GoD's WorK - God's Puzzle Solved

114 God’s Workfor - and especially, they should never plead for - money at anytime. As you will see, the laborer is worthy of his hire only whenthe minister’s personal employment (outside job) is not sufficientto supply his daily ministerial needs. Obviously, expenses are incurredwhile performing ministerial service. So, there is a way forthis to be handled. It is both scriptural and logical, as well.First, address a basic principle. Only the local churches handlethe money donated for “church needs.” Only The Deacons,who are known to be competent, are allowed to be in charge of“church funds.” Paul told Timothy that, “…the love of money isthe root of all evil...” (I Timothy 6:10). In this context, Paul explainedthat ministers should not handle or be in charge of money– because it is “corrupting.” Paul said that when he brought anoffering to help the needy in Jerusalem, this offering should be accompaniedby some of the most trustworthy people. Paul said tosend witnesses along with the money, so that no one could accusePaul of wrongdoing (I Corinthians 16:1-3).I Corinthians 16:1-4 has nothing to do with tithing. This was acollection to help others and not an offering for “the work.” Thiscollection was taken up out of love for those needy brethren inJerusalem. This collection was designed to offset the sufferingin Jerusalem because of a famine. It did not contain tithes or offeringsfor “the work.” Besides Hebrews 7, which discusses theprocess of perfection and not tithing, there are no other scripturesin the entire New Testament that refer to tithing - exceptin The Gospels. But those two texts (Matthew 23:23 and Luke11:42) concern the people who were living under the old systemthat imposed the five requirements listed earlier. Remember, inMatthew 23, Jesus said one tithes only to Levites as Moses directed.This is another subject. It does not apply to The NewTestament “church.” As you will see, all giving of money by the