Giving and Tithing – Part 2/4

All right. And we’re gonna move forward to our study portion for today’s broadcast as we examine the topic of “Giving and Tithing” – part 2. We’re going to look at some examples in Yahweh’s Word of otherwise righteous people actually being judged, and or warned about their actions and the things that they are doing.

And in part 1 we talked about the importance of giving, and how it is supposed to be a regular part and normal part of being a believer in Yahushua. That we are not here to live, make money and die. We are here to leave this world a better place than we found it. And that’s by giving, giving of our time, giving of our finances, giving of our heart, and sharing our hearts, the things that Yahweh has instructed us and taught us. And that’s why we’re here.

The American Dream is not Yahweh’s vision for us. Yahweh’s vision for us is to be the way Yahushua lived His life, which was He did not come to be served and to walk around in luxury, He was here to give His life as a ransom for many. And it’s no longer we that live, it’s Yahushua that lives in us, and the life which we now live we live by faith in the Son of Elohim who loved us and gave Himself for us.

So, if you only saw, if you’re only watching part 2 you are missing a major, major, eye-opening, earth-shattering, vision altering, life altering, potentially message depending on which side of this you’ve been on your whole life, or where you are right now. And please do not miss that message, part 1.

And so, anyway we’re going to put actually part 1 and part 2 on the website today. I’m gonna hopefully by the end of today get part 1 and part 2 up on the website, it is that important. And also the coronavirus, so.

I’ve had more time lately, we’ve picked up two full time volunteers there at True Brew, so I was able to really, you know, put some studies together. So anyway, I’m praising Yahweh for the volunteers. And by the way, the Smith family, a wonderful family, I praise Yahweh for them.

Anyway, “tithing and giving and tithing” is our study topic, I like to say, “radical giving and tithing.” We’re going to look here at what Yahweh is saying. Some examples of otherwise righteous people actually being warned of judgment because they’re not walking out these principles on giving and caring for the poor and the needy. We’re gonna look at this, okay?

And the first example were going to look at is Isaiah chapter 58 where Yahweh says – “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell my people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. – They are guilty, they’re guilty of having committed sin. What was their sin? Well, among them certainly, we’re gonna see, it says well they seek me daily –
² Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their Mighty One. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching Elohim. – Sounds like us so far, but it was not it was not good enough. What they were doing was not enough. It was not enough to seek Yahweh daily and delight to know His ways, and be like this people that, you know, seemed like they loved righteousness. It was not enough.

What was their problem? Well let’s look at this. First of all, Israel in Isaiah’s time, this is their issues— they sought Him daily; they delighted to know His ways; they were “as a nation that did righteousness”; They were “as a nation that did not forsake the ordinances of justice”; and they asked of Yahweh the ordinances of justice, they wanted to know; and they took delight in approaching Elohim. But there was a problem—they were not righteous at all! Right? He said, “Tell them what their sins are, tell them their transgressions.” They were not righteous.

Why were they not righteous? They were not righteous because they were not attending to the poor and the needy. This is (Isaiah 58:3-4) – ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. – Taking advantage of the poor in this case, right? Taking advantage of the poor. In fact He says –
⁴ Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.
⁵ Is it a fast I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to Yahweh? – Sounds like they’re keeping Yom Kippur which supposed to be a good thing I thought, but –
⁶ “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? – So they were seemingly wanting to do right, but they were not. And then He says –
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of Yahweh shall be your rear guard.

But Amalek, he liked to attack Israel in the back where the weak and the strugglers were, right? So if you want Yahweh to protect the weak, in this case for instance the corona virus is attacking the weak, then you got to think about people who are disadvantaged, sharing your bread with the hungry, think about people who are oppressed and are under yokes, seek to loosen them, care about them, and in short—walk in love, right? And that’s really what it boils down to, walk in love. And they weren’t walking in love, they were not giving, they were not sharing, and they were content to keep what they have for themselves. And in fact the rich taking advantage of the poor by exploiting laborers. And so they were not righteous—all their seeking meant nothing to Yahweh because they were not righteous.

Ask ordinances of justice all you want, if you are not caring for the poor then you are not keeping Torah. You’re not! Because the Torah specifically says the word take care of me, says (Isaiah 58:9-11) – ⁹ Then you will call upon Yahweh, and I will answer; You shall cry, And He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The of pointing the finger, and speaking wickedness, – and I see a whole lot of finger pointing going on nowadays, okay? –
¹⁰ If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
¹¹ Yahweh will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

So, they were not extending their soul to the hungry. And that was why He was not happy with them. There were other things, but that was one of the things He was very displeased about. Yahweh says in the Torah they are to share. He says – “If there is a poor man of your brethren, – Deuteronomy 15 verse 7 – within any of your gates in your land which Yahweh your Mighty One is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,
⁸ “but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” – It’s not an option, it’s a command.

‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, – Leviticus 25:35 – and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him – that’s not an option, it’s a command – like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. – You even bring him into your house, shared this last week –
³⁶ ‘Take no usury nor interest from him; but fear your Mighty One, that your brother may live with you.
³⁷ ‘You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit. – It’s not a time you’re making money of the poor, you care about that man, you help him.

So even though they seemed righteous they were not righteous. They were not righteous at all, and that’s one of several examples. Another one would be in Isaiah chapter 1. He says –
¹⁴ Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. – So they were observing the New Moon‘s, they were observing the appointed feasts, He couldn’t stand it. –
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
¹⁶ Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,
¹⁷ Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

The fatherless and the widow were at disadvantage—did not have a man providing for them and protecting them. They were vulnerable, they were weak, and they can be easily take advantage of because they lack the provision and protection of a father and husband. And so, they were not being taken care of. When people were oppressing them they were not addressing the oppression that was going on.

