Party

What is Tithing

Tithing

1. Why give?
2. To whom do I give?
3. What is a tithe?
4. What about tithing while in debt?
5. Should I give beyond the tithe?
6. What is reasonable debt?

Why give?

"The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains."Psalms 24:1

"And what do you have that you did not receive?" I Corinthians 4:7

God is the Creator and owner of all that it is in the earth, including your financial resources. God charges us to be good stewards of what He has given to us. The money we have is a blessing from God and belongs to Him. How we use our financial resources are a reflection of our heart towards God.

Giving consists of four progressive stages, with each stage building upon the previous:

1. Tithing – A reflection of our testimony to God's ownership.
2. Obedience – Sharing obediently in accord with God's Word in order to help others in need.
3. Abundance – A loving expression of our desire to share with someone who needs much.
4. Sacrifice – Yielding or foregoing personal desires or wants in order to meet the needs of others. Assessed according to attitude, not the amount given.

Not only does the tithe belong to God, but all belongs to God.

To whom do I give?

"'Bring all of the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord Almighty, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not shrivel before they are ripe,' says the Lord Almighty. 'Then all the nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,' says the Lord." Malachi 3:10

In Malachi 3, the Lord instructs the Israelites to bring their tithe into the "storehouse." The Old Testament storehouse fed (1) the tribe of Levi and the priests of Aaron, (2) the prophets, (3) the Hebrew widows and orphans living within the city, and (4) the Gentile widows and orphans living in and around the city. The New Testament and modern day equivalent to the storehouse is the local church. The local church provides for the needs of (1) the pastors and staff, (2) missionaries, (3) widows, orphans and single parents living in the community, and (4) the non-believers in the local community. We encourage our members to give to the local church, as a corporate body of Christ, in order to support the saints.

What is a tithe?

The definition of tithe is to offer one-tenth of any property or produce. Tithing is one of the first standards found in the Bible. In Genesis, Abraham tithed. The Law noted in Deuteronomy 26 also defines how the Jews were to tithe. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ replaced the Law. We now live under grace; however, this is not a license to do nothing.

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, we are instructed "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Our attitude in giving is an indicator of God's lordship in our lives. He desires for us to be joyous and merciful in our giving, not tithe under begrudging submission to His Law.

Many people give above 10 percent and have much more to give, but their hearts are not right (1 Corinthians 13:3). Others may not be able to give as much, but their hearts are dedicated to the Lord (Mark 12:42-44). God is looking for willing and obedient hearts, regardless of how much we give.

What about tithing while in debt?

"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." 2 Corinthians 9:10

A good farmer will always set aside seed stock to use for the next season. If this was not done, he would never grow another crop. As Christians, our seed stock is our tithe. In Proverbs 3:9-10, we are to honor God with the first fruits of all that we receive. Our financial resources belong to God, not anyone else including creditors. Nevertheless, in Proverbs 22:1, God instructs us to maintain a good witness. Therefore, we must maintain the vow we made to our creditors. If debts are made, then debts must be paid. Psalm 37:21 states that "The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives."

In the case of tithing while in debt, tithes may be paid on money not already pledged to creditors but available to disperse at our will. However, this is only true if the vow to the creditor was made before making a pledge to tithe. Our commitment to give to God always takes precedence over any payments or commitments to creditors for debts that were contracted after a pledge to tithe.

Again, God is looking for the right attitude in our giving. We are to be willing to give back to the Lord a portion of what He has entrusted to us. We are to be looking for ways to give rather than ways not to give. Those in debt may still be able to give, just in a smaller amount and remain faithful to that commitment. Their giving can increase as God provides.

Should I give beyond the tithe?

"At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: 'He who gathered much did not have too much, and he would gathered little did not have too little.'" 2 Corinthians 8:14

Giving beyond the tithe should be an outward expression of our spiritual commitment to the Lord. Our hearts are to be willing and obedient. When giving beyond the tithe, we are to give out of our abundance.

