Why Seek His Kingdom Anyhow? c. 2006 by Lesley Barker

One night in May 1973 I put aside my cluster of nuanced, logical, and deeply held objections to faith long enough to draw near to God. Instantly, I knew His presence and His friendship. So, I set my course so that I would be with Him always even though it meant that I risked everything familiar about my identity, my world-view, my friendships, and my future plans. Indeed, it did and continues to cost everything for the sake of the reward which is incalculable- albeit sometimes invisible and intangible. Nevertheless, I continue to gamble that God is the greatest and only foundation for life and that His Kingdom will extend with Glory and Power and Absolute Pre-eminence visibly and tangibly throughout the whole earth. I continue to make my choices so that I seek that Kingdom’s extension and growth no matter the immediate consequences to my circumstances. It has taken 33 years of this search to allow the reign of King Jesus to dominate a mere portion of my heart and mind because of the extent to which I became co-dependent with and in bondage to philosophies and fears that assert lack, doom, and the need for self-fulfillment and that obstruct the reign of grace, truth, righteousness, peace, and love. I shall continue to prioritize His Kingdom- not because of the promise of houses, land, and relationships here and later; but because it is the only way I have found to walk free and disentangled from the hindrances that make progress towards meaning and truth possible. When His throne is established in the earth I shall be welcomed in the throne room. Crowned, robed, palm branch in my hands, I will throw my crown down at His feet and stand with the crowd of intimates acclaiming Him Lord forever. Praising Him!

One way to think about God's economic philosophy

Recently I listened to a seminar by Tony Fitzgerald (www.cotn.org), “God’s Interest in Your Financial Interests” on 8 CDs. He describes following the biblical economics of God’s kingdom as key to discipling nations and he contrasts God’s economic philosophy with that of the world. He says that the world’s philosophy is based on the lack or the imminent lack of resources which is antithetical to the way a good Father provides for His children. He calls the philosophy of lack a lie that is poised to bring into doubt that the Father’s heart ensures us provision, position, and transition into a place of wealth. Furthermore he encourages Christians not to seek blessing, which is “commanded” but to seek the kingdom. Blessing, Fitzgerald asserts, will seek after you. He interprets the book of Philemon as the biblical basis to pray for a supernatural cancellation of debt. He advices that we practice giving tithes and offerings in the way that they were understood by the rabbis and the Christians of the first century AD. The first offering is “First Fruits” which is 1/40 or 2.5% of a person’s gross income. It was not to be eaten; rather given to a person who is speaking and serving spiritually into your life and it releases a spirit of generosity while ensuring that the 97.5% remainder of the gross income will be blessed by God. The first tithe, 9.75% of the gross went to the Levitical priesthood in the Jewish tradition. The second tithe was only collected for two out of three years or 2/3 of 9.75% of the gross income. This tithe was put aside for the family to use to celebrate the biblical feasts and for the children’s inheritance. The third tithe was collected during one year out of three so it is equivalent to 1/3 of 9.75% of the gross income and it is to be given to the poor.