And so, every commandment given in the Torah, in Yahweh’s Law, all has to do with love; every single one of them has to do with love. And giving is a central characteristic of someone who is loving. Giving and loving are the same, giving is loving, loving is giving. Whether it’s giving our time, giving our attention, giving our resources, giving our life to the betterment of another person, it’s what love is supposed to be all about. And if we’re not doing that we’re failing to love our fellow man. If you’re only loving those that love you, you’ve missed it. Yahushua loved us when we didn’t love Him!

Don’t just focus on your own families, look around you as a family, and be a serving family. If we’re failing to love the people around us and the needs that they have, and failing to care about those needs and we’re just kind of indifferent to those needs, we’re failing to love Yahushua Himself. It’s true.

Yahushua said in Matthew 25:31 He says – “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
³² “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
³³ “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
³⁵ ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
³⁶ ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ – Who was? Yahushua was! He said, “I was, I was.” I’m here to tell you Yahushua is hungry and thirsty. He’s in prison, He’s sick, He needs a visitor. –
³⁷ ”Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Master, when did we see you hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
³⁸ ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
³⁹ ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
⁴⁰ “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. –

So, when we care for another person we are caring for Yahushua. Especially the brothers out there. And there are people who maybe are not believers today, but if you was to love them the way Yahushua did they would become believers. You don’t know if that person the unbeliever you’re feeding might actually be Yahushua’s. Because once they see the love of Yahushua they’re gonna respond to it. But they’ve never seen it.

(Matthew 25:41-46) – ^“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
⁴² ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
⁴³ ‘I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ – Are we gonna care about Yahushua or not? –
⁴⁴ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Master, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick in prison, and did not minister to You?’
⁴⁵ “Then He will answer them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
⁴⁶ “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

It is a salvational issue brothers and sisters. We are all called to walk in love. This is not a thing where “We didn’t know when the Sabbath was,” okay? This is not a thing where “O, I pronounced the name wrong,“ this is not a thing where “I didn’t know I was supposed to keep that command over there.” We all know what Yahushua said.

So if we are not caring for the needs of the people around us, we are not going to make it into His everlasting arms. We’re gonna find ourselves where the devil and the false prophet are and all the angels that are with him. Simple as that. I mean, I don’t care how many Sabbaths you kept, how long you’ve been eating clean, how long you’ve been wearing your tassels; those tassels should be reminders to care about people around you, not just yourself.

And one of the things that stands out to me in these words, is the goats were not really out there raping, robbing, murdering, they were just indifferent. Just indifferent, not caring enough to notice that there are people in prison. But there are people who have needs, there are plenty of prisons in America, there’s plenty of sick people in hospitals in America, you can’t say you didn’t know about that. And yes, there are people in America who are not getting food to eat, especially children, and talk more about that later, okay?

It says in 1 John 3:17-18 – But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of Elohim abide in him? – It’s not even possible. –
¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. –

James 2:14-16 – What does it profit, my brethren if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and be filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? –

You know, sometimes, don’t get me wrong, okay, but sometimes “I will pray for you” is a needy person’s worst enemy. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for prayer. The sad thing though is, “I will pray for you” becomes a substitute for actually helping the person in a tangible way. It’s the great excuse.And it can be a way of justifying not really taking the time to help the person. And when the conscious would bother you for not helping them, then in your heart you’re saying, “Well, at least I told him I pray for him, I mean what could be better than that.” What’s better than that is he doesn’t really need prayer because you’re the one actually providing the person’s need, isn’t he you want to pray for him because you’re the one there for him, right? You answered the prayer already.

What’s better is that you become the answer to somebody else’s prayers by putting shoe leather on your faith and not letting your faith be dead works. If you have no working faith you have no faith at all. And you notice that James is writing to believers and sadly sometimes the non-praying man, the atheist will be the one actually helps the guy out because he doesn’t have this “out”, you know, where I go just pray for him. And he’ll actually do something to help. And then the believer you know, “O, I’ll pray for you” and he thinks he’s done what he’s supposed to do.

Don’t get me wrong, we should pray, but be warmed and be filled means nothing unless you give that which is needed, okay? And so we have to care about the needs of the people around us. Doing so is to care for Yahushua. I can tell you there are a lot of children in need right now, who are not getting food. I want to talk about that later, but it’s true.

Now, I already know what some of you were thinking, you have been thinking about this the entire time I’ve been giving this message: What about freeloaders? Okay, we’re going to talk about freeloaders. I already know, there are people out there that are just plain lazy and would take advantage. I mean, yeah, they will.

And I understand there are people like that out there, and I know of a career homeless man actually, he also claims to be a Torah observant believer, he told me yeah about ninety percent of the homeless men out there are pretty much homeless because they want to be. They would rather live the lifestyle they’re living and contend to live that lifestyle, and they don’t mind standing on a corner for handouts, rather than working for a living.

But that also means, ironically he was doing the same thing, but that also means there’s about ten percent of the people out there in that situation that really want out. And the only way you can tell one hundred percent for sure is really to kind of follow them around twenty-four hours a day, and see how they’re living their life or maybe find someone who knows them pretty well. And I’ve had a lot of experience in this area, I can tell you I understand the concern. And one of the things I, you know, you can do to find out, is see if that person is really willing to work, you know. And use prayer and discernment from Yahweh as to whether He wants you to help that person, okay?

Now, the problem with being too lazy to work, is you give them what they need and then they still don’t want to work. They’re content to not work at all because you’re providing what they need, and it’s really, I understand the problem I really do. 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, Paul talked about this very thing it says (2 Thess. 3:10-13) – For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. – Right? When one will not work then he’s not going to eat, plain simple. If you’re lazy then you’re not gonna get what you have need of, because you’re only perpetuating the problem, and you’re actually enabling the problem. And yes we got to think about that, okay? He says –
¹¹ For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
¹² Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Master Yahushua Messiah that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
¹³ But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

So, notice it says, there are some who what: walk among you. So they walk among you in an disorderly manner, they’re lazy, okay? And so, they are people that were well known amongst disciples, they walked with them, all right. So it’s a verified case of laziness, a verified case where an able-bodied person just doesn’t want to work and always wants to just be a busybody and jabber-jaw talk, okay?

