CHRISTIAN WORSHIP AND SERVICE
in light of Holy Scripture
by Pastor Donald W. Bartow
Founder/Director of the Total Living Center (TLC)

"I love the TLC and get so much out of helping here, but I have my own church and I feel a little guilty not doing more there."

"I just can' t seem to find a church that meets my needs like the TLC, but I feel I should be in some church."

Questions About Ministry and Worship

Areas of Concern for Ministry and Worship

1. Blessed To Be A Blessing   2. Helping The Poor   3. Spiritual Gifts   4. Healing Is For Today   5. Born Again   6. The Holy Spirit   7. Exciting Worship   8 Corporate Worship   9. Tithing

Questions About Ministry and Worship

The above statements summarize what we often hear from individuals who attend the healing services or serve as a volunteer at the TLC. I want to respond to them in this presentation.

First, let me say, we see no conflict whatsoever in a person being active in their own church and still volunteering at the TLC or attending the Tuesday Night Healing Services. We are the Church just as much as a local congregation. Yet, most congregations do not have the involvement with the poor which we have. Most congregations do not stress the message that healing is for our day as we do. Therefore, many are helped by having this expanded opportunity to learn about healing for today and/or to volunteer and help needy people in our community. We truly believe the TLC and local congregational life go hand in hand.

Second, I want to say a few words about the person who cannot find a congregation in which they feel at home. There are literally millions who feel this way. Keep in mind that way over half of the people in our nation do not go to church regularly. Of those who do, a large percentage of them simply attend a Sunday morning worship service. They are not specifically and tangibly involved in any other facet of the life of their church. It is to this person that I am now speaking.

I feel you should realize the TLC is the Church just as much as your local congregation is the Church. There is no scriptural basis for defining His Church in light of a typical 20th century local congregation. Any and all congregations have some characteristics of His Church in action. Few of them have as many characteristics as does the TLC. We have a weekly worship service, we have ministry to the poor, we seek to develop the gifts of the Spirit, we teach that healing is for our day, and we offer viable places to serve in meaningful ministry. It is no sin if the TLC is your place of worship and service. 

I am in no way seeking to draw members from local congregations. However, at the same time, I feel anyone who makes the TLC their Church should not be given a "guilt-trip" by some pious Christians.

The validity of the TLC for worship and spiritual teaching, growth, and service is just as real as can be found in any local congregation. The bottom line as far as the TLC is concerned is that each person should seek the Lord' s guidance as to how, when, and where she or he should worship and serve the Lord. It may be only in a local congregation. It may be in a local congregation and to a degree also with the TLC. It may be only at the TLC. Each situation is valid and each of these situations is the choice of the individual as led of the Lord.

The Total Living Center is not the typical local congregation. However, we believe it is indeed the Church.

We interpret the Church as:

... the people called of God through Christ to believe and live His eternal truths through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Total Living Center seeks to be faithful to what the Lord has said His people should be doing. Yes, we have a worship service every Tuesday at 7:00 PM. This service is the center piece for all that we do through all of the ministries at the TLC. It is in the area of worship that some are bothered. They love the weekly healing service, but have a gnawing sense of guilt for not going to a Sunday morning worship service.

It is wonderful to attend a worship service on Sunday morning, but certainly is not a requirement of the Lord. You can worship the Lord with others any time on any day. The Seventh Day Baptist and the Seventh Day Adventist feel worship should be on Saturday. They feel churches who meet on Sunday are being unfaithful to the Bible. So who is right? I believe the person who is right is the one who worships regularly, preferably weekly, regardless of the day or time.

Now, you have a right to ask, is this a recent thought of mine since I have started the TLC. It certainly is not. I believe it is biblically sound that every day and every moment is sacred and that worship can be on any day and at any time. A believer cannot be really devout on Sunday morning and be dishonest and immoral on Tuesdays and Friday afternoons. This lifestyle would be wrong as wrong can be. Every moment should be lived to the glory of God to the best of our ability.

