Respondent #1 - Pastor - I agree wholeheartedly that pastors should never do things out of fear of people or government. And I share your concern that the IRS regulations may be intimidating pastors. All that said, I can't agree with some of your points because: 1) Jesus told us to pay taxes -- if I carried out your thinking to its logical end wouldn't I end up saying that individuals shouldn't pay taxes wherever it contributes to something ungodly -- even though Caesar was obviously not godly? 2) Tax exemption has Biblical precedent -- from ungodly governments -- see Ezra. Since we're to be subject rulers where possible, this seems one area where it's possible -- we're following their structures, not engaging in deceit, by setting up a corporation. 3) Experientially, the last two major moves of the Lord in the U.S. were in Brownsville, and with Promise Keepers. They used the normal non-profit corporation structure. 4) I don't think Biblically that grieving the Holy Spirit is tied to fear -- in the context of Ephesians 4:30-31 it's our attitudes of bitterness and anger which grieve the Holy Spirit. The Lord bless you as you follow Him!
Response to #1 Brenden Biggs Sr. Hi Pastor,
I have been meaning to write you to tell you that on Easter I spoke of the parable of the woman with the lost coin. We handed out coins and in the spirit of the parable, hid candy at the park and sent the children to find it and instructed the adults to transfer their coins to someone that God has put on their Heart to minister the associated story to. The other day I received a phone call from a very excited lady who had sent the coin and a letter explaining the story to an acquaintance. Some weeks later that acquaintance called to thank her and to report that he had rededicated his life to the Lord.
As for the article, I’m not sure if you read it in its entirety. The article was not really about the issue of paying taxes, taxes are most often a symptom of something much more sinister at work. I believe it was more about a coup, a voluntary subjugation, about turning from God under the cloud of threat, duress and coercion. It’s more about turning from God and accepting a new king much like it was in first Samuel 8. It is about the Church in this nation accepting a deal, wealth and power for alignment. Much the same deal that Satan tempted Jesus with in Luke 4:5. The difference being, Jesus rebuked him.
In this Nation there is no King. There is no Caesar. Further, to be clear, the IRS is not a government agency both they and the Federal Reserve are private foreign banking institutions doing business in this Nation, by voluntary consent.
There is a phenomenon that exists wherein people who are captured and held hostage by their captors through fear and intimidation, after some time, become emotionally attached to their captors even to the point where they will express loyalty towards them and further, jealously and passionately defend the captors/abusers. This phenomenon is referred to as Stockholm syndrome. The people of this Nation have, in mass, succumbed to this syndrome. Many in this Nation have been set free from this debilitating psychological phenomenon. Many more each day are being set free and in Jesus name I say all those who suffer under the weight of fear and intimidation by the forces that seek to subvert the liberties this nation, be set free. The abuse must end.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Tim 1:7 (KJV)
Growing at an alarming rate, corruption and sin seem to be the acceptable norm and far more than half of the people in America claim to be Christian. God is asking “Who in my name is teaching them so”?
I have been meaning to write you to tell you that on Easter I spoke of the parable of the woman with the lost coin. We handed out coins and in the spirit of the parable, hid candy at the park and sent the children to find it and instructed the adults to transfer their coins to someone that God has put on their Heart to minister the associated story to. The other day I received a phone call from a very excited lady who had sent the coin and a letter explaining the story to an acquaintance. Some weeks later that acquaintance called to thank her and to report that he had rededicated his life to the Lord.
As for the article, I’m not sure if you read it in its entirety. The article was not really about the issue of paying taxes, taxes are most often a symptom of something much more sinister at work. I believe it was more about a coup, a voluntary subjugation, about turning from God under the cloud of threat, duress and coercion. It’s more about turning from God and accepting a new king much like it was in first Samuel 8. It is about the Church in this nation accepting a deal, wealth and power for alignment. Much the same deal that Satan tempted Jesus with in Luke 4:5. The difference being, Jesus rebuked him.
In this Nation there is no King. There is no Caesar. Further, to be clear, the IRS is not a government agency both they and the Federal Reserve are private foreign banking institutions doing business in this Nation, by voluntary consent.
