THE PREACHER THAT IS LIVING AND HAS DIED!

THE SISTER THAT IS DEAD IS YET LIVING.!

God bless the humble preacher who work hard in secular employment or fully trust for his support same as the Missionaries do, to carry on his Ministry and now and then, have a little something to give to some of those in need who do not hold steady employment or have fallen on financial hard times. It is these men that are well able to say:  

“…it is more blessed to give than to receive…”, and as David could say “…neither will I offer burn offering unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing…”. This reading material however, is not directed towards these honest, hard-working men, but rather it is directed towards the “ever money hungry preachers”.

I think is about time and right thing to do and put them at the same level of those “sisters” that are dead while they are living. The Apostle Paul who wrote “…by grace are ye save…” said that if a widow or divorced sister is living in open sins, she is dead while she lives; likewise by the commandment of God in Num. 18:21-32, the MINISTER that “…polluted…” the “…holy offerings…” of the children of Israel, was in danger of dying.

God give the warning to Moses for those in the “Ministry” that they would be “cut off” from the service to the people of God if they polluted Holy Gifts, Tithe included. I will elaborate in the topic of tithing in this article later, but now lets return to the “sister” that is dead while she is living. Can one honestly deny that in the “religious world” there are those who are living in sin and yet they speak and show prosperity? By the same token, there are many preachers who have “Died” and still preaching. They are dead, just like Adam was “dead” and spoke with God. They seem to be the ever money-hungry preachers who do not know how to handle “the Holy Gifts” of the people and not pollute them or they simple just don’t care, and that regardless of their piety, God always have made the separation between good and evil deeds in the O.T. and like then, even during this time of “grace”, The Almighty God will at His appointed time, separate the good and the evil, from the Preacher that goes by “eternal security” to the Preacher that gives warnings about dangers of “falling from grace”. (They both wear the same shoe)

I have seen these both “polluting tithes and offerings” from the office they hold and from their pulpit they careless misuse, explain away and in cases even twist the Holy Scriptures, oftentimes the motive is just to climb the ladder to popularity and prosperity. But what is the end result to the people? They successfully manage to scare and condemn the people into giving.

The Lord saw the same pollution in Israel among the “leadership” and told the prophet …”among MY PEOPLE are found WICKED MEN… they set a trap (gimmick) THEY CATCH MEN AS A CAGE FULL OF BIRDS SO THEIR TEMPLES ARE FULL… THEY BECAME GREAT (popular) AND GROW RICH… ARE SLEEK YET THEY PROSPER…THE PROPHETS SPEAK FALSELY AND THE (PREACHERS) RULE BY THEIR OWN POWER.

Does History still repeat itself? You bet it does, it is why Jude wrote about the last days that z”…ungodly men were going to turn the GRACE OF GOD UNTO LASCIVIOUSNESS… AND WILL SPEAK GREAT SWELLING WORDS, HAVING MEN’S PERSONS IN ADMIRATION BECAUSE OF ADVANTAGE.”

And there are the poor that are constantly struggling to PAY TITHE all the while being condemned by preachers if they cannot seem to come up with it. Why? Why I ask, are the unpleasant and unchristian words coming from pulpits when speaking about tithe and will offerings? At the same time the preacher is appearing incapable of error, including scriptural error in this matter. O’ how the heart of the Lord is grieved!

Please. Do not misunderstand me, but by day one of my conversion I already knew about tithe and offerings, no one ever ask me for my tithe or to give offerings for the work of the Lord, and when I became a Missionary it was learned to give more and beyond which help in my Ministry later on as Pastor to two cultures, English and Spanish speaking, that custom has follow me even unto this present time; I have no reason at all to write this with bitterness against some one, but I am writing this because it is time for what I had see to put the dot on the i in order for the i to be an i.