We may make a commitment to give, promising a certain amount of money with the acknowledgment that it is based on faith. We may also give non-cash donations which include time, services, food, furniture, and clothing. Gifts with appreciated values may also be given; such as stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. However, it is not scriptural to borrow money in order to give. Borrowing money requires little trust. Sacrificial giving should be a result of the proper heart attitude and not used as a means to impress others with our giving.

God is more concerned with our attitude in giving rather than the amount. Nevertheless, He does ask us to give our tithes as the minimum.

Prophecy For The Philippines

Recently, due to many requests, The 700 Club Asia featured the audiotape of Cindy Jacobs' inspiring prophecy for the Philippines. Special guest was Pastor Jerome Ocampo, head of the Jesus Revolution revival crusade, who was in the United States when the prophecy was given.

The prophecy was delivered unexpectedly and extemporaneously last October 27, 2001. The venue was the "Catch the Fire" conference of Harvest International Ministries in California, U.S.A..

Cindy Jacobs, American founder and head of a worldwide prayer network: Generals of Intercession, author of three bestselling books on prayer, prophecy and spiritual warfare; and widely recognized "prophet to the nations" was an invited speaker.

At one point in the conference, two of a handful of Filipinos there, Pastor Jerome Ocampo and his wife Annabelle, were called onstage. They were prayed for and asked to receive the financial "love offering" for the day to benefit the "Jesus Revolution" youth revival to be held at the Luneta in Manila the next month. Cindy Jacobs was invited onstage to make the call for support for the revival.

When Cindy came up, she immediately sensed a stirring in her spirit.. "Don't you feel a sense of destiny on this stage?" remarked the prophetically gifted intercessor who had been to the Philippines once in 1996 for a conference.

"She was shaking," recalls Jerome as Cindy turned towards them. "It's as if she couldn't hold back what she wanted to say. It just exploded, tuluy-tuloy." In a high, clear, commanding voice, the words gushed out from Cindy in a torrent, without a single pause. Her prophecy was amazingly specific and accurate," Jerome marveled.. This is what she said:

PROPHECY FOR THE PHILIPPINES

"Jerome, the Lord would say to the Philippines -I am shaking everything that can be shaken so that no man can glory in what I will do. For I have waited for a generation that I could raise up a purity and a holiness in. And I am raising up firebrands!

There is a forerunner anointing coming upon the youth of the Philippines that will prepare the way of the Lord, even into the Middle East. Look and see what I will do in Mindanao. For I am going to visit in a way that you cannot imagine! I am coming to Mindanao, says the Lord, as God and the Lord of Hosts, and I am going to start appearing. As a sign that I am going to truly change the nation, I am going to show myself to the guerilla leaders. I am going to come, says the Lord, and I am going to begin at the places in the Philippines that have been the bloodiest; the places where the guerillas' insurrection have been the strongest. And I am going to come with signs and wonders and miracles! I am getting ready to pour out a miracle anointing upon the Philippines such as the earth has never seen! For Indonesia, they had a mighty rushing wind. But in the Philippines they will have the fire from heaven that will begin to fall! And this will be a purging fire! And I will say, I will visit even as if in a day, says God. Do not think that I am not able to come in a day and begin to unravel the iniquities of the nation, says the Lord!

I am going to visit the military. I am getting ready to come among the young in the military. And the Lord says, there's going to be a revolution of righteousness that comes within the military.

I'm getting ready to dethrone everything that needs to be dethroned, for even the bowls of heaven are full. Oh, I see the bowls in heaven are just getting ready to be tipped over the Philippines and I am going to spill out my glory!

And the Lord says, I will remove the shame that Satan has tried to put upon this nation! And the Lord says, look and see, for even the blood of the martyrs cries out from Saudi Arabia! The blood of the martyrs cries out from those Islamic nations, and my Filipino people that have laid their lives down. Do not think I haven't seen it! Do not think I am looking away! Do not think I do not see you! Do not think I do not see you, Philippines; for I see you! You are the apple of my eye! You are a treasure unto me!

This is the day and this is the hour when I begin to change everything, says the Lord! I'm going to change the judicial system. I'm going to dethrone corrupt judges. I'm getting ready to deal with the police force. I'm going to expose, expose, expose, expose!