Thus, in regard as to when a corporate worship experience is valid, I want at this time to quote from my book, CREATIVE CHURCHMANSHIP. Please keep in mind that I finished the manuscript for this book in the early part of 1967 which is over 30 years before I started the TLC May 8, 1991. These insights are not new.

"The Church is not a club one joins. The Church is wherever believers are, any moment of any day. The specific activities of any church program should be aimed to help individuals to live to the glory of Christ wherever they find themselves." (Page 70)

"Christ said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." The Divine directive has never been rescinded. The Church has its marching orders and dare not sound retreat. There is no other way than forward with Christ." (Page 13)

"Basic to any new insight for the Institutional Church is the fact that believers should meet with other believers at least once a week. This is necessary to remain spiritually "sharp". The Holy Spirit speaks through others; our being with others is of great benefit both to us and to them.

"It is amazing how we have come to reverence a certain day and time for our corporate worship. Sunday morning attendance for a particular hour of worship is the Church to most people. Pastors and people are both guilty of conveying this false concept and doctrine.

"The early Church could not meet at a regular hour every Sunday, so they met on any day and at any time when meeting was possible. Sometimes they met in the wee hours of the morning and were home before daybreak. Persecution drove them to this. Yet, wise is the modern Church that maintains programs enabling believers to meet whenever possible for them to do so. This wise programming is a far cry from the "sacredness" attached to an 11:00AM Sunday morning corporate worship service.

"If you feel this special-day-and-time attitude toward fellowship does not prevail, ask individuals if they attended church this week. Many will excuse themselves with "Oh no, I had to work, " or "I was ill and couldn' t come," or "I was out of town," or "We had company." It has not dawned upon them that the Sunday service is not the Church.

"... The emphasis needed today should not be on how many we can get to attend one particular church service, but on how we can encourage every believer to meet with other believers at least once a week. Of course, many if not most people will still assemble on Sunday morning, but if work, illness, or other legitimate reasons prevent this attendance there should be other opportunities for corporate worship.

"Why is Sunday morning so sacred? Sunday night, mid-week service, youth meeting, or any other church activity can also provide under-girding in the faith. Mature leaders might forgo Sunday morning worship for those who are weaker in the faith. Those strong in the faith could serve as representatives for Christ for those reluctant to participate other than on Sunday morning.

"There might be more good done by mature Christians calling in homes on Sunday morning than is done by their sitting week after week listening to sermons seeking to stimulate them to do what they have not been doing and do not intend to do. If they are mature in the faith, are they not in a position to go out and call at an hour when most Protestant people are at home? Some church members would be startled to have a loyal church person visit their home midmorning on Sunday. This timing probably would cause more of an impact than any other personal call that could be made.

"This is not to reflect unduly on Sunday morning worship, but is an effort to remove it from the place of being more sacred than people. There is no sacred or secular time in God' s sight. His promise is to be with those assembled in His name any time and anywhere." (Pages 20, 21, 22)

In light of the above I suggest that you never let Satan put you on a guilt trip if you choose to attend corporate worship only on Tuesday night at the TLC. In like manner, it certainly is most appropriate for you attend corporate worship on Sunday morning and to participate as much as you are led to do so in the Tuesday worship and other activities of the TLC.

It seems to me we have gotten to the point where there are two basic questions which should be asked and faced.

• Is the TLC' s Tuesday Night Healing Service as valid an experience of worship as other Christian experiences and worship?   
• Is your congregation faithful to the Bible and its guidance for believers?

It seems to me to be fair to the Word and to oneself these questions must be considered. Therefore, I have several areas which I feel help us to appraise the validity of the worship and ministry of a group of believers. These areas are:

1. Blessed To Be A Blessing   
2. Helping The Poor   
3. Spiritual Gifts   
4. Healing Is For Today   
5. Born Again   
6. The Holy Spirit   
7. Exciting Worship   
8. Corporate Worship   
9. Tithing

I have listed questions in each section to stimulate your mind and spirit as you read the chosen scripture for each area of concern.

