Another web site comment.
Gary
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Having read the article on tithe ,whilst I fully agree with it,my wife and I are unable to pay a full 10%, because all my pensions come from the UK, and my wife is disabled and not able to work. Recently the pound has gone down so much we are unable to pay the tithe, otherwise we would not be able to pay the Bills, in fact we cannot do it now, but the creditors are so good, and prepared to wait.
It does concern us that we cannot pay tithe and would only be happy if we were able to. Can we pay a smaller amount than 10%, for the time being.? Perhaps you have some ideas on what we can do to satisfy God and not be accused of covetness. Looking forward to hearing from you.

God be with you
John G
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Dear John,

Thank you for your question. It is one that many people have.
First, your letter seemed to suggest that you have thoughts of sending me a donation, but please understand that I do not accept any money from anyone outside the congregation that the Lord has given me here. I emphasize that fact so that my answer can in no way be taken as self-serving.

As for me, personally, I would render my tithes and offering to God before I bought food to eat, if it ever came to that (and in years past, it has not been too far from it). That is how important a matter this is. The publication of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ is more important than my comfort, my security, and my life. However, part of the true fast which God has ordained is to “let the oppressed go free” (Isa. 58:6), which is a phrase which means that the ministers of Christ have the authority to release certain people from the obligation to render to God His tithes and offerings if they are “oppressed”. The word “oppressed” in the Bible is very frequently associated with finances, and when certain people here have found themselves oppressed by evil persons, often in conjunction with the courts, because of their love for the truth, I have released them from bringing tithes and offerings to me until Jesus got them back up on their feet, financially. Some have refused to be “free” and have brought God His tithes and offerings in spite of their difficult circumstances, and I respected their choice to do that. On the other hand, others have taken advantage of the opportunity Jesus gave them to pay off things such as debts dumped on them by unfaithful or vindictive spouses.

Since I am not your pastor, and I do not know what your situation is, I cannot comment specifically on it. The above explanation, however, will give you a clear picture, both of how important tithing is, and of how merciful and good God’s ways are. he is not an oppressor.

Hope that helps.

Pastor John
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Dear Pastor John,

Thank you very much for your letter, it was helpful, but has also got me confused, because if we pay tithe at the moment, we will not be able to pay for our wood for the winter. The situation should change in November, when we get more OAS, and with a struggle we should be able to pay it. I take it that you are not in favour of paying a proportion of the tithe until we can pay the full amount.

God be with you
John
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Greetings again.

Life is filled with all sorts of situations, and nuances of them all. No one answer will fit them all. That is why we so much needed the Spirit of God within us instead of a law written in a scroll. The Spirit will guide you into all truth. As you seek the will of God for your particular situation, let me encourage you not to be anxious about it. Trust God. He loves you and is standing ready to help, not to destroy. Also, pray not to fear to do what he says. As Mary told the servants at the wedding in Cana, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” You will be glad you did.

Your servant,
Pastor John
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This email correspondence reminds me of my financial situation when my brother Richard moved out. I looked at my finances & knew my savings were the only way I could afford the newly purchased car with all the other expenses. I remember feeling nervous & unsure of how it would work out.

But the Lord worked it out so that not only could I afford everything, but I could also afford an extra car payment every month. I had some trying months (I had over $5,000 of unexpected expenses–IRS debt & work on the house), but “God’s economy” is amazing, & I never missed paying my tithes & offerings or paying extra on the car.

I pray to continue to be reminded of how blessed I really am (& have been).
Amanda
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This email reminded me of a time soon after meeting John. I was explaining my financial situation to him about how I could not afford to pay full tithes as I was barely able to make ends meet after separating from my first wife. I was then having to live on one income when I was just getting by having two incomes when I was married. He told me that he would never place hinself into a situation where he could not pay his tithes. Although by doing the math there was no way I could tithe and pay my bills, I decided to start paying my tithes. That was over 20 years ago and I have always been able to pay not only my tithes but my offerings as well. And the Lord has blessed me far beyond just being able to pay my tithes. I know that all of my wealth is given to me by God. He just wants me to place my trust in him. Thank you Jesus.

Bob

Name: Surya Tarigan

comments: Dear Pastor John,

In 2005 I have printed all materials in your website and still read them until now. I believe that holy spirit baptism is the sign of new birth. I myself are not sure yet whether I am already baptized with holy spirit. But, I found myself speaking in tongues occasionally. But I am not sure whether it is genuine or not. It could be as a result of my past involvement in charismatics church.

Recently, I read one book quoting 1 Cor 12:13 saying that holy spirit baptism in Act 2:3 was never intended for individual but for a congregation/church as a whole. The book also mentions that despite of full conflict among congregation in Corinthians, Paul said in 1 Cor 12:13 that “WE ALL” not only some of them have been baptized with holy spirit. This verse is used by Xty to claim that holy spirit baptism is not for individual but for whole congregation like in Corinthians. I believe that it is not true. The book also admit some difficulties when after Act 2:3 Peter some people received holy spirit baptism individually such as in Act 8:26, Cornelius etc.

If you have time please give me some comment on this issue.

Nice greetings….

Surya from Indonesia

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Greetings in Jesus’ name!

If the book which you read taught the doctrine that you described, it is the book of a false teacher. Throw the book away, and then spend your time with God, letting the Spirit that He gives speak through you more and more. That blessing is “for you, and for your children, and for those who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).

