Bruce White: Jewish and Gentiles Tithed in the Church?
Bruce White Madison Church of Christ: Tithing is a common thing in the first century church. Both Jewish Christians and Gentile converts practiced tithing. Now, tithing simply refers to 10 percent of your money, property, wealth, or crops, whatever."There is a commercial where this man sings a jingle.
- Hey mister banker,
- Tell me if you can,
- What part of 'free'
- Don't you understand.
The is not a jot or tittle of truth to that statement. We don't say that it is a lie because the Post-Modern, Post-biblical, Post-Christendom era believes that it has a right to TAKE LIBERTIES with the text to construct a NARRATIVE THEOLOGY which fits the "personal agenda" of the preacher as Rubel Shelly claims for John in writing his gospel account.
However, in the OLD MODERN era we used to define the truth by looking at the evidence. First, there is no hint of tithing in the early church and only willing giving. When the Jews moved off the free farms in Canaan they knew that they had the right to cease tithing from that which they DID NOT RECEIVE.
Modern Jews but ONLY those involved in food production or distribution give 1% to the poor or burn it. They do not tithe because they know that there is no longer a PRIESTHOOD to feed, clothe and house.
Here is what was always going on:
"Keil and Delitzsch in their commentaries both on Genesis and Deuteronomy refer to the fact that in the ancient world it was well established that a land owner could collect a 10% fee, i.e., a tithe,
from those who used the land for making their livelihood.
As part of the commandments "dependent on the Land [of Israel]," these tithing regulations are only applicable to produce grown there. Pastor Craig M Lyons of Bet Emet
For clergy to demand the tithe they would have to provide the tither a free farm or a free business and then charge them 10% rent or interest. If the clergy provides nothing since they are not God, the Land Owner, then they can get nothing back unless they are Jews, living in Canaan with the priesthood, temple and animal sacrifices restored.
Christ Paid the Tithe and all religious taxes.
First: Jesus paid the temple tax, and as we noted in the first part of this sermon review where Bruce White uses Jesus and Paul to claim the TITHE, that both Jesus and Paul proved that the MINISTERS should be the GIVERS and the flock should be supported by them by preaching as VOCATIONAL PREACHERS.
Second: There was never any LAW OF GIVING to support the Church System. This was volunteered by the Corinthians and Paul wanted them to make good their pledge to help feed the starving. Paul said that:
Jim Should LAY BY Him. That means that Jim should LAY BY Jim until honest hands could convey it directly to the elders in Judea and then directly to the starving.
Bruce White: And tithing has the idea that that 10 percent is the first 10 percent; so in the Old Testament when God gave directions to His people, the Jews, about tithing. By the way, tithing is not just [uh] a Jewish thing. It was practiced in Egypt and Babylon and Syria.
When the tithe was imposed ONLY for farmers and ONLY for food grown on the free farms it was 10% of the increase or PROFIT to be given on the 3rd and 6th year. INCREASE is not NET INCOME: You may barter lambs for salt or labor. You may grind wheat to feed your family. The INCREASE is, therefore, your after-living expense income: the lambs were counted based on how many passed under the rod at the END of the season and not every time a ewe dropped a lamb.
Because Israel was a Theocracy ruled and protected by God, there was no central government and no king and no temple and no standing army. There was no tithing (no contributions, Bruce) on every 7th year. The other 4 year's FOOD ONLY was consumed by the TITHER and the poor with them at the festivals or at home.
That means on 2/7ths to the tribe of LEVI (food only) while on duty. That also means 2/70ths of the FOOD ONLY went to the PRIESTS.
That means .285% to the priests but then only if they eat it ONLY IN THE TEMPLE and if they slay the animals, burn them with loud music or sound and throw the blood on the Lord's Table.
Therefore, if the budget is $35,000.00 a week, the PRIESTS GETS $99.00 which will feed him in good style. If you tithe and Bruce gets more than a hundred dollars a week then he is going to get fat because he can only spend it on food and drink:
Bruce White: See, tithing brings gratitude. [~~] to understand who owns it all anyway.
Tithing strengthens our devotion to God.
It's as if the tithing helps us to kind of [~~~].
