It is not a sin to be rich. Well in fact, God is even expecting us to be rich as indicated in the 3 great blessings He gave to Adam and Eve.

(Gen 1:28 KJV  Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth, have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground)

God expects man to become co-ruler of all things. Originally, man is designed for this position since we were purposely created as God's children & the heir of heavenly kingdom.

However, the fall of man became the cause of evilness making us lost our original position as children of God. We even lost the things we supposed to inherit from Heaven including material fortune, blessings of life and authority to dominate all things.

Instead, of becoming ruler of creations (Gen 1:28), we became slave of materials things represented by money. Many people commit crimes such as killing, kidnapping, robbery, etc simply because of it. Instead of enjoying with the creations, many of us are in deep financial trouble leading us to have poor life, miserable situation and unwanted condition.

Since the time immemorial, God's heart as a parent is in deep pain looking at our own situation and couldn't afford to see us remain in this state. As a parent He wanted to quickly alleviate us from this misery, however, Satan is interfering between us & God. For this reason, a condition is necessary to be fulfilled.

It was God who directly instructed Abraham to separate one-tenth of all his belongings & income and have to offer it to Heaven so that Abraham can have the AUTHORITY OVER THE REMAINING 90% of his properties. (Gen 14:17-20)

Let's EXPOUND this story.

a. 10% is so small compared to 90% but that was the requirement made by God.

b. During the time of Abraham, there was no religion and no church yet where we have to bring & offer our 10% tithes. Remember the oldest religion was Judaism and it was started by Judah, great grandson of Abraham (4th generation after). Priesthood was started by Melchizedek (Heb 7:4) - the priest of the Most High who came several years after Abraham.

c. God said, bring your tithes to the storehouse (Mal 3:10). God used the word Bring your tithes instead of Offer your tithes since the word "bring" sounds mandatory.

d. God said, by separating the 10%, we can have the AUTHORITY over the 90% of all our belongings.

GOD IS SO STRICT ABOUT TITHING. Why? For 2 important reasons:

1. It is a condition by which we can be separated from our attachment with Satan.

2. it is a condition that will make us restore our material fortune

Tithing is Heavenly tradition since it was God who directly spoke with Abraham. Also, it was spoken as a commandment before the existence of any religion, church laws and traditions.

Tithing means = One tenth of our income & properties are God's Property.

If we fail to give it, we become thieves, therefore, how can a thief receive material blessings?

If we fail to give it, we lost authority over our remaining properties, therefore, how can we complain over ownership of our own belongings?

Tithes are our offering to heaven BUT we have to bring it to the church and give it to the church leader. Waiting to be told by the church to bring & give it means there is somehow hesitation on our part to give to God what is really for Heaven, therefore, how can a hesitant person receive material blessing?

True Parents mentioned (Book Of Tradition 1) that we have to joyfully separate our tithes every after we receive our salary or income. we have to choose the best quality paper bill and properly insert it in an envelop before we go to the church to attend Sunday fellowship. We have to even pray as we prepare our offering that may through that 10% Heaven can purify & bless us more.

Since it is an offering to heaven and a heavenly tradition, IT IS WRONG TO THINK that TITHING is for the church nor for the priest or church leader. Management of our tithes after it was offered is the ABSOLUTE responsibility of the church.

Whether there will be some mismanagement or critical issues arising from it, it is the church leader's sole LIABILITY before Heaven not before men.

The question of how much should not exist in the tradition of tithing since there is no standard amount except the standard proportion set by Heaven (10%)

CONCLUSION: OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS this 10% is very crucial & an impt factor that will decide whether we fulfill or not the condition to be separated from our attachment with Satan (represented by money) or restore the original authority that we supposed to have over our properties.

REALITY: of course there are cases that we really cant give our tithes BUT WE CANT SAY WE DONT HAVE ANYTHING TO TITHE unless otherwise we really dont have even a penny anymore or we are in a natural fasting condition because no food to eat, as in REALLY NOTHING in EVERYTHING!

Actually we have money to tithe but since we cant make both ends meet due to all our financial obligations...we failed to give it... Therefore i suggest to make a record of it as your "UTANG" (debt). Heaven knows very well the truth & reality of our situation and i believe God as a parent can understand it. However as a child who is making the 2 conditions, we should not neglect to patch up those periods that we were not able to do our responsibility. If ever time comes that our financial condition become ok, then lets pay our "Utang". I think this is better than forget everything.

REGARDING OTHER DONATIONS. Well, its not part of my message. Its just our obligation being member of a certain church locality. Therefore don't make any comparison with other groups or centers or church since donation system can be set by the priests & elders of a particular church for the sake of development, projects & activities.

God Bless and may you have great new week!

Weeny Cayme-kim

Levi 27: 30-34

30 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. 31 If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it. 34 These are the commands the LORD gave to Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites.

Num 18: 30-32

30 Say to the Levites: `When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. 31 You and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere, for it is your wages for your work at the Tent of Meeting. 32 By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.'

Deuteronomy 14:22-29

22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the first born of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice. 27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own. 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

The tribe of LEVI (levites) didnt receive any inheritance from Jacob, unlike the 11 tribes who partake on the land of israel, all the animals, grains & everything. However, the Levites were given the position as spiritual leaders (high priests). Since the 11 tribes were blessed with these material belongings, God made a law that these 11 tribes have to support the existence of the Levites tribe so that they can properly function as High Priests and do their duties & responsibilities without being burdened of anything regarding their existence. The levites has to focus on the spiritual education, internal development of every israelite and see to it that the traditions are being observed.

MODERN-DAY LEVITES are our church leaders. therefore, we have to support our church leaders.

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