And the Lord says, look and see what I will do! For I will open up my treasure chest from the Philippines! And I am going to release finances for the Philippines that will surprise and shake even Hongkong! For I am getting ready to move a distribution of wealth, says God. And I am getting ready to open the oil! I am getting ready to open that which is in the ocean! I'm getting ready to bring forth a revolution even in the economic systems, in the finance systems!

Look to the university in Manila, says God. For I am going to bring a revival that the-Oh my Lord!--- the Lord says, not hundreds, but thousands and thousands and thousands are going to get saved!! The Lord says, can I touch a whole university? Yes I can touch a whole university! I can come with my glory and I can come with my power in ways that you cannot imagine!

For I am coming, says God! I am coming and I will remain, says the Lord!
JEROME REFLECTS

Prophecy Partially Fulfilled

"That prophecy spoke to the need of our nation," reflects Pastor Jerome "Our being there was a divine setup by God." Jerome also notes that some of the predictions in the prophecy have already come to pass. "Forty-eight (48) hours after she spoke, they hit oil in Palawan in commercial quantity! We can use that as collateral to address our foreign debt. Two months after, President Gloria Macapagal declared that the coconut levy fund would be transformed into a public fund to better benefit Filipino farmers. That's one fulfillment of the prophecy on the redistribution of wealth." That month, the United States was still reeling from the September 11 terrorist attack. "But instead of prophesying for the U.S., she prophesied for the Philippines," Jerome noted, suggesting the urgency and priority of God's Word for our nation.

Message of Hope in Crisis

"It was so positive, so full of hope, after so many negative things being said about our country." Jerome describes Cindy's words which left him and his wife both weeping, and scarcely able to "crawl back to our seats." "Without the eyes of faith, we Filipinos will be discouraged, we seem to be in the deepest hole we've ever been. But God's words give us a deep sense of assurance that God cares for the Philippines and has a destiny for our nation. We're not at the mercy of chance, politicians, the economy."

The Filipinos Response

"We are entering a new season of hope. Before it was hope against hope. The prophecy is painting a dream for the Philippines. And we can verbalize it in prayers for our nation." says Jerome. His organization, Jesus Revolution, has responded with calls to intercession and fasting in different parts of the Philippines for a whole year to pray prophecy into reality. (One is scheduled March 16 , 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Word of Hope Church on EDSA Av. just opposite Shoemart North Edsa.)

"The prophecy gave back our desire to make our nation great one more time. It's a baptism of confidence. We cannot let discouragement and negatives come upon us . We must speak and work positively, strive to be holy." Jerome describes the challenge of God's Word to act out in faith what He has already ordained and empowered to come to pass.

Call to the Youth

The prophecy describes that it is the "firebrands," the Filipino youth that will carry the flames of revival. "The whole generation that won our independence as a nation was composed of young people. And that love for country, love for God will come back with the same intensity," Jerome predicts. "We're going to see the birth of young, zealous revolutionaries for the Lord."

"One half, or 50% of our population is age 25 and below. They are not born to live their lives just any way they want. They're born for a destiny, not for drugs, or immorality, but to bring change upon this nation." One month after Cindy's prophecy, on Andres Bonifacio Day, Jesus Revolution launched a day of prayer and fasting that brought an estimated 150,000 people to Luneta, 85% of these were young people. "There's a fire among young people nationwide. We're going to do this again on March 27 in Western Visayas, November in Davao City, we want to do it in Aparri, Panay, Negros, Tacloban, Samar." (Jesus Revolution can be called at tel: 646-6474. E-mail: Jesusflock@pacific.net.ph)

The Most Prophesied Generation

This has been the most prophesied (over) generation!", observes Jerome. "There's peace in my heart that God is going to visit our nation. And as Cindy said, He can do it in a day! Things are going to climax. There's such a hunger for change!" (Watch this website for Part II of Prophecies for the Philippines. )

FCCi Statement of Faith

STATEMENT OF FAITH

“What We Believe”

We Believe....

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES - The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as the Holy Spirit moved them. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).

We Believe....

