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"Success".....HUMMMM !! don't know for sure if I am right or wrong, but it made good common sense to me at the time. When my kids were High School age and thinking on careers I tried to explain success...."It is not how much money you make that makes a successful person , now listen to your daddy real close because to me this is success-----If person gets up in the morning and is happy to go to work and if at the end of the day this person is happy to go home, if this person's bills are paid, if there is food on the table and both the wife & husband has a couple bucks in their pocket and all is happy----this is success..." wish I had used your ending with God in there also....today all of them are in their 40"s & 50"s, all have Godly faith & all will gladly help their fellow man-----sounds like their mom did a pretty good job---OH YES...all are Christians......A lot of filthy rich people are miserable and a lot of poor, broke folks are as happy as if they have no sense. Back years ago I had 3 different small trucking companies, the least of my problems was money, then I got hurt and was out of work for right at 2 years, we almost everything, today I am retired & have nowhere the money I had years ago, but today I have more than enough money in the bank and in my pocket than I had back then. Back then when I was really struggling to make ends meet I had a long chat with God and in short order all worked out, don't get me wrong the ole devil did his very best to lead me astray, but thanks to daily spending time in God's word and every morning having chat time & coffee with the good Lord has kept the ole devil away. Temptation is daily there, but, I am truly scared to death to break my covenant with God....I didn't try to make a deal with God not did I try to bargain with God, I made a covenant with God, a covenant is good as long as the 2 parties keep their word, God has stood by me and I am scared to death to try to do things my way.....I have cancer and I have a bad heart and nothing bothers one way or the other, happier now than when I was in tall cotton..My friends that is success with a pretty bow on it
Something here that has grabbed my eye every time I read it.... I Romans 1 at the end of the chapter it reads--"Knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.." Pretty sure I have a handle on this, but I have experienced in organized religion where in order to keep numbers on the roll and not to be offensive to some our (my) church approves "those who practice such"......sinners belong sitting next to me in church not in leadership rolls. There is a difference ( I think) in a Christian who sins and then ask for forgiveness and one who does not seek forgiveness and continues to practice living in a way to satisfy their own selfish desires. A big difference in a person struggling to do right and a person knowing they are doing wrong and thumbing their nose at God and doing what their desires lead them to do. Just what I have thought on this little passage, any thoughts appreciated
GOD BLESS
I have often said, humor is good for the soul....so If I may add a touch of humor here-------All through your post I thought, "Plugger, you and Tenac gotta stop thinking"-----I think you got 1 brain cell left and I am running on half charge, basically we are a mess........Appreciate your reply on this subject----I learn so much from others adding in their thoughts
God Bless -- my friend
I did a post not long ago about the mustard seed, the mustard seed is extremely small, maybe around 1/32nd of an inch, yet Jesus said that little amount of faith can move a mountain......what hit me most in my study is how I have thought in terms of larger amounts of faith....."If I had this amount of faith I could______", I overlooked what God will do with my small amount of faith, by neglecting my small amount of faith I do nothing because my focus is on --"If I had more faith I could______". Very deep subject here, wish I was better at explaining but reckon that ain't my job, but take a moment and try to put your 1/32nd of an inch worth of faith to work and see just what God can do with your effort.... I have said many, many times that I just don't understand why my little prayers get answered but my big prayers go by the wayside.....OH ME !! of little faith---I have learned not to wish that if I had more faith "I could do____" but to trust in God that He will take my small amount of faith and put it to work for His will, not mine.".......My human side at times seems to be my natural enemy.
GOD BLESS & Happy Hump Day, hang in there the week-end is just around the corner----that's for you working folks, us old retired guys & gals we have a hard time knowing what day it is
Thanks ….i love the discussion, always good to hear folks thoughts & views.
