How Tithing Frees Us, No Longer to Fear Not Having Enough

I used to resist tithing.

I just never knew if I would have enough money, and I couldn't trust God to provide everything.

Learning how to understand God's leading was very difficult for me. Because of the rigorous indoctrination that I had to put up with from my mother and her cult-like attachment to Alcoholics Anonymous, I had gotten to a place where I was constantly looking to her and taking her word for everything.

It has gotten really crazy. There were times where I would tithe, and then she would correct me for doing that, or tell me that it was not OK to do so.

Constantly I was looking to her or to other people to tell me what to think, what to do, how to assess difficult situations in my life.

Tithing was not easy because of that bad sense of training. There was also a period in my life when I was faithfully tithing at my local church, but it didn't seem that my life was getting better.

I have also learned with the greater revelation of God's grace that He loves me because of His Son Jesus. It does not matter whether I tithed or not. However, I want that growing revelation of God's love and resources in my life.

Because I realize more of what he has been able to accomplish in my life, I want to see His favor and resources flowing. I had such a small revelation of God. I simply did not realize that He is constantly at work in my life.

God invites us to enter into His rest. No longer are we striving and writhing in our self-effort to make things happen, as though God is light-years away and uninterested in what we are doing.

I also remember at one point in my life, when I was drawing from unemployment less and less, then I was switching to giving more and sharing more. I found that I had plenty of money, and I even had enough to spend on others. At one job, I was an after-school tutor of sorts. I had my own classes and provided different types of lessons. When we had reached the end of the year, I purchased food for all the students.

It felt good to be able to give something. It just was nice to know that I had money--and that money did not have me!

Last week, I was struggling with a strange point of discussion. Would I be able to tithe?

The pastor was preaching on Malachi, the passage about robbing God and not holding back.

Of course, it's important to read every passage in the Old Testament in light of the Finished Work of Jesus Christ. We no longer have to worry about the curse our the devourer in our lives. Yet still we have the opportunity to "test" God, or at least allow Him to prove His generosity towards us.

When I tithed again this past Sunday, a sense of hope and relief swept over me.

I refused to be in bondage to a certain set of dollars in my wallet, pockets, or elsewhere. It's essential that we realize how money is the least of God's concerns, but rather that He wants us to prosper and be in health even as our souls prosper.

New Jersey and Virginia: Citizen Sanctuaries or Sanctuary States?

The biggest elections of 2017 will be this Tuesday (November 7^th, 2017) for the New Jersey and Virginia governorships. The stakes are high, just as they were telling victories for Republicans in 2009. That year, two Democrats were serving (?) as chief executive in both states, and with Obama’s win the year before, those elections served as a referendum on the success or the reception of the newly-elected President.

Republicans ended winning both offices. Bobby McDonnell rejected Obama’s agenda. He left office under a cloud of scandal, although later exonerated. Chris Christie shocked pundits in 2009—and in 2013 with re-election by double-digits, scooping up the endorsements from local and county officeholders throughout New Jersey.

The issues facing the two commonwealths today—and which serve as a referendum on President Trump—have changed considerably. In 2009, the dismal economy weighed on everyone. The accelerating expansion of government and the corruption accompanying it worried voters.. Obama was already pushing shovel-ready fraud and launched his government take-over of the economy called Obamacare. Because of Obama’s relentless overreach, Republicans snatched up the first of many governorships, building a strong bulwark of conservative state sovereignty against the Obama-nation.

Following  Obama’s destructive, anti-American policies, Trump’s victories and agenda have pushed a new set of political concerns to the forefront. While the economy is roaring at a steady 3% GDP (likely to hit 5-6% with effective tax reform), the economies in Virginia and definitely New Jersey could use a boost. Virginia’s GOP candidate Ed Gillespie has promised a higher threshold before taxing incomes. He has also pledged to cut spending and regulations for Virginia businesses to flourish again. In New Jersey, property taxes are eating out the middle class. Despite Christie’s 2% cap, property owners are still hurting. If Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno can’t pull off a win, Goldman Sachs-owned Democratic Governor Phil Murphy will send the rates skyrocketing. If that happens, expect more homeowners to pull up stakes and flee to Florida.

