GIVING TO GOD - Tithes and Offerings

 

The principle of tithing begins in the Old Testament and in essence continues in the New Testament. If we reduce the principle of tithing to its basic reason, this enables us to make statements about the present day in regard to giving to God.

Tithes were offerings to God as requirement and thank offering for his graciousness and bounty. The tithe was given into the hands of those who were to be supported by such. In the Old Testament this task of administrating the tithe was the responsibility of those officially designated to minister to God and serve his people.

Within the Old Testament Malachi 3:6-12 is most helpful in the matter of tithing and giving to God an offering and thanksgiving for his bounty, particularly in terms of harvest and income.

Malachi 3:6-7 states the case of the Lord’s dispute with his people. They are accused of turning aside from God's statutes so that these conditions for giving were disregarded. The people of God are exhorted to return to their God, that is, the Lord of hosts (v7). The following verse continues with a major cause preventing God from giving his blessing: the people were robbing God. They were robbing Him by withholding the tithes and the offerings. This resulted in the Lord withholding his blessings and allowing a curse (v9).

The terms and conditions of blessing and the means of removing the curse are spelt out in Malachi 3: 10: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it". If this is done there will unfold certain results as narrated in v 11-12. The fruit of the soil will not be devoured by the locust, and the vine will yield abundantly. The nations will call Israel blessed, and the land will be a source of delight. This is the message of the Lord 

All the above may be stated into simple comments:

1. If we withhold from God his due then he will withhold his blessing from us.
2. If we render to God what is rightfully his then he will be reward us accordingly. 

When the tithes were not given to the ministry tribe, therefore those ministering went without support the people were punished for it. The tithes God required as an offering were primarily an offering to Him although the proceeds met the needs of, one might say, the clergy of that day. This is a principle which basically has not been rescinded. 

In the case of the apostle Paul, he took great care not to impose himself financially on any congregation or body of people to whom he was ministering. Instead, he supported himself by working part-time, nevertheless, he encouraged giving by:

1. Assisting the poor and needy and to support famine relief.
2. To aid those who were working amongst such congregations for the Lord.

Today, our tithing is basically to the Lord as a thanks offering even if used to support a minister or other worker such as missionaries. It is at this point that tithing and giving of alms according to New Testament teaching should be examined. In this matter we will consider the teaching of Jesus.

Matthew 6:2-4

Here the Lord Jesus only speaks of alms giving, an offering to relieve the plight of the poor and needy; the widows and orphans were largely in mind. This giving in to the Treasury either of synagogue or temple was not to be ostentatious and a parading of piety, but rather done discreetly and without drawing attention to itself. Jesus says in secret so that Father who sees in secret, would himself reward the hidden deed done. In this matter Jesus describes it as not letting your left hand know what the right hand is doing. The point must be made that giving alms and relief to the poor was over and above tithes and entirely a separate matter.

Matthew 23:23

Jesus speaks of tithes in relation to the attitudes demonstrated by the scribes and Pharisees. These pious religious members are called by Jesus hypocrites, and this was strong terminology indeed.

The actual background of the Greek word rendered hypocrite is of interest and extremely relevant. It was used by the Greeks when referring to the actors playing their various roles in Greek drama. Therefore originally, hypocrite was used of the actor in relation to their dramatic performance. Although the dramatic performances were appreciated by the audience, all would be well aware that the roles the actor played were not real. It was play-acting and did not portray what the personality, character or integrity of the actor really was. Their role was a façade; it was fabricated and thereby unreal and false in relation to the person playing the role. Thus, the word hypocrite was thereby used to describe a person performing or carrying out a role that was false and untrue. The scribes and Pharisees were only play-acting to watching audience to receive their acclaim and approval and plaudits. They only performed their deeds for show and it was thereby false. They were scrupulous in their role-play, they carefully tithed their herbs as described by Jesus, in terms of mint, cumin and dill. However, this was minor in comparison with their gross neglect of the truly important matters of the law. Just as Jesus describes three herbs scrupulously, he also describes just as exactly denounces neglect of the three major areas of law and morality, that of justice, mercy and faith. The herbs are impersonal and do not affect anyone in a practical way of living, whereas justice, mercy and faith have to be worked out in living demonstration of true godliness. They were pious and concentrated on a few things of unimportance but were extremely impious in those things which mattered most.

It is obvious from the above that Jesus neither promotes tithing or denies it. For this point he is dealing specifically with the issue of the religious leaders and their conduct, not the strict matter of the legitimacy of tithing. At this point he is more interested in godly living and action than teaching on tithing. The weightier matters of the law of justice mercy and faith are matters applicable to every Christian. We are to be engaged in mercy to others, promoting true justice for all, particularly those who are oppressed, and exercising active faith in a practical way to those around us.

In the context of attitudes that are godly and right we turn to Matthew 5:23-24. Jesus is teaching what we normally call the Sermon on the Mount. Here he is speaking of attitudes, conduct and behaviour and possibly forgiveness, but beyond all doubt, good relationships, reconciliation and right living.

"Therefore, if when offering your gift at the altar you remember, that your brother has an issue against you, leave your gift at the altar and go in order to be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift". In this passage, Jesus is commenting on the giving of gifts to God on the altar but only gifts offered with a good attitude and clear conscience are acceptable. Gifts can only be offered if the conscience is clear in terms of relationships with your brother or neighbour. Good relationship is so important that the gift is secondary to it. The reason is that an unclear conscience pollutes the offering; the offering does not resolve the issue a broken relationship. It further means one cannot salve one’s conscience by giving a gift to God and his work. The gift is not acceptable as a conscience salve; you cannot buy God off or override the rules he has laid down. They are unchangeable. As one scholar puts it "conduct is more important than formal worship". Also, it is certain that Jesus does not disapprove our giving a gift upon the altar of sacrifice in worship; what he does disapprove of is the matter of giving a gift with a bad attitude or issue or dispute unresolved with another.