There is a phenomenon that exists wherein people who are captured and held hostage by their captors through fear and intimidation, after some time, become emotionally attached to their captors even to the point where they will express loyalty towards them and further, jealously and passionately defend the captors/abusers. This phenomenon is referred to as Stockholm syndrome. The people of this Nation have, in mass, succumbed to this syndrome. Many in this Nation have been set free from this debilitating psychological phenomenon. Many more each day are being set free and in Jesus name I say all those who suffer under the weight of fear and intimidation by the forces that seek to subvert the liberties this nation, be set free. The abuse must end.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Tim 1:7 (KJV)
Growing at an alarming rate, corruption and sin seem to be the acceptable norm and far more than half of the people in America claim to be Christian. God is asking “Who in my name is teaching them so”?
I can’t find where Jesus said, “Pay Taxes”, maybe you can help to point that out, however, If you are referring to “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's”? We already know that this scripture has been misused to purport Jesus directing people to pay taxes. In this scripture, Jesus is not really discussing an issue of paying tribute or taxes to Caesar, rather an issue of returning to him, Caesar, his property. Jesus was very purposeful and thoughtful in everything he taught. What is the lesson to be learned from Jesus demanding to see the specific tribute money? Further, pointing out whose image and superscription was on the money, then, following the revelation that it was Caesars image and superscription, saying return to Caesar what is his? This was discussed more thoroughly in the previous chapter “Message for the Nation”. The truth is Jesus admittedly taught that it was forbidden to pay tribute to Caesar.
And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. Luke 23:1-3 (KJV)To the accusations Jesus replied “Thou sayest it” This was not as if to convey “So you say” but to confirm essentially Jesus’ reply in the affirmative, “It is as you say”. If it were not so Jesus would have refused to acquiesce, refuse to let false witness convict him. Jesus would have rebuked a lie.
Tiberius Caesar, by all accounts, was reported to be mad (insane). Furthermore, he was a murderer, a pedophile, a bisexual, a cruel man who took great pleasure in torturing his subjects, a man who mocked God as he claimed to be God. In that day, having a coin minted and widely distributed with the likeness and superscription of a ruler was a testament to the worldly power, control and ownership of such a ruler, a testament to his reign. It also served as propaganda to continually remind the subjects of that power and control. Caesar claimed to be God and his coins were graven images. They were requisitioned created and distributed with the intent to proclaim that power, and to him receive worship. I know that my Jesus would never have bowed down to such a man, such a philosophy. He would not have let it go unchecked. He would not have let people believe it was acceptable. He would not have acquiesced through silence. My Jesus my Lord and savior would never have done or said anything that remotely could have been construed to imply that he endorsed such a man, such a regime or the support thereof, nor would he have allowed his sheep to believe they should, not in any manner. Not then for a time such as then nor then for a time such as now. The truth is. He did not. Jesus spent much of his ministry exposing and rebuking corrupt leaders and philosophies. He left no question unanswered and no room for confusion.
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Ex 20:2-3 (KJV)
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Ex 20:4-7 (KJV)
Is not a man who pays tribute to an organization that murders thousands of innocent women and children just as responsible for the murders as the man in the organization who commands the trigger to be pulled or further, the man who pulls the trigger? Is not a man who pays tribute to an organization that subsidizes abortion, the murder and sacrifice of innocent children while they are still in the womb, just as responsible as the mother, father and surgeon who actually commit the act? Is not the man who pays tribute to an organization that mandates the acceptance of homosexuality and seeks to enforce laws requiring that such a life style be celebrated and taught as an alternative to the children of this nation, whether it be in a public, private or parochial setting. Isn’t he just as responsible as the man who actually lobbies for and enforces such laws or who partakes in such activity? Would believing that paying for such activity is not enabling the activity or aligning oneself with direct responsibility of the activity be madness in itself? Does not financing a corrupt unrighteous organization make one party to the actions, corruption and unrighteousness of the organization?
A man who pays to support a person or people group who through such support are made able to engage in the commission of sin is just as guilty of the commission of the sin as those actually committing it, especially after gaining the knowledge of the process.
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Ex 20:2-3 (KJV)
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Ex 20:4-7 (KJV)
Is not a man who pays tribute to an organization that murders thousands of innocent women and children just as responsible for the murders as the man in the organization who commands the trigger to be pulled or further, the man who pulls the trigger? Is not a man who pays tribute to an organization that subsidizes abortion, the murder and sacrifice of innocent children while they are still in the womb, just as responsible as the mother, father and surgeon who actually commit the act? Is not the man who pays tribute to an organization that mandates the acceptance of homosexuality and seeks to enforce laws requiring that such a life style be celebrated and taught as an alternative to the children of this nation, whether it be in a public, private or parochial setting. Isn’t he just as responsible as the man who actually lobbies for and enforces such laws or who partakes in such activity? Would believing that paying for such activity is not enabling the activity or aligning oneself with direct responsibility of the activity be madness in itself? Does not financing a corrupt unrighteous organization make one party to the actions, corruption and unrighteousness of the organization?
