Due to our nations economy I have recently come across posts on Facebook regarding the care of others especially in our own country: Some have come across quite adamant especially when they hear of people like myself a pastor, evangelist and missionary and our call to bring aid and help families in need specifically in other nations. What many of them do not know is that as pastors we have over the years organized outreaches with our church in efforts to help many families and individuals in need right here in our own community. The Lord has led us to provide vehicles and housing for single mothers and their families along with reaching out to the poor and needy in our surrounding communities by providing groceries and other necessary needs. One reason for writing this post is to communicate one very important point, and that is the Lord has not put limits or stipulations on our acts of love and compassion: In fact when there is a need (here in America and other nations) we are instructed by God to meet those needs.
In Mathew 25 Jesus instructs his followers (Christians) to feed, clothe, give drink and house those who are in need. He does not give us limits as to who and where…he simply says “If you’ve done it to the least of these my brethren, you’ve done it to me.” 1John 3:16-19 says this, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need, but shows no compassion–how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth so we will be confident when we stand before God.”
With the state of our economy the needs of individuals and families are on the rise, the GOOD NEWS is as God’s people we can restore our nation by doing our part. The scriptures say that it is the responsibility of God’s people to bring about God’s blessings on our nation and in the earth. According to God’s word the only way we will see these blessings restored upon our nation is for the people of God including his leaders to get back to following his instructions specifically in one very important area and that is: To bring the first 10% to God’s storehouse. Now this is where the leaders come in to do their part. God is very specific as to “how” this 10% is to be used. In Malachi 3 there is a responsibility not only on the people but also on the ministers, let’s take a close look here starting in verse 10 “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.” Let’s stop here for a moment…in verse 5 the Lord is speaking of how the widows, orphans and strangers have been neglected…so when he says in verse 10 “…that there will be enough food in my house…” he is saying that the food or resources is to be used to not only take care of the priest (Gods ministers) BUT for the priests to ALSO make sure that the widows, the orphans and the strangers are cared for as well (those in need). Then the Lord goes on to say, “IF you do (this) says the Lord, I will open the windows of heaven for you, I will pour out a blessing (I will RESTORE your nation!) so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!” Then the Lord says, “TRY IT! Put me to the test!” Your crops will be abundant…and nothing will destroy them…for I will guard them…v12 Then ALL nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies”
This my friend is NOT a nation in debt!! This is a nation that is BLESSED BY GOD! And it only comes when the people of God and his ministers do the right thing with the resources. Abraham and his nation were blessed by God because they obeyed the Lord in this area as well, “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised” Genesis 18:17-19. Abraham obeyed the Lord and gave Melchizedek a “tenth” of all he had… and because of his faithfulness to God, he and his nation were blessed just as the Lord promised!
If you would like to learn more…listen to “Restoring Our Nation” by Pastor Rick Tidwell…you can also access these messages free on iTunes.
