Actions to be a reflection of openness of heart

The people of God heard the words Moses brought to them from the Adonai and they were willing to listen and to take them at heart.

Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be abhorred. With it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the truth both by giving our money and our time and our labour. It is up to each individual to decide what he is going to do for God and how much time and money he or she is willing to invest in this God's work. The command, and its fulfilment, was not based on wealth. Nor was the determination of the donation — be it of gold, fabrics or skills — based on what the mind thought would be “appropriate” charity. It was based on each person becoming aware of their spirit and their heart and acting on that awareness.  Thus anyone who attends to his work in the faith and fear of God, may be as wise, for his place, as anyone else, and be equally accepted of the Lord. Our wisdom and duty consist in giving God the glory and use of our talents, be they many or few:

 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1Corinthians 10:31).

Exo 35:20-29 MKJV  And all the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.  (21)  And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom His spirit made willing. They brought Jehovah's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all His service, and for the holy garments.  (22)  And the men came in together with the women, as many as were willing-hearted, bringing bracelets and earrings, and rings and ornaments, all jewels of gold. And everyone who offered waved a wave offering of gold to Jehovah.  (23)  And everyone with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and bleached linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them.  (24)  Everyone lifting up an offering of silver and bronze brought Jehovah's offering. And everyone with whom was found acacia-wood for any work of the service, brought it.  (25)  And every wise-hearted woman spun with her hands. And they brought spun yarn, blue, and purple, scarlet, and bleached linen.  (26)  And all the women whose hearts were lifted up in wisdom spun goats' hair.  (27)  And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breast-pocket.  (28)  And they brought spice and oil, for the light and for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense.  (29)  The sons of Israel brought a willing offering to Jehovah, every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all kinds of work which Jehovah had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

The inhabitants of this world have to choose which world they want to belong to. Each person also has to chose on whose side he or she wants to stand and where to look for wisdom and truth. To come to wisdom and insight there has to be an open mind, willing to look further then the length of the nose and looking beyond the man made dogmas and teachings. That last part is the most difficult. Most people are afraid to set aside the dogmatic teachings, like the teaching of the Holy Trinity.
Most often they want to silence themselves such a tri-une godhead is too difficult to understand for man so it shall only be understood when the Holy Spirit is on man.

As such many Christians keep blinding themselves, not willing to accept the words like they are written down in the Bible. They forget that God commanded each person to search for the truth and to seriously study His Word, being prepared to put aside man's word. Each person has to become aware of their spirit and their heart and acting on that awareness, and God shall consider each person himself or herself responsible for the (man)made choices.

Rabbi Michael Barclay reminds us that in the past each gift was not judged by its financial value, but valued because it was a gift of the heart, a unique expression of that person. According to Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum:

 “The various different physical materials that different men and women had in their possession and contributed for the construction of the Sanctuary correspond to the unique personal attributes and powers possessed by each and every individual.

These days we look at the Book Exodus and at the Book of Proverbs trying to see how God's Wisdom is given free to share with many and enabling to free our minds and souls. coming closer to 14 Nisan we remember the Exodus of God's People. With them we find the story of a journey into freedom, but with freedom comes responsibilities.

We can not ignore how even the People of God once liberated form slavery by Him, dared to doubt Him and even went astray at several moments in their life. From the book Exodus we should hear the clear teaching:

 Each individual must choose to give from the deepest part within themselves in order to achieve God’s goals and obey God’s instructions. There are no statements that one person’s gift is better than another’s, just an instruction that the gifts must be heartfelt. {Building a community on individual effort}

When we look at what happened in Ancient Egypt and later in Jerusalem when the Nazarene Jew Jeshua offered himself as a lamb for the liberation of many,we can see the generosity of two people, one the Most High Divine creator, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah, and second His only begotten son, who is called son of man but also son of God.
That man only did what his heavenly Father wanted. He managed to keep doing the Wishes of the Most High. He told people he could do not anything without that God Who is much higher than him.

Joh 14:27-31 MKJV  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  (28)  You have heard how I said to you, I go away and I am coming to you again. If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, I go to the Father, for My Father is greater than I.  (29)  And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens you might believe.  (30)  I shall no longer speak many things with you, for the ruler of this world comes, and he has nothing in Me.  (31)  But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has given Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go away from here.

Today there are still lots of Christians who do not want to believe the words of Christ Jesus and his heavenly Father, what they say about each other, but prefer to keep to the idea of a tri-une god.
They should come to understand that this Jew who said he can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing is the one promised in the Garden of Eden and the one who was tempted, though God can not be tempted, and really died, whilst God can not die.

It is that period of the last hours we are going to 'celebrate' these days and in particular next Friday and Saturday. We do believe that the Nazarene Jeshua, is the one provided by the Elohim to bring a solution against the curse of death. The son of man who is also the son of David and son of Abraham could do only the things he did because God allowed him to do it and gave him the power to do it. For those around Jeshua and for us it should be the sign that God the Father loves this son and shows him everything he does, and will show him greater deeds than these, so that we will be amazed.