behind every dark cloud that brings struggles into our lives is the sunshine that will come forth....we just have to look for it. every dark cloud experience offers us an opportunity to shine & count our blessings ------God Bless
Psalm 51:10---"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me"
I have a hard time this morning being focused, then I ran across this passage and it seemed fitting for what I needed
GOD BLESS & have a great Saturday
I wonder----while waiting for my bride to get ready to go the grocery, I sat at my desk and just flipped open my Bible, it opened in Mark where Peter was 3 times denying Christ....As I read I wondered if maybe, not being judgmental just wondering, if maybe folks should think more on the crucification than we do, maybe I am just thinking of me, IDUNNO...Like I said just a passing thought while waiting
GOD BLESS
Thanks for sharing
God is still in the answering of prayer business. Just talk with God, He already knows everything, He knows what is on your mind before you speak, so why not just go ahead and just talk with God like you would a friend. ----1 Corinthians 2:9----"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."------You can find this also in Isaiah 64:4---How many times I have read this, how many times I have heard this preached on, how many times did I really not grasp the true message, I have no idea....everyday in my morning coffee time chatting with God I always ask for wisdom, I, being really thick upstairs, just want to understand, I think I understand only to find that I know nothing----Now back to God answering prayer, this morning not knowing where in my Bible I wanted to go next I talked with God in all seriousness and I felt led to 1st Corinthians, I got to 2:9 and got to reading several resource things and developed an understanding I never had before, I'll not try to explain. Reckon my point is----God truly answered my prayer, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit teaching me....Think on this, if you will, All throughout the N.T. we are taught that "ALL" learning comes from God through the Holy Spirit. Now I understand that God uses man to spread His word, But the Spirit is what draws us near.
May I ask why you visited the Bible Board this morning ? May I suggest to you that you are right hear reading different post because you are right where God wants you to be, doing exactly what God wants you to be doing. Truly, to be caught in the presence of God, His Son Jesus & the Holy Spirit is an awesome experience------God is still in the Prayer answering business---give it a try
In my reading of Billy Graham's book on the Holy Spirit he wrote "There is a difference between sin and sins. Sin is the root, sins are the fruit." I read that, over and over again & again...Man that's heavy, going to take me some time on this, be carrying this around for a while. Yes, I get it, just never before gave it any thought . My 1st thought was sin is like an apple tree, and then sins are all the apples on that tree. Well got your attention,
GOD BLESS & have a very blest day
I am slow, lol,,, I had to read this twice, then caught on, I have to remember this lesson
When you read stuff in the Scripture to you kind of understand it as in our world today. That ain't very clear, but maybe this will help.....David in the Psalms writes so very much about his enemies, from the O.T. Scriptures we understand who & why those enemies exist .....Yesterday in reading my 5 Psalms I got to thinking on David's enemies which led me to think "who are my enemies"....The devil and his demons or helpers, they are my enemies, now don't get me wrong, I am not talking about the BOOGIE MAN, or the MONSTER under the bed but just as I believe in the Holy Spirit and angels I also believe in the devil and his helpers----Great big ole subject there.....I best leave this alone for now----but think on it----remember ole Flip Wilson, he often would say "the devil made me do it", a real top-notch comedian he was and joking he was-----but so very true
As usual, you be right on. OH !!! may I say it has been a real blessing for others to start posting more often, never know the smallest word may seem like nothing yet God through His Holy Spirit can take that little thought and touch a sinner's heart, we just never know, probably best we don't know because then that opens the door for the devil to put pride in, then I or we think it all happened because of us. Such and easy trap for us humans to fall for
I found in Palm 141 this and it hit me right upside my thick head---How did David know thousands of years ago to say this to me here in 2024, lol....Probably doesn't apply to any of you but maybe 1 or 2---anyway struck home here-----"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing. To practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies."-------The footnote says--"David prayed that God would protect him from the kind of evil that characterized his enemy.".......Think maybe I need to put this passage to memory
GOD BLESS
I made mention the other day that I was reading a book by Billy Graham on the Holy Spirit, he got on this "Born Again" subject, and here after reading & studying my Scripture since 1990 or even maybe before that-- Man I thought I was beginning to know something, I can honestly say "I KNOW NOTHING", well maybe know enough to get me in trouble. Anyway, he got on the subject of being born again he got to writing on this very subject which lead to writing on "regeneration"....So interesting that after breakfast I came back to read those several pages again and got to looking in Scripture-----NEVER--EVER---EVER stop learning, just as soon as I think I know a little something I learn -- I KNOW NOTHING...now that does not make me feel bad because in Billy Graham's senior years he basically made the same statement that all his reading & studying he constantly keeps learning things he did not previously know.----Check this out, you may have known this, but bet 10 to 1 many did not know----Baptized, both Hitler and Stalin were baptized----I wonder, not judging, just curious, how many Christians think they are on safe ground because they were baptized---being born again involves way more than being baptized....yes the preacher may ask a few questions and one will answer, but that is no regeneration----amazing subject, I will be on this for a couple of days
GOD BLESS
AMEN
I wish very much that organized religion would speak more of the Holy Spirit than they do, just an opinion here. I am reading a book by Billy Graham--"The Holy Spirit...Activating God's Power In Your Life."----In here I hi-lited this and think it sort of fits in with your post and what Tenac & I were chatting about---"God the Holy Spirit can take the humblest preaching or feeblest words of our witness to Christ, and transform them by His power into a convicting word in the lives of others."