So, before we accuse someone of being lazy and don’t give them what they need because of that, we better have the facts behind us, and not just say, “Well they’re probably lazy.” Now there are ways to find out. Now the guy standing on the street corner, a little tougher to deal with, okay? You know, if he’s gaunt and he doesn’t have, you know, you can obviously tell he’s not getting enough food, okay, give him some food.

But how do you know, well I mean, I know for us okay, I talked about we run a coffee shop, it’s also a soup kitchen—anyone can walk in and sit down and point to a card on the table, and the meal there’s no charge, okay? But if I suspect someone is being a lazy freeloader, then we just ask him to work—do dishes, clean tables, sweep floors. There’s ways to deal with that, okay? And if they keep showing up for meals we know they’re not lazy, and you know, that happens you know. You can get people that are just in a rough spot. And they’re not lazy, they’re not afraid to work, but they’re just in a rough spot.

Another thing you can look for is whether this is a chronic issue over a period of many years. Having managed an alms fund for almost twenty years, there are certain people that want to be chronic takers, and so you ask them to provide accountability on how they’re spending their money. If they will not be accountable on how they’re spending their money or even will not let you know how the money is being spent, for me it’s a major red flag, okay?

Now, it may not be a deal breaker if they have children. Children can’t help the situation they’re in. And so I would want to do whatever is necessary to make sure the children got what they needed. And sometimes that means I have to help the unaccountable parents, because otherwise the parents may stop coming in for help, and then the children are not getting what they need, right?

So, now when it comes to our ministry, we feed both believers and unbelievers. Because the goal of our ministry is not just to feed people physical food; our goal of ministry is to have opportunities to interact with unbelievers and be a light to them.

I mean, after all, each and every one of us who’ve chosen to love Yahweh are doing so because He loved us first, right? And so He not only loved us, He loved and served us with a great and zealous love. And so how can we really communicate we have that same love to the people coming around us unless they know who we are and what we do. And most of these people wouldn’t even step foot in the church. They’ll come in and get Yahushua’s love flowing through us and into them. And so our lives actually may be the only Bible they read, or have exposure to. And so, if we have an opportunity to serve the unbelievers and show them the love that we received and that was missing from our lives and show them this is the love that’s missing from their lives, really our ministry is a whole lot more than about physical bread. And the same it can be of any of us out there, you out there wherever you are, toward the unbelievers around you.

We believe it’s important that we treat everybody the same, and that sometimes that means, I mean, actually there’s no difference. Someone can walk into True Brew, our coffee shop, sit down, and they’re not a paying customer, and they get anything they want on the menu, with some minor exceptions, and if they ask it they’re gonna get it. And we endeavor to treat the poor man the same as the one who’s paying. I’m saying these things as an example, I’m not saying these things to boast, I’m giving you an example of how we’re trying, feebly, with Yahweh’s grace, to live out these things that Yahushua taught us, okay? And we’re not perfect at it, it’s not us to get the glory, it’s Yahushua working in us who gets the glory.

But scripture says (James 2:2-4) – For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
³ and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or “Sit here at my footstool,”
⁴ have you not shown partiality among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? – And so, whether the rich man or a poor man comes in we treat him the same. And at first we thought we’re gonna put the soup kitchen downstairs, coffee shop upstairs, coffee shop proceeds will take care of the soup kitchen downstairs; but then it’s sort of like there’s the haves and have-nots and you know, the poor people are down there in a cold basement, and upstairs you know, I just, it didn’t sit right with us. So we thought we’d just combine them, they can sit down, have a meal, no one else even has to know they’re not getting a meal. Or that I should say, no one else has to know that they’re getting their meal for free, I’m sorry. And they are getting their meal for free.

Now, what we do see in Scripture is that the believers in the first century were among those caring for the poor around them. Even Yahushua, the moneybox, it must have been a habit for them to give money to the poor, whenever they had overflow. And so that’s a normal habit of what we’re supposed to do as believers in Yahushua.

Now, what we see in the first century is that the believers were supporting widows. Now, this is something rarely seen today. We don’t really see very much of believers supporting widows. I think the expectation is the government’s going to take care of it. But the government can only supply a check, they can’t supply love, you know, they can’t supply the care, and love, and concern, and kindness, and goodness among the believers in time. And so why are we allowing the government to take this job? We shouldn’t.

Now, another example of someone of the first century, they were careful about who they give their funding to, is in 1 Timothy 5:3 it says – Honor widows who are really widows.
⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before Elohim. – So repay their parents. Meaning they have to pay their parents back for the time that they were being cared for. The expectation is that children and grandchildren of widows would take care of the widows and repay them. And so, it means as believers we have an obligation to make sure our parents, who cared for us when we were helpless, and we could not take care of ourselves, we have to make sure they’re well taken care of. It’s a tragedy today we see so many people tucking their parents away in nursing homes.

Now, I understand if they have a health condition you’re not able to manage, that’s fine. But it’s a tragedy that this is going on, and people that can easily take care of their parents but they don’t want to inconvenience themselves. And so, these elderly parents often die in these nursing homes lonely and bitter. Scripture says, “We must repay our parents, and that’s good and acceptable before Elohim.”

I mean, how would you feel if your parents sent you off to an institution, institutionalized care when you were a child? And put you in that what’s the equivalent of a prison, where you’re cared for by paid staff instead of in their home where you could nurture them, you’d be nurtured and loved. And so, yeah I understand there are instances we can’t provide the medical care, but maybe if you’re a child with health problems your parents couldn’t manage, and they have to put you into a hospital, would you be expecting nearly daily visits if they truly loved you? Wouldn’t you be expecting regular phone calls and attention? And so we ought to do the same for our parents who are older and feeble and can’t take care of themselves.

