Sin And Consequence

If it is the anointed priest who has incurred guilt, so that blame falls upon the people, he shall offer for the sin which he has committed . . . Leviticus 4:3 Committed – There is an important difference between the act of sin (deliberate or unintentional) and the consequence of sin (guilt).  They are…

More on Tithing

Commentary on Tithing Tithing is a controversial topic.  It is not controversial because believers attempt to find ways to circumvent financial obligations.  Believers want to give.  The problem is rather “to whom and how much.”  In order to help us understand the complexities and the differences in answers to these questions, I have compiled a…

Reluctant Leaders

If it is the anointed priest who has incurred guilt, so that blame falls upon the people,  . . . Leviticus 4:3 Blame – The principle characteristic of a biblical leader is reluctance.  Men and women marked by God for leadership roles almost always wish they were not chosen.  When you meet people who desire…

The Principle of Excess

On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2 As He May Prosper – Let’s set the record straight.  The first and most important element of tithing is ownership.  So, all tithing is…

Presumption Of Understanding

When a person unwittingly incurs guilt in regard to any of the Lord’s commandments about things not to be done, and does one of them . . . Leviticus 4:2 Does One Of Them – Sacrifices do not atone for deliberate sins.  Punishment atones for deliberate sins.  But we need sacrifices because we still make…

In Case You Didn’t See This

Message: My husband was laid off yesterday (they just said that they didn’t need him anymore… which he found later meant that they got rid of him to hire someone with less experience whom they could pay less)…  which was a bit of a surprise. On one hand it’s a blessing because my husband was…

Sacrifices Don’t Work

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.  Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17 Evil Of Your Deeds – “The mistaken notion that ritual worship could atone for criminality or intentional religious desecration…

Couch Potato

Blessed is the man to whom YHWH does not charge iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Psalm 32:2 Guile – There are two important verbs for blessing in the Hebrew text.  The first is barak. This is the verb used to bless God and it is the verb used by God to…