Truth About Tithing — 5 Minutes — Francis Chan Crazy Love

2 Corinthians 8:9

Christ’s Example

8 I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 9:5-15 New International Version (NIV)

⁵So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Generosity Encouraged

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]
Psalm 112:9

¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
¹²This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Footnotes:

2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9

Reflections & References

[1] https://bythisallwillknow.wordpress.com/2018/01/04/ive-become-rich-through-the-poverty-of-jesus/

Adultery: Life Time’s Price of Punishment — Proverbs 6 #3

Warning Against Adultery

Proverbs 6:20-26

²⁰My son, keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
²¹Bind them always on your heart;
    fasten them around your neck.
²²When you walk, they will guide you;
    when you sleep, they will watch over you;
    when you awake, they will speak to you.
²³For this command is a lamp,
    this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
    are the way to life,
²⁴keeping you from your neighbor’s wife,
    from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.

²⁵Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes.

²⁶For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,
but another man’s wife preys on your very life.

The Lord’s Holy Habitation and Dwelling Place: Publicly Praise His Presence! — Psalm 26 #2

Psalm 26 NLT

A psalm of David.

¹Declare me innocent, O Lord,
    for I have acted with integrity;
    I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
²Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
    Test my motives and my heart.
³For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
    and I have lived according to your truth.
⁴I do not spend time with liars
    or go along with hypocrites.
⁵I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
    and I refuse to join in with the wicked.

⁶I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
    I come to your altar, O Lord,
⁷singing a song of thanksgiving
    and telling of all your wonders.
⁸I love your sanctuary, Lord,
    the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Psalm 26:6-8

⁹Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
    Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
¹⁰Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
    and they constantly take bribes.
¹¹But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
    So redeem me and show me mercy.
¹²Now I stand on solid ground,
    and I will publicly praise the Lord.

references & reflections

[1] https://womenlivingwell.org/2018/07/good-morning-girls-resources-psalm-26-30/
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YssTAErT7Lo

Grapes of Wrath — Parable of the Wicked Tenants #2

Parable of the Wicked Tenants

MATTHEW 21:33-46

³³“Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. ³⁴At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. ³⁵But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. ³⁶So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.

³⁷“Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

³⁸“But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ ³⁹So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.

⁴⁰“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?”

⁴¹The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”

⁴²Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.’^[b]
Psalm 118:22-23

⁴³I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. ⁴⁴Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.^[c]”

⁴⁵When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. ⁴⁶They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Mark+12-6+The+Landownder+and+Wicked+Servants+red.jpg

34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling.
Luke 13:34

NOTES

In the last days, two prophets will be slain in Jerusalem—After 3½ days, they will be resurrected—Christ will reign over all the earth.[2]

REFERENCES & REFLECTIONS

[1] https://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-lesson-in-parable-of-wicked.html
[2] https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/11?lang=eng

Vineyard Vengeance. — Parable of the Wicked Tenants #1

Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Matthew 21:33-46

³⁷“Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

⁴⁰“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?”

⁴¹The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”

⁴²Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.’^[b]
Psalm 118:22-23

34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling.
Luke 13:34

Notes

In the last days, two prophets will be slain in Jerusalem—After 3½ days, they will be resurrected—Christ will reign over all the earth.[2]

references & reflections

[1] https://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-lesson-in-parable-of-wicked.html
[2] https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/11?lang=eng

Truth: Tax Collectors and Prostitutes — Parable of the Two Sons

40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
Matthew 24:40

Matthew 21:28-32

Parable of the Two Sons

²⁸“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ ²⁹The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. ³⁰Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

³¹“Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”^[a]

31 Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.
Matthew 21:31c

³²For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.