Some further teaching by Jesus on giving is found in Luke 6 (again in a sermon). It is important to note the context on the relevant verses on giving. In this we begin at verse 36, "Be merciful even as your Father is merciful". Jesus continues, "Judge not and you will not be judged; condemn not and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven". This sounds remarkably like the teaching that Jesus gave when he rebuked the scribes and Pharisees as being hypocrites; because they have forgotten and neglected the weightier matters of the law. Here in Luke, Jesus speaks of giving in verse 38.  "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

Since one must always examine the context of a passage when reading the Bible then we must do so here. Jesus is making a point forgiving a man yields consequences. Jesus commends his hearers to keep on giving and that this will have certain consequences. The consequence will be that others will respond accordingly. For when you give open heartedly in generosity, you will receive the same openhearted, generous giving. In the passage, Jesus speaks of good measure which is pressed down, then shaken together and running over. This is a very picturesque metaphor. It stems out of the fact that measuring our grain in such a way will ensure that full volume is given. In the Greek, the word translated “lap” is really your bosom. The Greek word for this is kolpon (English transliteration) and refers to the fold in the outer garment made as it hung over the girdle. It made a pocket. And it would seem that Jesus is making use of a proverbial saying, which appears in several forms amongst the rabbinic saying: when you give generously, this will be met with a very generous response.

Probably one of the most notable comments Jesus made about someone giving gifts is given in the Gospel of Mark 12:41-44. This beautiful moving incident is prefaced by verses 38-40. These verses note the observation of Jesus about the scribes and his teaching is not to copy them. His audience are told to beware of being like the scribes who are under great condemnation. Having said all he had to say at this point, he then sits opposite the Treasury to watch the many people putting money into the Treasury.

The rich are noted as putting large sums into the Treasury coffers. Whether this was done ostentatiously in a show-off manner we are not informed, but what they did was clearly seen and noted. In due course, a poor widow came. A woman who has lost her husband and so has no real means of support at all. She is poor and noticeably so. She puts in 2 copper coins. In the Authorised Version (also RV) there is noted in the margin as being called 2 mites, or lepta in the original, which make two farthings. In the days before decimalisation, two farthings made a half penny in terms of the then current money system. That meant there were 960 farthings to the pound. So, what this dear widow gave was an exceptionally small amount. (The RSV indicates that these two copper coins made one penny, and the translation here is incorrect.) However, it is what Jesus says that is important. Firstly, he called his disciples in order to speak to them. To know what Jesus says to them is not only important but actually remarkable. This is because he compares her gift with all the other gifts (including the rich people's offerings) and declares her gift to be exceptional. "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow is putting more than all those who are contributing to the Treasury. They contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put everything she had, her whole living." What a fantastic testimony by the Lord Jesus himself concerning an unnamed widow who was destitute! Her giving was sacrificial, and this paves the way for the final comments which close this section concerning gifts and giving. In one of the old Bible versions consulted on the Lucan text was a newspaper cutting, a cutting very likely well over 50 years old. I reproduce it in full for it exemplifies the truth that Jesus spoke of, and the attitudes required for performing good works.

"Outside shine is no Good"
"It’s the motive that counts every time;
It’s the WHY in our lives that shows whether our deeds
Are good as they look
or as would have folk suppose,
whether their source pure and spring from an impulse divine,
or whether it's shoddy and mean underneath,
with only an outward shine.
It's the reason which prompts us to give
that denotes how selfless we are,
for often an outward generous act
has in it the power to jar.
And although our deed in itself gives help that is needed,
there is something about the flower of an act
that betrays the blemished seed.
And so, when we tried to rise by the outward goodness we do,
or by the flowing speeches we make,
remember that God sees through the palaver of deceit,
and of humbug and empty pride.
It's only when we are good within
that God is satisfied."

There is a beautiful little story in Luke 8 that illustrates the fact that the one forgiven, also gives generously and wholeheartedly. The whole incident about which Luke writes is found in verse 36-50. Jesus in this chapter is found with Simon, a Pharisee, actually in his house eating a meal with him. While they were at table the meal was interrupted by the presence of a woman of the city, who was a sinner. She had come because she had learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house. However, she did not come empty-handed but had brought with her an alabaster flask filled with ointment. As Jesus was at table. She stood behind him weeping, her tears were so profuse that they fell on his feet wetting them. His feet she wiped in order to wipe away the tears. Her method of wiping the feet of Jesus was strange because she did so with her hair. Not only did she wipe his feet with her hair but she kissed his feet also. She did not stop there, but also anointed them with the precious ointment from an alabaster flask.

Simon the Pharisee who had invited Jesus to dinner and watched all this, speaking to himself thought "If this man were a prophet, he would have known what sort of woman this is, who is touching him, for she is a sinner." It is beyond reasonable doubt that Jesus knew what was being spoken in Simon's head and heart. And so, Jesus responds, "Simon I have something to say to you". The Pharisee responded "what is it, Teacher?" Jesus now relates a parable concerning a creditor who had two people owning him a debt. Neither of these debtors could pay but the creditor, in mercy forgave them both. Jesus now asks a question, "Which of these two debtors would love him the most?" Simon answers immediately, "The one, I suppose to whom he forgave the most? The response of Jesus is quick, "you have judged rightly." Jesus now turns to the woman while he speaks to Simon, "you see this woman? I came to your house, but you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wetted my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. Nor did you anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little". Then Jesus turning to the woman says is "your sins are for given", followed by “your faith has saved you, go in peace".

