Lesson I learnt from Bro Eli Soriano blessed memory today 26/04/2021
Bro Eli said he preaches because he has money not because he want money. Preachers shouldn't preach for money but for the salvation of people's soul. Members should not be billed.
Donations should be voluntarily. People should not be levied or billed or bullied into giving in the church.
Financial contribution should be voluntary. Bro Eli said they don't have mid week service contribution. Giving should not be dictated or enforced.
2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Every man should give cheerfully, we must all decide what we want to give. Church or pastors should not take advantage of the people of God.
2 Corinthians 8:3 KJV
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
The church here gave according to their ability and even more than their ability. They were not compelled to do or give to God's work.
Philippians 4:15-17 KJV
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. [16] For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. [17] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
There shot be no deception in given or collection of offering. Issuing of receipts in the church is not the will of God. There should not be price tags on the things of God. Baptism, naming, wedding and more should be free.
Acts 4:36-37 KJV
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, [37] Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Barnabas sold his land and laid the whole money at Apostles feet.
Acts 5:1-5 KJV
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, [2] And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. [3] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? [4] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. [5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Unlike Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira his wife kept some back. They didn't die because they held back some but because they claimed they gave all. Giving to God requires be truthful. If they said this is part of the money they wouldn't have died.
Monday commanded the apostles to sell their properties and bring the money. They all saw the necessity and gave accordingly and voluntarily. We should be people with proactive intuition to give to God.
Vows is another voluntary obligations to God. We should let it be between us and God.
Psalm 116:17 KJV
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
David said he will pay his vow, we must always pay our vows as we promised the Lord when we are making the promises.
Jeremiah 30:19 KJV
And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
God saw out of them shall proceed Thanksgiving. We should never forget to be grateful to God. Thanksgiving is a vow done by men to God.
Hebrews 13:16 KJV
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
We should offer sacrifice of Thanksgiving to God. We can offer Thanksgiving for the following reasons.
I. When you escape death
II. Where you are healed from diseases
III. When you pass an exam.
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