Playdough Scripture Matt 5:42

I like today's Scripture… As We Live It by Alan Knox. But I think we can twist that verse a bit more to fit how Christians often do things today.

"Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. your church and some registered charities and they will try to be good stewards with your money."

Matt 5:42 (Playdough Version)

Alan's version was good too:

Give to the one who begs from you as long as you know he’s not going to misuse your gift, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you as long as you know that she can repay you. (Matthew 5:42 re-mix)

What do you think? How cautious should we be in giving to others? Is it best to leave it to the larger organizations to care for those in need?

Asset or Liability in the Kingdom

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. Earthly kingdoms are interested in wealth. The more money you have the more power and influence you have in this world. Money and possessions are real assets in our society. In many ways money rules. Those with money are king.

But when Jesus talks about money and His kingdom in Matthew 19 we see the opposite.

The stage is set in Matt 19:16-22 (HCSB)

"Just then someone came up and asked Him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?”
“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” He said to him. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” he asked Him. Jesus answered:
Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.
“I have kept all these,” the young man told Him. “What do I still lack?”
“If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Was Jesus pushing this rich young ruler on the issue of "loving your neighbor as yourself"? The young ruler claims to be following these commandments, but to what degree? Selling his possessions and giving them to the poor could be evidence of loving his neighbor as himself... but this was too much to ask of this rich young ruler.

Jesus goes on in Matt 19:23-30 (HCSB)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Then Peter responded to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You. So what will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

I'm with the disciples, I don't fully understand what Jesus is saying here.

But it seems Jesus is saying that money and possessions are not assets in His kingdom.

It seems that money and possessions are more like liabilities in the kingdom of God.

Those with the most are in a way those with the least.

Here are a few other related verses:

Matthew 5:3 (NIV)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 6:20 (NIV)

"Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."

Matthew 11:5 (NIV)

"The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor."

Luke 4:18 (NIV)

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

Luke 7:22 (NIV)

So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

James 2:5 (NIV)

"Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"

This logic seems upside-down to what we are used to. It doesn't make complete sense to me. I'd love you hear your thoughts.

Vacation and Beer Tithe

Should I be saving up 10% for a family vacation? Should I plan to buy a lot of beer and wine with it? Should I be tithing according to Old Testament tithing principles?

Deuteronomy 14:22 - 26 (HCSB)

“Each year you are to set aside a tenth of all the produce grown in your fields. You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, in the presence of Yahweh your God at the place where He chooses to have His name dwell, so that you will always learn to fear the LORD your God. But if the distance is too great for you to carry it, since the place where Yahweh your God chooses to put His name is too far away from you and since the LORD your God has blessed you, then exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place the LORD your God chooses. You may spend the money on anything you want: cattle, sheep, wine, beer, or anything you desire. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your family.

It seems this 10% tithe was to be spent primarily on a trip for the family. And you could spend it on anything you want, including wine and beer! I'm actually not much of a wine or beer drinker, but I love ice cream and chocolate - maybe I'd bring that to the celebration instead.

However, I'm not a farmer. This passage, like Leviticus 27:30, and 2 Chronicles 31:5-6 only speaks about agricultural produce. Not everyone was farmers. There were others who earned wages for their work as hired hands, fishermen, carpenters, millers, bakers, weavers, barbers, potters, fullers, locksmiths, jewelers, and more. For some reason it doesn't seem they were included in these instructions.

And I'm not sure where I'd go to find this place where "Yahweh your God chooses to put His name". I believe God lives in us (1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV).

And there isn't evidence gentiles (non-Jews) in the early church practiced tithing at all.

So even though a 10% vacation tithe sounds great to me. Or a 10% beer fund may sound great for others. I don't believe we are bound by this anymore.

Related Posts:

• Tithing in the OT
• Are gentiles to tithe - why is Acts 15:23-29 silent on tithing?
• My 95 Thesis - Point 13 - Temple Worship
• Temple Blueprint
• Paying the Temple Tax
• God loves a cheerful giver

God loves a cheerful giver

God loves a cheerful giver. But I've never really considered the original context of the Scripture this quote is lifted from. This is one of a few passages that speak of a taking up a "collection for the saints". Who was this money going to? How often? Why?

In 2 Cor 8:1 - 5 we learn that the believers in Macedonia had begged Paul and company to allow them to send a generous gift to the believers in Jerusalem. It is likely the believers in Jerusalem were in some economic downturn - it may have been a result of a famine around 40 A.D.