God bless you and yours as you continue to seek the perfect way of Christ Jesus.

Pastor John

John,

Need help with this “Pearl”. . .

Is compassion different from sympathy? Jesus had compassion, even for Gentiles.

In what situation would sympathy be an “error” that might compel someone to drift away from the the right way?

Brad
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Hi Brad.

There are very many ways that sympathy can be ungodly. Anything, in fact, is sinful if it is “not of faith” (Rom. 14:23), including love (1Jn. 2:15) and prayer (Prov. 28:9).

You might want to read the story of the foolish king who had ungodly compassion on the king of Syria (and of the Israelite who had too much “compassion”, sort of, for the prophet that he refused to strike him when God commanded him to) in 1Kings 20.

Pastor John

I know I have not written for a while. I am still listening to your cds and I love your messages. I think Jesus Christ speaks through you. I love your spiritual family they are so unique and holy, you are doing a great job looking after them,. I really want to be part of your spiritual family .I am still cleansing my self from all the false doctrines i learned from before.I have been looking for the truth for about 30 years I just could not find it.but it is fabulous now I can just relax and learn more about the truth.I have a question for you I had a brother he only lived for three weeks what is going to happen to him eternity?

Raad M

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Hello, Raad.

Moses said, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever” (Dt. 29:29). There is nothing in the Bible which deal directly with this issue. Jesus and righteous wise men spoke well of children, and that is the best that we can say about those little children who die. We can rest in faith that God will do the right, the perfect thing, with them.

What we have to deal with, and what we should concentrate on, are the things God HAS revealed. Are we living the kind of life that God has shown us to live? If not, then in the end, won’t matter what happens to little children who die, for even if they receive eternal life from God, we will be writhing in torment while they are enjoying God’s presence.

Pastor John

It has taken me 2 hours to read 8 pages of your manuscript on the father and the Son. . .because it is so GOOD. . . stopping to re-read, reflect, praise God. . examine scripture. . . and digest the concepts.

My favorite line so far is: “Our eternal destiny does not depend so much on what we think is true, but on who we think is true.”

When i read that, I can’t help but smile and feel the love of Jesus proclaiming that invaluable truth.

A question popped into my head. . .

I have often heard unrepentant sinners make the statement that everyone is a child of God; everyone on earth.

Well, “yes and no” is my answer.

All people are created by Jesus, and are essentially/fundamentally “children” of God, . . . but God’s true children are they who receive His Spirit and walk in righteousness and obedience; correct?

To attempt to clarify the answer is to present myself and other “born-again” individuals as special, or chosen, and exclusive. And that angers sinners. It compels them to mock the truth of God and the people of God, with an indignant attitude: “Oh, so you think God thinks you’re better than me, huh?!”

Is there an easier, more courteous way to explain this concept of who is really a “child of God”? Or should I just brace myself for instant persecution in such cases? ;^)

Brad

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Just brace yourself, dear Brother Brad. You and all God’s true children are “special and chosen”, whether that sounds good to those around you or not, and God is extremely exclusive (without apology) when it comes to membership in the body of His Son. Nobody gets in without being called (read, “invited”) and then repenting of sin. I know that you try very hard to testify to these things without being offensive, and that is good on your part. But the gospel is what it is, and the world will never like it the way it is. The world would rather alter the message just enough to make it fashionable. Don’t fall for that. Jesus was born in a barn, and religious people have been trying to get him to check into the Ritz-Carlton ever since.

jdc

Good morning,

Can man forgive sin, or God alone? What I was wanting to know is about the scripture “what is bound on earth is bound in heaven”? From what I have heard, we the saints have that authority to bind someone. It is hard for me to imagine that being the case, due to the fact that some of the saints have wrong ideas about what is what with another person and wouldn’t be able to judge righteously. If that be so, makes it sound as if all this would have to be decided by Jesus alone.

Thanks Maria
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A body of believers, walking together in the Spirit, has great authority over any individual member of the body. It can forgive or not forgive sin. Individual men whom God has anointed and sent also have that authority. The fact that some children of God cannot make righteous judgments has nothing to do with the question you asked.

I am not certain what your last sentence means. But in general, we know that God has appointed Jesus as Judge of the whole earth, and we know that he has appointed certain men, under him, to exercise his judgments.

Pastor John

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Good morning John,

I’m not sure I know how to get my thought across on this. What I want to know is with the authority to forgive, then does it say you cannot make it with Jesus in the end. If a person decides not to forgive, does it send a person to the lake of fire.

Thanks again Maria
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You seem not to understand the authority that accompanies any judgment that true men of God make. If a man is truly a man of God, he does not represent his own thoughts and feelings any more than Jesus did. Such anointed men represent God’s judgments and feelings. If it were otherwise, no one would need fear or even pay attention to what they say. So, it is never the case that a real man of God merely “decides not to forgive” because he misunderstands something or has a bad attitude; rather, he reflects what God has decided.

Almost all the time, in this world, God’s messengers are condemned, if not ignored, because most of the time, in this world, God Himself is condemned, if not ignored. But their judgments will stand because God’s judgment stands. In the Final Judgment, everything will be revealed. In the meantime, God’s servants must continue their work to reflect the heart and mind of God, enduring the same contempt which Jesus suffered at the hands of carnally-minded men.

In short, if a messenger of God does not forgive, it is because God has not forgiven.

Pastor John