Support of
the Ministry
God’s
Portion and it’s Purpose
What is one way in
which we are commanded to honor God?
“Honor the Lord
with your wealth, with the
firstfruits of all your crops.”
Proverbs 3:9.
What part of
one’s income has the Lord
especially claimed as His?
“A title of
everything from the land, whether
grain from the soil or fruit from the
trees, belongs to the Lord, it is
holy to the Lord.” Leviticus
27:30. [One tenth]
For what support
and for what work was the title
devoted in Israel?
“I give to the
Levites all the titles in Israel
as their inheritance in return
for the work they do while serving at
the Tent of the Meeting.”
Numbers 18:21. [Tenth]
How does Paul say
the gospel ministry is to be
supported?
“If we have sown
spiritual seed among you, it is too
much if we reap a material harvest
from you? If others have the right of
support from you, shouldn’t we
have it all the more?
But we did not see the
right. On the contrary, we put up
with anything rather than hinder the
gospel of Christ. Don’t you know
that these who work in the temple get
their food from the temple, and those
who serve at the altar share in what
is offered on the altar” In the
same way, the Lord commanded that
those who preach the gospel should
receive their living from the gospel.”
1 Corinthians 9:11-14.
Fundamental
Basis of Tithe Paying
Upon
what fundamental basis does the
requirement of tithe paying rest?
“The
earth is the Lord’s, and
everything in it, the world, and all
who live in it.”
Psalm 24:1.
Who is it that
gives man power to get wealth on this
earth?
“But remember the
Lord your God, for it is he who
gives the ability to produce wealth,
and so confirm his covenant, which he
swore to your forefathers, as it is
today.”
Deuteronomy 8:18.
What statement of
Christ shows that man is not an
original owner, but a steward of
God’s goods?
“Again, it is
like a man going on a journey, who
called his servants and
entrusted his property to them.”
Matthew 25:14. (Also 1
Corinthians 4:7.)
History
of Title Paying
How early in the
history of the world do we read of
title paying?
“This Melchizedek
was king of Salem and priest of God
Most High. He met Abraham returning
from the defeat of the kings and
blessed him, and Abraham gave him
a tenth of everything. First, his
name means “king of
righteousness,” then also
“king of Salem” means
“king of peace.”
“Without father or mother,
without genealogy, without beginning
of days or end of life, like the Son
of God he remains a priest
forever.” Hebrews 7:1,2. (See
Genesis 14:17-20.) [Melchizedek
/Michael]
What
vow did Jacob make at Bethel?
“Then Jacob made
a vow, saying, “If God will be
with me and watch over me on this
journey I am taking and will give me
food to eat and clothes to wear so
that I return safely to my
father’s house, then the Lord
will be my God and this stone that I
have set up as a pillar will be
God’s house, and of all that
you give me I will give you a tenth.”
Genesis 28:2-22.
Curse
or Blessing
Of what is one
guilty who withholds the title and
freewill offerings?
“Will a man rob
God? Yet you rob me. “But
you ask, ‘How do we rob
you?’ “In titles and
offerings.” Malachi 3:8.
Concerning what does
the Lord ask us to prove Him, and
upon what conditions does He promise
great blessings?
“Bring
the whole title into the storehouse,
that there be food in my house. Test
me in this,” say the Lord
Almighty, ‘and see if I will not
throw open the floodgates of heaven
and pour out so much blessing that
you will not have room enough for it.
I will prevent pests from devouring
your crops, and the vines in your
fields will not cast their
fruit,” says the Lord
Almighty.” Verses 10, 11.
