choke the Word” -Mt.13:22. No reward awaits you: rather ruin and destruction.

1 Tim.6:10: “The love of money is the root of all evil.” It will cause you to wander away from the faith. This coveting will change you into an idolater, far from being a Christian at all.

Eph.5:5: “This you know with certainty, that no covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

Lust for money masquerades as giving in the church of our generation. We pretend that we are giving for the glory of God and good of others, but it is really for our own benefit.

Greed has deceived us into thinking that we can give to God as a means of having Him repay us for our “service.” The Word of God absolutely reproves this misguided thinking. Rom.11:35: “Who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again?” Job 41:11: “Who has first given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine!”

We want it to be so that God will reward us with treasures upon earth. But Jesus has already warned us not to store up treasures upon earth or long after it. Mt.6:24: “You cannot serve God and Mammon/Riches/Money.”

They are two different gods. There can be no compromise between them. The true and living God calls His servants with a heavenly calling to set their affections on the things above. The god of Mammon leads his slaves to focus on the things below, on self and wealth which ushers them into everlasting ruin.

Nevertheless, we pursue riches as if this was our God-given heritage. But only “a man with an evil eye hastens after wealth” -Prov.28:22. And thus we show who we really are: idolaters [Col.3:5] who serve “the Mammon of unrighteousness” -Lk.16:11, but not the God of heaven.

Jesus’ own words rebuke our lustful giving in order to gain.  Acts 20:35: “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 2:45: “They began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all as anyone might have need.”

Love does what no system or law can do. It makes self-centered men gladly abandon their own interests and comforts for the good of others. Love leads to selflessness. Nothing but love can produce such results.

2 Cor.8:1-5: “Now brethren we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their generosity.

“For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.

“And this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.”

Several things are to be noted about these loving brethren.

[1] It was the work of God’s grace in their hearts that made them give as they did. Paul himself was amazed at this gracious work of love which went beyond his own expectations.

[2] They did not give out of a sense of obligation. No law prompted their actions.  No command from the apostle compelled them with a sense of duty.

[3] Tithing had nothing to do with their generosity. Ten percent of their deep poverty would never have even approached the amount that they freely gave. If tithing were their standard, they would have given far less than they did.

[4] Their love could not be discouraged or turned aside. Love made them insistent on giving from their own accord.

[5] They did not give because the economy was good.  Neither the amount of money in their hand nor their own level of comfort determined how they gave.

[6] Gladness and joy flowed from their heart for the great privilege of helping others. It was the kind of giving that God loves.

[7] Complete devotion to the Lord Jesus and His people was the underlying source of their sacrifice. Love motivated all.

The Macedonians were full of the love that gives. The people of God were blessed because of it. They themselves were blessed and the Father in heaven was delighted and glorified. That is how it should be.

Copyright Steve Phillips 2020

There are times due to distance or convenience that a gift can be given to a faithful man to deliver to another in our behalf. But the man must be faithful and the gift designated for a specific stated purpose. The churches did this to assist the poor brethren in Jerusalem, sending it by the hand of the apostle Paul.

Acts 11:29,30: “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.”

A faithful servant of God may also be entrusted to deliver your gift to a gospel worker in a distant place. Phil.4:18: “But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.”

But note it well. He received everything in full. Funds were not diverted for another purpose other than the reason they were given.

The messenger must be faithful with what has been entrusted to him. And the believer must know that his gift is actually being used for a God-honoring purpose.

We are not to entrust the Lord’s money into the hands of just anyone to be used for things we do not know about. To do so is wasteful, foolish, and disobedient on our part and of the one we have trusted when it is diverted for other purposes.

This is an evil which must not be done. Rather we should do as was done by the responsible and honorable Paul as he says in 2 Cor.8:18-21:

“We are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.

“We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.”

As was the case with this gift for the needy brethren in Jerusalem, the only collections taken in the NT church were for specific designated purposes. Weekly “offerings” at church meetings were not a NT practice. The only time a group collection was mentioned was for the relief of the believers affected by famine.

1 Cor.16:1-3 says: “Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that no collections be made when I come. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.”

