What the Bible teaches about Giving

I have become more convinced as time progresses that we have put all our efforts and money into the building of men's kingdoms and the elevation of men and denominations and have completely missed our real calling, "love your neighbor as yourself".   The heart of God has always been toward the poor, orphans and widows.  We are commissioned by God to remember the poor Gal 2:10 and Pv 19:17 but as I have searched the Word of God I have failed to find even one reference to buying and building men's kingdoms of lands, buildings, padded pews, and paid professional salaries.   His ways are not our ways.  

It is standard policy to drop tithes and offerings in the bucket and "presto" we have done our religious duty of service to God.  We have been faithful stewards of our increase.  But have we really?  Have we ever stopped to consider what portion of what we give in the bucket goes to the poor, orphans, widows and strangers?  Have we ever asked to see the budget break down of where all the money in the bucket goes?  I will dare say the huge and vast majority of the money goes to keep the "system"" going, and a very tiny portion, if any at all, goes to help others besides ourselves.  

I have become more aware that because the Church was not faithful, just as Israel was not faithful to God, strayed into idolatry, that God allowed His people to be  captured and placed into bondage to a religious system Babylon (both natural and spiritual).  We are in bondage to Spiritual Babylon and don't even know it.  Everything we do spiritually is to increase the power of Spiritual Babylon over us.  We have made idols of men, preachers, religious denominations, buildings with steeples and have left off the following  God in Spirit and Truth.  We have loved to worship in the high places!  The vanity of man and the pride of life dictates where we "go to worship" rather than being led by the Spirit of God.   The proof is where we "plant" our money.  Have we remembered the poor, orphans, widows or have we only remembered "Big Church"?  

Because we as a ""denomination" have done a few benevolent things does that make us "godly"?  If so then the US government is godly    They give welfare, food stamps, WIC, section 8 housing, etc.  Of course not!  Just because Spiritual Babylon has done a few good things does not make it right or righteous.  We have been place into bondage to a religious system that uses high places (pulpit) to teach the traditions of men instead of the truths of God.  Shame on us for not discerning! 

Here is God's indictment against us:  We are blind miserable and naked!  We need to buy of Him.  Rev 3 we find God shut out of His own Church knocking to get in.  The parable of the 10 virgins said we are slumbering and sleeping!  Over and over again we proof we have eyes and can't see, ears that can't hear!  

This is probably not the kind of Christmas story you'd love to hear, but none the less, I feel we need to examine ourselves (no one else can examine you).  Are we really in the faith?  Or have we believed in vain?  

Next time you decided to "give to God" why not consider helping someone besides ourselves and our group or our denomination or our system?    View this Video  where 92% of the money goes to help the poor and compare that to the budget of Big Church.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Haq2tekD19Q

Be blessed and have a very blessed Christmas the time of giving!  BW and Jan