We shall read the coming days in the books of the New Testament how Jesus prepared himself to the agony and death he was expecting. We also shall read how he ended up in hell for three days and afterwards was taken up from the dead by his heavenly Father, who made him higher than angels. In that action taken place some 1985 years ago we can see how God raises the dead and gives them life and how in the same manner now life has come over us who want to accept Jesus as the son of God.

We all should also be fully aware how God now has assigned all judgement to the Son, so that all people will honour the son just as they honour the Father. We also should know that the one who does not honour the son does not honour the Father who sent him.

 Joh 5:18-27 MKJV  Then, because of this, the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but also said that God was His father, making Himself equal with God.  (19)  Then Jesus answered and said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father do. For whatever things He does, these also the Son does likewise.  (20)  For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all the things that He Himself does. And He will show Him greater works than these, so that you may marvel.  (21)  For as the Father raises the dead and makes alive, even so the Son of Man makes alive whomever He wills.  (22)  For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son,  (23)  so that all should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.  (24)  Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears My Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.  (25)  Truly, truly, I say to you, The hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they who hear shall live.  (26)  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son to have life within Himself,  (27)  and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

Jesus honoured his Father and honoured God His commandments, asking us to do likewise.

Our generosity, especially toward honouring God’s commands, must be determined by what our hearts say, not our minds (which are often concerned with growing assets and eliminating financial debts). All too often, we think about and even “want to” donate something but hesitate because we are scared that ultimately we will “not have enough.” Our minds, busy worrying about the future, often get in the way of what our hearts know is truly righteous. {Building a community on individual effort}

We can hear the words of Jesus and prefer them to place them in the tri-une god dogmatic teaching or can place them like God wants us to see them in the light of the Only One Godship. Having to make the choice to stay popular by man or to become popular by God, honouring the right people in the right concept, worshipping only One True God.

The people who got guided out of Egypt also had to make the right choices and many of them had difficulties to worship the true God all the time.  They who felt the Hand of Salvation by God, even had a moment they came to worship a golden calf.

We, in our generation have not felt the Hand of God like the Jews had felt it. This perhaps makes it more difficult for many to see that Hand of God. Though god has given His Word where in wisdom can be found. We only have to take it up and study it. Reading the words we should come to hear the words and  then we shall have to make the right choices.

In reality, every choice is one between faith and fear, and while our hearts may know that it is right to give of ourselves, our minds sometimes get caught in that fear, and so we don’t follow the deeper parts of ourselves. The teaching in our portion (Exodus 35:21) reminds us to follow our hearts and to give fully … knowing in faith that we are in partnership with God and that our well-being is always in God’s hands. {Building a community on individual effort}

Ben Azzai in Pirkei Avot 4:3 says:

“Do not regard anyone with contempt, and do not reject anything, for there is no man who does not have his hour and nothing which does not have its place.”

The portion, as well as the words of Ben Azzai, also reminds us to honour the honest gift of each person.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all judged each other with the same standards that God demonstrates in this part of the Torah? If, rather than glorifying someone who gives a lot of money to their temple and degrading someone who gives less — or worse, trying to shame them into giving more — we chose to look at whether the gift was a reflection of the person’s spirit and heart. If we valued the volunteer who helps set up and take down services and does it from their heart, as highly as we valued the financial donor? If we followed this simple instruction of respecting and treasuring each person and their individual gifts, how much more full would our communities be?  {Building a community on individual effort}

The month Nisan is the first of the Judaic religious year and should also be our first month of the year were we think to start a new or make some good intentions again. It is a point were we should reconsider how we treated everybody last year and how we should treat everybody in the future.

How much more welcoming and healthy would our communities be if we truly honoured each person for their own uniqueness, special qualities and expressions? {Building a community on individual effort}

Freedom itself is a Divine gift. This week’s portion reminds us to truly open our hearts and let our actions be a reflection of that openness — to respect each individual for their unique gifts and to embrace the results of more participation in all ways. {Building a community on individual effort}

Open hearts, action and true respect. Isn’t that what defines a healthy community?

May we all be blessed to build our own communities with the same integrity and passion as our ancestors, and to reap the blessings God provides as a result. {Building a community on individual effort}

Jesus asked us to become part of his body. With him we should all gather in unity trying to exhort each other and helping each-other to get more insight and wisdom.

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Find also to read:

1. Hearing words to accept
2. Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
3. Increased in wisdom in favour with God
4. Fools despise wisdom and instruction
5. We may not be ignorant to get wisdom

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Related articles

• Food for Thought-Psalm 51 Questions and Reflections
• Prayer for the New Evangelisation

Christianity is a love affair

We may not forget that Christianity is a love affair.

We are the beloved of God. This is the foundational definition of who we are. Everything else about us finds meaning in this fact. We do not earn or deserve God’s acceptance. He does not owe it to us. He gives it as a gift and therefore it will never be taken away from us.
If we deliberately reject it He will accept our decision. We can’t lose God’s acceptance by our behaviour or failure. We are totally and eternally accepted.

