I have a question, how do you define success? Would you define dying on a cross a success? Would you define being stoned to death a success? Would you define living off of locusts and honey in the wilderness a success?

I think you need to re-read the bible about your beliefs.
steward´s last blog ..If Tithing Looks Like it & Acts Like It

The old covenant God had with the nation of Israel was exclusively for children of Israel only. No gentiles were allowed to go near the Sanctuary or the Temple that God commanded Arron and Moses to build. Only the tribe of Levites were allowed by God to go near the temple.

Please read (Numbers 18:1-3 ) Not even people from other tribes from the nation of Israel were allowed to go near the temple.

Jesus himself was not allowed to perform as a priest or a high priest when he was here on earth or he would have sin according to the Mosiac law. (Hebrews 8:4)

The veil in the temple was torn when Jesus died on the cross. That signifies that the old covenant was cancelled because the curse of the law was laid on Jesus. He redeemed all humanity from the wrath of God according to the old covenant with his sin offering with his precious blood that God the father accepted.

Please do not mix the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS with blood of animals that was used in sin offering according to the old Levitical priesthood by combining the new and old covenant.

DO NOT MIX JESUS SACRIFICE WITH animal sacrifice JUST TO QUOTE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES TO MANIPULATE CHRISTIANS TO PAY FOR YOUR HOUSE AND MATERIAL POSSESIONS. ( 1 Timothy 6:5 AMP ) is very clear on that .

Have a restful day in the lord.

1. Any time a sick person is brought to you, you have consistently laid hands on them and they get healed instantly in the name of Jesus.
2. Through the power of the holy ghost, you prophecy to your congregation and it has consistently come to pass over many years.
3. You have trained your spirit to hear every time the spirit of God communicates to you and respond to him.
4. Any thing you get involved in, must turn out successful, nomatter what happens to the economy of the world.

Do not call any Christian poor because poverty is not the abscence of dollars and cents, it is a state of mind which is dealt with when you are born again. Even if he/she still has the poverty mentality, they only need to understand the scriptures.
Christians cannot be blinded by doctrines because no one that has Christ walkes in darkness.
I disagree with your perception of tithing. All that the bible talks about in the book of Malachi, concerning tithing is true, that has been my experience and am ready to share it with any one that will contact me.

God bless you all.

The New Testament Church met in houses, not in multi-million dollar worldly palaces. Not even in modest buildings that burden a poorer assembly. No conspicuous consuming on real estate means no money pressures to deceive ourselves and preach a lie.

There are two models for “pastors” (actually elders); Peter and Paul. Peter forbear work and lived in the houses of church members as prophesied by the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul primarily earned his own way, even supporting those he worked with, and was helped by established churches. No professional “pastorate” or staff. No worldly degrees granted by worldly seminaries placing unscriptural hurdles in the way and requiring money to be paid, borrowed, or granted.

The real Church has no overhead while the counterfeit church is defined by it. Giving in the real Church goes from people to people. The counterfeit church diverts resources from scriptural mandates (needy Christians, the poor, missions) and squanders it on buildings, maintenance, and unscriptural institutions and methods.

Until the last couple of years I have been very tight.

Deacon & Usher may be right that some don’t “contribute nothing of what they were given back to the church” but ALL pastor’s I know give back to the church and sacrifice more than most deacons.

Churches want someone to be there when a family member dies, has surgery or needs their runny nose wiped. They do not consider the time pastors must spend in study and prayer to do 2-4 messages a week. Then they don’t want to pay them what would be a decent wage any where else. I have pastored at places for years without any increase in pay whatsoever because of a gym the church built. My family sacrificed because the church didn’t want me to have another job.

What I am trying to say, Deacon & Usher, is that if people would support their Pastor better maybe then he could afford to give more. It is tough trying to support a wife and children on what churches pay. But those same churches want someone “full-time”. Then they complain about taking care of him… Read 1 Corinthians 9:14

Deacon and Usher – deaconandusher.wordpress.com