₦airaland Forum

@ damola 1,

you should also see 1 Timothy 5 verse

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

uf4oma:
@anomini, you are just a confusionist. Where did I say people must pay tithes here? Your brain surely seems to be working overtime. Besides, I don't see any meaningful contribution you have made in this thread other than gatecrash it and attack the people who have a different opinion from you. A little knowledge is very dangerous, far worse than ignorance and you should keep that so-called superior knowledge in your pocket. It smirks of spiritual pride; dangerous.

will you say your post above is not an attack on someone who has a different opinion from yours on this tithe matter

damola1:
All of the reviews of different parts of the bibles only emphasized the need to give as they will, you see the problem is not even paying tithes, but ones people feel they have paid something to God, then they rarely support others who really need support, and even when they do, it's only on a token level.

For example: a man earns: 50k per month, and already spends: 30k on fooding, housing, and transportation, leaving him with 15-20k as savings, if a neighbour or a brother of his, comes around and says, I really need to take care of say my education, and only need: 7k. From my own studies.

What I have highlighted and your example above is the essence of Christ's rebuke to the Pharisees in Mark 7: 6-13

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

@uf4oma,

i guess you are trying to confuse yourself and not me.
your post which i referred to was for what objective, what did it imply - to encourage people to tithe or to discourage them from tithing?
maybe you need to modify it.
shalom.

uf4oma:
No one is insisting you should tithe but you seem to be propagating a gospel of 'thou shall not tithe' to others.
That's wrong.

and what exactly are you propagating here- that people should tithe?
so why do you want to shut off other people's bible based testimony that the tithe requirement changed with the salvation work of Christ?

uf4oma:
Jesus said our righteousness should exceed that of the Pharisees. For all that was wrong about the Pharisees, they kept the law to the letter and even though their hearts were not right before God, they were sticklers for the letter of the law. If our righteousness has to exceed theirs, then we definitely have to do more than they did.

the pharisees kept their man made traditions not God's law. have you read Mark 7: 6-13?
what does Jesus say there?

@image, uf4oma, sammyzacks,

i am sure you have not read the scriptures quoted very well that shows beyond ANY doubt that tithes is NOT a law for Christians.
this specific message against tithes was written by Paul, a learned Jewish zealot to his Jewish fellows who had converted to Christianinty in Hebrews 7: 1-12. Verse 12 is unambiguous, For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
what law is referred to?
the law of tithes in the first 11 verses.
i hope you will no longer allow yourself to be conned or worse still conning people into the tithe guilt trap.

* Good story line in a very few classic movies that showcase naija realities to some extent.
* Big mansions, luxury cars even though the road leading to the house is a dirt(farm) road and secondary forest around the property.
* Display naija fashion even when it means dressing up while supposedly relaxing at home.

i have tried to be positive, even though it is very difficult with the majority of what is called Nollywood movies(?)
really i mostly watch OGD and Mainframe productions as well as those featuring RMD, Olu Jacobs.

i thought the type of story in the link below was limited to catholic priests.

http://thepmnews.com/2008/04/28/pastor-held-for-sucking-church-members%e2%80%99-sperm

while the pope can express indignation and sanction erring priests, i am yet to see pentecostal leaders take such bold steps of reprimand even when confronted with such gory details rather they abscond responsibility and say the pastor was on his own.

coolier:
I think Deji of Akure should not be blamed, he has judged wisely.

so u think a king or leader is right to align with hoarders and cartels so as to make his people pay more for a product
is that how he is supposed to look after the welfare of his subjects?
i imagine the king telling his people that he will ensure rapid development of his town. i am sure one way that that can be achieved is to promote measures for the people to build houses, become landlords instead of tenants quickly. does this judgement enhance or inhibit such development
na so we go dey look as dem dey rob millions of Peters to pay a very few Pauls and everyday widespread misery grows leading to exodus by those who can and crime by those who can't leave but want their own share of the loot.
u should compare the Deji's judgement, which is typical of other Looters-in-Power with that in the two Microsoft cases in the US and Europe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft#Settlement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_Microsoft_competition_case#Judgment

OLAADEGBU,

I believe it was also Paul who wrote 1 Corinthians 7:

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

as i posted earlier being a catholic priest, to my knowledge is a choice and as with all choices there are consequences. One of the consequencies in this case is that you should be celibate as Paul was. if it is unacceptable with the person then he can choose to be a priest with another church where they allow married priests.