Just my thoughts here, many Christians fail to speak up for Christ, not of being ashamed, or afraid of what someone may say----but because they do not feel qualified to share the gospel---now I say do not worry about it, I don't care how bad you screw up your words, I don't care how uneducated you are, whatever your excuse I don't care because I know the Holy Spirit will take your good intentions and turn it into beautiful music for God. I have many times depended upon the Holy Spirit for one thing or another, so much so that I can honestly say the Holy Spirit is there just like Jesus promised, The Holy Spirit is there to walk beside each of us to help out in our hour of need-----Once again my opinion here---the only way to really experience this is to give it a try, find yourself in a hole with noway out, don't keep digging, speak out to the Holy Spirit & ask for help, after all that is why Jesus ask His Father to send the Holy Spirit here for----to help us out---I think the Greek is "Paraclete"---The one who is called along side. Also called the "comforter" the "Helper". the "Counselor". & I think we find this in John 13 or 14, somewhere along there I think. I never understood the Trinity, all the reading I have done on the subject shows that no-one else does either, when I was a little boy I ask my mom about this, knowing a mom ain't gonna lie to their boy she said honestly she could not explain it, but be good and one day when you get to heaven you can ask------as a young boy and now as an old man I have no idea to explain the Trinity, but at 81 yrs. young I am getting close to the time of asking and getting my answer
God Bless and behave yourselves, you got angels watching
I replied to this once, but went to my Barn to do some wood work on my Chess Board & Pieces for grandson....what a job I undertook, anyway, I had to come inside for 2 reasons, 1--this was heavy on my "P" brain---2--I got out there and was like everything was going around & around, been over a week since my last treatments and that crap just won't let me do what I want....talk about our human side wanting to be in control...lol
OH!! Where was I, lol----oh yes----Has to do with your post and all you went through-----Back years ago I had issues with folks in Sunday School Class, Christian folks really mean well, but at the same time can really screw a situation up....My point to the class was that when a person is struggling with whatever we should never say I understand what you are going through, simple reason, if you ain't never been there how in God's earth can you say-- I know what you are dealing with....We as Christians can "sympathize" and pray but no way we can "identify" unless we have suffered that person's problems. Now God can take someone who has been the devil's right hand and turn that person's life around, then that person is way more than qualified to say "I know what you are going through, I been there."-----This---In my opinion----is exactly what God has done with you,--you can identify with other who have struggled as you did in your past----I can identify with folks who missed the mark as I did for so very long----Probably not being real clear here, but, anyone given thought to this understands,-- folks do a little should searching, see where you missed God's mark and witness to others like you before you came to Christ
Now I got to repot to chair duty, something I know a lot about, I mean when it comes to Chair Duty --I DA MAN !!----God Bless
All that hell you went through God now uses all that bad stuff so that you can be a witness to others. Way back in time God called the poor, the uneducated, the outcast, then God placed in them His desire to go out into the world and be fishermen of men-----God Bless, "You a good man -Charlie Brown"
Thank you---excellent....Chatting here on the Bible Board, getting other thoughts really help-
New King James Version---Isaiah 5:20-21 and 25b
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
For all His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still
_________________________________________________________
I have always liked this passage and several places in Scripture (Isaiah, I think) it is written "But His hand is stretched out still"----Maybe I like this passage so much because it is a story of my younger life, I was quite capable of making evil acceptable so I could live my life to all my wants and desires and then one day I lived the final verse---"But His hand is stretched out still."----You know if you have a friend who is drowning and you toss him/her a life-saving device and they take hold they survive, if they do not take hold, no matter what you say or plead, they sink to the pits. Quite simple ain't it-----God's Hand is always stretched out, it is our choice to take hold or not----I thank God each and every morning for another day this side of the green and thank Him that His hand was stretched out for me.
GOD BLESS & SHARE THE FAITH--------Rumor has it that the Captain is going to sound liberty early this afternoon---be safe
Great to have a tune in your heart to carry around:
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Just a thought here---I often think that going through our daily lives here on earth is "the valley of the shadow of death."---We are born and one day we all will die, during that time we are on a trip through this world, we are constantly in the valley of the shadow of death.
