In the Scripture we read in Numbers 8:6-26 that God told Moses to separate ONE TRIBE, THE TRIBE OF LEVI out from all of the tribes to serve in the Temple. The Tribe of Levi was to be in complete charge of the Temple sacrificial system, plus certain men in the Levi Tribe were called to the priest hood. The Priest were called from that tribe to minister to all the others in Israel. Under this system God commanded the other eleven tribes tithe to the Levi tribe, taking care of the Temple and the Levi’s needs. The tribe of Levi did not even inherit part of the land of Canaan but were servants of the Lord. This plan did work well for the nation when carried out as God had instructed.

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14:

“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

The principal way that God has intended to supply the needs of those who who minister about holy things as it says above, or preach the gospel, is by the abundance of the altar. In the case of the Levite’s they lived and served the Lord as a separated tribe from all the others by the abundance at the temple. The people gave tithes and they gave offerings for sin to the priest in the temple. So is it clear that the ministry, (especially those who serve actively as the Five fold Ministry to the body of Christ namely, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelist) should rightfully (according to these scriptures) partake at the altar.

Paul went on and said in 1 Corinthians 9:9-11:

“For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for the oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

Many have been the debates about this subject. There are those who argue that we are not under the Law now and this does give them the right to not give or support the preachers. They would say the economy has all changed under the new covenant. To those who teach this please consider that it was PAUL WHO WAS AN APOSTLE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT (after Christ resurrection) that said above “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” Now if your read all the verses in 1 Corinthians 9 you will discover that Paul did say he would prefer to go on without the help of others. He said that He wanted to do this work simply and not to abuse his power. In other words, He did not want to be at the charge of any man. HE DID NOT SAY IT WAS WRONG .. BUT IT WAS HIS PERSONAL PREFERENCE. This in no way eliminates the God Way to ministry through giving and support of the ministry, but was his personal wishes. [By the way, It is recorded that Later Paul did receive help from others and he did teach giving principals. 1 Corinthians 8]

The point above that catches my attention in what Paul said is…. “Thou shalt not MUZZLE THE MOUTH OF THE OX…. DOTH GOD TAKE CARE FOR THE OXEN?” He is quoting from the Old Testament and affirming in his writings as well that it is wrong and could even be harmful to the one working to MUZZLE HIM and say he should not receive anything.

I myself have served the Lord now for many years and I am now 70 years old. During this time I did serve as Pastor for at least 26 years. (I now serve the Lord in the office of Prophet.) During that time I became very aware of the problems facing the Pastor who had no support. Immediately he was of necessity spending many days and hours just working to earn money to support a wife and family. Not speaking of the church yet, the Pastors needs would be a great weight of responsibility which would take him from the ministry to the people, the Sheep (in the Church). I have known this problem because for years I did labor without a lot of help which forced me to work so much I could not fully give myself to the duties of the Church. I have as well served several churches who gave us so little that we could not minister and do all that they expected as their pastor, such as hospital visitation, many home visits (which takes money to buy gasoline for the car etc., many of the hospitals were as far as 50 miles away from the pastors home). I did find myself unable to do all, to give myself to prayer and to the ministry because of the meagre offerings in those churches. I did go out as a Missionary Evangelist for years as well and labored in much difficulty because many did not give or help in the work.

A question to ask, which I believe would be of good character here is this: HOW LONG DO YOU THINK A LOCAL CHURCH WILL LAST OR SURVIVE IF THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE STOP ALL GIVING AND HOW LONG WILL THE PASTOR LIVE WITHOUT FOOD AND SHELTER? In most cases those churches will last as long as the mortgage holder does forgo charges and to call in the loan, by taking back the property of the church or the landlord will kick them out for not paying the rent. The electricity would be terminated when the bills were not paid and the lights will go out no heat. The other outstanding bills incurred because of the needs of the church would go unpaid, causing the church to fall into scandal. I have a good proof to you all of many Pastors who have had to leave town because they could not live. In some cases it was pure neglect by the people in that local church who refused to give to the work of God.

Of course there are those who do not even believe in a Church. They do not believe that God ever told anyone to build a building to house the church. To those who believe this let me say: Even Jesus did use buildings. He did spend money to acquire the Upper Room where he held the last supper before he was crucified, not to speak of the Tent of meeting which God did command the Israelite to build and to place the tribe of Levi in charge of. Later it was allowed by God through Solomon to build the Temple which was of great importance to the work of God in the Old Testament. and.. If you read the Scriptures Jesus has gone to build us a house and will come some day to give it. It also says that there will be a CITY … the New Jerusalem where will be the temple of God and his people. It will be foursquare having 12 gates and 12 foundations.

Let me ask you a question. How would you like to live with no house to live in? Probably not. You have given all to find such a place most likely. Well have you considered that the Church is no less worthy?

It is an argument I believe to fuel the fire of those who do not wish to give to God’s economy. There is nothing wrong with a building if the reasons are right and the motives are correct, even as I pointed out about the Temple of Solomon. There did come a time that God said the Temple would be destroyed, and it was, and the people were scattered into Babylon. BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO NOTE IT WAS REBUILT. The rebuilt temple was later destroyed again and this time Israelite were scattered all over the earth. BUT.. You must note that there will come again a day when the Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, because the scriptures say that there will be a Temple where the Anti-Christ will set up his idol, and there will be A TEMPLE WHERE JESUS WILL BE DURING THE 10000 YEAR KINGDOM following His return to earth.

When I was in Idaho the snow was on the level of 6 feet deep for most of the year. It would be most difficult to say the least without some place to meet. Homes could be used, if there were adequate house to hold all the people, and what of large meetings? There would of necessity be the need for a place to meet out of the cold.

To me it is a EXCUSE that many like to use … TO NOT TITHE OR GIVE… to salve their conscience for not giving to the work of God.

Many today have left the local church. They do not have a place where they worship God with people. Many are here on Facebook. Many have had good reasons I hear because there is no church where they live. And… For many this has become their Church here on Facebook. I just want to say that regardless of whither you have a building or not, the principal does still APPLY TO ALL.

DO NOT MUZZLE THE MOUTH OF THOSE WHO ARE SENT TO BE MINISTERS OVER YOU. Do not stop supporting and helping the Five Fold Ministry. I believe when you do you go against GODS WAY CLEARLY OUTLINED…. in the Scriptures.

 

Prophet Ken Dewey

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Evangelist/Prophet/Pastor Ken Dewey is the founder of “OUT OF THE DESERT MINISTRIES” in Belen, New Mexico, USA. He writes on this Web Site, many Prophetic words, Sermons and teachings while leading people into true church settings and preaching in an End Time Gospel Ministry.