It forces us into considering how much God forgives for us, and how little we do for ourselves, actually.
That's true: God owns everything so we should give back to God. But a fine temple with a restored BABYLON WORSHIP TEAM barging right into the holy place is not God. Where IS God? Jesus said that God is the poor or widow so give it to the poor just as Jesus insisted.
Jesus didn't discuss tithing except to show that the tithing Jews were lost beyond redemption because they were so superstitious about tithing. They believed that, as Bruce White claims, that God would curse them if they did not tithe.
Neither does He connect TITHING and RIGHTEOUSNESS. Rather, He connects God's gifts to our righteousness. See the difference? If we tithe to get God's reward isn't this just a cheap way to BRIBE God so that we don't have to obey His commands?
The "serpent" in the garden is defined by a word connected to the sexual seduction given more power through "musical enchantment." Eve was wholly seduced and Paul warned that it is the garden experience and later musical events which destroy devotion to Godl
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2Co.11:3
Whatever good comes from tithing, Jesus defined it as ALMS which YOU must never be aware of. Jesus would say that you OWE the poor but you do not owe the priests, the musical sounders or the "house" because it would be shortly destroyed and the priesthood and tithing would cease. Therefore, listen to Bruce White and give your tithe to the poor as RIGHT HAND directly from you as left hand.
The tithe was the legalistic Jewish system of alms to the poor, widow, strangers and those of the tribe of Levi who were lumped in with the poor in a relative sense.
Jesus repudiated the temple system and there was no collection plates in the synagogue for AN ACT OF WORSHIP. Here is how you do in UNDER GRACE:
TAKE heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:
otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 6: 1
Jesus also said that we should give to those WHO COULD NOT return the favor. That says that God does not want our gifts because HE IS NOT POOR and He can flood us with wealth. But tithing to with the MOTIVE of getting a reward would violate Christian teaching:
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet (or musical team) before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6: 2
Notice that this was ALMS and not TITHE. The man may have tithed and LAID IT BY HIMSELF so that he would have to give to him that asketh:
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: Matthew 6: 3
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6: 4
Therefore, Jesus put any of God's approval on ALMS rather than the tithe:
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6: 5
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6: 6
Jesus died to take away the sacrificing and mediating task. Now, he take away the MIDDLE MAN in giving to the poor. Going further, he removes the professional Pharisee who makes long pretentious prayers so that he can get the widows to TITHE and more.
There simply is no FUNCTION under Grace which demands a PROFESSIONAL PERFORMER. Therefore, since there are no full-time clergy to man the institution or make sacrifices or make prayers more effective, there can be no role for tithing to replace the finished work of Lord Jesus Christ.
Bruce White: And tithing insures great blessings from God. In Matthew 6:33,
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things..." what are those things? They're food, clothing, and shelter. [~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~]
The tithe owed only to the tribe of Levi was concerned ONLY with food and drink and perhaps donated clothing.
Therefore, under legalism the tribes were the providers of food, drink and clothing because the nation had fallen from God's Grace and placed under the Law of Moses as a curse.
Under Christianity, we grasp that it is really God who supplies all. Therefore, don't believe that the preacher is God's AGENT. Furthermore, the preachers should not be so consumed with failing to get their necessities of life:
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:6:24
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Matthew 6: 25
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6: 26
Did you notice that Jesus didn't include A NEW CHARIOT? The LAND TITHE was a FOOD TIDE claimed only by MEDIATORS between man and God!
When Jesus finally allowed the evangelists to take their BEGGING BAG it was only so that they could store up food. Therefore, as J. W. McGarvey notes, that if they are not POOR IN SPIRIT and are dedicated to being suffering servants, the church will be better off if they get a job and support those who would LOVE to dedicate their lives to the mission field.
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? Matthew 6: 27
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: Matthew 6: 28
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6: 29
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matthew 6: 30
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Matthew 6: 31
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6: 32
Jesus did not legalize the LAW OF TITHING to pay for God's gift of free food, drink and clothing. Rather, to avoice the FAILURE at Mount Sinai in their musical idolatry, Jesus says:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6: 33
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6: 34
The tithe was only at the end of the year when the INCREASE could be counted. Then, the sheep were put in the Levites pens and the preserved grain and wine and oil was STORED UP to last for the entire year other than some food from the sacrifices.
