DISCIPLE

W. E. Vine TITHES   It may be asked, Was there not a Divine command for the Israelites? Was it not enjoined upon them to give tithes? And if so, is it not appropriate for the Christian to give tithes? In the first place, the Israelites paid much more than a tithe. In addition to the three tithes specifically mentioned, namely, that given to the Levite (Lev. 27:30, with Num. 18:21-24; Deut. 14:22-27), there was the further tithe at the end of every three years, which was also for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow (verses 28, 29). Some hold, indeed, that the tithes mentioned in the three passages referred to, were disconnected, and this is supported by the Talmud. To these tithes, however, there must be added other offerings; those of the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the firstfruits. Mal. 3:8, for instance, speaks of "tithes and offerings" (lit. heave offerings). It has been computed that an Israelite's total offerings would amount to about one-sixth of h...

by William MacDonald Like every other good thing, grace can be abused. Fire and water can be great blessings, but they can be used wrongly. People can twist the sovereignty of God to teach fatalism: what is going to be is going to be, and there's nothing you can do about it. The doctrine of election is sometimes perverted to suggest that evangelizing is a waste of time and effort.     Sad to say, it is possible to use the grace of God as an excuse for careless living, for believers to use their freedom as a pretext for launching into all kinds of indulgence. This does not mean that the doctrine is faulty. It simply means that some people are desperate to justify ungodly behavior, and if they can do it by using Scripture, so much the better, or so they think.     It is true that believers are not under law but under grace. But that does not mean that they have a right to be lawless. They are not under the law, with all the penalty and condemnation that is...

Newell, commenting on Romans 1:22, writes: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" - rejecting the light of God's knowledge in their consciences, men now arrogated to themselves wisdom, and became - what? "Fools."  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning" - of both knowledge and wisdom (Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33; Ps. 111:10; Job 28:28).   "They sit at the feet of 'professors' whose breath is spiritual cyanide.  They idolize the hog-sty doctrines of a rotten Freud*, and count themselves 'wise!' They say, 'God is not a person; men evolved from monkeys; morals are mere old habits; self-enjoyment, self-expression, indulgence of all desires - this is the path of wisdom.'  It is the path of those who go quickly down to the pit and on to judgment!  The very morals of Sodom, as our Lord foretold, are rushing fast upon us, and God will bring again the awful doom of Sodom (Luke 17:28-31)."     "Now if ...

Servant of Christ, stand fast amid the scorn Of men who little know or love thy Lord; Turn not aside from toil; cease not to warn, Comfort and teach. Trust Him for thy reward. A few more moments' suffering, and then Cometh sweet rest from all thy heart's deep pain. For grace pray much, for much thou needest grace; If men thy work deride - what can they more? Christ's weary foot thy path on earth dost trace; If thorns wound thee, they pierced Him before; Press on, look up, though clouds may gather round; Thy place of service He makes hallowed ground. Have friends forsaken thee, and cast thy name Out as a worthless thing? Take courage then; Go, tell thy Master, for they did the same To Him, Who once in patience toiled for them: Yet He was perfect in all service here; Thou oft hast failed; this maketh Him more dear. "The time is short," seek little here below; Earth's goods would cumber thee, and drag thee down; Let daily food suffice; ca...

Giving Thanks For Meals Dr. H. A. Ironside used to tell of an experience he once had at a restaurant. He ordered his meal and just as he was about to eat a man walked up to his table and said, "Do you mind if I sit down with you?" Dr. Ironside said, "No," it was quite all right, so the man sat down. As was his custom Dr. Ironside bowed his head and said a silent word of thanksgiving to the Lord before he ate. When he lifted up his head, the man said to him, "Do you have a headache?" Ironside said, "No, I don't." The man said, "Well, is there anything wrong with your food?" Ironside said, "No, why?" "Well," the man said, "I saw you sitting there with your head down and I thought you must be sick, or there was something wrong with your food." Ironside replied, "No, I was simply returning thanks to God as I always do before I eat." The man said, "Oh, you're one of those, are you? Well, I...