The ointment was exceedingly precious and expensive. Nevertheless, she poured it out as a thanks offering upon the feet of Jesus. Because she had been forgiven much she also loved much, and in appreciation she gave an extravagant thank you to Jesus for what he had done. Forgiveness and the appreciation of it should lead to openhearted giving in total generosity. The woman had been transformed within and this transformation had wrought goodness within her, therefore her gift was extravagant and very pleasing to God.

It is not surprising that the apostle Paul in his letters to the various churches makes reference to the way they gave money and gifts, especially to the relief of the poor. Therefore, the apostle Paul is worthy of our attention in relation to money matters. Since we have to be selective, the teaching of 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 is admirably suitable. In this chapter, Paul is writing to the saints at Corinth concerning the offering to be made to meet the need of their suffering fellow-Christians. Their gift is not to be an exaction out of sheer duty but a generous willing one (v 5). There is also a reminder concerning the attitude and grace in giving, plus the blessings in favour of God that it brings (verses 6-15).

In verse 6 Paul states a valid spiritual principle in the following words "the one who sews sparingly will also reap sparingly", and this is contrasted with his next statement. "The one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully". It is quite simple to make the deduction that giving little only yields a limited return. Paul is really saying that giving to God to meet the needs of his children/servants/disciples is an investment in the service of the King. However, in this matter of giving, and in its context is to relieve the saints for their suffering is in lack of food; and that in this matter one should be generous, not stingy. However, each giver (verse 7) must make up their own mind in this matter, not reluctantly or under any compulsion. Therefore, this giving must be deliberate and a free choice, as the one resolves in his heart; not grudgingly or reluctant, nor having it in his mind what others will think of him if he refuses to give. All these reluctant and unworthy thoughts rob charity of its loveliness and joy. In fact, God loves a cheerful giver. The Greek here is of interest, since the Greek word here rendered as "cheerful" actually means hilarity. Giving should be an extravagant joy and hilarious. Paul hastens to explain that God is able to reward generosity with abundance. He is able to provide beyond our expectations. At this point Paul quotes from the Old Testament, Psalm112:9. This reads as follows: "he has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever; his horn is exalted in honour". It needs to be noted that the word righteousness here goes way beyond its normal meaning. In this text it denotes "divine benevolence", or "the good will" and "the divine favour" of God. This is God giving back to his children generously his benefits and blessings.

God is able to multiply what you have given in terms of resources and increase the harvest of what has been so. This increase of benevolence towards us should increase our generosity. The final few verses underpin the task and joy of giving by a reminder, that all our blessings are the inexpressible gift of God, for our Salvation. In this matter we owe God a debt that we can never repay, and his gift was given willingly at the greatest cost of all.

The theme of sowing and reaping is also written about in Galatians 6:6-10. A reader might wonder why verse 6 has been included but it is relevant to the present discussion. "Let the one who taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches". The word share also means some fellowship with, but in the early church it was a euphemism meaning "let him make a financial contribution". This kind of phraseology is not meant to be an exhibition of Oriental courtesy, but goes far beyond. Christian giving is part of sharing fellowship. We may also note that such contributions to the needs of others are noted in 2 Corinthians 9 and also in a Romans 15:27, and the previous verse 26 where the Christians of Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to contribute towards the needs of the poor in Jerusalem. The subject of giving and providing of Galatians 6:6 paves way for the teaching of Paul in verses 7-10. Verse 7 informs us that no one, especially Christians should be deceived, for whatever a man sows that he also reaps. This is a fundamental principle of life. Paul continues this principle laid down with great precision as a logical argument. Therefore, the one who sows to his own flesh will undoubtedly from the flesh reap corruption. By contrast however, the converse is true; who ever sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap everlasting life. This is not only devastatingly logical it is inevitable and undeniable. In the light of verses 7-9, Paul now exhorts the readers to take notice in positive action and response.

"Let us not then a weary with well doing, because the juice season we shall really, if we do not lose heart (that is, grow faint in our endeavours). Therefore, as we are afforded opportunity, let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are the household of faith." The words "let us" means, all of us in this matter, there are no exceptions. Giving should be sacrificial.

It is beyond doubt that giving is at its best sacrificial. The most wonderful gift from God is eternal life that He bestows on the believer, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the true and only sacrifice pleasing to God.

This act of sacrificial love is clearly stated in John 3:16. "God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believed on him should not perish but have everlasting life". The purpose of this was not to condemn the world but rather that the world should be saved. However, as John tells us, men loved darkness and did not come to the light because their deeds were evil. In John 10:10, Jesus came as the Good Shepherd that we might have life and have it in all its abundance. The Bible is accurate when it says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) but that the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. The reason John wrote the gospel is found in 20:31, concerning the things Jesus said and did, "these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name".

God gave us his very best, his Son to be our Saviour. To atone for sin, Jesus paid the highest price possible, the cost of his own life. This he did that all men might have the opportunity of being forever with their heavenly Father in heaven. There was no other price good enough, none other adequate for this task, only the pure sinless life of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The commandment, to love the Lord our God with our entire being and our neighbour as ourselves means that all we are and all we have should be at his disposal to do his work and support his servants. The principle of giving in the New Testament is sacrificial. This is why the tithe as such is not mentioned. For one person, a tenth may be crippling, for another it may be totally inadequate. If then, giving to God of our substance is sacrificial then this is the standard giving, and the amount will vary from person to person. To insist on the basic tenth becomes a law and a rule. However, sacrificial giving becomes an act of love and a true thank offering. This becomes a heart thing of generosity, independent of how much we have in our pocket, or keeping to a rigid law of tithe. And this is something we have noted above, when considering the teaching of the Lord Jesus himself. Forgiveness produces generosity and demonstrates itself in generous thank offerings.

If we are diligent in this matter, then the promise of Malachi 3:10 remains true and God will truly bless us. If we shirk the issue and give grudgingly or with a mean spirit, then blessing may be withheld or even withdrawn. And in this matter healing and losing it may not be an irrelevant issue but a vital one in keeping God's blessing upon us and our loved ones. Giving to God is not a matter of mere duty or discipline but one of obedience, love and gratitude. And giving like this is always generous and sacrificial. God loves a cheerful giver and will rewards accordingly.