From this passage, the modern church has established its own “law” of offerings by taking up collections at their meetings. But these verses clearly instruct God’s people not to blindly put money into a collection plate. Rather, they are to save their own money at home for the specific purpose of helping the poor and unfortunate.

If anything, this tells us that no collections should be taken at all unless they are for the express purpose of helping the poor and supporting gospel work. It shows that the believers must be agreed on the specific use of money collectively entrusted to another. It informs us that Christian giving is to be a voluntary individual matter motivated by love, not by man-made laws and procedures.

Love fills the heart of a man with goodwill to relieve the sufferings of men, both in this life and in the next. It gives willingly to help both the body and soul of fellow men. Law can only threaten, intimidate, or obligate the one whose heart is lacking love.

The love that gives hears no threats and is not subject to man-made regulations. It gives freely to bless others physically and spiritually apart from any law. 2 Cor.9:7: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Love has as its focus the good of others. Lust is intent only in satisfying its own unholy desires. Love wishes to give. Lust wants to gain. 1 Tim.6:5: “Men of corrupt mind…think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

Giving in the church has often become little more than a lustful affair to get something for self. We have turned giving into a commercial enterprise to generate funds for our own ends.

Ministers threaten congregations to tithe and give repeatedly so that money will continue to come into their own pockets. Congregations do so many times expecting that God will give them much more than they have “invested.”

The church has once again become a “house of merchandise” -Jn.2:16. This shameless use of religion to gain for one’s self is hated still by the Lord Jesus. He overturned their money tables then and drove them out of His Father’s house. He will do the same today.

Giving has become, not a means of blessing to others, but a greedy way to enrich one’s self. Praise to Jesus is upon our lips, but we really only lust after His benefits while trying to use Him to get what we want [Jn.6:25-27].

There are many who “peddle the Word of God for profit” -2 Cor.2:17. The things of God are employed in order to get wealth and prosperity in earthly things. It is no different than Balaam “who loved the wages of unrighteousness” -2 Pet.2:15.

Though he knew that the Word of God opposed his desperate lust for riches, he continued to seek gain for himself. He wanted by all means to find a way to get Balak’s promised reward by “using” God to obtain it. Thus he was for hire and prophesied for a price.

The Scriptures speak about Balaam’s way [2 Pet.2:15], his error [Jude 11], and his doctrine [Rev.2:14]. These give us sober warnings about following in his footsteps.

The way of Balaam is that motivating greed for self-enrichment. Love of money filled his heart. He cared nothing for the Lord or the Israel of God.

That God would judge fornicating Moabite women and Balak himself did not disturb him in the least. Money was his one concern.

His error was imagining that God can be manipulated by repeated religious activities. He thought that if God did not approve of his prophetic ravings today, He may yet be persuaded tomorrow.

“Noise and religious acrobatics ought to eventually gain my own desires,” was the warped error of his thinking. Balaam believed that God could be convinced to adjust His Word to grant his own. It is error indeed.

He taught Balak and all men thereafter the doctrine which bears his name. The doctrine of Balaam is that truth can be compromised to get what I want. His message is that the end justifies the means.

“As long as my purpose is achieved, it does not matter how it is accomplished,” was his deluded teaching. Truly, a doctrine of demons “whose condemnation is just” -Rom.3:8.

Balaam has millions of disciples faithfully following in his way. Of this modern church it truthfully is said in Jude 11: “they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error.” This is a lustful use of religion to gain for Self. It is not the love that gives.

Copyright Steve Phillips 20202

What then was the law of tithing for? Why did God require it in the OT? How could they be obligated when Christians are not?  Let us consider the teaching of the Word of God about these things.

God spoke to Aaron and the tribe of Levi in Num.18:20: “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel.” The reason for this was because of the special priestly duties the Lord assigned to them among all the tribes of Israel.

Deut.10:8,9: “The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to serve Him and to bless in His name until this day. Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance with his brothers.”

It was because they had no land of their own as did the other eleven tribes that God made the provision of a tithe for them. They did not farm as did the rest of Israel and thus could not supply their own food.

The tithe was designed to provide food for the priests of Levi in exchange for their work in the Temple. Num.18:21: “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.”

