The
Widow With Two Coins by Emily Mineo
Today,
reply is on giving and the use of money to establish and maintain
relationship within the church as a sanctified body. The blood of
Jesus Christ is the only acceptable offering or sacrifice Christians
may make for the remission of sins; therefore, bequests, financial
donations and gifts of money to the church are only for maintenance
of physical facilities; mission and outreach programs; services; and
wages to clergy and other staff. Believers make no money offerings,
or sacrifices for sin. The purchase of a sinner’s
life, so they may accomplish repentance and be accounted as returned
to correct relationship with divinity, requires that the blood of
Jesus Christ be applied for atonement and propitiation of sin as well
as receiving inseparable aspects of his spirit substance from the
makeup of GOD (we say, the Comforter; the Holy Ghost; the Spirit of
Prophecy; the Spirit of Truth). Developing believers acknowledge the
divine provisions that supply focus, order, and eternal purpose for
their new life by dedicating their own flesh, skills, talents, and
their belongings to be shared through praise, unselfish service, and
worship. A fighter in the “Yahoo!
Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum using the ID
“Skittles” (Level 3 with 1,520 points, a member since May
12, 2012) posted the following:
Do
you have to pay money to have a relationship with God?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: Thus saith the LORD, Let not the
wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man
glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, that I am the LORD which
exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth:
for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
(Jeremiah 9: 23-24, King James Version, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Blessed In Our Deeds (05/29/2018); Jesus Paid It All
(04/04/2018); Not A Financial Transaction (01/28/2018); Giving, A
Divine Discipline? (10/09/2017); Fundraising A Sacred Practice?
(01/01/2017); Are All Debts Forgiven? (10/11/2016); A $1,000 Dollar
Seed? (11/02/2015); Money Is No Object? (10/14/2015)
“Skittles”,
among mature Christian believers, money is regularly used for
unselfish offerings and sacrifices that continue accountability,
commitment, shared responsibility, and the expression of love by
members within a congregation or community of faith. Divine
forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life are only available through
the ministry of Jesus Christ, and may not be bought and sold. The
blood and body of Jesus is offered by divine fullness (we say,
divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) for the
atonement of sin, and is shared among the members of the church
through the emblems of bread and wine (we say, Holy Communion; the
Eucharist; the Lord’s Supper).
More than this, baptism and rebirth that are gifts from the makeup of
GOD, are provided only within the church so that full members may
exist as the offspring of GOD, joint heirs with Christ, and the new
creation. Repenting sinners are to receive imparted, indwelling,
inseparable aspects of spirit from the makeup of GOD that include
faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness
without sameness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath
against sin. The things set apart as sacred (we say, sanctified) are
never to be regarded as ones personal possession, private property,
or a reward for ones own achievements, hard work, and merit.
Similarly, innocence, purity, and sacred knowledge provided by
the church are not to be taken as fruits of the flesh, rather, they
should be acknowledged as provisions from the Spirit. Consider again
the following that uses language from the holy writings that speak to
the use of money and ones substance at the Temple in Jerusalem and
within the early church:
1.
Proverbs 3: 9-10, King James Version (KJV): 9 Honour the LORD
with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall
burst out with new wine.
2.
Mark 12: 41-44, KJV: 41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury,
and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many
that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow,
and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called
unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto
you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have
cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their
abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even
all her living.
3.
1st Peter 5: 2-4, KJV: 2 Feed the flock of God which is
among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint,
but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither
as being lords over God’s
heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief
Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that
fadeth not away.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, 4. Acts 8: 14-22, KJV: 14 Now
when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might
receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of
them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy
Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’
hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying,
Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may
receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish
with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be
purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this
matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent
therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.)
Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you
according to your faith.
Washington,
DC
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