 

 

LITERATURE

 

Chris is the author of several booklets on Pastoral Care.

Sitting and Soaking 

Devotional to build faith and encourage Christian lifestyle. 

The Armoury of God in the Fight of Faith 

Paraphrased Ephesians chapter 6 from verse 10 onwards to demonstrate the necessity of God's armour in the fight against evil.   

The Sorrow of Loss 

A Study in Bereavement: its stages and pastoralia.

On Rejection 

A study on the effects of Rejection, and how to overcome it in the power of the Cross.

God is for Me 

Devotional to encourage perseverance and faith.

Setting the Prisoner Free 

This book has been written in a desire to help Christians discard the baggage which prevents them from walking freely in obedience and holiness with their heavenly Father. It is not so much a theological study as a handbook drawing on simple illustrations of everyday life.

Biblical Pastoral Care & Inner-healing Manual 

An in-depth manual/tool to read and go back to when required on many topics such as sin patterns, bondages, the occult, curses, freemasonry, satanism, etc. 

Building an Inner-Healing Prayer Ministry Team 

Although originally written to be read and used in conjunction with the Manual above, this booklet gives detailed information on ways to select, form and train a prayer ministry team to minister sensibly and sensitively to people who need prayer within the context of the local church.

Breaking the Invisible Chains 

How to break behaviour patterns that limit our freedom in Christ.

SITTING AND SOAKING

INTRODUCTION

There are a number of excellent reasons for sitting and soaking in the Presence and Love of God. Some are to do with preparing us for prayer and others for the way it affects us spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. These are itemised briefly as follows:

1.   Revelation of the love, power, wisdom and faith of God.  To sit in the presence of God and soak in His Presence is to become conscious of His Sovereign Being, and become aware of who He is and what He can do.

2.   Renewal of health in every area can be a reality as the power and health of God encloses us in love. This may not always happen but one cannot remain unaffected by being in the stream of God’s overwhelming love.

3.   Recognition of our sin and unworthiness may be alongside our realisation of His love and mercy towards us. The Spirit of God brings His own convicting presence for which there is no substitute.

4.   Realisation of whom and what we are gives us a healthy perception of ourselves as people of worth for whom Jesus died. We are sons and daughters of the living King. 

SCRIPTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

The Bible in several places exhorts us to love the Lord our God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength, reminding us also to love our neighbour as ourselves. (Luke 10:27; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5). We are to love God with the totality of our being and this includes our wills and emotions: nothing is exempt.

The big question is "Is it biblical to speak of sitting and soaking in the presence or love of Jesus?" There are a number of verses which tell us of those who sat before the Lord and in His presence. So this part at least is scriptural. To become aware of God and His presence filling and flowing out and through you is also evident from scripture. Paul tells us to be continually going on being filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), whilst the Lord Jesus informs us that the one who believes on Him will have living waters flow from him. (John 8:38) There is a passage however which underlines the need to sit and to soak in the Presence and Love of God and it is found in Ephesians 3:14-21. To wait upon God and to know His love that will enable us to pray and achieve more through the power of God at work within us beyond our imagination. Part of spending time with God is to allow Him to filter our thoughts so that we pray according to His will. This screening process is essential and cannot be rushed. The time scale of God is not the same as our own.

We all need to be touched by the invisible in the language of love

RESULTS, REACTIONS AND HELPFUL PROCEDURES

1.   Before you Sleep

Before you go to sleep ask the Lord to saturate you in His love during the hours of the night. Since the Lord has given us an imagination and He is able to do more than we imagine or think, we need to use it. Therefore, imagine yourself in a lovely warm bath languishing in its luxury with plenty of time to enjoy it without interruption and ask the Lord to bathe you in His love like the water. Why should not the Lord be able to do this out of His grace and love for us while we sleep the hours of the night right through?

2.   When you take a Five-Minute Break

Ask the Heavenly Father to come and refresh you with His invading love and fill you with His Spirit. This is perfectly scriptural and is a natural consequence of what Jesus expresses in Luke 11:9-13. Jesus exhorts us to ask, to seek and to knock, and finalises his comments with "How much more will you Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him".  The answer is of course always much more or exceedingly more.

3.   When you feel Stressed and under Pressure

This is an excellent time to take stock and ask the Lord’s helping hand to be with you. It is also an opportunity to request His Coming upon you with the love and wisdom He brings to those who wait upon Him, in order to renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

This brief list is only the beginning of what may be a new experience for some of you, but we all need to have a Personal Encounter with God. This will do more for us in a second what man cannot do in a million years.

SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUESTS

 Ask the Father to come and hold you as a child, gently but firmly in His love

So many adults were never loved by their earthly father in the way they needed. Some were ill treated or even abused. In adult life this often makes it difficult to appreciate the fatherhood of God because of the earthly role model of fatherhood that they experience. To be taken onto the lap of our Heavenly Father may therefore be one of the greatest healing experiences ever known. God is not only the God of justice but also of love and tender mercy. James 2:13 tells us that "Mercy triumphs over judgment".

There are at least four worthwhile consequences that often ensue from this process of soaking by sitting on the Father’s lap (even if one is asleep whilst doing so):

a)   There is the security of being held in a place of absolutely safety by the Father of the universe.

b)   There is the wonderful assurance of being loved forever.

c)    The unique sense of acceptance cannot be over estimated.

d)   The affirmation of self worth from the Father Himself in a world that is often beset by

e)   Criticism enables to have a proper love for ourselves and does our damaged self esteem a world of good.

f)    The sense of approval despite what we may think about ourselves. 