And so, now notice it says, “Who is really a widow.” ( 1 Timothy. 5:5) – Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, – That means the grandchildren or children aren’t taking care of them. – trusts in Elohim and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. – So, if they’re left alone they’re not being cared for by their children or grandchildren, then we should honor the widows who are really widows, they really are widows, they were left alone they were abandoned by their families, okay? And he has an expectation of those widows, to be in a prayer closet night and day. They have a responsibility to serve, they have time on their hands, they can pray. It says –
⁶ but she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. – So they’re choosing, instead of prayer, instead of supplication, they’re choosing to chase after the world, you’re not suppose to finance that. –
⁷ And these things command, that they may be blameless.
⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – Wow!

Now, the one that’s not providing would actually be the one who’s not providing for their parents. That’s what the context here is. Yes, you could extend that, and it says including especially those of his own household, it says, right? But his own here would be his own parents, okay? Now, we see that the widows have a responsibility to not live in pleasure, in sexual sin or whatever other kind of sin. They have responsibility to use their free time for prayers, right? And that’s true, but you know, we got to be careful that the widows that are truly widows, that we are not denying the faith, and worse than an unbeliever because we won’t take care of our own families, okay?

So yes, we need to take care of our families. This is a one of the many warnings in Scripture about not taking care of widows. In Exodus 22 actually it says (Exod. 22:22-23) – “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.
²³ “If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; – I often point this Scripture out to fatherless children and widows, the promise here—you’re in a special class, you’re in a special class because Yahweh says He will surely hear your cry, there’s a promise here that He will surely hear the cry of a fatherless child and a widow. And so, no wonder Paul is saying, “Hey, you should be praying because you’re in a special class widow. And fatherless child, you should be praying because you’re in a special class where He says He’s gonna hear your cry, and your affliction, and you’re in affliction because you have no father, you have no husband.” And so, your prayers are even more important and even more heard because He says, “I will hear the cry.” Okay?

And so, if anyone wants to take advantage of you or afflict you in any way, if you cry out to Yahweh and you’re a widow, you’re a fatherless child, you’re in special class. Halleluyah! He loves you very much, really does. He says (1 Timothy. 5:9-12) – Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she’s been the wife of one man,
¹⁰ well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
¹¹ But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Messiah, they desire to marry,
¹² having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
¹³ And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things that they ought not. – Which they ought not –
¹⁴ Therefore I desire that the younger widows will marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan.
¹⁶ If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the assembly be burdened, that they may relieve – widows – those who are really widows.

So there are clearly rules here for helping people in the body of Messiah who are poor. There are certain rules and qualifications, and that so that they can maximize the amount of people they can help. Now, some of this I really don’t know how well it’s going to apply in our culture, okay? Like unless they get married. Well, I would say listen, it’s probably a whole lot easier finding a marriageable person, a marriageable man in those days than it would be today. And I say this because experience in the counseling room, I say it’s because so much of our relationship problems really, I think, are rooted in our cultural upbringing. I mean, in ancient times people all lived in very, very, close quarters. I mean, Jerusalem was no bigger than hundred fifty acres, at it’s peak. And you got thousands and thousands of people all living on this little tiny hundred fifty acre piece of land. That’s how all the ancient cities were, walled cities you know.

Listen. Them people had to walk in the spirit. They had to be patient, and kind, and respectful, and loving toward each other, or they weren’t going to survive as a city. And so they had all the works of the fruits of the Spirit kind of worked out, you know, toward each other. And we, here we are Americans and we’re all spread out. People have this independent pioneer attitude where we just do fine on our own, you know. And so, with that is the loss of accountability where we’re all spread out house to house, and it’s like you got your little piece of land and, you know. And so, you can’t always hear what’s going on. Sometimes you can but you can’t always hear what’s going on in the house next to your apartment down the way. So. In these close quarters, these ancient cities, men could not just get away with abusing their families because your life would not be hidden.

And so, the women couldn’t just get away with being disrespectful and all these things, because there were other people in the city that were gonna be there to keep you accountable. And so, it was easier to find a decent marriage partner in those days, easier than it is today. Especially since the, you know, here at the first century they had the support of them very men that walked with Yahushua three years, and so, these qualifications and such I look at them, I think, “Yeah they better get married or you’re not going to get taken care of if your young,” but it was easier to find a marriageable man. And so, a different culture, a different time period, a different set of circumstances would cause me to apply these principles here in a little different way, same principles but different application.

The principle here is that the widow herself should not be lazy. The widow herself should be willing to look for a man to marry. The widow herself should be willing to labor in ministry, both in prayers and tangible service to the body of Messiah. She should be the kind of person who’s dedicated to Yahushua rather than being against Him. And they and if they’re young and able to find a husband to marry they should do so, instead just relying on the ministry to always take care of them. And so, we need to use discernment in applying these matters to our culture.

Now we’re talking about women who are like taking into the number, like there’s a there is a widows fund, okay? And it’s going out to all these widows, and you see in several places in the first century. And the disciples were being spoken against because they did not; it says that they weren’t taking care of widows, but really they were trying. But we got to use discernment in applying these matters. And I want to say that there are widows out there right now that need our help, believers, Torah keeping widows. And they don’t just need physical food, although they may need that too, they need our ministry, they need our love, they need our attention, and I would say not just widows, okay?

In this age of spiritual immaturity where everybody’s all spread out and people don’t know how to walk in the spirit anymore, I mean, there’s a whole lot more spiritual immaturity and abuse happening without any accountability because we’re not living in ancient cities. And for these reasons you have a lot, you know, it’s kind of funny when people say, “O I got an anger problem I just can’t control it,” you know. But then when company shows up all of a sudden they’re not angry anymore. And both the husband and wife are acting all nice treating each other kindly and everything. Why is that? Well, I guess you can control your anger, right? “Yeah I didn’t have a problem control my anger as long as company is showing up and I don’t want act this way in front of my…” but you act that way in front your children, you act that way as a poor example to your husband, to your wife. Don’t tell me you can’t control your anger, right circumstances you can control it.