Returning home from B.C. Canada, some time ago, my wife and I stop by to visit a family we knew from years back, we were asked what church we want to visit and when we knew of one congregation where old friends were attending and they had move into a new building; we went there. The Pastor a young man spoke all the time about Tithe and offerings, not without mentioning before that he was not a money hungry preacher but one of the things he preached was this “...If you have only money to pay your bills or pay your tithe, bring you tithe and don’t pay your bills!…” Incredible,. Was this honest advice? More important, was it scriptural advice? Is that giving to Caesar what is his and to God what is His? Did the Lord Jesus and Peter acted any thing like that the time they only had enough money to pay their bill? (Temple tax). Remember that Jesus said “…I do always those things that please my Father.”

Once a Pastor from some charismatic church told me in the presence of others in a business place “I believe that Jesus and Peter paid tithes in the spirit.” (what ever that means?). I’ve found over my years of walking with The Lord that many money-hungry preachers will just about say anything to justify their belief in prosperity like the charismatic-prosperity preacher who said few weeks ago: “…come to God He wants to prosper you, you know why? Because HE ADORES YOU!…”

Let’s return to Jesus and Peter again. Think to yourself. Why didn’t the Lord and Peter paid a tenth of the money the had receive from the mouth of a fish and used all of it to pay the temple tax? Surely, if not Peter then the Lord knew the principal of tithing, and God is a God of order, not of disorder, the truth of the matter is Jesus knew it was written: “…I have given the tribe of LEVI ALL THE TENTH IN ISRAEL FOR AN INHERITANCE (who’s inheritance??) … IT SHALL BE STATUTE FOR EVER…AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.” Num. 18:21,22.

The Lord Jesus did “evangelist and Pastor’s work” and yet he NEVER asked for the tithe to support His Ministry! Nor he require it of the people to support the Ministry of his Apostles later on. The reason? He knew full well that was written and neither he nor any Apostle who were of the tribe of Levi-unto (whom ONLY WAS THE TITHE TO GO) received any tithe. It’s that simple! Not even Barnabas, who was a GOOD LEVITE, received tithes. Acts 4:36,37.

This truth still evades contemporary money-hungry preachers today. Many of them claim (ignorantly) to be some sort of “new order of Levites” a spiritual Leviticus line to which the tithe of the O. T. Covenant is owed them. But see in the Scriptures that the work of the tribe of Levi was done OUTSIDE THE TABERNACLE AND ONLY ONE HIGH PRIEST COULD MINISTER INSIDE.

Another compelling fact in the Word of God was when Jesus told his disciples to go and preach taking nothing but their sandals and their staff. He gave them his word of assurance that they would “lack nothing“ and they went forth on faith and when they returned He asked them “…when I sent you. WITHOUT MONEY LACK YE ANYTHING?” “… And they replied NO.”

And once His Church started, they didn’t rely on tithing to obey The Great Commission; notice the clear examples in the Book of Acts of The Apostles that they never required, no demand or ask for the O.T. tithe from those save by grace..through faith… .

The Apostle Paul pioneered the church at Corinth and yet in the two years he was there, he ministered to them free; and take a good look at all his letters and you will see that even he mentions money many times, he never mentioned the O.T. requirement of the tithe! But somebody, somewhere, some time, did change all that. Sad to say but true, there are even well know preachers that made false statements for prosperity promises and even out right lie to the people!

I recall an evangelist from N. O. La. That told his listeners that Joseph Mary’s husband was a “very prosperous business man”. Another from San Antonio, Tx. Claimed that Jesus was not a “poor person”

And the big healer evangelist, who was so bold to state that in the early church was not “poverty”, meaning that all the converts were in prosperity because that is the will of God for God’s people.

Like others that twist Scripture that are taken out of context and from their pulpit spew forth from their imaginations, this big evangelist failed to quote the entire passage which reads: “ …NOR WAS THERE ANYONE AMONG THEM WHO LACKED; FOR ALL WHO WERE POSSESSORS OF LANDS OR HOUSES SOLD THEM AND BROUGHT THEM PROCEEDS OF THE THINGS THAT WERE SOLD.”

And the next verse says that they “…LAID THEM AT THE APOSTLES FEET AND THEY DISTRIBUTED TO EACH ACCORDING TO WHO HATH NEED!” Amazing that anyone would over-look this simple Scripture to “trick people into giving”. But “they will hear about in the judgment day!.”