The Bible is very clear that we have not received a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of love, and power and a sound mind (2Timothy 1:7). To think negatively about ourselves does not indicate a very sound (healthy) mind. Since God is triune, we can also ask the Son, the Lord Jesus to come and rest us in His love. 

4.   Ask the Son of God to come as Healer, Friend and Saviour 

Here we can ask the Lord to heal us if we are suffering bodily. As we seek renewal of strength and body, why should we not name each of our body organs, limbs and other parts believing He is able to renew them. We shall give some scripture that testify to the Lord’s love and mercy in this particular aspect. As the Holy Spirit brings to us all the blessings and inheritance gained for us upon the Cross, we can also request those things to be brought us because of Jesus.

5.   Ask the Holy Spirit to come and Guide and Comfort us

Let us experience what Paul speaks of in Romans 5:8: and hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given to us. We should not be afraid of the Holy Spirit as many are. Some are fearful that He will make us do what we do not want to do. However, He comes as the Spirit of love, bringing the love of Jesus to us. Because He loves us the Spirit only desires the very best for us. God is good and good all the time.

6.   Request the Lord to grant Peace of Mind and Peace of Heart

As we lay our prayer requests and petitions before the Lord with a joyful attitude, then we may expect that peace which guards our heart and mind to be beyond our understanding. (Philippians 4:4-7)

7.   Reaching up into the grace of God seek to be filled in your Spirit with Faith and Love

 Just imagine these features of God’s Being enfolding you safely as you rest. No troubled dreams. No restless sleep. No disturbed nights. There is also something else one should have the boldness to ask, and that is for courage to exercise faith.

8.   Ask for Revelation

The Lord may speak to you through His Word, or your thoughts by pictures or impressions. Since most folk dream at night, whether they remember them or not, why not ask the Lord to speak to you in dreams. We all need guidance, encouragement, and aid in prayer. The revelation of God will build faith into us. Fix you aims high and ask the Lord whilst you sleep to soak you in His love for the hours of rest. It will change your outlook, your personality and character, your gifting and the way you perceive others. People are those for whom Christ died.

9.   Heed the words of Zephaniah 3:17

"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty

to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quieten you with His love, He will rejoice over you with loud singing."

To be soaking in the love of God is to be touched by the invisible with the language of love, in a personal encounter that ministers the love language that affirms us.

a)   Since God is love He speaks to us in the language of love, in words of affirmation "I have loved you with an everlasting love." We need to hear, know and feel these words in spirit and in truth.

b)   We all need time with God, so that God can spend time with us. For our redemption, Jesus spent some 30 years in preparation for 3 years ministry that culminated in the Cross of Calvary. Before time began God chose you, long before the foundation of the world. One day those who love the Lord Jesus as Saviour will spend eternity with Him, which is outside of time and longer than time. The Lord watches over you as you live in time and He is waiting for you to spend time with Him. Even now Jesus sits at the right hand of the majesty on high, interceding for you. God wants you to spend conscious time with Him so that you can be together with His approval. This is so you can share your thoughts, dreams, experiences, aspirations, setbacks in a close relationship, so that you are real with God.

c)   To be reminded of His loving acts of kindness. God has done so much for us that we should be eternally grateful. We have been saved and accepted. Jesus suffered the most severe penalty ever imposed on a human being on the Cross. Our appeal to be saved was heard and answered. Every prayer we have breathed or uttered has been heard and noted. He has lavished upon us deeds of loving kindness and tender mercy (Psalm 23). From our earliest of days God Has been watching out for us and caring for us in practical ways. Even when we have strayed and sinned and prevented ourselves from receiving the blessings God wanted to bestow upon us, He was still working on our behalf. Many of us need to know this and feel its truth, in order to set us free into the full liberation won for us upon the Cross.

d)   God has loved us and still does through His Giving and Gifts. In His love He would remind you of the gift of everlasting life that you have through His beloved Son. The life of God is your life and He has invested eternity into it. Each and every day He is working by His Spirit into your being those qualities of character called the fruit of the Spirit. They are learned and earned on a daily basis. All our food, housing, clothes, relationships are gifts from His heavenly hand. The greatest gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ His only Son.

e)   The Lord is able to love us through the Language of Touch. Touch is important to us all. To be touched for some is the best language of all and which affirms them the most. How does God touch us? In various ways, but particularly in His own special way. This of course includes ministering love to us through the loving touch of others. All these differing ways of having love ministered to us in a dimension that we need will have various effects upon us. At least three are worthy of mention at this point, and we list these as follows:

1)   Security: since we are made in the Image of God we were made to be loved and to be able to give love. There is an inflow and an outflow. Deprivation of one or both produces huge insecurities which we try to disguise by all sorts of tactics and facades, as defence mechanisms. Security in the love of God will build confidence in oneself.

2)   Self worth: without this how can one have confidence is oneself? No one feels confident when they suffer from a lack of worth because they have never been loved in the way that they needed.

3)   Significance: is a logical outflow from the items above. God knows that we need to be loved because we all want to be loved, accepted, affirmed and approved. Security, self worth, and significance are the counterparts of being loved, accepted, affirmed and approved.

POSSIBLE REACTIONS

To be able to sit, or lie down and soak in the amazing love of God may have possibly many differing reactions. God is God and we cannot state with certainty that He will always do the same thing the same way, time after time after time. God is the God of the infinite variety, and this must always be allowed for. This does not mean that He will frequently do something different on each occasion but that He sometimes does.

1.   Many have experienced the love of God as a warmth bathing them as it were in a warm comfortable bath, where one is able to soak away the aches, pains and cares of the world and come to a quiet inner peace. In this environment one may just wish to lie back and enjoy the tranquil calm of feeling this wonderful communion with the Lord of Glory. This warmth may well communicate and impart the deep sense of security and affirmation of being a chosen child of God and gain a humble yet true significance of oneself as being of worth.