GOD BLESS
I am so sorry, prayers for you & your family lifted---God Bless
Happy Sunday Morning folks---another great day which the Lord has given us---rejoice
Daniel Webster way back years ago wrote:
"If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glorying profound obscurity ."
Something there for you good folks to think on this morning
Tenac——a lot here about lies——- honestly my son gave me that Bible and I honestly have it……I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity, right after my post you did your thing…….a bit of humor good for the soul
Some years ago my oldest son gave me ""The AmericanPatriots Bible"---this morning I just breezed through many pages in it and found that I had many places either marked or hi-lited but as I looked and thought of years past and stuff our fore-fathers believed, from the beginning of our country then I thought of how our leaders of our country are today and I could not help but think on how far from grace we have fallen. Example: way back in 1800 Congress approve the use of the Capital building for religious services, this practice lasted well after the Civil War. The Holy Bible and God were a big center piece in the construction of America .......today one may find him or herself in danger if lived by the standards of our forefathers----just something there to think on. It is amazing that even non-christians country leaders believed that Christian principles were very important in the building of our country. Our country was founded largely upon the 7 Principles of the Judeo-Christian Ethic-------It only takes a Quick Look back in history to see how far from Grace we have fallen----both as a country and organized religion
The open of hearts to express how God has touched them is wonderful and I thank each for their testimonies. It is really good to read of Peter how he spoke up, goes also for Philip , James, John and the whole crew of disciples……not always but often the pouring out of our Christian experiences is truly doing God’s work. Once again thanks for all the post here on the Bible Board, God bless each of you. In your prayers ask God to richly bless this board and those who read here
your thoughts are much appreciated, really !! Now if I may, the confusion, if that is what it is, is largely my lack of ability to really communicate correctly, "BIG" problem I have with being married 54+ years----I talking one thing and she talking something else, but somehow or another we survived 54years......SO, I got to thinking that to one person a Mountaintop Experience could be one thing and to another it would be something different. My mountaintop experience was with God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit, it was that all 3 were right there in front of me---wish I could better explain, but I often lack for the right words.
Now, allow me to get very, very serious----went to my cancer doctor today, my numbers are so low that it appears that my cancer is no longer here. My other cancer doctor wants a 2 year program, so for another year I have every 6 months take a shot in the stomach and do the blood work and so forth. When I speak of experiences with God, I can't help but believe that all the prayers lifted for me is way more than I deserve.....Rick (Tenac) back when I had open heart surgery and was just ready to step off into eternity you had your folks at your church pray for me,----prayer, I had folks from the west coast to the east coast and border to border and in-between keeping ole Plugger in prayer, my wife had a real chat with God and she says that God really, truly spoke to her concerning me & my health....We have to remember that all is in God's will, one way or the other. I often say--"I have no idea why God is keeping me around, because I do not deserve it." To witness I suppose then if I knew what I was doing for God then "old man Pride" would step in and I would think I was doing it all----Human nature is a good thing but at the same time can be a real downer.....Amazes me how Paul, John & Peter and the other disciples managed to overcome the temptation of pride.......didn't mean to run on & on----sorry--------------GOD BLESS
I don't know that I agree with this one....Now I am in trouble, please don't kick me off the Board ,LOL-- I enjoy it too much.......