Too often we live as if God only tolerates us in the hope we will improve. We strive to gain His approval and make ourselves more acceptable.
We refuse to believe that he likes, loves, accepts and searches for us.
We read of the prodigal son and insist on seeing ourselves still in the pigsty rather than in the Father’s arms. We reverse creation and make God in our image giving Him all our difficulties in giving undeserved and unconditional love.

We forget that God is love. 

Early Christian ichthys sign carved into marble in the ruins of Ephesus, Turkey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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2013 update:

Related articles

• Cold-Case Christianity
• My Indomitable Love Affair
• Loftus: The Case for Christian Faith is "Abysmal"
• More Headaches for Christians Around the World!

Ember and light the ransomed of Jehovah

We have come in those days when many cry out to Allah, God against their oppressors, and He shall send them a Saviour to defend and to get them out of the slavery of this world. In Scriptures it is indicated that there shall come a time when religion shall set up against religion and children against their parents. Everywhere in the world we can see severe discussions going on between youngsters and their elders. Young people also protest against the situations around them and are faced with different religious groups which pull them from one site to the other. Men and women have absolutely no regard, or fear, for the Word of God any-more.

In certain Christian faithgroups today they call Ember Saturday in Advent. It is a day of Fast and Partial Abstinence as they prepare for one week from today the coming of the Lord. Today they find themselves at a Major Feria, not Privileged Station at St. Peter‘s.

In most of the Christian faithgroups they soon remember the birth of Christ Jesus (born 17 October 4 bCE) on the birthday of the goddess of light. They seem to find it appropriate to celebrate Jesus his birthday on that pagan day because they consider Jesus as the light of the world. And he was and must be our light. He should be the one who pulls us from the dark and lightens our path making clear all the signs which direct to the One and Only One God, God of gods, the Father of Jesus Christ, Jeshua, the son of Mary (Miriam/Maria) and Joseph,  from the tribe of king David.

Heavy-laden under the yoke of sin humanity went astray, and many lost the Magnetic North. In Jesus god has given the world the most accurate magnet.

The days are filled with pictures from Syria and the desert in Jordan with in the camps thousands of people fighting to have something to eat and hoping to find something to warm themselves. They do not like the water in the Unicef camps and are thirsty in the desert crying out to let the wilderness rejoice, and flower as the lily. They also should learn as a lot of people in the West that  the desert places of the Jordan shall blossom and rejoice; the glory of Lebanon has been given to it, and the honour of Carmel; and God's people shall see the glory of the Almighty God.

Let the wilderness and the dry place be glad for them, and let the desert rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It blossoms much and rejoices, even with joy and singing. The esteem of Lebshall be given to it, the excellence of Karmel and Sharon. They shall see the esteem of יהוה {Jehovah}, the excellency of our Elohim. (Isaiah 35:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)

The time has come that those who have faith and believe in the creator of all things, have to say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you."

Jesus was placed on this world by his Father, Jehovah God, on a miraculous way, and to bring what you call a miracle as well, namely the offering of a peace which shall endure for ever.

The Jew from Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, was to open the eyes of the blind shall and to unstop the ears of the deaf. As prophesied he did many miracles in the name of his Father.The lame man came to leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute to sing for joy. And he gave hope to all who were willing to listen. He was the man who was prepared to give his blood and his body as a Lamb of God to bring the most acceptable offer to God so that no other offering would be necessary.

In the night he was born a great falling star also showed the way to shepherds and magi, wise man who crossed the waters in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; to see that the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, and that where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Holy Most High shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Say to those with anxious heart, “Be strong, do not fear! See, your Elohim comes with vengeance, with the recompense of Elohim. He is coming to save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf be opened. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing, because waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water – in the home for jackals, where each lay, grass with reeds and rushes. And there shall be a highway, and a way, and it shall be called “The Way of Set-apartness {1}.” The unclean does not pass over it, but it is for those who walk the way, and no fools wander on it. {Footnote: 1See Ps. 77:13.} No lion is there, nor any ravenous beast go up on it, it is not found there. But the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of יהוה  {Jehovah} shall return and enter Tsiyon with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:4-10 The Scriptures 1998+)

We may live in a time of crisis where disappointments abound but with the birth of Jeshua, Jesus Christ, we have received a Saviour, the Messiah.For us he must be the most magnificent present, the brightest light-spot in these dark times. Out of all the noise of ongoing shooting these days we should hear a loud voice in heaven saying that time has come for the deliverance and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.

And I heard a loud voice saying in the heaven, “Now have come the deliverance and the power and the reign of our Elohim,{1} and the authority of His Messiah, for the accuser of our brothers, who accused them before our Elohim day and night, has been thrown down. {Footnote: 1See 11:15. }
(Revelation 12:10 The Scriptures 1998+)

The most important day we all should remember is the day God liberated His People from slavery and let the exodus begin to come to the Holy Land, plus the day that Jesus remembered that and installed the New Covenant and afterwards was killed to accomplish the promise of his Father. For the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before God day and night, is now cast down by that simple man, who was a magnificent teacher.
With him light came into the world to darken the greyness of the death and to bring it into oblivion. And they have conquered the accuser by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they did not spare themselves even unto death.