2.   Some may feel that the hurts and rejections of life take on a new perspective because not one sorrow or grief was uncared for or went unnoticed by the King of Love. There is a healing balm in the love of God that deals with wounds present and past which we have suffered. God is a Healer, and can cover the abuse of the past. Often there comes a sense of the love in such a way that we are stirred by the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit to forgive those who perhaps have despitefully used us. Furthermore, to be able to love them!

3.   Since the love of God is pure and holy, and comes often like waves of light, then it is not surprising that sin and sinfulness is highlighted. None of us were chosen by God because we were worthy. " When the kindness and love of God our saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. …" (Titus 3:4/5a) Whether we cry or have deep conviction with soberness of mind, the prime concern of God is that we should hand over all our sinful ways and sin to Him in true repentance as we make confession to Him.

4.   Closely allied to the above is that of guilt and condemnation with the sense of failure. All of us have broken God’s laws and the Holy Spirit is sent to bring us into conviction with the purpose of leading us to repentance and restoration. The Accuser of the Brethren will use the feelings of condemnation, guilt and failure as a lever to destroy our relationship with the Lord. To the Christian Romans 8:1 is relevant. There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life has set me free for the law of sin and death. Guilt, condemnation and failure if allowed to stay in the spirit or mind of a person without bringing them under the power of the Cross will find them to be a destructive power unto death in all sorts of ways. Death to one’s self worth, loss of relationship with the Lord, the sense that life is one long hassle and a desire to be out of it all. The list is almost endless, but as one yields to the overwhelming love of Jesus as He brings His cleansing flow through these alien elements to the Kingdom of God, one finds a place of true peace and security.

These three companions of guilt, condemnation and failure, need to be surrendered to the Lord. If however certain other issues arise that need resolving then these also require surrendering to the Lord. By way of example, these may be things you have borrowed but have never returned. If the Lord convicts you that, that is theft, then you need to repent and if possible, make restitution. If you delay then unless you really harden your conscience, then these three aliens will never let you go. Another example, may be concerning those things you did but which you now regret. Some things said and done cannot be undone nor put right for one reason or another, but at least we can bring these to the Cross for cleansing and this is very important, leave them there. The deep love of God applies all that Jesus wrought for us upon the Cross, and brings cleansing, forgiveness and purification. 

Since love longs to heal, there may be, for a number of folks, when they begin to experience the deep love of God enveloping them like a cocoon, they find that all the hurts of the present and the past begin to surface. This may make such folk want to panic, but there is no need. God wants to do a healing work in you. Tears of pain and intense anguish may flow, some may even scream at the trauma seemingly caused, but these are God ordained means whereby release is attained. But as the tears flow down and out so the love of Jesus flows into the wounds and hurts of life bringing relief and renewal. We need to be able to cry; it is a most natural way of relieving pain and hurt. Jesus wept for His friend Lazarus and was not ashamed and neither should we.

Not every one will experience the emotions or reactions noted above. All of us differ in our responses, but the above are not uncommon. To use a personal example, sometimes when I looked at my beloved wife, the wonder of why she loved me would be beyond my comprehension. The beauty of it, and its wonder would want me to leave the room, find a quiet place and just cry because it hurts so much. She would have done anything for me, even to the giving of her life. There was a wonderful hurt in the sense of experiencing sacrificial love that was pure and genuine. This is only part of what happens to us when we experience that wonderful love of God which is so freely lavished upon us with sacrificial grace and mercy. Part of this is the realisation of its cost price and there is a loving hurt in this. God made us to be not only a thinking people but a feeling one also. 

We will never understand or comprehend the immensity of God’s love and truth or analyse it but we can appreciate it. Therefore, avoid some of the thought processes I used to pursue. My mind could give reasons why my wife loved me but I did not understand why. I could look in the mirror but I would not see anything spectacular. I would review my character and conclude that although on the whole I was fairly gentle, nevertheless I was decidedly awkward at times (these were usually critical times). I would inspect my achievements but realise that God gave the ability in the first place. 

LISTEN, you do not analyse why God loves you, accept the fact that he does and receive it with thankfulness. Then you share it and give it away. It is the sowing and reaping principle of the Bible (Galatians 6:7-10). 

Very often in life we have to make a deliberate choice to invest our life in the welfare of another, and this we may do for several reasons:

1.   We choose to do so (whether out of obligation, duty, love or a sense that we must; it does not matter, because choice is out of the will)

2.   We may do so because in that person we recognise him or her as a person of worth.

3.   Sometimes we do so because we believe that this is God’s will for us.

If this develops into a very deep relationship then this would demonstrate a principle often forgotten by Christians. The spiritual and the moral (including the act of the will) pave a way to the emotional and physical involvement. 

There is another factor about being bathed in the love of God that ought not to be forgotten. It is that of correcting negatives and unanswered questions. Many of these unanswered questions lie in the realm of tragedy because we cannot understand why it happened. Most of us who have been through such an experience have probably come to know that frequently we don’t receive an answer to our query. However, when in the presence of the loving security of the One who knows best, unanswered questions take on a new perspective. Also, many of the negatives which characterise us become corrected and reversed. This is especially the case where our mind is renewed by the power of God. 

According to Romans 12:2 we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we do not conforms to the standards of this world. Furthermore, we become aware of the truth of Romans 8:28, that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His will. He knows best and His way is best and He loves us the most.

Whatever our status or relationship with the Lord all of us need to be bathed in the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

It is Biblical for the Spirit to come upon us, flow through and fill us; and the Spirit is the Spirit of love who shows us the Son and thereby the Father. 

Before looking at some practical applications of all the above plus a few illustrations, and some helpful tips, we must first of all look at some theology. 