I say I disagree somewhat, I have had a couple really great Mountaintop Experiences and I only felt in awe of the presence of God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, I was extremely humble....My 1st such instance was at a Lay Speaker Conference , they had an altar call I went forward, at 1st I thought I could just go out into the hall way and do a private thing with God & Me, now it was not instantly that I went forward I really dragged my feet making my decision, but I found myself in the presence of God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, I wish I could properly explain it, but I can't, I went forward and although I thought I was a Christian all my sins confronted me, I ask for forgiveness, I was given forgiveness, I left that building with tears running down my face, it was approximately 1 hour drive home, the whole time I had tears running down my face, I walked in the house and my bride ask what was wrong, I told her of my experience and explained that God is really real, then I sat each of my children down, one at a time, one on one wit just them & me and told each of them experience and told each one this---" You know your daddy would never lie to you, so let me tell you God is real"...I could not tell of my experience without tears flowing, I gave my testimony to the church and now here on the Bible Board....Finding oneself in the presence of God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit is an awesome experience.....humbling experience does not begin to identify. Never one time have I ever felt in control nor self-dependent......At this time my preacher told me that he had never had such an experience and really felt sad that he had not. Let me tell you friends...finding yourself in the presence of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit ---all at on time will totally blow your mind---there are no words which I have to begin to explain. What a feeling to believe that God is real, to believe that God has sent His Spirit right here to walk beside me and help me each and every day, and to honestly believe that Jesus died that horrible death on the cross for me. It is a great feeling to know that each morning that I ask for forgiveness that forgiveness will be given-----not to just say it, but to way down deep inside believe it. There is "noway" after being in the presence of God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit could I ever, ever think my life's control was in my own hands, & noway could I ever loose track that God is in charge and self-dependence just flew out the window. Not every Christian has such an experience, I wish it were so. My only regret right now is that what I have written here, does not come close to explaining that feeling I had and have
God Bless and have a great day
Woke up this side of the green this morning which mens God is not finished with me yet
God Bless
Excellent post, when I started reading all my thoughts on Soul & Spirit came to me from previous research...then you covered it very well, if I may add 2cents worth---as I understand in Scripture many places we find that Soul & Spirit is the same Greek word, but then other places Soul & Spirit uses a different word---The body is buried a natural body--Greek-Soma psuchikon but raised a spiritual body-Greek soma pneumatikon. The difference between the 2 terms is the Spirit is that which knows (1Corth.2:11) and is capable of God conscience and communication with God, where as the Soul is (as you posted) the seat of affection, desires, emotions and the will of man. The N.T. word for Soul "psuche" ----N.T. old for Spirit "pneuma" and is the same meaning as the O.T. word for spirit--ruach....A very interesting study---OH YES!! the above came from my Scofield Study Bible......My dad and he has long gone to his heavenly home, told me once that 1 Corinthians 15: starting around verse 35----- is excellent read on just what we are posting here. OH !! Many theologians totally disagree with this while many theologians agree....Scripture says clearly...the Spirit teaches all things....I encourage any body reading this, when looking into Scripture, 1st--place you hands on you Bible and ask God to lead you in understanding---the Bible is God's word so no human man or woman understands Scripture better than Him-----I love Bible Study & chatting
Thank you----yesterday morning when doing my Scripture stuff and coffee with God time I felt really close to God, it was a strange experience, but I truly felt as if God was right here at my desk with me.....Now I know God or His Spirit is always with us, but at times I really feel His presence.....I suppose it is something that I cannot find words to explain but I know from experience that God is real and I find great satisfaction & comfort in my belief. Some may think I am full of it and that's OK, their choice. My daughter has on her wall Psalm 50:15---"Call upon me in your day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."----a few years ago she ask me my favorite Bible verse and after thinking I told her Psalm 50:15, she ask why, and I told her it was because it works or many, many, times it has worked for me, but the trick is to remember to use it---, after God helps out in our time of stress be sure to do the last few words, say thanks God, or as written glorify God. Now allow me to be honest, my problem is remembering to use this verse, see the ole devil is very active in our world and loves to put it in my mind that I have control and I can handle everything just fine. We all struggle every day of our life and I think one of my major faults is "giving up control". I am now 81 and ever since my very 1st step I have been told "see you can do it"----my very 1st step was rewarded with mom & dad telling me "see you can do it" and from that moment on in life-- now for 81 years I have been told "see you can do it"----I think the devil uses that tactic on me often. Allow me to say "that those times that I remember to use Psalm 50:15 God has heard me and given me the strength to over-come".
God Bless and get ready the week-en is upon us----rumor says the old man may sound early liberty tomorrow-------for you non military folks, liberty is time off and the old man is the Captain----Friday would be week-end liberty----like I said--"God bless"
A couple post ago I made mention of the air all around us, I just this moment read this..."It is interesting in Scripture, in both the original Hebrew and Greek languages, the word used in speaking of the Spirit is the word that can also mean "wind".----- I think Scripture says,"and God breathe life into".....HUMMMM interesting, something to run with
Nice…..
Good point.....I just go by "if my heart is right with God, then all is well"----I spoke of tithing, bottom line we just cannot out give God....Giving of our money, time, and talents is a very difficult row to hoe. Just as we believe in God and the Holy Spirit to help us along, it would be a pure shame if as Christians folks forgot how powerful the devil is, way back when the devil was really a big shot in heaven, well today in our world he still is a big shot and speaking for me here, he just will not leave me alone and I sure hope when I take my last breath God sends really strong angels to accompany me to heaven----trust me and I truly believe that even on my trip to heaven the devil will still try to steal me back so I may need an extra angel or 2 to help out. I didn't go down the road that brother Rick (Tenac) went down but I sure was blazing the road to hell with Rick and now the devil ain't so happy with my decisions, I was a good soldier.