THE ETERNAL GODHEAD - Our God is one, but manifested in three Persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being coequal (Deut. 6:4;Phil. 2:6).
God the Father is greater than all; the Sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14).
The Son is the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:18; John 1:14).
The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 14:16;John 15:26).

We Believe....

MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION - Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. The Bible says "...all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," and "...There is none righteous, no, not one." (Rom. 3:10; 3:23). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Rom. 5:14; 1 John 3:8).

Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Eph. 2:8-10).

We Believe....

ETERNAL LIFE AND THE NEW BIRTH - Man's first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced, produces eternal life (2 Cor. 7:10; John 3:3-5; 1 John 5:12).

We Believe....

WATER BAPTISM - Baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).

The following recommendation regarding the water baptismal formula is adopted; to wit: "On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen."

We Believe....

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST - The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38,39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:1-4).

We Believe....

THE LORD’S SUPPER – 1 Corinthians 11:22-26 says - "The Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink of this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." It is partaken in commemoration of the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus Christ and anticipation of His Second Coming.

It also tells about the power of the blood of Jesus and the power of His healing presence (because of His broken body).

We Believe....

DIVINE HEALING - Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today (James 5:14,15; Mark 16:18; Isa. 53:4,5; Matt. 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24).

We Believe....

RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST - The angels said to Jesus' disciples, "...this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." His coming is imminent. When He comes, "...the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air..." (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16,17).

Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev. 5:10;20:6).

We Believe....

HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION - The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting," used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the Presence of God (Heb. 9:27; Rev. 19:20).

We Believe....

TITHES AND OFFERINGS - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test Me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10

Christians support the church’s ministry with tithes, offerings, and intercessory prayers. (Malachi 3:8-12; Ephesians 6:10-20)

Worshipping You!

Take this offering that I bring,
humbly I fall on my knees
to proclaim you’re everything…
My life’s nothing without you,
take my hand and lead me through,
you are my sustaining love…

I live to worship you… I live to worship you…

Here I am, worshiping you,
with all I am worshiping you…
I’m bowing down in spirit and truth.
Lift their heads worshiping you..
Take this offering that I bring,
humbly I fall on my knees to proclaim you’re everything…
My life’s nothing without you, take my hand and lead me through.
You are my sustaining love..

I live to worship you… I live to worship you…

Here I am, worshiping you, with all I am, worshiping you…
I’m bowing down in spirit and truth, lift their hands worshiping you….

God we’re not ashamed… We’re unashamed to worship you…
We’re unashamed to lift our hands, we’re unashamed to lift our voices.
It’s what we live for God, it’s what we live for.

We’re not ashamed of you, we’re not ashamed of you…

I’m gonna worship you forever, I’m gonna worship you..
I’m gonna worship you forever, I’m gonna worship you..

Jeus is our strength

Last thursday Night was amazing and God has again bless us with a great message delivered by Ptr Geoffrey, and he share about the church in Philadelphia which can be found not in US but the Book of Revelation, all was focus and attentive to ptr Geoff while he shares about how this church persevere even in time trial, and he qouted about the experience of little David (king) presenting himself to King Saul. that saying He cannot stand anymore the insult and mockery made by the Palestinians to the israelites saul permit david to fight the palestians even without proper armor for his body, and to make the long story short David killed Goliath not because he is a good slinger that time but he is proclaiming that is the power of God that saves them and the battle is the lords. sometimes in our live the never stop pounding us with all temptations obstacles circumstances trails and many more, just to annihilate our morale our faith and hope that we have in Jesus. He keep trying to bad things for always lagi na lang,. sabi nga the Devil never stop working againts us. no coffee brake no rest morning till evening. and sad to see as a result many are leave casualties.
but we christian we should not be bother about it. so what all the enemies effort have been made worthless when Jesus triumph on the cross, thats why there is no other source of perfect hope and strength rather than Jesus Himself,. also the bibles tells that we should hold fast to the good things that we have. our Faith our Salvation our new life our Hope. all this things are given by God just for us,. because by this makes our life complete and church remember that we are adopted sons/daughter of God and we deserve all the Good things in life.

ptr Geoffrey Bofil
FCCi-D1 Ruh.
all Glory To God