Well ancient times, everybody was always around all the time or you just you’re smothered, and so divorce wasn’t so common and it wasn’t you know, because there is accountability. And I can’t tell you how many single women I’ve met who are fleeing abusive situations. And most of the abuse is coming from unbelieving men they were married to. They were not believers, they came into Yahushua, they found Yahushua, they came into Torah. And the end result is they’re alone and they got these fatherless children who have no dads in their life, and we have quite a number of single women in the body of Messiah who are raising their children alone. And that, it bothers me. I really believe that there’s really no difference between them and a widow. At least the children are fatherless, right? And these women are faced a very difficult decision because if their children are preschool age or younger, they’re forced to leave their children and put them in daycare so they can go work and provide for their children and for themselves. Or if they’re older than preschool then they’re gonna have to put them in government schools where they’re gonna have to learn from other fools how to walk in wickedness and be fed the doctrines of the homosexual agenda, the evolution agenda, social engineering of the devil that comes from the environment.

You know I look at that situation, I say those children are being oppressed. The children are being oppressed. They have their parents, they can’t, they have to work, so they can’t find any work at home situation then were they’re gonna go. And so, I look at the situation I say, “Believers need to treat women and children in those circumstances as if they were widows.” And even if it is the mom’s fault, it ain’t the children’s fault. I mean, what’s the difference? Whether their mom is a widow or a single mom, there’s no man in the house to provide for and to protect the family.

And so, we as men and as a body of Messiah, we are called to have a fund that goes out to take care of these fatherless children, and the widows or no difference between being, you know, being a single mom with kids with children and being a widow, really. Now if you’re a single woman and you have no children you can probably find a job and that’s fine, and you probably should be able to find income. But when you have children to raise it’s a different picture altogether. Different picture.

I think about what Job said regarding the fatherless. He says (Job 31:18) – But from my youth I reared him as a father, And from my mother’s womb I guided the widow. – These women need guidance, they need advice, they need the gifts that a man brings into, a righteous man brings into their life. And I’m not, with all purity don’t get me wrong. But they need counseling, they need advice, they need the man’s perspective in their life. And so it’s not just the physical provision that needs to be there, but the emotional support and the love that needs to be there. And we have that responsibility towards single mothers and widows, and they should be active and willing to help the ministry. Whatever ministry is going on they should be willing to help.

And don’t rely on the government. That’s, I mean, if the government’s helping financially, great, but we’re the ones responsible, we’re the ones that Yahweh charges as being responsible for taking care of the fatherless and the widow. Why are we it passing off to them? I’ll never know because they could only give them a paycheck or money that’s all they can do. And so, we need to see people in this condition as if they were Yahushua Himself. Those little children are very close to His heart, and their angels always see the face of our Father in heaven. And I’ve heard men disrespect the children of fatherless families, “O, look at how they’re acting, look at how they’re acting.” I always tell them, “What do you expect, they have no dad in their life.”

Have you even heard men mock the cars they’re driving, the single mom, my heart goes out to you, because the cars you know, doesn’t look like a good car, it doesn’t look like a very nice car. Well, you should provide them a car if you don’t think it’s good enough. Listen, if we’re really Torah observant there should be alms funds everywhere, taking care of the fatherless and the widow. And there isn’t. It grieves my heart how many times I have to say, “I’m sorry the alms fund is empty right now.”

Because based on how many people I know who are a regular watcher of this ministry, it shouldn’t be empty, it shouldn’t be empty at all. But I have to say I mean, I don’t have anything to give them, I’m financially broke and ready to crash and burn if something doesn’t happen soon. But I have nothing more to give or I would, and I have. I’m not saying that I don’t want to lose my reward, but it’s the situation, it’s just the situation.

And, now is it wrong to be wealthy? Is it wrong to have money? That’s a question you need to ask. There are people out listening broadcasts who have money. And maybe some of you have money you don’t know where to give it. But look at Job. Job was a very, very wealthy man and yet Yahweh said about him, He said (Job 1:8) – “. . . Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears Elohim and shuns evil?” – Here is an extremely wealthy man and Yahweh is bragging on him. Next to Yahushua, I don’t know if there is ever a more righteous man mentioned in Scripture. Because Yahushua commented how hard it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom. And he was extremely wealthy and he still was blameless, upright, fearing Elohim, shunning evil.

Yahushua said in Matthew 24:23, He said – . . . “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
²⁴ “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel – or maybe a rope – to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Elohim.” – And yet here was Job. What was it about Job that riches did not have a grip on the man. It’s because Job saw riches as simply a tool to help others.

Take a look at Job chapter 31. Job chapter 31. He says –
¹⁶ “If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
¹⁷ Or eaten my morsel by myself, So that the fatherless could not eat of it – he always was sharing his meals –
¹⁸ (but from my youth I reared him as a father, And from my mother’s womb I guided the widow); – That’s the context of the verse I shared earlier –
¹⁹ If I have seen anyone – anyone – perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering;
²⁰ If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
²¹ If I have raised my hand against a fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate;
²² Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, Let my arm be torn from the socket.
²³ For destruction from Elohim is a terror to me, – He knew with his riches that Yahweh had blessed him with, he’d better be using it to help the needy and the poor, he better be or he would be destroyed. He said, “I was afraid.” – And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
²⁴ If I had made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; – Did he say that? –
²⁵ If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, – What!? If he was even happy about it, if he even rejoiced because his wealth was great – And because – his – (my) hand had gained much; – In other words, he saw money, if he won the lottery it would be like “O, looks like more money for the poor.” He wouldn’t be happy about except he can give more, that’s it. Is that our attitudes? If you get a raise, if you get a better job, are you rejoicing you can help more people now? Because we are a filthy wealthy, I mean, filthy rich nation, really. And even the idolatry issue, which was a major issue in that time, he didn’t even, the time labor of the wealth that he had gained, he didn’t care about, he didn’t pay attention to –
²⁶ . . . the sun when it shines, Or the moon was moving in brightness – His heart was never even –
²⁷ . . . secretly enticed, – and a mouth kissing the hand is an act of idolatry, self idolatry in this case, but if this –
²⁸ . . . would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied Elohim who is above. –