It seems Paul sends Titus to the Corinthians to give them the opportunity to care for the believers in Jerusalem the same way. (2 Cor 8:6)

Paul and Titus are helping coordinate the sharing of wealth and resources from some believers who had plenty, to others who were in a time of need.

There was no obligation attached. Nobody was required to give. But there was the recognition that God had bless them with love and life, and they should respond with love to others. (2 Cor 8:8-9)

2 Cor 8:13-14

"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,"

We should note the plan wasn't for a regular flow of cash in one direction.

2 Cor 9:6-7 (HCSB)

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

May we also follow the example set before us in this passage. When we see brothers and sisters in a time of need, may we be generous and care for their needs.

Related Posts:

• It is more blessed to give than to receive
• Let your alms sweat in your hands
• Kingdom Mercy Pay It Forward
• Caring For Others Is Essential
• The Wealthy Church
• Tithing in the OT
• Are gentiles to tithe - why is Acts 15:23-29 silent on tithing?
  

Paying the Temple Tax

When we think of tithing, most people think of the voluntary practice of giving to a local church. But where does this practice come from? Was it always voluntary? Like it or not, we have inherited many church traditions from our European church history. The tithe in European history has some similarity to a temple tax system in Jewish history.

In France

In France, the tithes—called "la dîme" -- were a land tax. Originally a voluntary tax, in 1585 the "dîme" became mandatory. In principle, unlike the taille, the "dîme" was levied on both noble and non-noble lands. The dîme was divided into a number of types, including the "grosses dîmes" (grains, wine, hay), "menues" or "vertes dîmes" (vegetables, poultry), "dîmes de charnage" (veal, lamb, pork). Although the term "dîme" comes from the Latin decima [pars] ("one tenth", with the same origin as that of the U.S. coin, the dime), the "dîme" rarely reached this percentage and (on the whole) it was closer to 1/13th of the agricultural production.

The "dîme" was originally meant to support the local parish, but by the 16th century many "dîmes" went directly to distant abbeys, monasteries, and bishops, leaving the local parish impoverished, and this contributed to general resentment. In the Middle Ages, some monasteries also offered the "dîme" in homage to local lords in exchange for their protection (see Feudalism) (these are called "dîmes inféodées"), but this practice was forbidden by the Lateran Council of 1179.

All religious taxes were constitutionally abolished in 1790, in the wake of the French revolution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe#France

In Ireland

Tithes were introduced after the Norman conquest of 1169-1172, and were specified in the papal bull Laudabiliter as a duty to: ...pay yearly from every house the pension of one penny to St Peter, and to keep and preserve the rights of the churches in that land whole and inviolate. However, collection outside the Norman area of control was sporadic.

From the English Reformation in the 16th century, most Irish people chose to remain Roman Catholic and had by now to pay tithes valued at about 10% of an area's agricultural produce, to maintain and fund the established state church, the Anglican Church of Ireland, to which only a small minority of the population converted. Irish Presbyterians and other minorities like the Quakers and Jews were in the same situation.

The collection of tithes was violently resisted in the period 1831-36, known as the Tithe War. Thereafter, tithes were reduced and added to rents with the passing of the Tithe Commutation Act in 1836. With the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1869, tithes were abolished.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe#Ireland

I won't copy and paste all of Wikipedia into this post. You can go there, or research elsewhere, but it looks like much of Europe had systems in place where everybody was basically taxed to fund their church institutions.

The Jews of Jesus' day had a similar tax system for their temples. I believe the response Jesus gives is interesting.

The Temple Tax - Matt 17:24 - 26 (HCSB)

When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the double-drachma tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your Teacher pay the double-drachma tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, “What do you think, Simon? Who do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes from? From their sons or from strangers?”
“From strangers,” he said.
“Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him. “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for Me and you.”

Jesus was questioning if it seems right that His heavenly Father would demand a tax on His children. Even earthly kings don't require their family members to pay them taxes.

But since this was a mandatory tax for a Jew of that day, Jesus complied.

Our governments require us to pay taxes, I recommend complying by paying your taxes to your governments. But the church and state are no longer joined to the extent that we are required to pay a tax to church institutions.

Do you think your Heavenly Father requires a temple tax of you?

Are you a child of God? Are you free?

Related Posts:

• Tithing in the OT
• Are gentiles to tithe - why is Acts 15:23-29 silent on tithing?
  
• It is more blessed to give than to receive
• Let your alms sweat in your hands
• Should pastors be paid a salary
• The Wealthy Church

Reverse Offering

What would Jesus do today?