Therefore, this is a DIRECT REPUDIATION of the Temple Storehouse which specificially was to TAKE THOUGHT for the entire year's supply of food and drink.
The Laying By in Store in Corinth. If anyone wants to GO LEGAL here is the TRUTH.
Paul says nothing about THE LAW OF GIVING in his directives to the church of Christ. Only after 13 years a famine prophesied by Agabus came. Paul told the Corinthians and they were the FIRST TO VOLUNTEER. Later, Paul told them that this was NOT A COMMAND. In 1 Corinthians 16:2 this laying by in store was the person's own weekly savings which would be collected only by those sent by Paul to "make up their bounty." Therefore, is is highly likely that there was never a collection in any of the churches.
From the nature of the Ecclesia and the Synagogue, we know that it was common among all civilized people to look out for the poor.
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2
The Witness of the Didache possibly 2nd century
Didache 1:5 Give to every one that asketh of thee, and ask not again;
for the Father wishes that from his own gifts there should be given to all.
Blessed is he who giveth according to the commandment, for he is free from guilt;
but woe unto him that receiveth.
For if a man receive being in need, he shall be free from guilt;
but he who receiveth when not in need,
shall pay a penalty as to why he received and for what purpose;
and when he is in tribulation he shall be examined concerning the things that he has done, and shall not depart thence until he has paid the last farthing.
Didache 1:6 For of a truth it has been said on these matters, let thy almsgiving abide in thy hands until thou knowest to whom thou hast given.
Any able bodied man who could provide for himself as a universal proof of maturity DID NOT get a penny of this.
Ecclesiasticus as part of the Apocrypha in the Septuagint which Jesus quotes and in the King James Version originally notes:
Give to the godly man, but do not help the sinner. Ecclu 12:4.
Do good to the humble, but do not give to the ungodly; hold back his bread, and do not give it to him, lest by means of it he subdue you; for you will receive twice as much evil for all the good which you do to him. Ecclu 12: 5.
For the Most High also hates sinners and will inflict punishment on the ungodly. Ecclu 12: 6.
Give to the good man, but do not help the sinner. Ecclu 12: 7.
Justin Martyr spoke for all early churches which did not treat giving as an ACT of worship:
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied
And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit;
and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.
Free will and a commanded act of worship don't go together.
Tertullian, Apology, b. c. 155, /160, Carthage [now in Tunisia] d. after 220, , Carthage
In like manner, by public law you disgrace your state gods,
putting them in the auction-catalogue, and making them a source of revenue.
Men seek to get the Capitol, as they seek to get the herb market, under the voice of the crier, under the auction spear, under the registration of the quµstor.
Deity is struck off and farmed out to the highest bidder. But indeed lands burdened with tribute are of less value;
men under the assessment of a poll-tax are less noble; for these things are the marks of servitude.
In the case of the gods, on the other hand, the sacredness is great in proportion to the tribute which they yield;
nay, the more sacred is a god, the larger is the tax he pays. Majesty is made a source of gain.
And on and on in a UNIVERSAL SENSE.
Until the pagan clergy flocked in to the churche about AD 364, the Christian Missionaries were supplied by free will offerings.
Like most of organized Christianity, it was stolen from the Jews or from Pagan cults as the Catholic Encyclopedia on "Candles" freely admits.
But, but, "I cannot take care of my family and live as Paul defined a true evangelist in 2 Corinthians." That is ok. God excuses you and you should not feel guilty.
You see, history has proven that the meaning of FREE WORD in Isaiah 55 and the meaning of GOSPEL as free simply cannot be SOLD or marketed by able bodied professionals. Most preachers are well trained and able enough to support their family and with ten other families support a missionary so that he does not give thought to his next meal nor does he depend on a BODY COUNT.
Bruce White: Tithing is a common thing in the first century church. Both Jewish Christians and Gentile converts practiced tithing. Now, tithing simply refers to 10 percent of your money, property, wealth, or crops, whatever.