A man who pays to support a person or people group who through such support are made able to engage in the commission of sin is just as guilty of the commission of the sin as those actually committing it, especially after gaining the knowledge of the process.
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. John 15:22 (KJV)
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1-2 (KJV)
Over the years I have observed a steady decline in the moral fabric of this nation of our communities. I have sat and watched people who claim to be Christian cheer the dropping of bombs or be awe stricken by the ghastly scene of tracer fire from a gunship in night vision as it strafes a group of tents in the desert night, celebrating as human flesh and body parts fly through the air and land randomly in the sand illuminated, glowing green, by their warmth. Yes, them celebrating, as if it were some sporting event. I have seen many of the reported thousands of innocent babies still borne or born in the wake of recent wars with numerous hideous birth defects directly attributed to exposure to the bi-products of modern weaponry, culminated with the release of concentrated toxins as a result of different production plants being targeted and destroyed. This considered by a Christian nation as collateral damage, acceptable loss. All this to achieve what end? Popular propaganda wants us to believe it is about liberating nations and protecting our own. Not many lies have been larger than this and because it is our children and countrymen who are put into harms way serves as no justification for the way. The truth is simply that there exists a private, foreign central bank and it uses the young men and women of our nation to fight and die in order to stabilize and protect the power of its fiat currency in regions around the world. This same currency is a debt instrument created from contract, out of thin air. To use it creates debt and the debt cannot be satisfied under the assumption that all that is given to repay the debt is more of the same currency, therefore the process is cyclical and the debt rises exponentially. This currency is called a Federal Reserve Note, we call it the dollar. It represents perpetual debt. Are there alternatives? Yes, absolutely. This issue will be addressed in more detail in a coming chapter.
All this being said I guess, for me, the answer to your first question is absolutely, positively. Without a doubt, we should never contribute to support ungodliness in any manner. If it means stop paying to support it, then we do so, without hesitation, in Jesus name shut it down. God is with us. We must remember that Satan has a ministry as well and we must be very careful not to contribute to perpetuate it we must not tithe into it.
I do realize that scripture discusses issues of following the law of the land, however, this should never be done if it leads to violating the desires of our father. It also helps to gain knowledge of what the law truly says. King Nebuchadnezzar once commanded those under his authority follow a certain set of laws that carried a stiff penality if violated. Three young lads from Judah refused to follow those laws because they knew in their hearts it violated their father God’s desires. For me, I’ll take the fiery furnace any day.
As for the rest of the points you have covered I can only say this. I am only delivering the message I believe God has put on my heart. Over the course of these last couple of years God has spoken to me many prophetic things so much of it has come to pass with remarkable clarity and attention to details that I have no choice but to believe in the truth of it. Our relationship continues to grow as does my faith, especially my faith in hearing his voice, so much so that I can take great comfort in knowing that what has not yet come to pass, undoubtedly will, exactly as He says or has said.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ not Ezra. As for God manifesting His Spirit, it is not as if he does not or will not, in truth he does. He does come every now and then to show us, in a sense, a hint of what we are missing by resisting the changes he is asking us to make. I suppose that is why he impressed upon me to relay that we would not “Fully” manifest His Spirit in the current atmosphere of the Church. He simply cannot endorse a majority of the practices that take place there.
With regards to Brownsville and the Promise Keepers I believe God said quite clearly to me “counterfeit”. He said my spirit is powerful but not disruptive or repulsive to the righteous. The fruits of my spirit are calmness, peace and self control. Rolling around on the ground laughing uncontrollably, barking like a dog and roaring like a lion are not fruits of my spirit. I asked him about the healings and he replied. Don’t be deceived. Satan can take back what he has given.
God bless you Pastor, We love you.
All this being said I guess, for me, the answer to your first question is absolutely, positively. Without a doubt, we should never contribute to support ungodliness in any manner. If it means stop paying to support it, then we do so, without hesitation, in Jesus name shut it down. God is with us. We must remember that Satan has a ministry as well and we must be very careful not to contribute to perpetuate it we must not tithe into it.