MALAMA:
There is no compulsion for celibacy in the Bible,it is even abhored (1Tim 4:3).

is there a compulsion by catholics to be celibate i.e. are people compelled to be priests
i stand to be corrected, but i believe it is a calling and no one is obliged to become a priest and those that can no longer withstand the stress can also resign. so where is the compulsion?
if you want to belong to any group- religious, educational, cultural, etc- they will usually have their requirements and if you can cope then you join. if not you stay out.
what will be problematic is if you cannot resign as you wish, which is the case for some associations.

how much is in its endowment fund?
how much of the endowment fund was contributed by its alumni?
what % of the endowment fund was used to grant scholarships?
how are the scholarships awarded?
how many students have benefited from such scholarships in its 60 years of existence?

many thanks lucabrasi for your engagement and encouragement to others. i will only add that you should also consider vocational schools for those who can't complete secondary school and/or cannot make it to the uni.
@zillaxy,

education, including on civic rights and responsibility is a small way to start.

God bless.

zillaxy:
now that they have lost, they'll be gone until the next election.

do you know the role of a vibrant opposition in any worthwhile democracy
going dormant till the next elections is a recipe for something close to autocracy and makes elections and democracy in naija a sham.
we need to make progress somehow and having credible opposition as AC is trying to do at the national level should be encouraged.

he be like sey d king dey soft pedal abi na wetin?

http://www.pointblanknews.com/os894.html

For those, Xtians, m'uslims et al, who continue to think prayer (alone or mainly) can change Nigeria, kindly consider Nehemiah 2:

17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

I am sure the m'uslims have Nehemiah in the K'oran.
Let us think very deeply and ask ourselves why he did not say let us pray for God to help us/intervene in building the walls of Jerusalem that lies waste

does the fact that indigenous words and/or phrases existed describing such people or relations not suggest that indeed these practices existed before contact with teh whites and arabs?

komekn:
You are not of this world but you are of the kingdom of God, manifest the kingdom of God and all its righteousness, soldiers of Christ.

can i add Proverbs 14: 34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Acts 10: 34-35: 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

becomes clearer why our country is still filled with various forms of misery despite astronomical church growth

jennykadry:
@topic

u see apostle paul even as holy as he is was suffering FROM one ailment and he three times he cried to God to deliver him from this pains,it would have been easy for God to say go it is well,but u know what,he told him(2nd corinthians 12:9) MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR You,FOR MY POWER IS BEEN MADE PERFECT IN YOUR WEAKNESS,y did he allow d devil to keep tormenting paul?because he did not want paul to be over exalted,he wanted paul to work with humility,he wants to humble ourselves hence he brings persecutions,because jesus christ humbled himself to death even on the cross,all this suffering comes for us to work with humility and faith,and spiritual growth,and if u read down to verse 10,paul said i rejoice in persecutions,trials, etc because when i am weak i am strong
REMEMBER THE SAME BIBLE SAID WEEPING (PAINS ;PERSECUTION;TRIALS ETC)MAY ENDURE THROUGH THE NIGHT BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

thanks for your post.
as you noted in Apostle Paul's case, the specific suffering may last till death and the joy in the morning may refer to the hereafter. those who appreciate Christ's teaching will know how to give thanks at all times in spite of such sufferings in the knowledge of his overall goodness in their lives and a more glorious life after here.

it would seem from the response (or rather lack of) to my question that there is no catholic rule barring the priest from resigning his vow IF he wants to marry and be a full-fledged father to his son. I believe ex-President Aristide of Haiti did that.
so why the fuss please

ashe 2,

how is your pastor an exception?
he does not ask his congregation to pay tithes?
do you depend on your pastor's word or God's Word as written in the Bible?
can you show me any of the posts against tithes that did not acknowledge the need to give cheerfully to God's work both in and out of the church?
do you think following the Bible and encouraging others to do so RATHER than follow a pastor's teaching is not walking in love?
have/do you read your Bible yourself, particularly the quotes on tithes as shared on this thread or not?
did you ask God to give you understanding as you were reading these quotes, if you have read them?
you may use the Bible search engine in this link to read the quoted scriptures, search words/phrases and more:

http://www.christnotes.org/bible.php?q=1+John+4%3A1&ver=kjv

remain blessed.

