Acceptable motive is Loving our neighbour is more important than doing our duty. The widow of Zarephath gave her last meal to the prophet and God blessed her. Rahab lied to preserve the lives of the Hebrew spies in Jericho and God honoured her. These examples showed love in action. But it is significant that these expressions of love did not come from Jews. They came from those outside of the church. They came from those who were not bound by religion. They came from those who did not know the right thing to do but who understood the love thing to do. Is it legal to drive on the wrong side of the road? Why do you drive on the right side of the road? Do you pay tithes because it is the right thing to do? Do you give offerings because it is the right thing to do? A true believer does not do things merely because it is right or legal. A true believer does things because it is the love thing to do. The only valid reason acceptable in God for doing anything is the love of God. Jesus says: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). In which case the only reason why he wants us to keep his commandments is because we love him. And the only commandment Jesus has given us is that we love God and love our neighbour as he loves us. So we must not allow any bad shepherd (or pastor) to intimidate us into paying tithes by telling us we would be cursed if we do not do so. We are not to do things because we are afraid of curses, or fear the windows of heaven will be shut against us. All our actions must arise from the love of God and the love of our neighbours.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 10:22:41 +0000