The TLC can answer "YES" to every question I have listed. We feel that what we are stressing is what the Word of God teaches and what should be taught and lived by believers as they worship and serve the Lord. The bottom line for a Christian is faithful obedience. It is not how or when we have our corporate worship experience.

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Areas of Concern for Ministry and Worship

1. BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

Does your church believe and teach that the Lord wants to bless one and all spiritually, physically, and financially? Does your church teach about the Covenant relationship of believers and how even Gentiles are spiritual children of Abraham and part of the Abrahamic covenant? Does your church teach believers are blessed to be a blessing?

Deuteronomy 28:1-2
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Joel 2:25-26
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. 

Malachi 3:10-11
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Mark 10:28-31
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel' s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. 

Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 

Philippians 4:19
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

III John 1:2
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 

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2. HELPING THE POOR

Does your church believe and teach that believers are to tangibly and in meaningful and direct ways help the poor and oppressed? Is a large amount of your annual contributions used to help the poor?

Deuteronomy 15:7
7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

Psalm 41:1
1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

Proverbs 19:17
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Psalm 82:3
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Isaiah 58:6,7,10
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

Matthew 25:40
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Galatians 2:9-10
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 

James 1:27
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 

I John 3:17-18
17 But whoso hath this world' s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 

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3. SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Does your church teach the spiritual gifts are for today? Does the pastor(s) and members of your congregation openly practice the spiritual gifts in worship services and other services and activities of your church?

Romans 12:4-8
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-12
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 

1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 

Ephesians 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

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4. HEALING IS FOR TODAY

Does your church believe healing is for today? Does your Pastor anoint the sick with oil and does he teach and encourage members to do the same? Does your church believe healing is in the atonement? Does your church hold regular healing services?

Exodus 15:26
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. 

Psalm 107:20
20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 

Isaiah 53:5
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 

Matthew 4:23
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 

Matthew 10:1
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 

Mark 3:14-15
14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 

Mark 6:7,12,13
7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. 

Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

Luke 9:1-2
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 

Luke 10:1,9
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 

James 5:14
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 

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5. BORN AGAIN

Does your church teach concerning being born again? Is the message of salvation a part of your weekly worship and stressed in the other activities of your congregation? Is Christ presented as the Savior and the only way to really be born again?

John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

John 3:3,7
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

Romans 10:9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

1 Peter 1:23
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

1 John 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 

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6. THE HOLY SPIRIT

Does your church teach concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Does your church believe the Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness of the Lord Jesus and the things of God? Do they emphasize speaking in tongues and the prayer language?

Joel 2:28
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 

Mark 16:17
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 

John 16:7
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Acts 1:5
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 

Acts 1:8
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Acts 2:4
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

Acts 9:31
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 

Acts 11:15
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 

Acts 19:2,6
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 

1 Corinthians 14:1,4,5,18,39
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

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7. EXCITING WORSHIP

Does your church have exciting worship services? Is the singing enthusiastic and uplifting? Do you ever sing in the spirit in tongues? Do individuals lift their hands in praise unto the Lord?

Psalm 63:2,3,4
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 

3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Psalm 81:1,2,3
1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. 2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. 3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 

Psalm 100:1,2
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 

Psalm 150:1-6
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. 

Luke 24:52,53
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. 

John 4:24
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

Ephesians 5:18,19
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 

1 Timothy 2:8
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 

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8. CORPORATE WORSHIP

Does your church teach and practice the truth that believers should met regularly with other believers? Does your church teach that the day or hour is not that which is sacred, but the getting together with other believers is what is sacred?

Luke 4:16
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 

Hebrews 10:25
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

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9. TITHING

Does your church teach tithing? Does your church believe the storehouse is where ever you are receiving spiritual food and not just your local church?

Genesis 14:20
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 

Genesis 28:22
22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. 

Leviticus 27:30
30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD S: it is holy unto the LORD. 

Deuteronomy 12:6
6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: 

2 Chronicles 31:5
5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 

Nehemiah 10:38
38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. 

Nehemiah 12:44
44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. 