THE GLORY OF GOD

1.   The Bible records the dedication of the Temple built by Solomon in I Kings 8. Two verses are of particular interest, and these read as: " …when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord". The word glory is the relevant word here because its root meaning means weight or heaviness in the physical sense with gravity/importance in its spiritual aspects. Thus, it applies particularly to honour, respect and value. A lexicon of Hebrew reveals that there are about 200 references to this particular noun (the use of the root number far more). Applying this to the passage in question, when the cloud filled the Temple as a token of the presence of God (in the history of Israel notably during the Wilderness wandering’s the cloud signified God being with the Israelites), the priests were unable to stand. We are told they could not stand because of the cloud for the glory of God filled the temple. The weight of God’s glory brought them to the floor: they prostrated due to the respect and honour God had imposed upon them. As the cloud surrounded and covered them so they felt the weight of God’s glory and were not able to stand. Often when we ask the Spirit to come on someone they go down under the power of the Spirit (there may be other reasons for this but we are not considering them at present). There is a very real place where we all need to be in the presence of God’s glory and feel the weight of His value and Being on us, even to being prostrate before Him in love and worship. We cannot fail to be affected if we truly come under the covering of the glory of God. This is clear from the experience the prophet Isaiah had in the Temple (Isaiah 6:1-7) who underwent a process of conviction of unworthiness of sin. The glory and worth of God highlighted his own unworthiness by contrast. Notice that in this passage the house of God was filled with smoke. A spiritual parallel may be mentioned here, and that is if we long to be filled with God, we will be filled with the fragrance of God like a cloud of incense so that all will know that we have been with Jesus and He with us. The glory of God upon us has the power to cause us to bow down and experience His weight of glory and worth to be worshipped. 

2.    Moses is another interesting example of seeing and displaying the glory of God. Before considering this, it is worth noting Exodus 33:7-11. Moses would speak with God face to face as a friend. This also is our great privilege when knowing Jesus as Lord and Saviour. When Moses entered the Tent of meeting to speak with God the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the Tent entrance. At this point when the Israelite saw this occurring each person would rise and bow down at the entrance of their own tent. In the same chapter of Exodus v17-23, Moses requests that he be given permission to see the glory of God. In chapter 34 we are given an account of Moses encountering the Lord, again the cloud is present and we are told that the Lord descended in the cloud. Then follows dialogue and commandments. The end result is that when Moses returns from his meeting with the Lord (v29) he does not know that his face is radiant because he had been speaking with God. The radiant shining face spoke of the glory of God revealed in a human face. Because the people were afraid of Moses, he veiled his face, only taking it off when he went to commune with the Lord. Although it is beyond the scope of this present topic it is worth noting the John 1:14-18, where Jesus reveals the glory of God as the Father’s only Son, and that from His fullness we obtain grace upon grace upon grace. Law came through Moses but grace and truth through Jesus Christ with whom we may converse as a Friend. 

3.   The glory of God and me, is not an irrelevant issue. It of course follows on naturally from what has been said above. Turning to Psalm 8, we discover that the Lord of creation has set His glory over the heavens, but then the psalmist then focuses his attention to the place and position of mankind. " Yet you have made them a little lower than angels, and crowned them with glory and honour." (v5) Man made in the Image of God should reflect His glory, and if this is so, then how much more a Christian who has the Lord of Glory in their life?

SOME TRUE ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LIFE 

1. Quite a number of years ago now an elderly pastor used to hold healing prayer meetings in his home with his wife. As the pastor was highly respected many came from far and near to receive ministry. One who came was a young woman of some 30 years of age with a background of hurt and breakdown. Inwardly she was exhausted and could not cope any longer. She was gently ministered to and went down under the loving power of God. The folk present rested her on a couch and covered her so that she would be comfortable. She lay quietly there all through the prayer time and remained still whilst the meeting finished and those attending found hats and coats and went home. Instead of waking her they covered her with blankets, and the pastor and his wife retired to bed. Twelve hours after being prayed for she came to, but had experienced such a deep healing work of the Holy Spirit bringing her the love of Jesus, she was totally healed. Wounds, breakdown and everything else that had caused deep hurt in the earlier years. Those who wait and rest in the Lord renew their strength, and this must be beyond the mere physical. God is able to heal to the uttermost, and some might well say to the ‘guttermost’. 

2. Another dear lady with 2 young girls came under the wing of our fellowship one Bible Week. The home background was extremely difficult and the 2 girls were very disturbed and wet the bed every night. The husband also was difficult but a non-Christian, but this dear lady had found the Lord Jesus as Saviour and had come to the Bible Week for all sorts of reasons. During one evening towards the end of the week an altar call was given for those who needed to be filled and baptised with the Holy Spirit. About 50 people of varying ages were led away to a private counselling tent for individual ministry. As one of those assisting with ministry, I went to a lady that was sitting on a chair with her back to me, with her head bowed down and weeping, with her hands covering her face. I had no idea who she was, so I gently laid my hands on her head and began to pray as the Lord led. Eventually the weeping and the sobbing finished, then the head was lifted up and turned towards me, with face radiant and eyes shining with joy. It was the dear lady who had joined herself to our fellowship for the week with the 2 young children. The next day the change was still noticeable, and it continued. Some years afterwards I discovered that her husband had given his life to the Lord and the home life had changed. God cares for individuals and He cares deeply for children and families. 

