Comments on: Reconsidering the Tithe.

By: IndependentConservative

IndependentConservative — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:14:55 +0000

Please tell me why someone claiming to stand on the Gospel of the Lord Jesus would use a name for themselves like "nastyman"? Why would someone claiming Christ want their every word in these comments to be tied to something other than good? (You can always change your name seen in future comments by changing your "nickname" in your profile settings.) I have no problem with anyone voluntarily giving whatever amount the Lord leads them to give. I know people that paid 10+ all the while they were able to work and now are broke and unable to care for themselves. Money and health in this life comes and goes as the Lord wills. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul didn't tell debt slaves they'd be free from that if they paid enough tithes. Each of us must do as the Lord leads and He will provide for us as He wills.

By: nastyman

nastyman — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:09:09 +0000

Thank you for clearing up the notion of the Levitical tithe. It is NOT mandatory. I must say, however, that VOLUNTARY tithing is a most joyous spiritual discipline that carries its own unique benefits. My wife and I are never forced to tithe anywhere. In fact, we have been home-churching for the past 18 years. So, to whom would we tithe? Ourselves?!? Naturally, no. We simply send our tithes and offerings where the Holy Spirit directs us. From time to time, the list of recipients changes, again, as directed by the Spirit of God. Ever since we began the voluntary Christian tithe, we have never had a year where we had to go into debt one penny for our businesses and family to function. We are now, and have been since 1997, totally debt free. My ultimate point? I ask you to consider not throwing out the baby with the bath water. Cheers & blessings, IC!

By: IndependentConservative

IndependentConservative — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:54:49 +0000

key2truth, regarding L. Ray Smith, with the link I provide to his web site I make it clear I don't agree with him some of his other papers. Personally I find L. Ray Smith to be a heretic promoting universalism if you read enough of his works. However, his paper on tithing I found to be a worthwhile read, which is why I keep the link there. Regarding baptism, I don't want to keep taking this thread off the topic of tithing. I'll just say here, that I don't find water baptism to be salvific and feel anyone who calls on the name of the Lord is saved, water or not. But before I go further on baptism, I only ask that anyone that wishes to discuss or even debate the topic with me first take the time to learn my point of view on the matter. See the post and fully review the teaching cited at: The Truth About Baptism. By the way, Jesus was having His deciples perform baptisms even before the announcement of the Great Commission. But let's discuss that there, after you review that teaching in that thread of discussion.

By: key2truth

key2truth — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:12:55 +0000

E. Bert, do you know anything about David Wilkerson of the Times Square church in NYC. He doesn’t sell messages on his website. Also, his recent message on August,17 2007 titled: when God comes down, seems to be against pulpit pimps and homosexuality.Here’s the link:http://media.tscnyc.org/wmv/20080817S1.asx.
God bless.

By: key2truth

key2truth — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:00:26 +0000

I mean his site

By: key2truth

key2truth — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:00:04 +0000

IC, I read L. Smith’s take on tithing and agree with his exposition on this issue. However, I find his writing on water baptism very misleading. For instance he stated that baptism is not a necessity for a “Born again” Child of God. He sited an example where Jesus told one of the thieves that were crucified along with him that he will be with Him (Christ) in paradise. L. Smith believed that since the thief wasn’t baptized before he went to paradise, baptism is not a necessity. However, I want to clarify that the “Great commission” was given by Christ after He arose not before or at His crucifixion. Christ Jesus says,”Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”( Matthew 29v19).
I must say that some of L. Smith’s writing will definitely confuse or mislead a new Christian who is not grounded or rooted in the word of God. So I suggest you highlight the areas in his wrings with errors since you’ve already given the link to his sight.
God bless.

By: key2truth

key2truth — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:08:43 +0000

Thanks a zillion God’s people. These findings now confirms the uneasiness I felt after attending the church. I did hear him saying that the church is modeled
after his more that 10 yrs experience in the banking business.
CEO! wow! This explains why he said “…my church” Insisting that he’s saying it with a deep sense of humility. My wife was concerned about the statement.
Indeed his church is simply a business.
Again, messages are for sale!
God bless you all.

By: IndependentConservative

IndependentConservative — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:35:59 +0000

With this guy A. R. Bernard, the more one reads about him, the more "but wait there's more" comes up, as to why he's one to avoid. Notice this rock solid proof he's NOT sharing the true and full message of the Lord Jesus Christ with Hebrew unbelievers. From one of his current bios:

... He was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Consulate General of Israel in New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish National Fund. ...

You don't get something like that by caring for the physical welfare of Hebrews AND their spiritual welfare, by proclaiming the message of Jesus in front of them without shame. You can't proclaim Acts 4:10-12 to them and get an award like that!

By: E.Bert

E.Bert — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:09:56 +0000

I just checked, and the bio has been updated. Here is what it used to say, and this versions tells you all that you need to know: (Italics mine )
From (www.arb.tv)
“Rev. A.R. Bernard is the founder and CEO of the Christian Cultural Center (CCC). Located in New York City, this faith-based organization currently has over 28,000 members and is situated on a welcoming 11-acre campus. Drawing on his beginnings in the financial industry, Bernard has built a familiar brand associated with positive, life-changing experiences and focused on customer service. Through his practical application of principles approach, and the successful leadership programs he has created, Bernard has become much in demand as a speaker by some of the leading “Fortune 500″ companies, universities, colleges and faith based organizations.”

Please Note the wording, beloved: ‘CEO’ (not Pastor)’faith based organization’, (Not Church) ‘he has built a familiar brand (NOT THE GOSPEL,and not by God’s power, by his)

By: IndependentConservative

IndependentConservative — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:23:20 +0000

Looks like this guy A. R. Bernard is peddling A.R. Bernard Partnerships. You can send him $30 a month on a monthly or annual lump payment of $360 and he'll send:

...monthly teachings that will change your life and experience spiritual growth like never before.

He's highly confident that HE has words that will do this. I'd rather just read my Bible. I don't have to pay a monthly fee for it and the words in it have changed my life and I've experienced spiritual growth at the Holy Spirit's leading, that lets me know to avoid peddlers, 2 Corinthians 2:17. And he's even got the TBN deal!

... Bernard, a strong voice in the multi-cultural community of New York was recently quoted in an article as saying, "My desire is to effect change within society by representing the biblical worldview and the biblical value system." He believes this is the only way to bring about cultural changes, as well as social and economic renewal within the community. ...

Notice, values, not spreading the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as the ONLY means of salvation, but values... He's even got his own Joel Osteen styled book, Happiness Is... Simple Steps to A Life of Joy So let me do my mental check list here openly, of signs a guy is into bad doctrine, that are typical of so many today: - Speaks of "Christian values" more than of Jesus and the gospel message: CHECK - Tithe enforcement: CHECK - Tosses his wife into the pulpit as a pastor: CHECK - Has lots of pictures of himself all over the place: CHECK - Rolling tight with TBN: CHECK - Just flat out peddling: CHECK OK, this guy is a pulpit pimp. Key2truth, brother I think you should avoid this man.