My husband wants to start tithing, and I believe that I am supposed to as well, as an act of obedience and gratitude and faith. However, there is a huge gap for me in this area between my faith and my desire to be obedient. We are going through a tough time financially and I have a hard time letting go of money that I don’t feel like we can spare. I want to WANT TO tithe, but I’m not there yet. I believe my husband when he says that he has seen blessings as a result of tithing, but I don’t want to tithe just to receive blessings. I know that God does not want my money if I’m not giving with the right heart. My husband believes that if I begin to tithe and see the blessings and provision of God, that my heart will then change. What do I do?

My question is, the Bible shows 2 instances of tithing prior to the giving of the law, Abraham, and Jacob. In both cases we find they tithed of their own accord, not as a directive from God. Abraham did not tithe of his own increase but from his spoils of war which he refused to accept any of for himself.

Under the law, God gave tithing to the tribe of Levi as their inheritance instead of land like the other tribes received. This was because the Levites were the priest and needed to be with all the tribes wherever they resided.

Jesus was the fulfillment of the law and became our High Priest and his blood torn down the veil that separated the average person from the Holy of Hollies. Through His blood, all believers have direct access to God.

There is no scripture that relinquished the obligation of the Jews to pay tithes other than those pertaining to Jesus and the new High Priest and the only mediator between God and man.

The only people that were obligated to the law were the Jews and gentile converts. So how do believers who were never under the law and do not have Levitical Priest acting in the priestly duties for them, but have Jesus as our High Priest who tells us we are all priest under him, which means our priesthood is not based on the Levitical priesthood, but rather that of Melchizedek, whose priesthood was appointed by God not through ancestry linage, how are we now obligated to follow the law that when were never given or required to follow it. And if we are supposed to tithe as the law states to the Jews, why don’t we have to follow the other 412 laws that were given to them?

Exodus chapter 33, verse 11, sentence 1, is an example of the kind of communication with God I would like. I feel like not only would this type of encounter clear up any and all questions that one would have, it would also allow one to get to know GOD in a way that only a face to face, friend to friend encounter could. Is this possible in these days and times? I appreciate and look forward to your insights on this matter. Thanks again.

I know we are supposed to pray for our enemies, but I run into trouble on what to pray about? Can you give me a sample prayer for the way you would do it? I’m thinking of people who are enemies of our Country foreign and domestic.

When we give to God we’re supposed to give without expecting anything but out of gratitude. But when I read 2 Cor. 9: 6 where it says “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” it appears as if it encourages giving with expectations of returns from God because a sower expects harvest when sowing. What is your thought on this?

I am saved and attend a great church, but lately I have been battling with fear. I search in the word of God for verses on fear and I read that we should not be afraid but somehow I continue to do so. I have tried to not fear some things and I find myself in the same place. I know the word of God, I know that he is faithful. So why am I afraid, why is the fear still there? I’m tired of fearing these things, I want to let them go.

What is it that I’m doing wrong. Please, it drives me crazy when I know that God is forever merciful and loving. Why? I don’t understand why I feel this way. I have made him my savior and I’m his child. I’m tired. I want to let go. I have prayed about it. I really have. I have cried myself to sleep sometimes because I don’t want to be afraid. If God offers peace what is wrong with me? Help me please.

What does Jesus mean in Revelation 2:5 when he warns the church in Ephesus he might remove their lamp stand from its place among the churches?

In regards to generosity and giving, in Luke 6 30-35, does Jesus really teach we should give to every panhandler that comes our way; in regards to lending does it mean that Christians cannot be in the banking business? This seems to be the literal interpretation, but what other way is there to look at this?

I was studying II Timothy 2 for encouragement, and got a little hung up on verses 20-21. I think Paul is saying that we can expect to find non-believers dwelling in our churches and attending our congregational meetings. Verse 21 says, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”  Is Paul advising us to have absolutely nothing to do (purge himself) with non-believers? Or is this more of a warning to avoid their influence? Can you clarify the intended meaning?

My question is on two verses about Forgiveness. Luke 6:37 “Judge not and you shall not be judged. Condemn not and you shall not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” And Mathew 6:12 says “And Forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors”. Does this mean God is dependent on our forgiveness to forgive us? Or when you don’t forgive and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and wash your sins away you will not be forgiven? Or which sin(s) that I commit will not be forgiven by God when I don’t forgive others. Please help me here.