“And they overcame him because of the Blood of the Lamb, and because of the Word of their witness, and they did not love their lives to the death. “Because of this rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has little time.”
(Revelation 12:11-12 The Scriptures 1998+)

We are aware that the earth which shall not be destroyed did not end to exist on the 21st of December 2012, like some thought it would. Had they had read the Bible they should have known better.
The world has to see first the enragement and those who want to make war with the remnant of the seed of the woman, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus. A third world war is inevitable. Inescapable shall be the last and greatest tribulation the world has to face. When the time has come to that point people should have found their place, either on the site of God or on the site of the world.

These dark and short days, make time to think about the light and the real most precious present you can receive and have for a life in eternity.

The nation of Israel gave birth to the Immanuel, the God with us by the Messiah, who gave his life for all mankind. Jesus, the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world, won the victory over sin and death.

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Following on: A season of gifts

Note:

Did you know that Dec 25th is the 2600 year old birthday of the Greek sungod "Sus" (as in Ie-Sus, meaning "hail Sus?" The Greek mythological father-god and mother-goddess of Sus was Janis (January) and Easter! They would cut down evergreen trees in worship to him on his birthday! El YAH commands us "have no foreign elohim (gods) before your face" (first Covenant Commandment, Ex 20).
 

Please do read:

1. Jesus begotten Son of God #1 Christmas and Christians
2. Jesus begotten Son of God #2 Christmas and pagan rites
3. Jesus begotten Son of God #3 Messiah or Anointed one
4. Jesus begotten Son of God #14 Beloved Preminent Son and Mediator originating in Mary
5. Religious Practices around the world
6. Not bounded by labels but liberated in Christ
7. Zeus een heerser van hemel en aarde + Heil tot de gezondene van God of Zeus
   
   
    

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Find also:

1. The Song of The Lamb #1 Visions, symbols and suggested meanings
2. The Song of The Lamb #2 Sevens
3. The Song of The Lamb #3 Daniel and Revelation
4. The Song of The Lamb #4 Methods of Interpretation
5. The Song of The Lamb #5 Revelation 5
6. The Song of The Lamb #6 Revelation 14
7. An unblemished and spotless lamb foreknown
8. 144 000 following the Lamb
9. Kingdom Visions of a Man, Throne and Great crowd
10. Kingdom Visions of Rainbowed angel, Lamb in Mount Zion
11. Kingdom Visions of God’s judgements and Marriage of the Lamb
12. Seals, a flying scroll, a statue and blessings

 Of interest:

1. The Importance Of Scripture
2. The importance of Reading the Scriptures
3. Liberal and evangelical Christians
4. The great ideal of this age
5. A promise given in the Garden of Eden
6. Clean Flesh #2 Purity of Jesus
7. Jesus spitting image of his father
8. Jesus begotten Son of God #10 Coming down spirit or flesh seed of Eve
9. Christ having glory
10. Jesus begotten Son of God #20 Before and After
11. How The Seed Of The Woman Was Bruised On The Heel How Christ Fulfilled The Promise.

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Other faithgroups websites:

Do You Want To Know Your Future?
Do you ever think about your future, both near and far? Do you ever ask yourself, what this life is about and why am I here. Does your life hear have any real, genuine meaning? Why does this world seem like each generation gets worst and worst. Why are there more and more and earthquakes and natural disasters each year? What is this world coming to or should I say what is coming to this world? These are all very valid and significant questions to ask, especially when you have tragedies like children being massacred in schools and on the streets of our inner cities every year. If you’ve asked these questions, maybe I have your answers. It’s All been written out for us in the Book of Truth. This book is made of a total of 66 books

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• "To bear witness of the light."

Expenses, costs - Onkosten, uitgaven

Onkosten: expenses, expenditure, outlay, costs.The financial burden involved typically in a course of action or manner of living. The losses to realise something.

Several times Christians are forced to make expenses without, seemingly any advantage or which lie outside the usual personal gain. 

Unfortunately we can not escape the financial matters because almost for everything must be paid.  To maintain a church community  and to do the the spiritual work of spreading the Word of God often a lot of money has to be paid for. We are bounded by many affairs which have to be paid for like all the material to realize the things.

To hold meetings a place is needed, something to sit on, sufficient heat or a dry spot, sufficient light.  All the things to receive people shall cast something. Mostly an ecclesia or parish brings  a lot of paper work, of which the parer, ink, print apparatuses, copy machines etcetera have to be paid for.  To maintain the church communities, the cleaning things, making contacts, telephones, internet connections, a.o. all bear a price ticket.

