繳納什一稅和奉獻一直是許多基督徒生活中的棘手問題，也是教會討論的焦點. 但為什麼人們捐錢這麼困難? 很簡單, the fruit of giving is a fruit of the new creation. If Christians don’t bear this fruit of giving, there’s something wrong.
The new creation bears the fruit of giving
When people become the new creation, 他們透過內心的改變結出新創造的果實, 自然的變化, 和 更新思想 與神的話語. A fruit of the new creation is the fruit of giving.
The saints at Philippi bore the fruit of giving
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, 沒有教會與我溝通有關給予和接受的事宜, 但你們只是. 因為即使在帖撒羅尼迦，你們也一次又一次地派人來滿足我的需要. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 但我擁有了一切, 並且比比皆是: 我吃飽了, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, 可接受的犧牲, 神所喜悅的 (腓立比人 4:15-18)
在腓立比書中 4:15-18, 我們讀到腓立比聖徒生活中奉獻的果實. Unlike the other churches, 腓立比的聖徒在經濟上支持保羅和王國的工作.
Paul had not asked for money. He had not asked the saints to support him financially, but the saints gave it to him.
It was not about the money. 但給予的果實對保羅來說是一個標誌，表明在基督裡的重生已經發生，他的教導在他們的生活中結出了果實.
他們不再是舊造, 誰自私, 貪婪, and doesn’t care about others. 但他們卻成為了 新創作 and bore the fruit of giving.
They didn’t give because they were asked to give. They also didn’t give to receive more back. But the saints gave freely with no strings attached.
The saints gave from their new heart, 他們的新本性, 和他們更新的思想.
The saints at Philippi cared about Paul
他們由神而生，具有天父的本質並且受到照顧 (的需要) 他們的兄弟保羅, 他冒著生命危險為他們傳播和傳播耶穌基督的福音，並拯救和救贖他們脫離魔鬼的權勢, 死亡, 和地獄.
Through Paul and his preaching, God’s love was revealed to them. They believed the words of Paul and accepted God’s love, 和 悔改, 是 受洗, 和 接受了聖靈.
他們感謝上帝並愛耶穌和天父勝過一切. 來自他們的信仰, 感激, 和對神的愛, they gave their offering.
透過奉獻他們的供物，他們承認上帝是他們的主，感謝他並榮耀他. They could say they loved God, 但透過贈送禮物，他們向上帝表明他們愛上帝並令他高興.
Just like the poor widow in the temple in the Old Covenant. The poor widow didn’t have much, 但她把一切都獻給了上帝，因為她愛上帝勝過一切 (馬克 12:42-43, 路克 21:2-4).
Paul accepted their gift not to become wealthy, but to meet his needs.
When people don’t bear the fruit of giving
新造的人不像舊造的人那麼自私、貪婪. 新造的人不會大驚小怪，也不會提出應該讓他們放棄奉獻的論點. But the new creation has a f主神的耳 and loves Him and gives freely.
如果人們沒有結出奉獻的果實，並想出各種藉口不奉獻什一稅和奉獻, then they are carnal and not spiritual.
因為透過在基督裡的重生和聖經中真實的教導, 新的創造, who has been quickened and has become spiritual in Christ, shall bear the fruit of giving.
結論
The bottom line is that if people refuse to give, they are led by a spirit of greed and the 對金錢的熱愛, instead of the Holy Spirit and the 對神的愛.
因為每個人, 受聖靈引導的人結出奉獻的果子，因此奉獻, just like the first church and the church at Philippi. 不接受更多回報, 而是出於對天父和聖子的感激和愛，並敬拜和尊崇他們.
‘成為地球之鹽’
