Expert: Dr Eddy Cheong - 2/8/2009

Question
1)the Jews were nomadic &less developed, talents like King Solomon & David, China has plenty, Why God chooses them ?
2) why must the bible dictates that tiths must be 10% rather than free willing? 3) And why this condition is not first made known on altar calls - misleading ?? TQ.

Answer
QUESTION FROM THE INTERNET
The Jews were nomadic &less developed, talents like King Solomon & David, China has plenty, Why God chooses them ?

I will answer your question with this first Bible Reference….
Matthew 22:14 (New Living Translation)
14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Being called and being chosen appears different biblically. For example in 2 Peter 3:9, the Word of God clearly states that God is not willing that any should perish but that that all should come to repentance. God’s call is for all to repent but those who chose to repent (and accept the Lord in faith) are the ones who respond to His Call (God’s chosen).
2 Peter 3:9 (New International Version)
9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
So in the same vein, why was Abraham chosen to be the Father of all nations? Did Abraham have qualities that you and I do not have?
Genesis 12
The Call of Abram
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
The verse above is aptly titled “The call of Abram”. God called Abram and he responded…
Genesis 12:4 (New International Version)
4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.
Haran in Ur of the Chaldees was a pagan nation and Abram (implied) appears to be the only one who is willing to respond to God’s call. The Scriptures never stated whether anyone else was called before Abram but it would not be surprising if there were some called but who were not willing to respond.

So in answer to your question, election and calling is the Sovereign prerogative of God whether it be for an individual or a nation. God’s call to Nineveh (as a nation) resulted in their (national) repentance..
Jonah 3:4, 5
On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” 5 The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.
So in summary, calling is God’s sovereign choice (for God’s special people Israel in the Old Testament). Many times the Jews have betrayed their own calling but when they repented God took them back. Non jews who were willing to embrace the God of Israel were also accepted e.g. Rahab (who was a Moabite). God’s election is not based on merit but on His own sovereignty. God’s plan for the nation of Israel in the Old Testament (as His own chosen people) was ultimately for the purpose of bringing the Messiah to the World to bless them and all of us. Sadly but true, the Jews rejected their own Messiah. The New Testament puts it this way…
John 3:16 (New Living Translation)
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
The Scripture above says “so that everyone who believes”; but in reality only some will fall into the “chosen” category; these being those who accept the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in Repentance and Faith. Amen


As regards your question on tithing, please see my article at
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/9519