So, an iniquity deserving of judgment is what? Rejoicing that your wealth is even great, even rejoicing. Because this money is not for you, brothers and sisters. That’s his attitude. The money was not for him. The wealth was not for him. Now, it might be saying, you know, Job maybe was boasting here a little bit in response to false accusations of it against him. But I just love the way hearing he lived his life. It’s so much in line with what John the Baptist says, “When you have one extra set of clothes go to the one has none; if extra food give it to the one who has none.” But Yahweh poured more into Job than Job could even distribute. And so Job lived fine, he lived well.

And so, it’s not wrong to be wealthy but you better have Job’s attitude, you better. Proverbs 3:9 says, back up, okay, I guess I’ll have it up there but proverbs chapter 3 in verse 9 I’m going and put it there. Back up. I’ll never know how this happened except the enemy did not want me to share this. O I guess I do have it up there, okay.

He says (Job 31:31-33) – If the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who is there who has not been satisfied with meat?’
³² (But no Sojourner had to lodge in the street, For I have opened my doors to the traveler);
³³ If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom. – And so, he was so dedicated this man, so, so dedicated, I love hearing this, I really do, because this is the right attitude toward our riches. And then it’s in line what proverbs chapter 3 verse 9 which says – Honor Yahweh with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. –

So Job was highly respected for his giving heart, both by Yahweh and by man. He not only provided for those who came in his way, he actually looked for ones he didn’t know about. He was looking for opportunities to give, and that’s where a lot of us fall short—We can’t think of anybody around us right now of that might have a need, and so we take it for ourselves. But we’re not looking for people that have needs either. Follow me? That’s where I think a lot of us are actually failing.

Job 29:7 says – “When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the open square, – Talking about his life before this all happened with. –
⁸ The young men saw me and hid, the aged arose and stood;
⁹ The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth;
¹⁰ The voice of the nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.
¹¹ When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me;
¹² Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper.
¹³ The blessing of the perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
¹⁴ I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.
¹⁵ I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame.
¹⁶ I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know. –

That’s what I’m talking about. No wonder Yahweh said about Job (Job 1:8b) – “Have you considered My servant Job, there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears Elohim and shuns evil?” – Is this what Yahweh is saying about us? Scripture says, “If we’re not willing to give there is destruction ahead.” If we’re not willing to give, they will find Yahweh judging. Anyone who’s not willing to give is gonna find Yahweh judging. I mean it’s that important, it’s all over the Torah, you can’t hide it, it’s in the Torah everywhere!

So the poor need us, and we’re letting the government do it. Shame on us! Really, shame on us! Now I’m not speaking to everybody out there, I know there are some very dedicated men and women out there, and I appreciate you very much. But wow, I mean, I look at the Scriptures, there is no excuse from one end of the other, it’s all about taking care of others. And we’re not just talking about those who are physically poor; talking about those who are spiritually poor. Who don’t have Yahushua in their life, that’s even more important, and that’s where teaching ministry comes in. That’s where congregations need support, so that the spiritually poor can be enriched by the wonderful treasuries of Yahweh’s Word of truth.

Now what if we’re poor? We see an example of in Luke chapter 21 it says – He looked up he saw the rich putting gifts into the treasury,
² and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.
³ So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;
⁴ “for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for Elohim, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” – So Yahushua commended the widow, spoke highly of her, praised her who had given her livelihood. I don’t know her backstory I mean, I don’t know. But the treasury basically was a building maintenance fund for the temple, that’s what it was. And she should have been a recipient of tithe money, and so I presume she was, and maybe she had found a way to make a little money on the side, I don’t know. And so she put that into the treasury, the building fund for the temple.

A temple was a place of ministry, sacrifices were done there, the Word was proclaimed there, really not all that different than a house of worship today. With the building being used for ministry, spiritual sacrifices of praise and proclamation of Yahweh’s Word is done by the priest after the order of Melchizedek today. And there are expenses involved in maintaining buildings, expenses involved in maintaining houses of worship today. It’s not a bad thing to give to provide a modest building for people to meet in. Not extravagant but modest building. And of course a temple was pretty extravagant; Yahweh wants to provide that much for it, than fine.

But my point is, you know if you’re looking for money to go somewhere then, you know, enough for a building and which you need, and then let the rest go out to proclaim the Word of Yahweh. So, but it’s not, what the churches are doing is not necessarily all evil. Just because the traditional churches are doing it doesn’t make it wrong. What I have an issue with is the extravagance of it and the waste in extra things to look rich and wealthy. I don’t like this, that’s not where our focus is. Our Kingdom is not of this world, and so, moving on.

Are there really needy people in the United States and other developed countries? Some people think there isn’t. I know firsthand, absolutely firsthand: yes! There are elderly people who can’t even afford to feed themselves because of health expenses Medicare doesn’t cover. One survey showed that one out of five elderly people are skipping meals for one reason or another. Some of whom have to skip meals because they can’t afford a meal for themselves, and health care costs for themselves. And so they have to skip a meal so they have money for their health needs.