Tithing is LAW only in Mormonism and the Seventh Day Adventists both of which is an Old Testament based system of legalism.
Tithing NEVER involved tithing money, property, wealth or whatever. We noted Ananias and Saphira who sold their property and were told by Peter that it was theirs to give or keep but not to lie about.
Tithing for "Christians" would repudiate the purpose for tithing and the New Testament's clear proof that--without repudiating Christ--there is NO ONE who can claim to EAT of the TITHE reserved for the tribe of Levi, under the Law of Moses and only IN THE LAND.
We cannot give anything back which God has not given to us. We honor Him by speaking His words "as they have been taught":
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. Isaiah 57:19
But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. Isaiah 57:20
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isaiah 57:21
Here is the goal of becoming a Christian
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. Heb 13: 15
Paul defined only vocal praise for the believer. However, this abrogates the Levitical musicians and the Aaronic priests who CANNOT function in the church. Therefore, there can be no tithe to support that which is OBSOLETE and had no value in a spiritual sense:
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went alway into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Hebrews 9:6
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood,
which he offered for himself,
and for the errors of the people: Hebrews 9:7
No Levitical musician could enter the Holy Place which was symbolic of the Church. And no ordinary priest could go into the the symbol of Heaven itself.
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Hebrews 9:8
Which was a figure for the time then present,
in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Hebrews 9:9
If these gifts and offerings could not cleanse the conscience then how are TITHES so suddenly powerful that they can make you RICH and keep you from being CURSED? Remember that the TITHE was ONLY meats and drinks: no cash.
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances,
imposed on them until the time of reformation. Heb.9:10
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Hebrews 9:11
Since Christ is a greater priest does that mean that we must make GREATER ANIMAL SACRIFICES accompined with GREATER MUSICAL SOUNDS needing MORE PRIESTS and therefore MORE TITHES AND OFFERINGS? NO. This is an unforgivable assumption.
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12
If giving God SEED money forces Him to give you a bumper harvest then Paul did not understand it either in his teaching or his "knowing a crucified Christ" PATTERN to be imitated:
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." Heb 13:5KJV
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb 13:6
Here is whom you must obey under under Christ:
There is no COMMAND RULERSHIP or PRIESTLY or MUSICAL MEDIATORS in the Christian System. Since Christ promised to be our ONE Teacher, we OBEY those who according to Paul "teach the Word as it has been taught."
The Ruler: Remember them which have the rule over you,
Defined as: who have spoken unto you the word of God:
Your obedience consists only of:
whose faith follow,
considering the end of their conversation. Heb Heb 13:7
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb 13:8
Here are those you should not LISTEN TO much less PAY CASH as a legalistic TITHE
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines:
For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats,
Strange was the by ways where you were likely to find entertainment to meet ALL of your needs:
Cenos (g3581) xen'-os; appar. a prim. word; foreign (lit. alien, or fig. novel); by impl. a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer: - host, strange (-r).
Cenia (g3578) xen-ee'-ah; from 3581; hospitality, i.e. (by impl.) a place of entertainment: - lodging.
Why should you not listen to JUDAIZING teachers trying to restore the Law of Moses?
which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Heb 13:9
Why no true Christian would either PREACH or PRACTICE tithing:
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. Heb 13:10
For the bodies of those beasts,
whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin,
are burned without the camp. Heb 13:11
Almost all of the service (hard bondage) bought with the tithe was conducted outside the camp. That is, outside of the holy places and out in the court. Therefore, the Levitical musicians, even in the vilest pagan temple, never performed in the Holy Place typical of the spiritual church of Christ:
And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation (representatives only); and they laid their hands upon them: 2 Chronicles 29:23
And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, [This says: "This goat is dying for the sins of all Israel]
to make an atonement for all Israel:
for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. 2 Chronicles 29:24
And Hezekiah (the king) commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar.
(Ordained by God) And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets,
(Ordained by the King) and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. 2 Chron 29:27
The covenant was made with LEVI. It was made for FOOD ONLY in the LAND ONLY of Canaan. When Israel sinned beyond redemption through musical idolatry at Mount Sinai, God gave Levi to mediate between the people--now called STRANGERS--and God. When Christ died there is no Tabernacle and no Temple.Therefore, no mortal has the authority to claim unique priesthood and NO MAN has the right to eat at the new Lord's Table.
