Dear Brother,
Walking as a novice in giving apostolic oversight, I discovered a truth in an unexpected way. At one point, there were five men who had asked me to pastor them. After meeting with each of them I realized that with two, every time we met, it seemed that I poured life into them. The other three were fine men and we loved one another, but the things of the Spirit I shared with them were not as life giving. As I was in prayer for them one day, it dawned upon me that the two who received more life from me were giving their tithes to support my ministry, whereas the other three were only giving an occasional offering. This concerned me such that I telephoned my pastor, telling him I feared that I had mixed motives, subconsciously giving more to those who gave money.
My pastor laughed and asked if I understood the Scriptures in Malachi 3:10 where it said, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house…” Then he began to relate that I could feed them. “In fact,” he said, “the other men are probably only eating of the left-over meat that those two stored up.”
I am writing to encourage you, brother, to ratify your covenant relationship with your apostolic oversight, through giving him support with your tithes. Under the old covenant, the Levites were to receive the tithes. Offerings were used for the building of the temple, etc. I believe in the new covenant, our tithes should go to the men of God who give us our spiritual meat. If you want your apostle/pastor to pour life into you, then ratify your covenant with him with ten percent of your income.
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” (I Tomothy 5:17) This is talking about financial support. Let’s learn to give honor!
Perhaps it is just my flesh, but I am comforted in thinking that because I give my tithes in support of my pastor/apostle, I do not hesitate to call on him for his counsel. I figure I’ve paid for it! I have faith to believe that my pastor will have real meat to feed me, because I helped to put it in the storehouse.
If you are not already doing so, prayerfully make a commitment to send your apostle/pastor your tithes. Don’t just put them into an institution, but make it personal to ratify your covenant with him.
Bruce