3. When my first wife Jean was nursing very often the patients would request prayer, particularly when she worked in nursing homes relatives would make requests on behalf of their loved ones who were unable to ask for themselves. On one such occasion I was called to prayer for an old gentleman who was dying and extremely frightened by the prospect of death. A few of the nursing staff thought that his ramblings about father was a reversion to childhood, but Jean and I did not think this was correct. I prayed for the old man whilst holding his hand, and although he did not seem to be in this world nevertheless, I addressed him as if he were. As I asked the Father to come and be with this very old man, to touch him with love and peace, the ramblings ceased, the look of panic and fear on his face was smoothed away, his breathing that was erratic and breathless became quiet and regular and he became restful. Within the next day or so he died in peace. The love of God is perfect and perfect love casts out fear because it has torment (1 John 4:18) 

PRACTICALITIES AND APPLICATIONS

These are not in any specific order of priority:

1.   We can pray for any one of any age group, but we have to adopt our language and approach in what we do and say to be appropriate for the age, gender and condition of the person receiving ministry.

2.   Where possible, always work in pairs as this has safeguards. It is important to make the point that if one is a man that he should not counsel or minister to a woman on her own unless it is in a place where others are accessible and on call to assist.

3.   Husband and wife should be encouraged to seek the Lord together in being soaked and bathed in the love of Jesus. (Matthew 18:19-20) and also pray for their family if they have any.

4.   Individually we can come at any time and ask the Lord to release His love upon us and within us.

5.   In prayer meetings it is not improper to allow the leader of the group to ask the Lord to come and soak the members in the love of Jesus and experience the power of the Holy Spirit. This may be done in a variety of ways. On one occasion each person laid on the floor with a support for the head so as to be comfortable, were anointed with oil before asking the Lord to come. Quiet music and spiritual songs were played in the background, while the leaders went around and prayed over each person. This session lasted well over an hour present, and it was clearly visible on most people’s face that they were having a living encounter with the Lord Jesus, and that He was revealing Himself to them.

6.   During prayer ministry with another we may come to a point where we are not sure of the way ahead. This would be an ideal time to rest them in the Spirit and allow them to be soaked in the love of Jesus.

7.   Usage of objects to focus the attention in a tangible way. Some have used large banners held at each of the 4 quarters and have had them waved so as to create a canopy under which one can pass and a slight breeze which one can feel. Many folk have experienced the love of God when passing under the banner in this way.

8.   There are other items that may be used such as Holy Water, Anointing Oil and so on but comment on these will be left for another time. 

The important thing is that we take advantage of our inheritance to have a real encounter with God. Since God is love, it is therefore logical to ask to meet with the living and loving God who loves us in an experience that we can feel, and know and that He will bring us into healing, revelation, prayer and worship. 

9.   Suggestion for a HALF NIGHT OF PRAYER (8pm-12am). The schedule may run as follows:

I)            TIME OF REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION

·         Sins of the Past

·         Division and Separation

·         Surrounding community attitudes of pride, apathy and anger

II)          RECEIVE FORGIVENESS WITH THANKSGIVING

·         A time of quiet followed by quiet worship.

III)        SIT AND SOAK TIME

·         Sit in the presence of JESUS, THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FATHER and soak in HIS LOVE.

·         Dwell and think of His love for us

·         Relax and Receive

·         Retain any words and pictures, scriptures to share afterwards.  These to be used for prayer.  Often it is helpful to play soft soothing Christian music as an aid to relaxing and to begin to focus one’s mind on the love of God.

IV)         TIME OF THANKSGIVING, SHARING AND PRAISE

V)           ASKING THE LORD TO REMOVE OBSTACLES AND SEND THE BLESSINGS

·         Move in Power and Love

·         Meet needs and Heal in the way we need

·         Motivate us to be effective in our Home - District and Community etc

In a busy world to spend therapeutic time with FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT IS AN INVESTMENT IN RELATIONSHIP, HEALING AND REVELATION.  WE WILL BE MORE RAPIDLY CHANGED FROM ONE DEGREE OF GLORY TO ANOTHER IF WE RESPOND POSITIVELY TO GOD.

All the forgoing leads to a divine purpose and aim, and it is this with which we shall conclude this section of study.  This aim and purpose is twofold: change in our selves and prayer that demonstrates worship and obedience.

CHANGE IN US AS PEOPLE 

The purpose of change is so that we conform to the image of God’s dear Son, that we become like Him who has redeemed us from sin, and will cause us to rule and reign with Him on high.  The desire to be like Jesus is a wonderfully designed purpose in the heart of God as we sit and soak in His amazing love.  We will want to be like Jesus.  This heart’s desire will become an expressed prayer,  an expression of our whole being.

The cry of our heart will be “Change me to be like Jesus, let me speak His gracious words, demonstrate His liberating truth.  Let me do the deeds and works that He did and let me live His life.   Enable me to share His life with others and show His transforming love to all.  Let me be obedient to the will of the Heavenly Father and let His will be done in me.  I want my hands to be His hands and my feet to walk where He would walk.  I desire that His thoughts be my thoughts, and that my life should be one of prayer and praise in true worship, in spirit and in truth”.

Where will these changes be effective and seen and known?

·         In the home where we are known and trustfully loved the most by those around us.

·         In the place of work or where we shop, whilst walking down the street or the leisure places we frequent.

·         To our family and friends beyond into the wider community.

·         Perhaps in the nation and country we live in to the continents overseas. 

CHANGES IN US IN RELATION TO PRAYER AND WORSHIP 

There are many who subscribe to the view that true prayer is one of the highest forms of worship.  Certainly, prayer should flow out of worship and worship out of prayer.  If the Lord reveals His mind and will whilst we are bathing in His love, then this revelation should be made a matter of prayer, also of worship since the Lord has entrusted it to us.  Particularly if we do not know what to do with what has been revealed we should pray.  Wisdom and insight as to how we should handle what we know is essential.  It was not given to make us puffed up in any way or to make feel that we more spiritual than others or more important.  Pride comes before a fall and it behoves us to be humble with God’s information, especially if it is insight about other people. 

Sitting before God and soaking in His love prepares us for prayer of the most important kinds.  One relevant way of keeping us in tune with God’s methods of doing things is to read the Bible so that we always approach the “How to do it” of life in a scriptural manner.