Tithing was to supply needed food for the Levites that they might continue to offer the required animal sacrifices in behalf of Israel.  The tithe was always 10% of a person’s farm produce. Deut.14:22: “You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.”

Tithes are described as grain, new wine, and oil in Deut.14:23. Ten percent of one’s oxen and sheep are mentioned as among the tithes of Israel in 2 Chron.31:6. Honey [2 Chron.31:5], ground meal and fruit [Neh.10:37], and garden herbs [Lk.11:42] were also to be tithed.

In every reference throughout the entire Word of God, tithing is always food items and nothing more. Azariah, the chief priest, rejoiced in 2 Chron.31:10: that “since the contributions began to be brought into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over.”

There is not even one verse in all the Scriptures where tithing was money. The people of God were never required to tithe money. God has never demanded of any man to bring 10% of his money. Tithing was always food items.

Even when Israel’s self-appointed king began to rule over them, the tithe he forced them to bring was of seeds, fruit, and flocks [1 Sam.8:15,17]. Tithing, even in this second demanded 10% beyond the one God required for Levites, was food items.

You may see for yourself that this is so. Tithing was never of money.

All references to tithing in the Scriptures are listed here: Gen.14:20; Lev.27:30-32; Num.18:21,24,26,28;  Deut.12:6,11,17; 14:22,23,28; 26:12; 2Chron.31:5,6,12;  Neh.10:37,38; 12:44;  13:5,12;  Amos 4:4;  Mal.3:8,10;  Mt.23:23;  Lk.11:42; 18:12;  Heb.7:5,6,8,9.

Israel’s tithes of food for the priests of Levi were to be brought to the Temple and placed in storerooms. Neh.13:12: “All Judah then brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses.” There they were kept and distributed to the priests according to their needs [Neh.13:13].

Malachi 3:8-10, though one of the most often abused passages in the Bible on this subject, teaches nothing else than what we have already seen. Tithes are of food items required of Israel to feed the priests in the Temple. They were that, and nothing more.

It was the nation of Israel that was obligated by Old Covenant law to bring their tithes, not Christians. Mal.3:9: “You are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!”  The tithe they were to bring was not money given in church, but food items in Jerusalem’s Temple for Levitical priests, “so that there might be food in My house” -Mal.3:10.

It was not to a church collection plate that tithes were brought, but into the storerooms of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Mal.3:10: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house.”

Besides the obvious misuse of verses about tithing in the church, there is much confusion about how Christians are to give.  In our thinking, giving has been reduced to putting money into a Sunday morning offering. But in the NT, it was not this at all.

In the Scriptures, much, if not most, of the giving took place outside of the church meeting. The NT church had no buildings or institutions to maintain and collected no money for those purposes. Their giving was directly for the poor and the work of the gospel.

Most of this giving passed directly from the hand of the giver to the hand of the receiver. We are not to send away a needy person until a later time, but are to give to him directly and immediately. Prov.3:27,28: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you.”

If you see a brother or sister in need and do not give to them, the love of God does not dwell in you. 1 Jn.3:17: “Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God dwell in him?”

Giving is to pass from our hand to theirs directly. When a person is in need of daily food, it does no good to tell them to wait until next Sunday and ask for something from the church then.

Jesus speaks about “when you give to the poor” -Mt.6:2, not about when you drop money into a church collection. When asked about how people should show their repentance, John the Baptist said this in Lk.3:11:

“The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do the same.” In this way Christian giving can be with “simplicity” -Rom.12:8 and “in secret” -Mt.6:4 in contrast to our modern man-made traditions and regulations.

When the gift passes directly to the receiver, we know that we have done a good work according to the leading of the Spirit.  When we place money in a church offering plate, we have no idea where that money ends up. From your hand into another’s makes giving a purposeful and responsible act.

Blindly placing money in an offering is irresponsible. In that way, you have no idea whether you have done a good deed or not.

Much of the money that comes into the hands of the church is misused. It is spent on things that have little or no relation to helping the poor or of supporting gospel workers.