To cover the expenses of the meetings several churches hold during their service a passing of a little basket or an offering on plates as a collection.  In some churches, there is a division during a service with an offerande or an offering.  In the 'Offergang'  'offering' or oblation the people  present bread, wine and sometimes also other affairs, as flowers and money, as an offer in worship.



Bible researchers and Biblestudents will give the preference to the age-old use of the voluntary gift.  Although in some communities you also shall find collections. That option is chosen because one otherwise shall have too little earnings generated to be able to foresee all the necessary services for the church community.

The Biblestudents, Bible-researchers, Bible-scientists, and o. a. Christadelphians find that they received the Word of God for nothing they have to communicate it to others.  They will ask no money for the performing of services.  But naturally everybody can give freely a voluntary contribution to cover the expenses made.  Everybody may give to his or her own abilities or fortune, in kind or money, and only when he or they will.
Some students of the Bible, as in several protestant groups, talk about giving 'one tenth' of the persons income,  or 'Tithe' or 'tithing'.  Hereby the religious people are pointed out that God  asks us a small part of our belongings to share with the community.  Several protestant churches point or ask then also to take distance of a tenth of the income to the advantage of the church.

Personally we prefer to keep to voluntary contributions.  Only, unfortunately must we well observe that expenses often exceed the gifts.  We only can hope that everything always comes just on its legs.  And perhaps we may now and then remind the people that everything in life costs money and that we also are dependent of this world for the realisation of all the worldly things.  Thus for us gifts are also very welcome.

Onkosten: kosten die voor iets worden gemaakt, uitgaven, de prijs die men moet betalen om iets te kunnen verwezenlijken. De vorderingen die kunnen gemaakt worden of geëist worden voor geleverde diensten of producten.

Meermaals zijn het kosten die men gedwongen is te maken zonder dat men er, schijnbaar althans, voordeel van heeft, of die buiten het gewone persoonlijk gewin liggen.

Spijtig genoeg kan men er niet onderuit dat er bijna voor alles moet betaald worden. Om een kerkgemeenschap te onderhouden en om het geestelijk werk van verspreiding van het Woord van God te verrichten kan men er eenmaal niet aan ontkomen voor vele zaken te moeten betalen vooraleer men het materiaal kan gebruiken om de dingen te verwezenlijken.

Bijeenkomsten hebben een plaats nodig, mensen iets om op te zitten, voldoende warmte of een droge plek, voldoende licht. De voorzieningen om de mensen te ontvangen kosten dus geld. Meestal komt er ook papierwerk bij kijken, waarbij men dan de kosten heeft voor papier, inkt, afdruktoestellen, kopieerders enz.. De kerkgemeenschap onderhouden, poetswerk, contactopname, telefoons, internetverbindingen, e.d. dragen allemaal een prijskaartje.

Om de kosten van de bijeenkomsten te dekken houden verscheidene kerken tijdens hun dienst een ophaling of collecte. In sommige kerken is er tijdens een dienst een offerande deel of een offergang. In de Offergang wordt dan door het aanwezige volk brood, wijn en soms ook andere zaken, als bloemen en geld, aangeboden.

Bijbelonderzoekers zullen er de voorkeur aan geven om het eeuwenoude gebruik van de vrijwillige gave te verkiezen. Alhoewel men in sommige gemeenschappen toch ook nog collectes vind om dat voor die optie gekozen is omdat men anders te weinig inkomsten genereert om de kerkgemeenschap te kunnen voorzien van al de nodige diensten.

In de Rooms Katholieke Kerk was er vroeger buiten de collectes ook nog het Stipendium, of het aalmoes dat, volgens het uitdrukkelijk door de Kerk van Rome goedgekeurde gebruik, mocht gegeven worden aan de priester, met het verzoek de H. Mis tot intentie van de gever op te dragen.
Vandaag laten de priesters in de Rooms Katholieke Kerk zich betalen voor allerlei diensten.

De Bijbelstudenten, Bijbelonderzoekers, Bijbelvorsers, en o.a. Christadelphians vinden dat zij het Woord van God voor niets hebben gekregen en voor niets aan anderen moeten mededelen. Zij zullen geen geld vragen voor het verrichten van diensten. Maar natuurlijk staat het iedereen vrij om een vrijwillige bijdrage te geven om gemaakte kosten te kunnen dekken. Iedereen mag naar eigen vermogen geven, in natura of geld, en wanneer hij of zij maar wil.

Bij sommige studenten van de Bijbel wordt er, zoals in meerdere protestantse richtingen, ook wel over 'Tienden' of 'Tithe' of 'tithing' gesproken. Hierbij worden de gelovigen er op gewezen dat God ons vraagt een klein deel van ons hebben en houden of ons inkomen te delen met de gemeenschap. Verscheidene protestantse kerken wijzen of vragen dan ook afstand van een tiende van het inkomen ten voordele van de kerk.


