Sunday's meeting

Today, I began a new series of Bible Studies on the Letter to the Philippians. The Philippian church is the first church to be planted in Europe. God providentially and more directly guided Paul and those with him to Macedonia, and specifically Phiilppi. Here, a number were brought to faith in the Lord by the preaching of the gospel.

Paul used this church as an example of generosity so as to stimulate the Corinthians to follow through with their commitment to give to the needy in Judea. This being Self Denial Week, the lesson fits in beautifully.

We had our Chief Secretary and TSWM Lieut.Colonels Bob Lee and Wendy Lee to conduct our meeting. His message was "To excel in grace" and he expounded on the same portion of Scripture I used during our Adult Bible lesson - 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15. I believe this is not coincidence, but the Lord's direction that we should speak on the same subject.

I am glad Lieut. Bob Lee placed much emphasis on the importance of tithing. This is a subject we don't seem to hear much in The Salvation Army. If we faithfully tithe and give God what is due Him, we will never be in need. I speak from personal experience, setting a tenth of our gross income for the Lord. This goes to the church where we belong.

As for Self Denial, we make it a point to set aside one week's income and for us a quarter of our pension for this purpose. We don't use our tithe for Self Denial Offering for to do so would not be self denial. To us, one tenth strictly belongs to the Lord. Self Denial or giving to charity should be outside the tenth.

Let me share a verse from the Old Testament. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that they may be food for My house, and test me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." Malachi 3: 10 (NASB)