FAITH LOVE AND OBEDIENCE ARE INSEPARABLE
Tuesday – April 8, 2025
Video link: https://youtu.be/9GE2yvgFH7k
Today I will continue to teach about the various offerings that are taught, even commanded in the Scripture. Most people are familiar with the tithe and freewill offerings but what about “firstfruits” and “sowing” for a harvest? It seems to me that many are expecting a harvest from the three offering types noted. We will explore what each offering is, what our obligations and benefits are from each. One thing I want to be crystal clear from the beginning. The giving of any of the offerings or sowing is never to be considered routine and traditional. It is a heart issue, a willing obedience. The following Scripture will be our text or anchor for this teaching.
Nehemiah 12:44 (KJV)
44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
We see three offerings, really obligations, spelled out clearly in this Scripture verse. There is much controversy about offerings, especially the tithe. It seems that much of the controversy concerning tithing and other offerings is rooted in fear, which is lack of love of and trust in God. All offerings like everything else in the Kingdom of God must be by faith. We, Christians, do all by faith. Faith is being fully persuaded of the Word of God, the will of God. But accomplishing anything in the Kingdom of God takes far more than just believing. Let us look at a few Scriptures along these lines and then move into the various offerings.
James 2:17-22 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Here we see that we must not only believe a thing but act upon what we believe. The word “works” repeated many times in this passage is not speaking of works of the flesh but doing motivated by faith, being fully persuaded in God. This word transliterated from the Greek is ergon according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary meaning to toil, a deed, or doing according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
Concerning faith, the Scripture tells us that if we don’t do a thing in faith, it is sin. Think about it, that is strong.
Romans 14:23
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Furthermore, we must not only believe the promise, the Word of God, but also believe that He is a rewarder of those that carefully seek after Him.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Finally, but far from least we must be walking in love (agapē/agapaō) for it is the fuel or power of faith.
Galatians 5:6 (KJV)
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
The primary triad of love (agapē/agapaō) is doing the commandments of Scripture, having a selfless lifestyle, and an abiding in the Blood Covenant we entered at salvation. I strongly suggest you get my book “Awake, Arise, and Triumph – Be Love” to study Godly, God level love, expressed by God and to be expressed by His children.
TAKE HOME:
- Faith without doing is dead and likewise faith cannot exist without love (agapē/agapaō).
- Whatever is not of faith is sin.
- It is impossible to please God without faith.
Lord willing, I will resume right here tomorrow. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
REMINDERS
Please take a moment to share this teaching and prayerfully consideration becoming a financial partner with this ministry. Visit our store/shop on the website, see and order the books I have written.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://threeminuteword.wordpress.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/people/David-Wood/100012265415677
YOUTUBE: https://tinyurl.com/588t7343
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-r-wood-d-o-5ab7ba81/recent-activity/all/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
WEBSITE: https://www.awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
MY BOOKS: https://www.amazon.com/books (search – Dr. David R. Wood) or https://t.ly/TcFpQ
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/awakeariseandtriumphministries/