The other issue weighing on voters’ minds is public safety, especially illegal immigration. Overwhelmed public services, housing, and roads have awakened outrage in Virginia. MS-13 is killing off children in the Old Dominion. New Jersey’s urban core has attracted rampant criminality for decades, and illegal immigration has only made it worse. Virginia’s Republican contender, Ed Gillespie, has improved his chances in the last month. His competition, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam, was running hard left with the national party. He voted against banning sanctuary cities at in the state legislator. He talked about taking down all the Confederate statues. He wants free college for everyone, and like most Democrats, he loves playing the race card.

Fortunately for the Commonwealth and the MAGA agenda, the illegal immigration issue has harnessed the power of the grassroots, at one time non-committal at best about proto-Establishment Gillespie. The Republican candidate’s strong pledges for public safety and economic prosperity have galvanized voters. What about New Jersey? The Republican contender has a pedigree of her own. Her biggest liability is former boss Chris Christie and his dismal approval ratings: worse than President Trump! Guadagno also turned off the Trump Administration, and don’t expect Steve Bannon to rush in last-minute to boost her chances.

Nevertheless, like Gillespie, Guadagno is surging in the polls. Why? Illegal immigration. The crime rates are terrible in New Jersey. Rival gangs and violent illegal aliens have committed heinous crimes in the last year alone. ICE just rounded up 36 criminal illegals in Middlesex County, and consistently the crime reports identify illegals time and again. Blind to the stark problems in the Garden State, Democratic candidate Phil Murphy has openly declared that if elected, he will turn New Jersey into a sanctuary state.

This horrific proposal has worked in Guadagno’s favor, allowing her to showcase her track record on public safety and law enforcement. A former federal prosecutor and county sheriff, she collaborated with ICE, diligently placing citizens’ safety ahead of political correctness. A staunch supporter of the Second Amendment (with an “A” rating from the NRA), Guadagno’s bonafides are helping close the polling deficit with her opponent.

On a national level. these two races stand out because they represent the national fight between Left and Right. Republicans are returning to their populist roots, focusing on the rule of law, and restoring the nation to the control of law-abiding citizens whose elected officials promote the general welfare of taxpayers. The Democratic Party has turned into progressives on steroids. Obsessed with identity politics and race, while pandering to the political connected 1%, they have disdained the needs of the working man while coddling welfare recipients and illegal aliens.

Virginia voters are likely to make the right choice November 7. Breitbart CEO Steve Bannon just endorsed Gillespie, all but assuring a stronger-than-expected conservative turnout. Democrat Ralph Northam has flip-flopped on the sanctuary city issue, alienating his Democratic base, discouraging volunteers, and earning the distrust of prospective voters. Virginia residents want their citizen sanctuary back, and Gillespie will deliver.

As for New Jersey, does Guadagno have a better chance than a poor Atlantic City casino? The biggest factor is the Trump voters, disaffected with the Lieutenant Governor and learning toward a third-party conservative. If they wake up and switch to Guadagno, she stands a better chance of winning. Anything can happen. Despite the dour options in New Jersey, a GOP win in Virginia will ensure a smooth expansion of the MAGA Agenda across the country and further dash prospect Democratic hopes across the country. It would be nice for another Republican win in blue-state New Jersey. If nothing else, a Guadagno victory will stop another sanctuary state and send a clear message to the flailing national Democratic opposition that such dangerous virtue-signaling that masquerades as law-making is a big loser politically.

The Gospel Brings Health, Wealth, and Prosperity to the World

Pastor Joseph Prince of Singapore (my pastor by proxy, if I may add), has noticed that with the preaching of the Gospel has followed immense health, wealth, and prosperity. Historians secular and sacred have noticed the strong correlation, too. With the preaching of the Good News, from the Roman Empire to the Reformation to the Charismatic rivals of the 1970's to the Present Day, our world has become richer and finer with the Word.

Indeed.

The message of the Gospel comforts all who are lost that in Christ they are found again. Despite the alienation of sin, set in motion by our forefather Adam, the Second Adam, we can be granted life and truth through His Son Jesus.

The Gospel takes us from death to life; from poverty to prosperity; from depression to celebration.

It is indeed Good News, especially to a sighing, crying, dying world.

Here is the Gospel made simple out of the mouth of the Apostle Paul:

38Be it known unto you therefore, men andbrethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Here are the guarantees that come with the Gospel, for those who believe on Jesus as Savior: here, now and forevermore!

"In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." (Proverbs 12:28)

And

"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalm 37:25)

Let us never forget the promises outlined to us in the New Covenant which God the Father has cut for us through His Son Jesus Christ!

