Some of the lessons learnt and short video from the teaching by bro Eli Soriano
It is bad to make a vow if we cannot fulfill it.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
:4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
:5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Giving unto God should be willingly. It has to be decision of our heart not a commandment. God love a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Giving unto God can be more than 10% depending on how our heart gives unto God not based on commandment.
When we want to give unto God, it has to be with humility of heart, not to show of or to oppress others.
Mark 12:40-44
:40. Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
:41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
:42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
:43. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
:44. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
1 Corinthians 16:2
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
According to the above scripture, it was said that upon the first day of the week, collection should be given and that's because of the service needed to be paid for. Services like electricity, internet service, water, print materials e. t. c for the expansion of the gospel.
Philippians 4:15-17
:15. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
:16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
:17. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
The Philippines set aside some money for the upkeep of Paul, not because they were told but because they know it was necessary. So also, it is not until we are told before we help in the things of the gospel. We need to also do things on our own that can increase the kingdom of God.
When giving we must not lie or pretend like Ananias and Sapphira did.
Acts 5:1-5
:1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
:2. And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
:3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
:4. Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
:5. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
I also learnt that giving thanks unto God should be always. We shouldn't forget to do good and to share what we have with other for with such is God pleased.
Hebrews 13:15-16
:15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
:16. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
When giving, we shouldn't be broadcasting it. What our right hand is doing, our left hand must not know when giving to people.
Matthew 6:2-3
:2. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
:3. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Thanks be to God
We are inviting you to join the MCGI Cares (Hive) community that study the words of God and also earn some reward by making our reactions on it. We can check this link trending/hive-182074
Thanks for taking your time to read through