Would he collect an offering, or give an offering to others?

Related Posts:

• It is more blessed to give than to receive
• Tithing in the OT
• The Wealthy Church
• Are Gentiles to Tithe?
• My 95 Thesis - Point 9 - Money

It is more blessed to give than to receive

Jeremy Myers (a former paid pastor) makes an interesting observation about the famous quote "It is more blessed to give than to receive". My intent with this isn't just to critique current practices, and contrast them to what is modeled in Scripture. My prayer is that I'll be responsive to God's leading where and when He wants me to give.

Part of Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian Elders Acts 20:33-35 (NIV)

I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Does the context say something about this quote?

Is this passage encouraging people to give to Christian leaders, Christian organizations, church staff, programs or building projects?

Or is this passage encouraging Christian leaders to give to others?

It is more blessed to give than to receive. I believe the quote is true. It makes sense that Jesus would say this to His disciples. He asked His followers to serve others sacrificially. Those leading by example (like Paul) are good examples for us all to follow.


Related Posts:

• Let your alms sweat in your hands
• Jesus on Leadership
• Tithing in the OT
• Are gentiles to tithe - why is Acts 15:23-29 silent on tithing?
  
• Should pastors be paid a salary
• The Wealthy Church
• Summary on Elders Overseers Shepherds - 9 post series

Tithing in the OT

When we talk about tithing in the modern church, what are we referring to?

There are no New Testament references to believers giving a tithe to the 'church' when they gathered. There are references to New Testament believers giving generously to those in need, but nothing sounding like tithe or tenth.

Old Testament passages are frequently used to encourage believers to give 10% of their income to the 'church'. So to understand what they are talking about let's look at tithing in the Old Testament.

What was collected?

Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)

“‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD."

Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (NIV)

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always.

2 Chronicles 31:5-6 (NIV)

As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the LORD their God, and they piled them in heaps.

We may think... well back then everyone was farmers. So a tenth of all income would be equivalent to a tenth of the agricultural produce.

However we know some people earned wages for their work as well. There would be hired hands, paid workers on the farms, and in the towns. We know they used shekels of silver as payment for services. For some reason fishermen, and carpenters seem to be excluded from theses lists. There were also "millers, bakers, weavers, barbers, potters, fullers, locksmiths, jewellers, etc." (Ancient Israel: its life and institutions By Roland De Vaux, page 77)

I don't know why, but it seems the tithing was not based on the income of all people. It was more of a collection of food.

How often?

Abraham tithed to Melchizedek in Genesis 14 - Once. I'm not sure why this passage sometimes gets used to support current tithing practices. If I gave 10% of last years income tax, a one time gift, that may be equivalent to what happened here.

But for the nation of Israel, from what I understand there were 3 different types of tithes:

It was actually more like 23% annually on average. There were three tithes in the Law of Moses. The first tithe was paid only by agrarian families three times yearly to the Priests in Jerusalem. The second tithe was saved by the agrarian families to support this annual trip. It was called the festival tithe. It was for a family vacation. The third tithe was given every three years to the local storehouse, so it amounted to about 3% annually. This was the poor tithe collected for those in need. This is the tithe that Malachi wrote about. None of these tithes were money. They were only food. Those who earned their livings by other occupations did not pay a tithe of anything. However, they did give offerings required by the Law some of which were in silver, gold, bronze and copper coins. Nowhere does the New Testament change this legal obligation of tithe food for some agrarian Israelites in the Law to money tithing for all Christians.
http://www.tithing.christian-things.com/howmuch.html

Deuteronomy 14:24-27 describes this family trip tithe:

But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice. And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 describes the Levite and poor tithe:

At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Who was it given to?

As we read above, some was used by the families themselves on a trip/festival.

Some was used to feed the Levites, the priests, and the poor.


In Summary

If you think the Old Testament tithing is still for us...

• Why would you think it is now for all believers and not just for farmers?
• Do you think 'church' staff today are the same as Priests and Levites?
  
• Do you tithe differently every 3 years?
  
• And please don't forget the poor.

Other related posts:

• Are gentiles to tithe - why is Acts 15:23-29 silent on tithing?
  
• Let your alms sweat in your hands
• Should pastors be paid a salary
• The Wealthy Church

External related links:

• http://rockonthis.blogspot.com/2010/08/tithe-something-not-taught-in-church.html
• http://www.tithing.christian-things.com/howmuch.html

Are Gentiles to Tithe?