30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Matthew 19:30

References & reflections

[1] http://catholiclivingtoday.blogspot.com/2011/09/tax-collectors-and-prostitutes-are.html

[2] https://paintingtheword.com/2008/02/08/prostitutes/

[3] https://pythiastheology.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/prostitutes-and-tax-collectors/

[4] https://www.girlsaskguys.com/religion-spirituality/a52975-why-the-prostitutes-tax-collectors-were-better-than-the-pharisees

[5] https://tvaraj2inspirations.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/jesus-and-the-tax-collector/

[6] http://www.godlywoman.co/2012/12/prostitutes-and-gods-forgiveness.html

[7] https://msy316.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/jesus-the-friend-of-tax-collectors-and-sinners/

[8] https://frankboulet.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/tax-collectors-prostitutes/

[9] https://www.prostitutesandtaxcollectors.com/home/prostitutes-tax-collectors

[10] https://www.gotquestions.org/first-last-last-first.html

[11] https://ssnet.org/blog/bible-truth-rapture/

[12] https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/is-matthew-2441-talking-about-a-secret-rapture

Unemployment — Parable of the Vineyard Workers Mt 20 #2

Matthew 20 New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Vineyard Workers

1 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
Matthew 20:1

²He agreed to pay the normal daily wage^[a] and sent them out to work. ³“At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. ⁴So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. ⁵So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.

⁶“At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’

⁷“They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’

“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’

⁸“That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. ⁹When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. ¹⁰When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. ¹¹When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ¹²‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’

¹³“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? ¹⁴Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. ¹⁵Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’

Matthew 20:2-15

¹⁶“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”
Matthew 20:16

References & reflections

[1] https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog-and-stories/parable-vineyard-workers.html
[2] https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-laborers-vineyard.html
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Workers_in_the_Vineyard
[4] Vineyard costs, where are the lessons? Where is wisdom? https://vineyardandwinerysales.com/newsletter/napa-and-sonoma-county-real-estate-market-elements-vineyard-values-and-wine-grape-prices/

Lord, Look! See Our Savior, Gift of Spiritual Sight — Matthew 20, Zechariah 9, Isaiah 62

Jesus, Touch the Apples and Heal Our Eyes! – Zechariah 2:8

“Tell the people of Jerusalem,^[a]
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.’”^[b]
Matthew 21:5

Matthew 20:29-21:22 NLT

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

²⁹As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. ³⁰Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³¹“Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.

But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³²When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”

³³“Lord,” they said, “we want to see!”

³⁴Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.
Matthew 21:33-34

**The Coming of Zion’s King**

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

— Zechariah 9:9

**Zion’s New Name**

¹¹The Lord has made proclamation
    to the ends of the earth:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.’”

— *Isaiah 62:11 NIV*

References & reflections

[1] https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/joel-2-28
[2] https://www.rengzolnews.com/christians-all-over-the-globe-celebrates-palm-sunday/
[3] https://manna.amazingfacts.org/amazingfacts/website/amazingfacts/images/scripture-pictures/zechariah_9_9.jpg

Never Too Late To Start the Day — Parable of the Vineyard Workers Mt 20 #1

Matthew 20 New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Vineyard Workers

20 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.

²He agreed to pay the normal daily wage^[a] and sent them out to work. ³“At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. ⁴So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. ⁵So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.
⁶“At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
⁷“They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’
“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’
⁸“That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. ⁹When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. ¹⁰When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. ¹¹When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ¹²‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
¹³“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? ¹⁴Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. ¹⁵Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
Matthew 20:2-15

¹⁶“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”
Matthew 20:16

References & reflections

Financial Decisions With Eternal Consequences! — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry

Luke 16 Parable of the Shrewd Manager!

Luke 16 New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, **who will entrust to you the true riches?**”

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. ²So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

³“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— ⁴I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

⁵“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

⁶“‘Nine hundred gallons^[a] of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

⁷“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels^[b] of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

⁸“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. ⁹I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

¹⁰“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹²And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

¹³“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Luke 16:13

¹⁴The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. ¹⁵He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”
Luke 16