As far as young people, here in the Ava community, as an example, I met a young man eighteen years old, told me he had no father growing up. He told me he’d been raising himself since he was six years old. Broke my heart. And all he got to eat was a dozen eggs a week, a dozen eggs a week that was his food at times. His mom was on drugs, familiar story around here. I live in Douglas County Missouri, third poorest county in the state per capita income. Food insecurity right here among children in this community is twenty-seven percent which is much higher than national average. The people down at Head Start preschool asked them “Do you think that number’s accurate?” This is probably higher than that. They can tell when the children come in and they have not been given enough to eat at home, because they come in and they gorge, and they don’t know when to stop eating. I understand. Their drugs, the drug parents, they probably fix a big meal and go out and do their meth thing for days at a time, and whatever those meals were they’re expecting their kids just to get by with it.

And so they’ve been taught “you better eat what you can, engorge what you can,” and so they come into the preschools for the poor, Head Start, and the kids don’t know when to stop eating. It’s heartbreaking. And they’re heartbroken, the teachers there I mean, they can tell. The innocent ones are being so neglected, and it’s heartbreaking to know that. Spoken to teachers, I’ve heard stories like a teacher to ask a student, “Looking forward to summer break?” Well he said, “No”. – “Why not?” – “Because I don’t get to eat very much in the summer.” It’s sad, it’s sad.

And so, for those who don’t know, I’m just gonna say you know, two half years ago we started a volunteer ministry to the poor in our community called “Bread of life Giving and Sharing.” And this ministry runs a coffee shop, anyone can walk in the door, quietly point to a card on the table, that meal is quietly given to them at no charge. They maintain their dignity, no one can tell they’re not a paying customer.

This past winter one out of three meals went out for free, this past week half of the meals went out for free. And we’re struggling. But we provide clothing, other basic necessities that we’ve given away at the thrift store. We also own the movie theater, we show faith-based inspirational movies, many of which are free of charge, we don’t charge for them because we want people to get inspired, and many of these movies are very, very life-changing in some cases. We got six to ten people who are pretty much running everything. And we could always use more volunteers, but I praise Yahweh for the people who are here. We want to do more.

Some examples of things that we run across here in our community. I remember a man coming in, he was getting free meals and he’s pretty much having to get them every day. And he eventually got to the point where he is, you know, getting regular meals and he wanted to volunteer, wanted to help. So we put him to work and he’d come in and he’d help us on occasion, and he’d come in and fix his own meals and take it home to his wife and his son. And he did this for about six months. He could not get food stamps because he had a criminal record and background that did not allow him to get food stamps, and for something twenty years ago. Well, he started coming in really depressed, really sad, and so we really began to pray for him and started praying with him, and then he started sharing more of his heart, and his wife and him were getting ready to separate and divorce. And his house was in terrible condition, and I said, “Well, let me come out and see your house.”

I went out to his house, and his kitchen was in the open air, there was no roof. I mean there was like a gigantic hole and the whole floor was caved in to where the stove was tilted like this, and raccoons and cats and all kind of stuff was coming in the house. And feces, and his washer, he had one washer and no dryer, but he had to put clothes in the washer and it was in a mudroom, I mean it was just terrible. And we began to really diligently pray for him, and it turned out his son got a job in Springfield, working for a call center, and I started praying, I started counseling their marriage and helping them with their marriage and encouraging them, and I said, “You guys just need to pray.” And he said, “Do you think I should apply where my son got a job?” I said, “Absolutely, you got the gift of gab, go for it.” And he became encouraged and he applied and he got the job. And every once in a while he still stops by and sees us, but we’re able to give him a helping hand.

Another guy just got out of jail, he’s on a street corner, he was freezing to death, I mean I guess, I mean he was extremely cold, he was shivering; and we saw him and said come on in, get some warm coffee, get something to eat. We fed him, he ended becoming a volunteer. He had a couple of boys and they all started coming in and we fed them for several months until he eventually found a job, and now he’s on his way.

So, I’m not saying these stories, I don’t share these things because I don’t want to seem boastful, okay? But it’s an example of what Yahweh can do in the community when you pray for Him to work through you, to provide for other people. And we’ve had people come to salvation and accept the Torah through our efforts here in Ava. And so there are things that can be done in your community. And you know, or, if you want to support what we’re doing in our community, we are busy about our Father’s business here, we are about our Father’s work. And I’m not saying that to boast, I’m saying this is what we’re doing, okay? And so, if you want to know more about it, there’s a website (www.GivingandSharing.org). But you don’t have to give to us in order to be giving to the poor. Everyone should be giving to somebody, or somewhere, we should have a giving heart.

And especially now in the coming months, this coronavirus that’s going on right now here in 2020, I think there are gonna be people in great need. And so, we shouldn’t be among them. If we give I really believe Yahweh will bless us. Scripture says, Scripture says this (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) – . . . He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
⁷ But let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for Elohim loves a cheerful giver. – If you’re not getting the blessing from giving, check your heart, make sure you’re a cheerful giver, okay?

So Acts 20 verse 35 – “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Master Yahushua, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – I can say that really is, it really, really is.

Proverbs 11:24 – There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.
²⁵ The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

I see that physically and spiritually, in that we, even I, as I’m sharing this message today, I’m being watered, I’m being fed, I’m being taught. As I study this topic I was blown away by how important it is and how close it is to our Father’s heart. I mean I kind of knew, but not like knew like I do now. And this is all part of Torah observance as much as keeping a Sabbath or eating clean, it’s all Torah observance, and if we’re not walking these things out, we’re not Torah observing people, period!

So it says there was one who withholds more than is right. Well how much is right to withhold? What is the attitude that we’re supposed to have when we have extra? I am reminded of Yahushua’s parable, because we don’t want to withhold more than it’s right, right? Reminded me of Yahushua’s parable in Luke 12 chapter verse 13 – Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
¹⁴ But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”
¹⁵ And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” – It was considered covetousness for this man to ask Yahushua to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. He could see there was something in this man’s heart that he wanted the money, he wanted the goods, and he just. And you see this sometimes when a parent dies, how their children act, it can get downright ugly over who gets what. Yahushua said, “Look, one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses.” That’s not what you’re life is. Then He goes on to say –
¹⁶ He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
^{17 “}And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’
¹⁸ “So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods
¹⁹ ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’
²⁰ “But Elohim said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
²¹ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward Elohim.” –

It almost seems like Yahushua is saying we should need be saving for retirement. This man’s literally called “a fool” by Elohim Himself, called him “a fool”. And there’s some people that Elohim calls “blameless and upright.” And there’s some people He calls “fools.” Do you see what the difference is between Job who was a rich man and this rich man right here? Why was he foolish? He wasn’t rich toward Elohim he was holding back more than was right.