The early church received it's first gentile converts. Some believers were not sure what to do with them. To be a follower of Christ would these new converts need to become Jews? Some of them were instructed to be circumcised... not the best marketing plan there. :)

So the apostles and elders in Jerusalem met to decide what Jewish customs these new converts would need to observe. Here is what they came up with:

Acts 15:23-29 (NIV)

With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

This would have been a great time to include instructions on observing other Jewish customs and laws... like tithing.

But tithing seems to have been omitted from the requirements of the early church... at least for 500 years or so.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe

My 95 Thesis - Point 9 - Money

Here's my 9th Point in My 95 Theses.

Money for poor is emphasized in New Testament.

Money for buildings, staff, and programming... not so much.

I don't want to come across sounding like I'm judging those on the receiving end of regular 'church' giving. But I'd encourage you to consider these questions.

Are we spending our money the way the early church did?

If not is it OK?

Are we giving enough to the poor?

If not is it OK?

Does Christ's Church need a budget?

If we view 'church' as a building, organization, corporation, or even as a event we may think a budget is necessary. However, if we view church as Christ's body... those who live by His Holy Spirit... every day of the week... the 'church budget' may not make as much sense.

I know we live in a different day and age than the early church. I'm still not sure what it should all look like today, but these are some questions I'm struggling through.

Related Posts:

• Let your alms sweat in your hands
• Should pastors be paid a salary
• The Wealthy Church
• I don't go to church
• Tithing in the OT
  

The Wealthy Church

The Roman Catholic Church is said to have billions of dollars in assets. It it hard to determine how much money that 'church' has. Some people suggest it is the wealthiest organization in the world.

A common critique of the church is how can we spend so much money on our buildings when there are so many people in need.

Did the protestant reformers change course on this issue? Every week people give to their 'church', and the bulk of the money goes towards staff and buildings. There are mega church buildings that compete with the extravagance of the older Catholic churches.

But if we look to the early church:

• Those who had wealth gave very generously
• Money was given to anyone who was in need.
• I can't find evidence of church budgets that supported programs, buildings and staff
  

Acts 4:34-35 (NIV)

There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Are we to give money to primarily support buildings, staff, and programs... or is the giving priorities of the New Testament church meant to be different? Are we following the book on this one? Is there room for further reform?

Related Posts:

• Let your alms sweat in your hands
  
• Should pastors be paid a salary

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Just a few thoughts on two passages in Mark where Jesus sends out the Twelve.

Mark 6:6-13 (NIV)

"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Jesus modeled the calling. In previous passages He went from town to town preaching and healing. The training the 12 got was more like an apprenticeship than a training with an academic focus like we are most familiar with. So after the disciples observed the calling that Jesus had, they were sent out with the same calling. Preaching that people should turn to God, and healing the sick as they went.

Mark 16:15-18 (NIV)

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Here is the passage we often consider when we think missions today.... or at least we consider part of this passage.

Is there a connection between the two passages? Has the message changed? Are we to preach a similar gospel that Jesus and His disciples preached? What about the emphasis on healing, should that still be part of our calling? What about money?

Or was this just the calling of the 12?

Related Posts:

• What is the Gospel? - lists verses related to gospel in 'the gospels'
  
• Gospel in other NT verses
• Gospel of kingdom in Romans
  
• Kingdom of God
• What Gospel does you neighbor need to hear?
  
• Why Did Jesus Come?

Should Pastors be paid a Salary

I recognize the divisive nature of this question. And I struggle with even asking it. But I want to highlight this question as it relates to my 7th point in my 95 Thesis series - the use of the Bible as a magic 8 ball. We don't look to the Bible to debate if workers at Christian radio stations, bookstores, or publishing companies should receive wages. So maybe we can discuss whether paying pastors a salary is good practice using other sources to guide the discussion?

What concerns me here is how people attempt to prove a position by finding a few verses yet overlook context and and skip other related passages.

Let's look at some verses used to support the position that pastors should be paid a salary. For example this link here uses two passages to support their 'yes' position to this question:
http://www.gotquestions.org/pastors-paid-salary.html

1 Timothy 5:17-18

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." (NIV)

I first note that Paul is talking about elders here. I'm not certain elder means pastor, and I haven't been in a 'church' where all elders where paid a salary.

Didache on paying prophets and apostles

I've read this a few times, and I don't understand it... I really don't know what to make of it.

2 Chapters from the Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles 50 - 120 A.D.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html

Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets. Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the ways of the Lord. Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets. But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge him.