----------------------------------------------
Mark 7: 6-13

going back to the subject of the thread.
are priests restrained from withdrawing/resigning from their priesthood, if they no longer can adhere to the rules that they initially accepted?

detruth,

i thank God for your testimony of his faithfulness in the midst of adversity.
i continuously find unimaginable peace in Matthew 6: 25 - 34 whenever i am anxious or troubled by life's ups & downs.
u can use this bible search engine to read the quote.

http://www.christnotes.org/bible.php?q=1+John+4%3A1&ver=kjv

shalom.

same story in another newspaper

http://punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200804212573217

hopefully the Deji will reverse himself and save his subjects from shylock economic interests so they can build and prosper under his reign.

anyone who has contacts should please mail this to TV & Radio stations, so they can also draw attention to this injustice to Akure people

liftedone,

sorry if i took you out of context. i was writing based on my understanding of what you wrote that seems to suggest Christians should steer clear of communal/societal issues & governance based on righteousness & christian morals BUT focus on prayers only.
thanks for your clarification.
meanwhile, please note that i have no axe to grind with a fellow Xtian on a discussion in which we both participated in a very mature manner and i am sure enlightened each other.

liftedone:
What has happened to correction, instructions in righteousness, suffering as good soldiers of Jesus Christ and not entangling ourselves in civilian matters? There's much to be desired in Christianity in Nigeria. And prayer may look defeatist to some, but no action can be taken unless we pray first. And let that revolution start with the man in the mirror.

what do you think of Matthew 22: 15-22, particularly verse 21 concerning paying taxes to Caesar? Do you think it applies only to paying taxes to government or rather goes beyond to include obligations to government as citizens? The story is also in Mark 12, Luke 20 to emphasise the important lesson therein.
you can also read the Epistles, which contain several references of recommended Christian attitudes to societal issues and governance.

detruth:
All well said and done! I still believe that majority NEVER makes a right!
IF MAJORITY IS RIGHT THEN MAJORITY WILL BE RICH

my brother, this is not about the majority, it is about what the Bible, the complete Word of God says, which some gods of men who parade themselves as men of god are twisting in order to unduly obtain wealth from their unsuspecting congregation.

---------------------------------
Psalm 23: 3; Psalm 24: 3-5

Kobojunkie:
My friend, the post in bold covers not just your LIPS but the foolish african people who continue to let them get away with their wickedness on a daily basis, while they wait for a messiah to save them from their personal choice to live in mediocrity.

many many thanks for raising this messiah issue.
that's why many naija (& african) people dey wait sojaman like Rawlings to come clear way for jagajaga. however even Ghana's success is mainly because the people stood up against any tenure extension and/or candidate imposition by Rawlings. moreover the messiah will need to be true to his purpose and not get carried away by the spoils of power after RISKING his life and the future of his family to save his fellow citizens- a very tall order especially compared to the God endowed capabilities we have as individuals to make a change in our society.

more often than not, the Looters-in-Power (LIPs), will be seated upfront closest to the pastor/i'mam. before/during and after prayers/service you can expect some fellow worshippers trying to get access to these LIPs for connection so they can get some juicy positions in government or private sector to tap into their own blessings as well. thus the cycle of suffering in the midst of plenty continues.
in the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty - Bob Marley.

just visited the website but could not see any info on scholarships for students such as criteria & amounts under different schemes such as in the links below:

http://www.howard.edu/financialaid/grants_scholarships.htm#Freshman
http://www.morgan.edu/admin/Financial_Aid/scholarship.asp

i only saw some reference on the endowment page, soliciting for 165m to provide scholarship but nothing on how to obtain it.
would you know anything on this, including statistics of how many they have given each year since inception?

temisafety:
Like somebody said what we all need do is fulfill our own parts. Pray, work and do the correct things. Prayer/faith without work is dead, says the Bible. Nigeria is great and this is prophetic. So have faith.

I don't know why you had to tuck the highlighted portion away in your response. Anyway thanks for making reference to these two issues without which prayers may be to no avail as you will notice throughout Christ's ministry. Otherwise even when the miracle as in opportunity comes up you will not even recognise it talk less of using it. I hope you know tha the correct things include holding OUR representatives (leaders) accountable to us.
Nigeria has had and continues to have its miracle with the oil boom since the 70s. While prayerless(?) countries such as Saudi, Dubai/UAE, Quatar etc have transformed their societies we have regressed backwards.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/18042008/news/news10.html

commendable
this is more of what we need instead of people, supossedly reprenting us, sharing money meant to provide US healthcare, good roads, electricty, quality schools, employment etc.
if you know of any similar laudable initiative on scholarship in naija institutions please share it here for those who stand to benefit