"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:10-12)

Jesus did not die on the Cross only for us to avoid death and hell.

He wants us to reign in life: His Life!

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)" (Romans 5:17)

What about John's most important words to his friend Gaius?

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)

How do we prosper our souls?

3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 3-4)

The Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, brings health, wealth, and prosperity to the world, to all who believe on the name of Jesus!

States Going Right-To-Work in 2017

Big Labor took big blows to their power differentials in 2016.

Donald Trump has announced that he is pro-right to work.

Labor unions poured hundreds of millions into PACs and pro-Hillary Campaign coffers.

She begged and pleaded, got strident with her union hordes: "Why aren't I 50 points ahead?!"

The reform makes it easier to do business.

And making it easier to do business, makes it easier to employee and expand commerce.

Right-to-work is the right to work without losing your money.

Right-to-work means that an employee does not have to pay a bribe in order to get a job.

Right-to-work means freedom.

Right-to-work means that a corrupt, elitist union manager cannot take your money, then spend it on candidates which the member does not support, and which undermine the very reason why we have unions in the first place.

And it's looking like it will steam-roll through at least three more states in the next year.

1. Missouri

The bill was pre-filed yesterday!

'Right to work' among bills pre-filed on the first day Missouri legislators could act https://t.co/pkA2SqC0ZV

— The Building Trades (@BldgTrdsUnions) December 2, 2016

 It's not just a top priority in the Show-Me state, it's the first priority.

2. Kentucky

The Bluegrass state is red all over now. For the first time in decades, Republicans control every branch of government.

The new house speaker (Republican) has announced right-to-work as a legislative priority, too:

Hoover says he and his Republican colleagues will act swiftly to pass right-to-work and anti-abortion legislation.https://t.co/bflUiaYqDO

— WKYT (@WKYT) December 2, 2016

The media spin is lamentable ("anti-abortion" instead of pro-life), but they cannot stop the representatives of the Kentucky people from putting an end to forced unionism and coerced dues in their domain.

The South has become a full forced Republican sweep, and the Democrats have only themselves to thank, as they hugged their Left-wing without any thought for the common needs of everyday Americans.


In fact, county governments have expanded their own right-to-work provisions, picking up where the state government has not taken the lead.

Check this out:

Kentucky Right to Work Law -- Sixth Circuit Upholds Local Ordinances | National Review https://t.co/5IgUr1037v

— Mike Monahan (@MikeMonahan103) November 22, 2016

Local governments are advancing local freedom-to-work laws with or without higher approval.

This ruling only applies to states in the Sixth Circuit.

It would be nice to see similar rulings help out the Ninth Circuit for California, but those cases are slow in coming at this time.

3. New Hampshire

This reform may break out in New Hampshire. Imagine a right-to-work state right in the heart of liberal Democratic New England!

The legislation has already been filed!

I have officially filed LSR 216 which will make New Hampshire a right to work state.

— Rep Eric Schleien (@RepEricSchleien) November 23, 2016

Here's more relating to Right-to-work in "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire:

Publications - Research & Commentary: Right-to-Work Reform in New Hampshire | Heartland Institute https://t.co/4L9698sxtc

— Aparna Mathur (@aparnamath) November 22, 2016

Research and development in New Hampshire, not just political motivations, are pushing for Right-to-work!

Final Reflection


Big Labor is already shaking in their boots.

And they should be afraid.

Anti-American Legislative Executive Council is already getting some heat:

Right-to-Work Backers Plan Push for Laws in Three States https://t.co/ewRKci6hq6 #unions #Kentucky #Missouri #NewHampshire #ALECExposed pic.twitter.com/qmVhFKaVpH

— ALEC Exposed (@ALECexposed) November 20, 2016

But it's not working.

How much longer did Big Labor think they would get away with playing politics with other people's money?

For the past thirty years, a slow decline was inevitable, as corporations and even smaller franchises got tired of playing nice with aggressive labor union bullies. Private sector unions are on the wave as commercial enterprises invert or flee the country.

States which have rejected forced unionism and coerced dues are bouncing back faster in this economy.

The bluest states in the union remain forced unionism states, and they will be forced to pay hefty pension and benefit costs. These states are also overrun with corruption and interest groups pushing a regressive, left-wing agenda.

Right-to-work states are gaining jobs, growing their economies, and helping more families.