Paul shows that the sacrificial system has been FULFILLED in a spiritual sense. Therefore, our sacrifices do not include TITHING to support the mortal priests replaced by JESUS CHRIST as our permanent priest.
Jesus Christ does not NEED restored sacrificing priests and MUSICAL LEVITES making noise but never, thank you very much because:
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Heb 13:12
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Heb 13: 13
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Heb 13: 14
Since we should not seek to crucify Christ all over with "animal burning music," Paul wrote:
FLASHBACK to the beginning:
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. Isaiah 57:19
But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. Isaiah 57:20
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isaiah 57:21
Paul to the Romans (15), Ephesians r and Colossians 3 DIRECTLY COMMANDED "that which is written," the Spirit or the Word of Christ. The new SACRIFICE is something which every believer as a priest can offer WITHOUT HELP, thank you very much.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. Heb 13: 15
The Levites and priests are no longer among the poor but Paul shows that the need to help the poor has not been abrogated.
Yes, the TITHE is over because the LAW which controlled it is over. "But, by the way, this does not mean that you should not give your alms to the poor."
Jesus said that our ALMS should go from our hand to the hand of the poor.
Paul said that there was no LAW OF GIVING.
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb 13: 16
Communicate means alms and not a tithe:
Koinonia (g2842) koy-nohn-ee'-ah; from 2844; partnership, i.e. (lit.) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-) distribution, fellowship.
The Corinthians free will offering ONLY for the poor was alms and not a tithe:
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. Ro.15:26
Unlike some mainstream Protestant churches, which teach that righteousness brings rewards in this life and the next,
prosperity churches emphasize the giving of money to God as a way to win those blessings.
Prosperity theology holds that a wise and abundant giver will enjoy a life free of sickness, stress and vices, such as alcohol, and will be flush with material goods -- a new car, a fine house, a big bank account.
"It's a spiritual version of Wall Street," said Hector Avalos, a former faith healer who now is an associate professor of religious studies at Iowa State University.
"They're basically playing on people's greed."
All prosperity giving always ends up in the hands of the institution and its STAFF. They always say that if we had ten thousand then we could do more mission work but it just ain't so.
Furthermore, like Solomon's temple, you put your religious faith in the mega-church and you also trust them and put your MONEY in it too. However, within five years of Solomon's death, the Egyptians came and looted the temple.
In its modern incarnation they "steal the church houses of widows." Therefore you may be SINNING if you "invest" in the institution and in your old age you will be tossed out into the cold and have to suffer the offense until you die.
"A fourth conclusion which is deducible from the above premises is, that all arguments or motives drawn from the law, or Old Testament, to urge the disciples of Christ to baptize their infants;
to pay tithes to their teachers;
to observe holy days or religious fasts,
as preparatory to the observance of the Lord's supper;
to sanctify the seventh day;
to enter into national covenants;
to establish any form of religion by civil law--and all reasons or motives borrowed from the Jewish law,
to excite the disciples of Christ to a compliance with or imitation of Jewish customs, are inconclusive, repugnant to Christianity, and fall ineffectual to the ground; not being enjoined or countenanced by Jesus Christ."
If you want God to protect your "investment" Jesus said not to let anyone know to whom your ALMS went but that it shoud be to those who cannot repay you. Only in this "investment" will god pour out the water of His Spirit Word upon your head and give you joy rather than grief for having invested in a pyramid scheme which preys on the old.
- Strepsiades and the Quacks of Revelation
- That's why they write 'O dire downdraft
- drumming rainclouds radiant',
- 'Locks of hundred-headed Typho',
- (Typhon, serpent or Egyptian Set)
- 'blasting squalls of mighty blow',
- 'airy scudders crook'd of talon,
- birds breast-stroking up on high',
- 'rain of waters down from dew-clouds.'
- Then, for poems like that, they get
- fine fillets of choicest mullet,
- avian breast of thrush supreme!
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines:For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats.
Or, we might add,