Persoonlijk houden wij er liefst aan om af te gaan op werkelijk vrijwillige bijdragen. Maar, spijtig genoeg moeten wij wel opmerken dat kosten dikwijls de giften overstijgen. Wij kunnen slechts hopen dat alles altijd juist op zijn pootjes terecht komt. En misschien mogen wij nu en dan eens de mensen er aan herinneren dat alles in het leven geld kost en dat wij ook afhankelijk zijn van deze wereld voor de verwezenlijking van al de wereldse dingen. Dus voor ons zijn giften ook steeds welkom.

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Onkosten blijven onherroepelijk verbonden aan het gebruik.

kasbehoeften, uitgave, uitgaaf, besteding, vertering, bekostigen, bekostiging, onderhoud, levensstandaard, onvoorziene uitgaven, expensen, impensen, spesen, spiesen, cum expensis, kost, schadepost

Uitgeven, besteden aan, verteren, opteren, de onkosten bekijken/bestrijden, de kosten dragen/maken, bekostigen, zich in kosten steken, geld gebruiken/uitgeven, geld in iets steken, botje bij botje leggen, in de bus moeten blazen, in de buidel blazen, de aap aanspreken, zijn korentje groen eten, zich onderhouden, van de hand in de tand leven, vertering maken, een gat in zijn hand hebben, een gat in zijn goed maken, naar de toon leven, doormaken, doorbrengen, doordoen, doordraaien, opdoen,

kosten, een hele kluit geld kosten, oplopen, er aan moeten geloven, in de papieren lopen, de centen bijten hem, het geld druipt (gaat gauw, glijdt, glipt) door de vingers, dat hakt er in, dat kan bruintje (grauwtje) niet trekken, dar hangt veel geld aan, het geld smelt mooi, de beurs slinkt aardig

Contribution - Contributie, bijdrage

Bijdrage of contributie

Bijdrage: contribution. MEcontribucioun fr MF contribution fr L contribution contributio dividing distributing, assigning fr L contributus.

D Beiträge

 Act of contributing or a payement imposed upon a body of persons or on the population or group of people, a sum of monney paid as a form of tax or voluntary contributed.
  In certain churches a tithe or tenth to pay or give for the suport of the church or to cover the costs of the congregation or ecclesia. A form of tax imposed by certain churches to their members for religious purposes and especially for the support of the priesthood or religious establishement.
Other churches say that the administration of the Last Sacraments should be free of charge but dare to ask of the requesters a contribution (with direct price) to cover the expenses of their pastoral work and diaconal work.  According to them, the direct prices may not be a limitation however to ask for those sacraments.  They are for men that live of a low income always negotiable.  This method can give men an easy feeling that they do not beg but also give an idea how much they could contribute so not to have to give too little.  It can give the requesters a certain form of peace of mind. 

In some protestant churches there is also worked with collection coupons that either become furnished at the church members or that for every visitor at the church lie ready by the coffee buffet in the church.  By others, there lies an envelope which the churchgoers can put  their financial contributions. 

The Belgian Christadelhians find that the mostly suitable form for financial contribution is having a collection box or basket behind or on an inconspicuous spot, which gives the opportunity far everybody that wishes, to give a voluntary financial present discreetly.

 

Contributions are not have to be accounted for on the financial site.  One can contribute or furnish also by performing through work in the church community.  The foreseeing of flowers, hall decoration, taking care of the common classrooms, keeping everything clean, foreseen of the delicacies for after the service, etc give all sorts of activities, that also must be performed in the community , and where one mainly must count on voluntary co-workers.

 

Textually people also can contribute.  Literary writings, dissertations over Biblical and scientific subjects to discuss, can enrich the spiritual life of the entire community.  The lectures are not  always have to be provided by one man and how more people can contribute towards the church community, how more realm on spiritual understanding can become realised and how less danger there exists for an indoctrination or a concept from one person.  By bringing texts of more people several thoughts can be discussed and a larger variety of subjects and perspectives can come at bid.

The contribution can according to a promotion its till the welfare of the community.  Also contribute can possibilities create to do new things arise. 

But also through gifts within the church community, the ecclesia or parish can on her turn then again contribute to the commune, the town or living environment.  Churches have shown a long tradition in the middle-class commune.  In the anglo-saxon countries it is (or has been) the custom that churches offer all sorts of peoples activities through the year.  In our regions we do not see that so much, outside by the Catholic church the renting of the parish house where then all sorts of eat festivities and other affairs are offered for the locals to meet.  Also we can see  that it are the churches who remain in the old districts as other organizations already have left. They try that to be at the disposition for the needy and try to offer help where they can.  For that lasting presence, also called ecclesiastic presention, are according to some men professionals 'indispensable'.  For them it is asked to much for the volunteers to have to  work in the districts alone.  And actually it is well so, only one person can not do all that work, but in mutual cooperation of the church members it can be made possible. Together all members can, under a particular leadership, spend attention at the problems in districts and at the role belief can play in municipalities to improvement of those problems.

The approach, understandings and methods of the Christian Community can furnish a contribution at a harmonious society and promote the luck and welfare of so much possible living beings. 

