Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The principle upon which
the freeborn children of God are to conduct themselves is
not the same as the legal principle which religious men and the Jews
of ancient times operated upon. The principle of law is one which
defines and regulates each activity of men's lives. It offers men
no freedom because by its very nature it is a binding force.
Do this and live. Disobey and you will perish.
The principle of law has no provision for mercy, nor does it recognize
any obedience but that which is perfect. Man has no natural
capability of keeping the law. Therefore, the principle of law
will always be a stumbling block and a source of condemnation
to him. God's law is just and good. It
does not need any improvements, nor can it be enhanced or diminished
by anything a man may say or do. God's law does not change. Some have erroneously thought
that the sum total of the law of God is set forth in the Ten
Commandments, which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. But
the law of God is greater than the Ten Commandments. These commandments
were written in stone and specifically given to the Jews. If this were
the exclusive or complete law of God, then the Gentiles would
have had no law and would be guiltless. For where there is
no law, sin cannot be imputed, that is laid to their account.
Yet Paul said, But the scripture hath concluded all under sin.
The scripture plainly sets forth the fact that all men are lawbreakers,
those to whom the Ten Commandments were given and those who have
never heard of them. So we must conclude that the
law of God is more pervasive than just that which was given
to the Jews. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lawgiver. He clarified
and established, setting forth in no uncertain terms, once and
for all, the Law of God, when He said, Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment,
and the second is likened to it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor
as thyself. There is no greater nor more
complete law than this. While he established the law,
which condemns every man and leaves us without excuse, he
also established the fact that the sons of God are to live by
a different principle than just the bare requirements of the
law. He said, Whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee
at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak
also. And whosoever shall compel thee
to go a mile, go with him twain. The scripture sets forth the
fact that in the establishment of the new covenant that he would
write his law upon the hearts of his people. By this it does
not mean that they would just know what the law is, as the
Jews could read tables of stone or parchment scrolls, but that
he would implant a new principle within them, causing them to
also delight themselves in his law. It is this principle which
is the basis of the Christian's life rather than the principle
of law. For the law, or principle, of
the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law, or principle, of sin and death. There is no law against
the fruit of the Spirit. Many of those who faithfully
tithe do so out of a genuine desire to honor the Lord. We
would never wish to discourage any of God's children from walking
according to their conscience, nor would we ever instruct someone
not to tithe. We do wish to point out, however,
that the Lord never instructed His children to tithe. In fact,
He only took notice of an amount that was given, or that should
be given, three times in the New Testament. Once was when
He commended the widow who had cast in the treasury two mites.
Of her, He said, she of her wont did cast in all that she had.
Another was when the woman anointed him with costly ointment, and
he lovingly said, She hath done what she could. The other was
when the rich young ruler asked what was expected of those who
entered the kingdom, and he said, Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou
hast, and give to the poor. The principle which should govern
the generosity of the children of God is not that of the law.
We are not to be concerned with percentages and minimums wherein
we try to fulfill some prescribed amount. Rather, the principle
that should govern us is this, he who has forgiven much loveth
much. The principle of love demands
all that we have. To give less is to fall short.
The man who feels that this is too much has forgotten that he
was purged of his sin. But this I say, he which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully, every man according as he purposeth
in his heart. So let him give, not grudgingly,
or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver. Do you give
all that you have unto the Lord? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.