We are told the Lord blesses a cheerful giver and that we reap what we sow. Either way,+ for the Christian it must involve faith.
Deuteronomy 26: Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes
1 "When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it,
2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there.
3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, 'I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.'
4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God.
5 "And you shall make response before the LORD your God, 'A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous.
6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labour.
7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.
8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders.
9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God.
11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.
12 "When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled,
13 then you shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.
14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me.
15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.'
16 "This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul.
17 You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice.
18 And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,
19 and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honour high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised."
Things to think about…
The Israelites inherited the land as wandering ‘Aramean’s’, Dt 26:5. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had been promised the land even though they themselves did not inherit it. Moses desired to enter but could not. Sometimes this is the case for the Christian. Sometimes we do not receive what our hearts desire straight away. What are you patiently for and praying about…perhaps a job, or relational peace or better health. Rest and trust in the Lord’s timing, knowing that when He works it will not be done by half measures. Egypt was for a long season, but it was only a season nonetheless, vs 8.
What are the first fruits of blessing that the Lord has given you, Dt 26:2,10. Not just your finances, but your time, your qualifications, your knowledge. What can you give to the Lord or His body that would honour Him as an act of worship?
Integrity of heart as a Christian is of primary importance for those who profess Christ. The Israelite had to confess before the Levite that he was offering the first and best of what he had, Dt 26:10-14. This was an important act of faith so that the Lord would continue to bless the new land which they had just inherited.
Giving of the best was not all that was required to receive the Lord’s blessing. Moses gives the reminder that obedience and the keeping of the commandments with all the heart and soul was also required, Dt 26:16-19. What are the commandments required to be kept by us today? We are not required to keep the Levitical Law, but in what ways are we called to obey the Lord. Are we bound by Ten Commandments or is there more? What does it truly mean to be under grace and not the law? Some of these questions are being pondered by Jewish Christians in Israel. There does seem to be a falling back into food laws and the sin of Peter (Gal 2:11-14) by some parts of the Messianic Jewish community. Jesus says if we love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and love our neighbour as ourselves, the law and prophets are fulfilled in these, Mk 12:30, 31.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm at church. Be encouraged and join us.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the appointment of Ric Benson as Church Health and Community Pastor to CBC. Ric will be preaching for 2 weeks on the 20th Aug and 27th Aug, prior to the church vote on the 27th Aug.
2. Pray for the Kids Klub advertising through Chaplain and RI this week. Pray this ministry builds in our community.
3. Pray for alpha course session Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non-Christians.
4. Pray about Sunday’s message that it would change lives.
5. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
6. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
7. Pray for Rosie and Kids@church, pray for more teachers.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for some good responses to Sunday’s message.
2. We had a good discussion with the young adults at the Beatty’s on how to engage the next generation with the gospel.
3. Great third session last night at alpha course.
4. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
5. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was. People asking about baptism.
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Information session 27th Aug after the morning service.
2. Alpha Course 3rd session on Wed 2nd Aug – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