The hospitality of the church community has to stretch further than the table of the Lord by which all baptised are welcome but all the others should also feel welcome to become partners to a wonderful event. 

Were former parishioners quite narrowly concerned on the ecclesiastic life, now it is difficult to find volunteers and people eager to help to construct the parish community.  Many men can find no time to invest themselves with activities in the church community.  For them, the financial contribution appears the easiest manner to support  the church community.

However, when you are really interested in belief, you can not escape to fix your relation to the developments in the church community.  Everybody on this earth must come till selfresearch.  Asking yourself question about faith and in what you want to belief. What will I do with my belief, for what do I need the church community and which contribution can I furnish to that church community?  Because belief and church are not obviously any more, it is difficult to find answers to all those questions. 

Therefore it is fine that in the history of men examples can be found of women and men that can help us to find our own way.  Women and men that have a particular meaning because of the way they lived.  They can help us to find the direction in which we can find answers on our life questions.

God needs men.  He needed Jesus of Nazareth.  But especially also: he needs us to give the love hands and feet.  In our actions Gods Light can break through. Besides, this is what Jesus wants from his followers, that they spread or carry out  the gospel further but also that indispensable love.  Each other giving life ... that can we!  That we do by stepping out of our own silly little world and to give each other attention, to take each other serious and listening to each other's  stories and urges.  By letting each other feel: I want to commit to you.  By coming  together on particular places so that every believer is able to carry out his faith and also can be of support and anchor for others.  The social contact that there can be given is in the commune of that belief group then becomes of very big importance. That is a not a neglect-able contribution.

For small small belief communities, especially all those which are not supported by institutional churches, it is more difficult to remain upright and to be able to cover the expenses.  Because they already have lesser means they are tremendously limited in the carrying out of their belief and in making their belief community known to others.  The mutual solidarity between men in the small belief community can certainly remain - how small in number the community also is, if these have been built on true belief.  Then it becomes importatn for them as a small group of enthusiastic men that they can keep the fire burning and that they remain seeking to forms of being together church that can fit their community. 

As local religiously we can only badly hope that by more men shall come more understanding  that the different part activities to service stand of the structure of one community and her mission. That more men may become more actively involved by the structure and the maintenance of the church community and may realize that it is a 'large' number of small branches that necessarily can be fulfilled.  Everybody in the beliefs community must there be self conscious that the church community has to play a positive striking and at the same time recognizable role in the towns community and that activities and projects of the church community can give a larger acquaintance at the belief community through which on her turn the community also again shall be able to grow and so will get a good return.

De bijdrage is het aandeel dat men geeft, welk op wetenschappelijk, theoretisch en op praktisch en financieel vlak kan liggen. Het is de verwachting voor het toekennen of afgeven van een betaling in natura of geldelijke middelen aan een groep van mensen of aan de bevolking, als een vorm van taks of vrijwillige voorziening om bepaalde kosten te kunnen dekken.Zo kunnen in verscheidene kerken de kosten door vrijwillige bijdragen gedekt worden.

In bepaalde kerken wordt er op gerekend dat de leden van de kerkgemeenschap uit eigen overtuiging vrijwillig een tiende (tithe) van hun loon of inkomsten afstaan aan de kerkgemeenschap, zo dat de kosten van de kerkgemeenschap of congregatie kunnen gedekt worden. Bij sommige kerken wordt dit (tithing)  zelfs als iets vanzelfsprekend gezien en kan men eigenlijk niet meer van een vrijwillige bijdrage spreken maar van een heffing op het inkomen. Deze heffing of 'Tiende' wordt dan gebruikt om de priesters, pastors, dominees of predikers en het religieus establishment te ondersteunen.

Andere kerken zeggen dat de bediening van de sacramenten gratis is bij hen maar vragen van de aanvragers een bijdrage (met richtprijs) om de onkosten van hun pastoraal en diaconaal werk te dragen. Volgens hen mogen de richtprijzen echter geen beletsel zijn om een viering aan te vragen. Ze zijn voor mensen die leven van een laag inkomen altijd bespreekbaar. Deze methode kan de mensen een gerust gevoel geven dat zij niet bedelen maar ook een idee geven hoeveel zij zouden kunnen bijdragen om niet te weinig te moeten geven. Het kan de aanvragers aldus een zekere vorm van gemoedsrust geven.

In sommige protestantse kerken wordt er ook gewerkt met collectebonnen die ofwel bezorgd worden aan de kerkleden of die voor iedere bezoeker aan de kerk klaar liggen bij het koffiebuffet in de kerk. Bij anderen ligt er daar een envelop waar de kerkgangers dan hun geldelijke bijdragen in kunnen stoppen.

De ons meest geschikte vorm voor financiële bijdrage is van achter of op een onopvallend plekje en collectebus of mandje waar iedereen die wenst, onopvallend een vrijwillige financiële schenking kan doen.

