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Bible Studies/Genesis 28:20-22
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Question
Is this verse telling us if we make a vow of money to a church or ministry the Lord will repay us ten fold or more?
Greetings, Thomas.
Genesis 28:20-22 records Jacob's vow to give God ten percent (a tithe) of everything he gets throughout his life.
Some commentators suggest that it was a commendable commitment, and others consider it to be an attempt to "bribe" God. ("If God takes good care of me, protects and preserves me, provides food and clothing, and gets me safely home, then I will worship Him as my God. This stone will mark the location of our encounter and a place of worship, and I will give him ten percent of everything."
It is more likely that Jacob is acknowledging the God of his father and grandfather, and making his own commitment to the covenant The LORD made with Abraham and Isaac.
Attempting to bribe God is never wise. Neither is it wise to put conditions on one's serving God. It is, however, very wise to enter into covenant with God when He extends the opportunity for you to do so.
Hope this helps.
CR
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Expertise: Preferred subject areas: Biblical doctrine, problem texts, and application of Bible teachings in daily life. Willing to consider questions concerning other aspects of Christianity, as well. Experience and qualifications: Converted to Christianity in 1970 while a student at Indiana University; active in Christian ministry since 1971; President, 1971 - 1973, then Chaplain, 1973 - 1975 of a campus ministry at Indiana University; Director of Campus Ministry for North Central Region of the U.S.A. and Canada, 1975 - 1976; director, dean, and teacher for a Bible College in Kaiserslautern, Germany, 1977; Pastor of the same church since 1978; founder and director of The Foundations Forum (Christian think tank), 1991 to present; District Foreign Missionary Director, 1981-2000; District Superintendent, 2000-2009; Founding Coordinator of Friendship International, a ministry to college and university students around the world, 1997 - 2001; Special Advisor to Friendship International, 2001 to present; Secretary and member of the Board of Trustees for a Graduate School of Theology, 1999 to present; Chairman of the Board of Directors and faculty member at the Apostolic Leadership Institute, 2000 to present; internationally known and requested Bible teacher, ministering by missionary and other official invitations in more than forty nations, and at least thirty-three of the United States; and other minor functions. Husband to the same wonderful lady since 1970, father of three college graduates, and one delightful Down Syndrome son born in 1994.
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