So let me say this in a very practical sense—next time you’re looking for purchase that new truck or that new new car, they’ll instantly lose thousands of dollars the minute you drive it off the lot, ask yourself, “What would happen if I invested that money in the Kingdom? Maybe I can settle for a used decent vehicle that’ll get me back a forth just as well; won’t be so stylish. I know there are fatherless children out there; I know there are widows and single moms out there; I know there are elderly people skipping meals out there; people in distress from job loss, car accidents, injuries on the job; children with drug parents who are worried about their next meal out there; people who can’t get to work because they can’t afford to fix a large expense on their car and they’re facing job loss; people who are laid off; and many of such things out of their control.”

I know. I’m dealing with these situations regularly, there are hurting people out there. So what if you, like Job, sought out the cause you didn’t know, and decided to ease their pain. That would be love wouldn’t it? Next time you think about opting for the fancier house or the boat or something you don’t really need at Walmart or amazon.com, ask yourself, “What if I chose to take this money and help somebody in need?” That’s what John the Baptist was talking about when he said, “If you’ve got extra give it to the one who has none.” That’s the environment and the culture Yahweh sought to create when He established the nation of Israel, “Hey, leave the corners of your field alone, don’t go back and get what fell on the ground. Don’t even beat your olive tree a second time, you got enough; give to the one who has none.”

And rather than saving for something you don’t really need to survive in this world, why not invest in saving a soul instead. Help a ministry that teaches the Word of Yahweh or buy a Bible for somebody. Invest in a lost soul. I’m not saying it has to be this ministry. Somebody. But the more funds that come in teaching ministries the more people can be saved, the more His Word will go out and the more effect it will have on the culture. Another way is that, you know, reach somebody yourself—buy a Bible for them; buy materials for them to read; help them, whatever. A soul is worth far more than what you’re saving your money for.

I can hear you say right now, “O Yahweh can do without my money”, but He commands us to give. He wants us to use our giving to do His work. Why else do you think He’s so upset when the fatherless and the widow are neglected. Is it just their physical needs that are being neglected? Isn’t their spiritual needs just as important or maybe more important? How much more if one’s spiritually without a father in their life? Who are lacking Yahushua the faithful bridegroom because they never had anyone present the truth to them about the Father’s love and the bridegroom’s love for them.

I’ve heard so many times about people who could not accept the Jesus of Christianity, and that’s why they couldn’t believe the Bible, but then they heard the truth of the Torah and it all made sense!Because of the ministry that’s being done. And don’t just say, “He can provide without you giving,” because if we’re not giving we’re not loving. I’m just not saying you have to give to this ministry, again I’m not saying that. This is not a self-serving message, but take your extra and invest in a lost soul, somehow, some way. And let Yahweh worry about your future.

You may never see the fruit of your giving on this side of eternity. But think about the souls that may be there because of what you did. And yes, while we don’t just give to get, Yahweh does promise to reward us, and I can guarantee you His rewards are so awesomely amazing, we don’t even have a reference point on the earth to compare it to. We already see Yahushua is a radical giver, even giving of Himself to the point of being tortured and killed. To the point being tortured and killed. Forget giving extra money to somebody, He gave everything so we could have eternal life. Will you give something so somebody can have eternal life? And the rewards that come with that? I mean, He did far more than give monetarily, He gave everything He had!

Reminded of a Scripture Proverbs 13:7 – “There is a one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” – That’s what Yahushua did. He emptied Himself. He made Himself poor for the Kingdom’s sake. And now all authority is given to Him in heaven and earth because He knew how to love. This is how you love. I’d rather be poor in this age and rich in the next one, than to be rich in this age and have nothing to show for my labors in the age to come. And even worse, be judged unworthy, unworthy because I was self-seeking.

I say, “Let’s walk in love.” I say, “Let’s walk as Yahushua walked, let’s walk in love.”

Heavenly Father Yahweh, I know there are people convicted by this message today. I pray Father that you would not allow the devil to come in and steal what was planted in their heart. I pray that it would not fall among thorns. I pray that it would not fall by the wayside, that it would not fall in the rocky soil. I pray that every person in the sound of my voice would prepare their heart, break up the fallow ground, take away the self-centered life style they’re living, and cause them to receive this truth from Your Word and bear fruit; some sixty, some thirty, some hundred. I want to see the hundredfold, Father. Abba Yahweh, you know in my heart I am not giving this message for my sake and what ministry You are doing here, I’m giving this message for the sake of those poor children, those poor elderly people, those poor people that need the Word, they need Yahushua the Bridegroom, they need You Father. And I want to reach more and more, I want to see more and more. I know Father, if every person in the sound of my voice would practice this message, there would be innumerable people, innumerable people who would hear Your Word and do it and will become Your children because of it. People who are lost, who are crying for help, and they’re hurting. And You want to reach out Father with Your hands of love, Your kindness and show them what love really is. Father, Abba Yahweh, use us. We repent in any areas we’re falling short here. We want to live the way Yahushua did—keeping Your Torah, walking in love. Let Him, Father, flow through us that we might be the body of the Messiah fully yielded to the Head of the body. That our members might be used for Your service.

We truly know we are sure Father, Yours is the Kingdom and all that’s going on, Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the power and Yours is the glory for ever and ever, in Yahushua’s great name we pray. Amein.