NRBC Blog

I have been asked about the proposed amendment concerning church incorporation. This amendment is on the ballot to bring our state constitution into line with the court’s decision that it is unconstitutional to exclude incorporation to churches.

If you are in favor of amending the constitution to allow churches to incorporate, you will need to vote "Yes." Why not… since the court has already ruled that’s the way it will be!

For more information, paste the following in your search engine and click "go":

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/2006_Constitutional_Amendments/
2006ques_church_APPROVED.pdf#search='
church%20incorporation%20amendment%20Virginia'

I have been reading some of the pros and cons of the proposed Virginia “Marriage Amendment.” In case you are wondering, this is the proposal that will be on the ballot next week:

ARTICLE I: BILL OF RIGHTS: Section 15-A. Marriage.

That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.

How should Believers who want to be true to God’s design for the home respond to this amendment? Well, speaking for myself, I intend to vote “yes.” The Gay community has a revealed agenda to make homosexual activity and specifically same-sex marriage not only legal but acceptable. Although there are some theological issues that may be open to interpretation, I cannot see any question in what God intends for the home. It was in the beginning and is now “one man… one woman… together for life.” Anything else is not biblical and is, therefore, wrong!

I hear some saying that the wording of the Amendment will create questions regarding the legality of other relationships than same-sex marriage. I don’t see it, but then I am neither an attorney nor a politician. The fact remains, however, that Virginians must speak out on this issue or we will surely be swept into the black hole of the Gay agenda.

Unfortunately, political battles do have a way of becoming confusing. It can almost drive you crazy, listening to the different points of view. You listen to one side and think it makes perfect sense, and then you listen to the opposite side and it seems to make sense too. Who’s right? Well, in the case of the Marriage Amendment, I will have to take my cue from the basic statement: “That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.”

That’s enough for me. You’ve got my vote!

Before the flood, God said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” (Genesis 6:3)

Our God loves, and He is gracious. As He looked at mankind and found “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” He still delayed His judgment and called out Noah and his family to carry on the human lineage. His plans will not be deterred, and His will cannot be frustrated. Yet, along the way, many have paid the price for disobedience. One family out of a global population of who knows how many is a sad testimony to the truth that “whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” God is not slack concerning His promise, but neither is He negligent concerning His holiness. Sin will not be ignored.

This morning as I was reading Jeremiah, I saw again how God holds nations accountable. In line after line, the prophet speaks for the one true God as he announces coming judgment. Immorality, injustice, insensitivity, and idolatry cannot long be tolerated and go unpunished. King after king condoned it, and the people had become accustomed to it, but God was not ignoring it. Judgment was on the way!

And, has God changed? If He would not tolerated child sacrifice in Israel, will He now turn His head from abortion in America? If He blasted the people for offering sacrifices at His temple while at the same time worshiping at pagan altars at the high places, will He now overlook a nation who’s motto is “in God we trust” but which thrives upon materialism and hedonism while tolerating humanism, sodomy, and every other kind of fornication? I dare say that He will not long put up with it!

As our nation nears another major election, many are talking about the administration’s agenda in Iraq. They point out the loss of life and the seeming lack of an exit strategy. They focus on Iran, North Korea, and the mounting terrorism that is coming out of the Middle East. They are calling for a change, and that change may well come; but, if it does, it will not be the change we need. From God’s perspective, nations do not collapse from forces without. They disintegrate from conditions within. Our motto is true, for God has always been the hope and strength of America. But, when the motto has become a reflection of the past rather than a conviction in the present, the end is near. “The Judge is standing at the door,” James wrote. (James 5:9b)

There was once a “Moral Majority” in America. Is it still out there? If it is, “let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”

The debate continues. Is tithing a Jewish legal requirement or does it apply to Christians who are not under law but under grace? Although I always want to be biblical, I fear that the arguments against tithing tend to come more from materialistic inclinations rather than a desire for doctrinal soundness. Still, the issue remains in most churches, and it does no good to ignore it.

Is the “requirement” for church members to tithe “legalistic?” Not any less so than to insist that we be Kosher, meet on Friday night or Saturday rather than Sunday morning, or to observe Jewish holy days and require circumcision as a covenant sign! It was a part of the Hebrew law, and Paul insists that we “are not under the law but under grace.” (Rom 6:14-15)

Some will point out that Jesus told the Scribes and Pharisees that they should tithe. (Matthew 23:23) That is correct, but they were Jews! They were required by law to tithe. Jesus, however, said more. He told them that they should also have observed “law, judgment, mercy, and faith.” Those, he said, were “weightier matters!”

Is tithing good for the church? Of course, because it is fair, equitable, and, when all the members do it, it is always enough! I cannot envision a time when it will not require financial underwriting to carry out the church’s mandate. Money is a part of life, even in the life of the church. For the better part of 2000 years now, it has been tithes and offerings that have provided the supply, not bake sales, bazaars, or cookbooks! From Cyprian (200-258 A.D.) to Augustine (354-430) and from Calvin (1509-1564) to Spurgeon (1834-1892), tithing was considered an accepted and expected practice in the church. The Lord’s work through His church must be underwritten, and the members are expected to supply it.

But, are we “legally” bound to tithe? Well, perhaps the answer to that question lies in the fact that tithing did not begin with the law. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek (Gen 14:20), and Jacob promised to return his tithe to God. (Gen 28:22) Their decisions appear to have been spontaneous and natural. In fact, I assume that they were not the first to tithe but that they had learned the practice from someone else!

Yes, tithing was a legal requirement placed upon all Jews, but in historical practice, it seems to have always been an expression of deep respect and gratitude to one’s benefactor. When you come to Malachi, it is also a matter of trust, believing that when God’s people provide the “supply,” He provides the “blessing.” That is not a matter of law, but of faith!

Our God has not changed. He still blesses and wants to bless. His promises were not just to the Jews in the Old Testament. They are to us. When we are faithful to underwrite the work of the church in the world, He reciprocates with “such blessings” that not only are our needs met, but we have enough left over to help others. The result in a vital testimony to the lost world that our God is real, and that He wants to be real to them. It’s just the way God operates… in the Old Testament as well as the New!

I would ask: Is the proper question, “Am I legally bound to tithe?” Or, should the question be, “Am I grateful enough to the God Who has saved me, uses me, and has made heaven my home to begin underwriting His work on earth with my tithes but then, out of love, to give much more!”

When that happens, there will never again be a stewardship campaign in the church!