Religion
Tithing in relation with breaking God’s covenant of blessing [Part 2]
Last week, I started a topic, titled: “Tithing in relation with breaking God’s covenant of blessing’, where many points were raised. You will agree with me that tithing moves God into action in blessing his children.
In this part 2, you will see reasons for tithing and the right place to pay.
REASONS FOR TITHING
We have already affirmed according to the scripture that, “Tithe is a tenth part (10%)” of one’s produce whether substance or income offered to God. You can give, but you only offer to a higher being. The concept pervades all laws and religions.
We can still pay much more than that because everything we own belongs to God; we are simply saying that emphasis on tithe made should focus more on putting our homes together, that is the church as it concerns her congregation.
Furthermore, tithing awaken the consciousness and recognition of God being the source of our blessings; for “there is nothing we have that we did not receive.” 1 Cor 4:7. When we tithe we show obedience and respect to God; therefore who believe in God pays tithe.
The purpose for tithing could be summarized thus:
1. To support the priest and preachers of the gospel
“Do not neglect the Levites who live in your towns; they have no property of their own. Deuteronomy 14:27 (GNTD)
“You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses. More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me.”
Philippians 4:15-16 GNTD
2. For funding the work of God
“Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple, so that there will be plenty of food there. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things”
Malachi 3:10 GNTD
3. To aid the widows, orphans, poor and less privileged. I do observed though that not all widows are helpless. Tithe is meant to really help the poor and less privileged in the church
The Levite, because he has no share [of land] or an inheritance among you, and the stranger, and the orphan and the widow who are within your [city] gates, shall come and eat and be satisfied, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Deuteronomy 14:29 AMP
When we pay tithe we are saying we trust God and believe in His provision for our needs. Our obedience to His command makes us to be *givers* and not just *receiver*, making us to be entrusted with much more to help others in need.
WHERE TO PAY TITHE:
We need to understand that tithe is different from alms and should be done accordingly.
The right thing should be done at the right place so the items could be properly distributed.
The Local church is the right place to tithe. Most of us make the mistake of using our tithe for something else. Tithe is measured and anything short of 10% measure is no longer a tithe.
Your local assembly should be your primary place of giving your tithe, which in turn extend to your pastor or priest who feeds you spiritually as a member.
“Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine… And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
Deuteronomy 14:22-25 KJV
Mrs Ijeoma Emeribe is a Senior Pastor at Priesthood Stream Church in Abuja, Nigeria and can be reached for Counselling and prayers through: ijeomaemeribe11@gmail.com or 08064274621
Religion
Eid-El-Fitri: Reps Minority Caucus calls for prayers for peace,unity and progress in Nigeria
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives extends warm felicitations to Muslims across the nation, urging prayers for peace, unity, and the overall progress of Nigeria.
This was conveyed in a Sallah message jointly signed by the caucus leaders; Rep. O.K. Chinda – Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Ali Isa J.C – Minority Whip, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki – Deputy Minority Leader and Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi – Deputy Minority Whip.
In their message, the caucus congratulates the entire Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Fitri celebrations, which mark the end of the sacred month of Ramadan.
They said, “Indeed, this day holds deep significance for every Muslim faithful, as it follows the successful completion of the one-month-long fasting, a fundamental pillar of Islam.
“As our Muslim brothers and sisters across the country join others around the world to celebrate this auspicious occasion, we remain confident that Allah has accepted their prayers and supplications.
The Caucus encouraged all to uphold the teachings and values learned during Ramadan, including charity, empathy, generosity, and compassion towards one another.
“The Caucus also urges Muslims—and Christians, who are concurrently observing Lent—to continue praying for the peace, unity, progress, and development of our dear country.
“We firmly believe that through earnest prayers, our leaders at all levels will be divinely guided with the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding needed to address the multifaceted challenges hindering Nigeria’s growth, which have subjected citizens to severe hardship and economic distress.
“Furthermore, the Caucus calls on the Federal Government, through its relevant agencies, to take decisive action in ensuring the safety of lives and property, especially in light of recent security concerns affecting various communities in the North West, North Central, South East, and South South regions.”
A group called the Virtuous Women of Delta (VWD) has given the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, a 14-day ultimatum to tender an unreserved apology to Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The group made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Coordinator, Deaconess Eguolo Oghenekevwe.
In the statement, the group expressed their outrage over Akpabio’s alleged disrespectful behavior towards Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing his actions as sacrilegious according to Delta’s cultural traditions.