Very serious question here to be used when speaking to a group---"Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior?" Have you ever felt the presence of God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit in your life?" "To be in the presence of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit is truly an awesome experience"-----Maybe a very good point for folks here on the Bible Board. God Bless
I can not say how much I appreciate all the chatting here this morning here on Bible Board. In speaking of giving and what God has given us----the other night in one of my episodes this subject I woke up with and thought of Paul writing in Romans1, somewhere in the middle of the chapter (I think) Paul writes how we know God but fail to honor God and how plain it is that all things come from God----anyway in my episode this came up and I got to thinking on all there is in our world and we just don't realize it all came from God....then I thought of one thing I never thought of before, my wife never thought of it and I have never heard it from the pulpit---nothing wrong with any of that, reckon it is one of take for granted things...."The Air We Breathe"------then my mind went to all the things that die off with no air....sort of thought I stripped a gear or 2.....but the thought really rattled my cage----the simplest thing can kill us all
When it comes to tithing, in my humble opinion, organized religion has totally corrupted the meaning "tithe", I did not say tithing was wrong, just man has really screwed up God's word. No way anyone can convince me that when it comes to money God expect man-kind to go hungry, or to put his family without food because the organized religion says give me your money then they do not do God's will. Scripture says clearly "God loves a cheerful giver." Now we can sit here and bat the breeze back and forth for days but when it comes to giving, in my opinion, this is a very private thing between me and God. Sometimes the best teacher is experience, please allow me.....Back years ago I was very $$$$ comfortable when it came to money and I did lots of good for others---my error was--"I DID" not as God directed. Then God kicked me out the back of my tractor-trailer, I broke every bone in my right wrist and was out of work for right at 2 years. I owned my tractors & trailers, or was paying the bank for them, self-employed and no money coming in is a very humbling experience, we lost almost everything, about 2 years later I got a job driving for the state of Virginia prison system, no where the income as before, things just did not seem like they would ever work out. One morning after reading my Scriptures and then talking things over with God, the more I talked the more aggravated I became and expressed my feelings to God, might say God and I had a confrontation ---I told God that every time I saw a light at the end of the tunnel it was only another freight train coming to run me down again, I bitched, complained, fussed in my inability to understand, finally I told God that if He would see me through these rough times I would faithfully do ____________. It seemed like no time at all things got better and to this day I faithfully do as I promised God I would do. My giving is a very private thing between me & God, seems to be working out real well for us. Now during the time of getting back on my feet there was several times I was tempted to cut the good Lord short for one reason or another, Then I realized this was the devil tempting me, he never one time won and I have been richly blest. I can honestly say that although I make very little $$$$ in comparison to those richer days, I have always had more $$$$ in my pocket than I had back then....Now over look my language here, my language is something I talk with the good Lord about almost every day, back some time ago I told this story to a fellow person and they ask me about not giving for whatever reason, I said no way, the last person I want to piss off is God. It is a great thing to experience the presence of God. I am a firm believer in the Holy Spirit, I believe He is here to help me out and appears that He & God are more than happy with my faithfulness when it comes to our money. Now I am 81 yrs old, I have cancer and heart problems and I can honestly say I am totally at peace and what a wonderful feeling that is. I do not understand the Trinity, and have done much research into the trinity, know what? neither does anyone else---but I have experienced God--Jesus Christ--and the Holy Spirit....I know beyond Anything that they are as real as the sun, moon & stars, I know 1st hand that although I sin daily-- if I ask & I do, I am granted forgiveness....OOOPPPS !! Got a bit off topic....sorry, but got to talking about how God has blest me and it just flowed out....Tithing is O.T. stuff, it was the system to take care of the Hebrew children, if one adds all the requirement up it total about 23%, give or take a few, much like out tax system of today, except our politicians have really messed that up. when it comes to giving $$ I tell folks to talk it all over with God and what ever the Holy Spirit directs is the thing to do----Like I said, I did not mean to ramble on & on, forgive me for that---but sometimes God's grace just can not be said in a few words----God Bless
Thank You......reckon if I am going a bit nuts---well you right there with me....lol...Have a very blest day