I do realize that scripture discusses issues of following the law of the land, however, this should never be done if it leads to violating the desires of our father. It also helps to gain knowledge of what the law truly says. King Nebuchadnezzar once commanded those under his authority follow a certain set of laws that carried a stiff penality if violated. Three young lads from Judah refused to follow those laws because they knew in their hearts it violated their father God’s desires. For me, I’ll take the fiery furnace any day.
As for the rest of the points you have covered I can only say this. I am only delivering the message I believe God has put on my heart. Over the course of these last couple of years God has spoken to me many prophetic things so much of it has come to pass with remarkable clarity and attention to details that I have no choice but to believe in the truth of it. Our relationship continues to grow as does my faith, especially my faith in hearing his voice, so much so that I can take great comfort in knowing that what has not yet come to pass, undoubtedly will, exactly as He says or has said.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ not Ezra. As for God manifesting His Spirit, it is not as if he does not or will not, in truth he does. He does come every now and then to show us, in a sense, a hint of what we are missing by resisting the changes he is asking us to make. I suppose that is why he impressed upon me to relay that we would not “Fully” manifest His Spirit in the current atmosphere of the Church. He simply cannot endorse a majority of the practices that take place there.
With regards to Brownsville and the Promise Keepers I believe God said quite clearly to me “counterfeit”. He said my spirit is powerful but not disruptive or repulsive to the righteous. The fruits of my spirit are calmness, peace and self control. Rolling around on the ground laughing uncontrollably, barking like a dog and roaring like a lion are not fruits of my spirit. I asked him about the healings and he replied. Don’t be deceived. Satan can take back what he has given.
God bless you Pastor, We love you.
Respondent #2 - The illustration you have there would be more akin to a despotic nation. To illustrate our system a little more accurately you might need to use a venn diagram (instead of a pyramid). Practical notes: 1) Incorporating provides a measure of legal protection to folks who are running the church/business. i.e. lawsuits from ill meaning individuals. 2) a 501c3 status will provide more incentive for wealthy businesses and individuals to give more thanks to tax deductions to healthy churches/organizations. The regulations on forming and maintaining a 501c3 are getting tighter due to constant abuse of the tax exempt status. Corruption flows both ways. --- Whether or not a person believes in paying tax, (income, sales or corporate), seems like a deeper subject than the paperwork involved in church formation. --- On another note, how the heck are ya?!!
Respondent #1 Thank you for your encouragement about the lost coins -- that is so exciting! Our Lord speaks to us in the book of Romans about paying taxes: Romans 13:6-7. He lives it out when he pays taxes (by his own unique method - a coin found in a fish!) in Matthew 17:24-27. I would caution against terming the Promisekeepers or Brownsville movements as counterfeit based on manifestations which didn't occur in either of those movements -- the animal noises and so on were what happened in the Toronto Blessing. (And as someone who was blessed at Toronto, and had family members who manifested that way -- I'm reluctant to call that a counterfeit!)
Response to #2 Brenden Biggs Sr.
Hey D# we are doing pretty good thanks, how are you?
You are correct it is a deep subject and one has to wade through a bit of information, much of which we covered in previous chapters. The system, in so many ways, attempts to force violations of our Father’s law and commandments given to us by Jesus. I am sure that is why regarding these matters God clearly spoke and said, “This has been justified in the minds of men and has been allowed to persist, through all manner of reasons and excuses. NONE are righteous”! God will take care of those who rest in him and after some seeking he begins to bring clarity and reveal the simplicity of it.
Jesus said let your giving be in secret.
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. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet 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. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matt 6:1-4 (KJV)
Writing a check to a charitable organization and demanding to receive a documented receipt, in order to show proof to a private collection corporation that a certain monetary exchange took place, all to acquire a “tax write off”, is a public display of offsetting expenses wherein the primary contributor presents proof of and demands recognition of and equal credit in return for his contribution. This all takes place within the realm of the traditions and doctrines of men. This is neither giving nor is it in secret.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matt 15:9 (Jesus)(KJV)
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:19-20 (Jesus) (KJV)
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:15-17 (Jesus)
As for me, I love My Lord and savior and seek to keep his commandments. When are we all going to take him seriously? Jesus once said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you”? That’s not something I wish for him to say about me, or my family.
