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Wes said:
Ted,

I have appreciated your comments and the articles you have referenced in this discussion. I think you have attempted to get at the heart of what the Bible teaches on this topic.

Thank you, Wes. Praise the LORD!

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Unfortunately by reading some of the responses in this thread not everyone understands nor agrees with your position.

Oh, I pray that I have NOT failed to be faithful to God's most precious and HOLY Word in my posts. Please forgive me if I have.

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IMHO the bottom line is that we are not our own but bought with the precious blood of Jesus. Everything we have belongs to God. We came into this world without any possessions and we will surely depart without any. So it comes down to a matter of stewardship.

No one can tell another person what to give. Because after all the act of giving is not a legal matter, it’s a matter of the heart.

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudingly or of necessity; for the Lord loves a cheerful giver." (II Cor. 9:7)

Amen and amen. No truer words have been written in this regard.

My point that I have tragically and, perhaps, sinfully, failed to get across is that this particular topic -- stewardship -- is CRITICAL to our faith.

Please join with me in prayerfully listening to some Godly wisdom on this topic -- Pastor Reddit Andrews III on the topic of "Stewardship: Our Task":

http://www.losbanospca.com/Stewardship.mp3

OR

http://www.soaringoaks.com/sermons/2004Sermon021504.mp3

With Christ's great love,
Ted