giving – Matty (Headwind)

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020

Holy and Profane

Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
(Ezekiel 22:26) NKJV

Holy and unholy (profane) are synonyms for clean and unclean. They’re part of how the Bible describes spiritual condition. We’re either alive or dead, spiritual or carnal, giving or receiving, holy or unholy, clean or unclean.

June 14, 2020June 14, 2020

Rich and Sorrowful

So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
(Luke 18:22-24) NKJV

A problem we may have is trying to hold on to what we’ve got, and refusing to give. The rich young ruler was being the best person that he could be according to his understanding of the law, but he loved his possessions more than he loved his neighbors. We can’t overcome the law (Mosaic gravity) if we’re determined to hang on to it.

June 14, 2020June 14, 2020

Giving and Receiving

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. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
(Philippians 4:15-20) KJV

This is the often quoted passage about how my God shall supply your every need. It’s used as a band aid to give hope to desperate people, but it’s not given in the context of desperation. The context is Paul thanking the Philippian church for their financial support. The message is: God is helping you because you’re helping me to promote the gospel and advance the kingdom of heaven. This is why we give selflessly.

June 14, 2020February 21, 2022

W and Z Bosons

know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
(Deuteronomy 4:39) Good News Translation

Is there evidence from Physics to support the idea that there are different kinds of gravity? It would seem so. We can equate Agape gravity (A) and Mosaic gravity (M) with the W and Z bosons.

The W bosons are named after the weak force. The physicist Steven Weinberg named the additional particle the “Z particle”, and later gave the explanation that it was the last additional particle needed by the model. The W bosons had already been named, and the Z bosons were named for having zero electric charge.
– W and Z bosons (Wikipedia)

June 14, 2020February 21, 2022

The Physics of the Gospel

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
(Hebrews 12:1) English Standard Version

Believing in Jesus Christ is the power to overcome the gravity of the Earth (Mosaic gravity or the law) which is the force of attraction that’s pulling us down into hell.

January 16, 2019January 30, 2019

By Their Occupation

Open Door Baptist Church

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. ( Acts 18:1-3 )

On Paul’s second missionary journey he worked to pay his way.

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. ( 2 Corinthians 11:9 )

2. On Paul’s third missionary journey he was receiving support.

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. ( Philippians 4:15 )

Philippi and Thessalonica are not far from each other.

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ( Philippians 4:16-20 )

3. The often used quote

“But my God shall supply all your need”

Was to the Philippians who were supporting Paul’s ministry. It exists within the context that God will supply the need of people who are supporting the church. This is the reason why we step out in faith and support the church: so that God can supply our every need.

June 13, 2018June 16, 2022

June 13th

Giving and Receiving

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
(Acts 20:35) NKJV

We overcome the power of the law [M] by being quickened [q] through faith in Jesus Christ. We have to be willing to let go of everything the world has to offer [pG], and ready to allow the Lord to sustain us.