When we place money into another person’s hands, we ought to know what that money is being used for. If we do not, then we do not know if our gifts are being used for godly purposes or not.  We do not know if we have been responsible and obedient in our giving. That is irresponsible. Let us gladly give in a godly purposeful way.

Copyright Steve Phillips 2020

We need a complete change in our thinking about supporting the gospel work in this, our Nigeria. If we do not return to the pattern and practice of NT support for the gospel work, true Christianity may become a thing of the past in our land.

1. God’s people will support the work of the gospel; it is our biblical responsibility.

Genuine gospel workers dedicated to the true work of the gospel are to be supported by God’s people. 419 religious dupes and rogues are not to be given one kobo.

God’s people should stop paying money to fake pastors and GOs who “in their greed, make merchandise of you with false words” -2 Pet.2:3. You are not glorifying God or supporting the gospel when you do.

Just stop this unbiblical practice of giving to religious liars and thieves as if you were giving to God. Hear rather what the Word of God says about giving for the gospel:

Lk.8:1-3: “And many others were contributing to their support out of their private means.”

Phil.4:10-19: “You have done well to share in my affliction…you sent a gift more than once for my needs.”

Tit.3:13,14: “Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”

3 Jn.8: “Therefore we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.”

2 Cor.11:8,9: “I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia, they fully supplied my need.”

1 Cor.9:6-14: “Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?

“The plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you?

“Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share with the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” But note it well: it is those who preach the gospel, not preachers of Prosperity who are to be supported .

Rom.15:24: “I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you.”

Rom.15:27: “For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.”

Gal.6:6: “And let the one who is taught the Word share all good things with him who teaches.”

Lk.10:7: “And stay in the house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages.”

3 Jn.6: “And they bear witness to your love before the church; and you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.”

Then 2. The gospel worker may also work at a vocation when appropriate. Even the great apostle Paul did so, and he was not abandoning his heavenly calling by doing so. Laboring with your hands so as not to be living from offerings is commendable. Temptations arise to compromise the Word if you are totally dependent upon offerings.

Acts 18:3-5: “He stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent makers.” 1 Cor.4:12: “We toil, working with our own hands.”

Acts 20:34,35: “You yourselves know that these hands provided for my own needs and those who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

1 Thess.2:9: “For you recall, brethren, our labor and toil, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.”

2 Thess.3:7-9: “You ought to follow our example; we did not eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but with labor and toil we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example.”

And yet, 3. The gospel worker will suffer lack. The false message of Prosperity is a doctrine of demons. Do not let that confuse you into thinking that you will always be enjoying in comfort and have everything you want.

Even the Lord Jesus Himself hungered and thirsted and was often weary. Mt.8:20:  “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

If the evil teaching of Prosperity were true, then apostle Paul himself had no faith. Hear his own testimony: 1 Cor.4:11: “To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty and are poorly clothed, and are beaten, and homeless.”

2 Cor.6:4-10: “In everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in needs, in distresses, in sleeplessness, in hunger, as poor, as having nothing.”

2 Cor.11:27: “In weariness and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and nakedness.”

Phil.4:11-13: “Not that I speak from lack; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means [to be abased] and I know how to live in prosperity [to abound]; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment: whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me within.”

Yet whether full or suffering with little: 4. The gospel worker shall do nothing to adversely reflect upon God’s ability to fund His own work. Soliciting or receiving money from unbelievers or questionable sources is a reproach upon Christ. Threatening people if they do not give is an abomination.

3 Jn.7: “They went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers.” Ez.4:3: “Israel said to the people of the land, ‘You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God.’”

Gen.14:22,23: “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’”

2 Cor.2:17: “For we are not like many, peddling the Word of God for profit.” Ps.37:25: “I have been young and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread.”

Acts 20:33: “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.” 2 Cor.11:7: “I preached the gospel of God to you without charge.” Mt.10:8: “Freely you have received, freely give.”

Dear Listener, those who love Prosperity will always scoff at any who consider love of money to be an abomination in God’s sight. Don’t mind them. They will perish in their love of money. You, however, continue to serve Christ faithfully: you cannot serve God and Mammon.

Copyright Steve Phillips 2020