Common sense as well as the Scriptures teaches us that when need arose, buildings for church gatherings and Apostolic trips expenses were supplied by this same principle. (including help for the needed) This is how the Apostolic Church moved all the way from Acts. Chap. 2 to Chap 21, with not other money-marching orders that FREE WILL OFFERINGS, giving during the time of grace; the God’s given pattern till the Savior appears from heaven to take His Bride home to the heavenly mansion. Our manner to support the work of the Lord is not from the Old Covenant Book of MalachI; neither are you the reader or I from the tribe of Levi to whom only the tithe should go. The “...household of faith…” Is not “...the house of Jacob…” To whom the Book of Malachi is directed “Christ as a Son, over His own house, whose house are we.” The Apostle Paul wrote these truth to Apostolic believers in the “saved by grace through faith economy” Barnabas knew he was nor from the house of Jacob any more.

It was those whom did not continued steadfastly in the Doctrine of The Apostles that brought in this new doctrine as well as other teachings and by doing so they became guilty of what Jehovah had said about “…not to pollute the Holy Gifts.” But alas! To get people now to admit “that transgression” against the Word of God is a losing battle. How well I know it!!.

There are many, almost everywhere, seems to be, that are brokenhearted and in sorrow, desperately trying to pay the tithe and pay their bills too. They have been hammered and beaten down from the pulpit and made to think that they are guilty and robbers of God. (To this, I feel I should say this also) if AN INHERITANCE BELOWNS TO OTHERS THAT ME, AND I RECLAIM THAT IN MY OWN EFFORD, who is the robber? (Just asking).

Some times poor believers cannot even afford groceries, but will pay the called tithe because cruel intimidation and condemnation. Are those who could not pay tithe lost? And if so, can they be saved again if they star paying tithe? Will anybody out there answer my questions? Did Peter lose his standing with Jesus for not paying tithe when he got that money from that fish? How about Paul, he taught quit a bet about money and never taught about tithing did he got to hell because of that?

What about the whole Apostolic Church? They did not pay tithe. Many that work over time in justifying things contrary to the Word of God always fall back on the same mantra; “well that is your interpretation of the tithe” they would say. But wait just a minute! I beg you pardon, THE DICTIONARY OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH STATES THIS: “It is admitted universally that payment of the tithe of the tenth of possessions for sacred purposes did not find a place within the early Christian Church during the age covered by The Apostles and their immediate successors.” Did you get it?, what gentile movement began to use Malachi 3:6-11, and a bunch of copy-cats followed them???.

As one can clearly see, this is a RECORD OF HISTORY and not my own opinion nor a misguided interpretation regarding tithe. Following, this words are for “them” the suffering ones, due to the sharp words vomited out to them by some money-hungry preachers, to those who struggle many times from lack of steady employment, or low wages, and are made to endure further condemnation by a preacher, to them I say, gird yourself up dear one, even though you are caught in a “money-hungry net”, The Everlasting Father in heaven sees and knows all about it. And “it” will soon be over. Your struggle will be not long now. Continue to carry your cross a little bit longer, (the cross that “they” have given you to bear) rest and peace is very near for some; I trust and hope you will be ready for the “shout” it will be THE VOICE OF AN ARCHANGEL and the keepers of truth shall go up! Jesus The Master said “...You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”, FREE TO COWARDICE TO FACE REAL BIBLICAL TRUTHS. FREE FROM THOSE THAT ARE NEGLIGENT AND CONTENT WITH HALF-TRUTHS. .

I need not tell that this letter about money-hungry preachers is a one of a kind letter.

In my opinion, it is a sort of a “manifesto” that deals with straight Biblical teaching on “who”, “why”, “when” and “how” regarding tithe. The One Lord, JEHOVAH-RAPHA “The Lord is our Provider”,

Who provided for THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS,ALSO IS THE PROVIDER FOR THE CHURCH THAT BEGAN IN JERUSALEM IN THE DAY OF PENTECOST.

