Sheila R. Vitale, Pastor, Teacher & Founder
LIVING EPISTLES MINISTRIES
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Subj: Re: Mark 7:11-13 Need help on that one
Date: 12/3/1998 8:23:36 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: xxxxxxxx
To: LivingEM
In a message dated 12/2/1998 6:59:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, LivingEM writes:
PASTOR SHEILA: a gift is not an obligation. You can give it, or not give it, with impunity. there are blessings associated with giving gifts out of a correct motive. there are no curses associated with choosing to not give a gift.
Hi S - Thanks for your answer to my need of interpretation of Mark 7:11-13. I do have a couple of questions.
1. I give over and above my tithe. One of the reasons I do this is that I asked the Lord what I should give, and I did not understand an answer. So, I knew I must give at least the tithe, and I just added the additional amount as an offering. Now, can this offering be considered a gift? It is above and beyond the tithe.
PASTOR SHEILA: No. Offerings over and above tithes are "free will offerings." free will offerings are a sacrifice given in submission to an authority. everything that I told you concerning tithes, applies to free will offerings. the giver does not expect anything in return, and there is no personal obligation on the part of the receiver.
a gift imparts obligation, conscious or unconscious. That is why the Scripture warns against giving or receiving gifts.
Rev 11:10
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (KJV)
Prov 6:35
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.(KJV)
Prov 15:27
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.(KJV)
Prov 19:6
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.(KJV)
Prov 29:4
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.(KJV)
Isa 1:23
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.(KJV)
Ezek 16:33
33 They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.(KJV)
Ezek 16:33
33 They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.(KJV)
Ezek 20:26
26 And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.(KJV)
Ezek 22:12
12 In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.(KJV)
Rev 11:10
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.(KJV)
Was I disobedient to give it when I had not heard from the Lord.
PASTOR SHEILA: no. [See definition of "almsdeeds" below]
2. Almsdeeds?
PASTOR SHEILA: almsdeeds are offerings given in response to the prompting of the Spirit of Christ. those who cannot hear the promptings of the Spirit of Christ should tithe. anyone who thinks the Spirit of Christ is telling them to give almsdeeds which is less than 10 percent, is deceived. People who give almsdeeds as opposed to tithes, usually give more than 10 percent.
Is that a gift?
PASTOR SHEILA: almsdeeds are not gifts. They are Spirit-generated offerings.
What do you mean by "depending on where you are spiritually"?
PASTOR SHEILA: if you cannot hear from the Spirit, you should tithe. Some say that tithing is under the Old Covenant. This is true, but to be under the New Covenant means to be controlled by the Spirit of Christ. Every area of our life that is not controlled by the Spirit of Christ, is under the Old Covenant.
3. What about when you are here and we buy your food, a cup of coffee - is that an obligation or a gift?
PASTOR SHEILA: this is an obligation, since you have invited me to your home, and especially since you have invited me to your home to teach you.
I realize this is asking for detailed information, but I really want to understand this obligation and gift issue We have discussed before that it is difficult to discuss money, but I think I am able to take the blunt truth of the this issue. If I am wrong in my thinking, I fully expect to be corrected. Thanks. love - x p.s. I asked Tuesday night if anyone understood that scripture and no one did.
Love XXX
Subj: Thanks
Date: 12/4/1998 8:12:06 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: xxxxxxxx
To: LivingEM
Hi S - Thanks for your help on the Mark 7 scripture. I didn't know all that!! Thanks. Concerning a "gift" is there ever a time accepting a gift is appropriate? love - x
PASTOR SHEILA: gifts are appropriate when there are absolutely no strings attached, that is, when there is no accompanying obligation to reciprocate at some future time. the problem with this definition of "Godly gift," is that more often than not, the obligation that accompanies the gift is very subtle, and sometimes invisible. also, the unstated reciprocation frequently takes a form other than the gift.
the easiest example that I can think of, is a date between a man and a woman. the man's motive for taking the woman out should be that he desires her company. if this is the case, it is acceptable for the woman to let the man pay for her dinner, and it is acceptable for her to reciprocate by giving him her company. but if the man is expecting more than the woman's company, she should not accept his gift.
nothing is for nothing. Every gift, with few exceptions, has a motive behind it. to take a gift without discerning whether or not something will be expected from you down the line, is to be naive.
the elder blesses the younger. The most selfless gifts are from parents to children. Another stringless gift is donations to charitable organizations. the giver does not expect anything in return other than an acknowledgment, and a Godly appreciation.
when one friend is always the giver, even if they are more financially able than the second friend, the relationship of gift giver and recipient is established. Such a relationship makes the giver the head of the recipient. This is not Godly because we should all walk in our own integrity. This means we should do what we can afford, and if we cannot afford it, we should not do it -- unless, of course, the Lord tells to us in a special circumstance to accept a gift which will enable us to do something that we could not otherwise afford. but, to the best to my knowledge, I would not expect the Lord to tell anyone to engage in an on-going relationship where one friend buys a second friend something that they cannot afford on a regular basis. the price for such submission is that the giver replaces the Lord in this area of the recipient's life, and the recipient becomes a spiritual woman in her relationship with the gift giver. if the recipient has a relationship with Christ Jesus this is spiritual adultery.
I hope I have helped you.
Love Pastor Sheila