The statement read, “We have patiently watched as the Senate President has dragged our sister through the mud. In our tradition, such actions are considered sacrilegious and carry severe consequences.”
The group further emphasized their disapproval of Akpabio’s behavior, particularly his decision to have Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan removed from a public space, which they found deeply disrespectful.
“The fact that he had our wife walk out of a public place is enough to make us march to the National Assembly in protest,” they stated.
The group gave Akpabio 14 days to issue an unreserved apology, warning that if he fails to do so, they will be compelled to take action and express their anger in person at the National Assembly.
The controversy stems from previous comments Akpabio made, including the use of inappropriate language referring to a nightclub, despite the fact that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is married to a prominent Delta man.
Akpabio had earlier apologized for his remarks, acknowledging their sacrilegious nature.
“Such words are unacceptable, especially when a married woman is involved. Our men are like lions and will not tolerate such disrespect,” the statement continued.
The Virtuous Women of Delta emphasized that, as Akpabio hails from the same geopolitical zone, he should be aware of the importance of their cultural values and traditions, which cannot be disregarded.
“We politely ask the Senate President to apologize, or face the consequences within the next 14 days,” the group said.
Religion
Sunday Worship Service (16th February, 2025): Topic: The Concept of Love: How to Make the Right Choice
Pastor Kola Oyekale
Verses of God’s promise to us:
Isaiah 30:19 NLT
[19] O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
Jeremiah 30:19 AMPC
[19] Out of them [city and palace] will come songs of thanksgiving and the voices of those who make merry. And I will multiply them, and they will not be few; I will also glorify them, and they will not be small.
Meaning of Love
There are different dimensions of love
1. Eros Love: Love between man and woman
2. Philia Love: Love between brethren in church
3. Storge Love: Love between family members
4. Agape Love: God’s love. It is a love that has no condition attached to it. This is the love that is in the kingdom. It is the love that flows from the life of God (Zoe).
When the Bible was talking about marriage, God brought in this love.
For this kind of love to be experienced in a relationship or marriage, it has to be deliberate and intentional.
Marriage is a business. A successful marriage does not happen by chance. It is not cheap. If the only thing you carry into marriage is your physical appearance, you will get no result.
If you make wrong choices you will have troubles. Even when you don’t make the wrong choice, there are still troubles you will experience in a marriage relationship.
Factors to Consider When Making the Choice of a Marriage Partner:
1. Be the right person
You cannot be the right person if you do not know yourself. Knowing yourself is crucial to the kind of person you want to marry.
Singleness helps you discover who you are. Knowing yourself helps you know who you can marry.
Most successful single people find their purpose before they get married.
So when you get married, you have a helper who can help you fulfill purpose.
You need a purpose for your life before you can pick a marriage partner.
Do you have the things, qualities and virtues you are seeking in a spouse?
The journey to finding someone is to first find you.
Find yourself first so you can know your value. If you don’t value yourself, you will sell yourself cheap.
To find the right person, be the right person.
Nobody will increase your value except you. The value you put on yourself is your investment. Don’t wait for a man to add value to your life.
2. Choose the right person
There are marriages you must qualify and prepare for before you enter it.
Don’t be desperate when it comes to marriage. Desperation can make you fall into wrong hands.
There is a plan for your life and a choice for your life.
When you identify your purpose, you will know who to choose.
A woman who chases after a man reduces her value.
3. Do and keep doing what is right.
Galatians 6:9 NKJV
[9] And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
When you marry, you will not get all you want, however you should keep on doing the right thing.
Start doing the things you want your spouse to do.
Don’t marry with the mind that you will change your spouse. Nobody has any power to change anybody, only God does.
Song of Solomon 1:16-17 NKJV
[16] Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is green. [17] The beams of our houses are cedar, And our rafters of fir.
The word ’green’ means refreshing, life, a relationship that is renewed, not dirty and not defiled.
There must not be defilement of bed when a relationship starts.
Every relationship must begin and end pure.
The only test you can do before marriage is the test of character not the test of sexual compatibility.
Every relationship begins with Friendship, then Courtship then Marriage.
Believers are encouraged to be friends without ulterior motives.
When you are friends, you can see each other better than when you are in a romantic relationship.
Friendship opens you up to see each other clearly without hiding.
The whole essence of marriage is so that you will produce godly seeds.
Your knowledge of God will help you out in married.
Marriage is an act of faith.
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