The Apostolic Preachers were “…worthy of double honor…” and today, still are some who fit into that category; the rule is “…THOSE THAT RULE WELL, SPECIALLY THOSE THAT LABOR IN THE WORD AND IN DOCTRINE…” “... SHEWING UNCORRUPTNESS IN DOCTRINE…,” “…ADORNING THE DOCTRINE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR….”

But most preachers now days do not even touch doctrine. However, it is written, “THOU SHALL NOT MUZLE THE OX THAT TREADED OUT CORN… FOR THE WORKMAN IS WORTHY OF HIS HIRE.” Again crystal clear talking about the support for any ministry; in the same tune, Paul backed by The Spirit of Truth wrote this words full of kindness, understanding and encouragement to those less able to dig deep into their pockets due to the struggles of life, to give as they could, for “them” he said to the “others”, “…if there be first a willing mind, IT IS ACCEPTED according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not.. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, SO LET HIM GIVE FOR GOD LOVETH A CHERFUL GIVER.” A cheerful giver indeed that maps his own path to make himself able to give from his heart for the work of The Lord his God and Savior.

I Wrote this, based in the teaching from the EPISTLES TO ALREADY SAVED PEOPLE, were from also comes this “…THOSE THAT PREACH THE GOSPEL SHOULD LIVE OF THE GOSPEL.”. .

Sad but true, as negative it may appear, yet true it is, that in Christendom there abound those preachers, Pastors and evangelists who, instead of continuing in the Apostles Doctrine, they have departed from it; and I write this to mention that The Lord Jesus expressed utter disapproval of a stance like this that when he told those who knew the law (torah) and yet did not obey it too. “…woe unto you… for ye have taken away the key of knowledge; ye enter not in yourselves and them that were entering in, ye hindered”. Words of a grave warning to bear in mind when departing from The Apostolic Teachings.

A closing point, a young Minister once asked me in front of others Ministers; “…if the members of the church do not pay tithe, how will the needs of the church be taken care of?” An honest question like that, deserves a Scriptural answer. (he didn’t know what is written in this reading material) So my quick answer to him was of course according to the Apostle Paul’s teaching in money as he wrote to Titus saying “…OUR PEOPLE ALSO LEARN TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS (and to) MEET URGENT NEEDS…”. in some extraordinary cases , 12%,13%,14% etc. needs to be done; but it is not mandatory.

The commandment is as mentioned above; to meet the ever-present-needs and by maintaining those good works, the Name of our God is praised, when one willingly gives tithe, he does good, when one pays not tithe he does not wrong because he is not debtor, it is well known that the Word of God says “…we know that whatever the Law says, it is for them who are under the Law (that includes tithe) Rom. 3:19.So, when one willingly gives tithe, he does good, and when one pays not tithe, he does not wrong, because he is not a debtor.

The Apostle Paul established new works from Illyricum to Judea, He stayed in one place two years, preached free and ministered to “well-to-do people; always keeping his integrity before The Lord, he never beget tithes or demanded offerings and most certainly he did not acted “GMMICKY TO EXTRACT MONEY”. Does your Ministry match his??.

P.S. NEWS FLASH!

More and more believers and Ministers as well, are lifting their voices in public to declare that The Lord Jesus indeed is THE EVELASTING FATHER Isa. 9:6 My endeavor that began exactly four years ago, Praises to His Lovely Name! Some are “beginners in calling the Lord Jesus, my Father”, others say …Yes!, He is The Everlasting Father!.. And others call Him …my perfect Father in heaven!…, and yet others say …He is the heavenly Father!. ALELUYA, ALELUYA ALELUYA!

A well known Presbyterian Minister, a column in Christianity, on his 80 birthday was heard all over the nation + praying to God Almighty saying: Heavenly Father I thank you that you personally came to this world to save me…

Crystal clear words, as “…the water of life proceeding out from the Throne of God and The Lamb.”

I am a son and a servant of The Master of the Household. “ …speaking the truth in love…”.

..I am therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?.

In His Matchless Name!

Gabriel Mendez.