Nehemiah 13:12
12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 

Malachi 3:10
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 

Matthew 23:23
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 

Luke 18:12
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 

Hebrews 7:4-9
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 

Tithing is a delicate topic for many people. Many years ago I was led to write concerning storehouse tithing. My insights in this area are found in my book, HEALING HANDBOOK, pages 538-540. I refer to Malachi 3:10 and write.

"This verse is used by some to teach that all tithes should go to an individual' s local church. In fact, I received a magazine from a famous evangelist and there was a paragraph stating all tithes should be given to one' s local church, and that his evangelistic ministry was supported only by offerings above the tithe.

"Is this teaching valid and is it to be taught and pursued by believers? I say it is not. I feel stressing that the complete tithe should always be given to the local church is not valid and is not in keeping with the scripture. Some pastors teach this as a means to make sure their members do not support other ministries. Some pastors use it to seek to place a guilt trip upon any who might share their tithes with ministries beyond their church.

"You may choose to give all of your tithe to the local church, but Malachi 3:10 in my opinion, does not absolutely teach that you must do so.

"Why do I feel teaching the local church is the only "storehouse" for one' s tithe is biblically unsound and from a practical standpoint, inappropriate?

TIME AND PLACE DIFFERENT

"It is biblically unsound because the situation which prompted the statement in Malachi 3:10 was entirely different than what exists today. Malachi lived in a day when there was only one "storehouse." The Lord' s Word in his day was associated with one nation, Israel, and one sacred place, the Temple.

"This is no longer true. There is no central temple for all the believers of the world. Today there are a multitude of spiritual "storehouse" ranging from local churches and single purpose ministries, to 24-hour-a-day Christian television and radio.

MANY STOREHOUSES

"It is unsound in a practical sense because today there are many places where you may secure your spiritual food. Most believers in this age have several places from whence they are receiving spiritual guidance, insights, and strength.

WHAT IS A STOREHOUSE?

"A "storehouse" is where items are kept. It is a place where needed items may be secured. It takes many and varied storehouses to meet essential and desired needs each day. You have need of groceries, gasoline, hardware items, furniture, etc. You pay at the "storehouse" where the items are obtained. You do not pay for groceries at the hardware, or for gasoline at the doctor' s office. You pay for what you receive where you receive it.

"Some of the "storehouse" you use may be thousands of miles away. You order by mail and receive shipment. Even though not in the community, you pay the "storehouse" from whence you received the items or services.

SPIRITUAL STOREHOUSES

"It is obvious your "spiritual" storehouse(s) is where you secure your spiritual food. This is often elsewhere than at the church where you belong. Of course, you appreciate your church and receive much from it. However, many other ministries may also be of great help to you. Sometimes ministry received from other sources is more beneficial and helpful than what is received from your local church. Are not these sources of spiritual help storehouses of spiritual power and truth?

"No local church can meet all your spiritual needs. It cannot provide Christian music and teaching 24-hours-a-day. It cannot provide for large inspirational conferences nor publish nourishing books and magazines. Many ministries are needed to meet all your spiritual needs. Thus, there are many "spiritual storehouses" from whence you receive. The ministries which are blessing you need and are worthy of your support from your tithes and offerings.

"Give to wherever and whenever the Holy Spirit directs you! If you ask God for wisdom, He will not guide you to unfaithful ministries. Be sensitive to His leading!"

CONCLUSION

We answer "YES" to every question listed in this presentation. We feel we can say yes to all the questions because of our desire to have a ministry based on firm biblical ground.

I do not seek to tell you or anyone else what to do. The Lord is your leader and guide. You should do what He wants you to do. However, I do want to deliver you from any guilt as you participate in your local church, or the TLC, or your local church and the TLC. The victorious life in Him through faithful obedience is your goal regardless of how He leads you to reach it in your fellowship with other Christians in worship and service.

The Total Living Center is ...

a faith ministry seeking to proclaim in word and deed ...

The Living Christ
through 
Tender Loving Care. 

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© Copyright Donald W. Bartow 1995. All rights reserved.