Bijdragen hoeven echter niet enkel op financieel vlak te liggen. Men kan ook bijdragen leveren door werk in de kerkgemeenschap te verrichten. Het voorzien van bloemen, zaalversiering, proper houden van de gemeenschappelijke lokalen,  voorzien van de versnaperingen voor na de dienst, enz. geven allerlei activiteiten die ook in de gemeenschap moeten verricht worden en waar men hoofdzakelijk moet rekenen op vrijwillige medewerkers.

Tekstueel kunnen ook bijdragen geleverd worden. Letterkundige geschriften, verhandelingen over Bijbelse en wetenschappelijk te bespreken onderwerpen, kunnen het geestelijk leven van de gehele gemeenschap verrijken. De lezingen hoeven niet steeds door één man voorzien te worden en hoe meer mensen bijdragen in de kerkgemeenschap, hoe rijker aan spiritueel inzicht zij kan worden en hoe minder gevaar er bestaat voor een indoctrinatie of een denkbeeld vanuit één persoon. Door teksten van meerdere mensen naar voor te kunnen brengen kunnen ook meerdere gedachten besproken worden en een grotere verscheidenheid aan onderwerpen en gezichtspunten aan bod komen.

De bijdrage kan aldus een bevordering zijn tot het welzijn van de gemeenschap. Ook kunnen bijdragen mogelijkheden creëren  om nieuwe dingen te doen ontstaan.

Maar ook door giften binnen de kerkgemeenschap kan de ecclesia of parochie op haar beurt dan weer bijdragen tot de leefgemeenschap, het dorp of woonomgeving. Kerken hebben een lange traditie in het zich vertonen in de burgerlijke leefgemeenschap. In de Angelsaksische landen is het gewoonte dat kerken allerlei volksactiviteiten doorheen het jaar aanbieden. In onze contreien komt dat niet zo veel voor, buiten bij de katholieke kerk de verhuring van de parochiehuizen waar dan allerlei eetfestijnen en andere zaken worden aangeboden om de mensen in het lokaal te ontmoeten. Ook valt het op dat het de kerken zijn die in de oude wijken blijven als andere organisaties al zijn vertrokken. Zij proberen daar ter beschikking te zijn voor de behoeftigen en hulp te bieden waar het kan. Voor die blijvende aanwezigheid, ook wel kerkelijke presentie genoemd, zijn volgens sommige mensen beroepskrachten 'onontbeerlijk'. Voor hen is het voor vrijwilligers te veel gevraagd om het werk in de wijken alleen te moeten uitvoeren. En eigenlijk is dat wel zo, alleen kan men dat niet aan, maar in onderlinge samenwerking van de kerkleden zou dat wel mogelijk kunnen gemaakt worden. Samen kunnen alle leden onder een bepaalde leiding aandacht besteden aan de problemen in wijken en de rol die de geloofsgemeentes kunnen spelen ter verbetering van die problemen.



De benadering, inzichten en methodes van de Christen Gemeenschap kunnen een bijdrage leveren aan een harmonische samenleving en het geluk en welzijn bevorderen van zo veel mogelijk levende wezens.

De gastvrijheid van de kerkgemeenschap hoort zich zich verder uit te strekken tot aan de tafel van de Heer waarbij alle gedoopten welkom zijn maar de anderen zich ook welkom voelen om samen deelgenoot te zijn van een wonderbare gebeurtenis.

Waren vroeger parochianen heel nauw betrokken op het kerkelijk leven, nu is het moeilijk om vrijwilligers en vrijwilligsters te vinden. Veel mensen kunnen geen tijd vinden om zelf met activiteiten in de kerkgemeenschap te investeren. Voor hen lijkt de financiële bijdrage de makkelijkste manier om de kerkgemeenschap te steunen.
Wanneer je evenwel geïnteresseerd bent in geloof, ontkom je er echter niet aan om je verhouding tot de ontwikkelingen in de kerkgemeenschap te bepalen. Iedereen op deze aarde moet tot zelfonderzoek komen. Jezelf vragen gaan stellen: waar geloof ík in, wat wil ík met mijn geloof, waarvoor heb ík de kerkgemeenschap nodig en welke bijdrage kan ík aan die kerkgemeenschap leveren? Omdat geloof en kerk niet vanzelfsprekend meer zijn, is het ook zo moeilijk om een antwoord op deze vragen te vinden.

Daarom is het fijn dat er in de mensengeschiedenis voorbeelden te vinden zijn van vrouwen en mannen die ons kunnen helpen om onze eigen weg te vinden. Vrouwen en mannen die een bijzondere betekenis hebben vanwege de manier waarop zij geleefd hebben. Zij kunnen ons helpen om de richting te vinden waarin wij antwoorden kunnen vinden op onze levensvragen.

God heeft mensen nodig. Hij had Jezus van Nazareth nodig. Maar vooral ook: hij heeft ons nodig, om de liefde handen en voeten te geven. In ons handelen kan Gods licht doorbreken. dit is trouwens wat Jezus van zijn volgelingen verwacht, dat zij het evangelie verder verspreiden maar ook die onontbeerlijke liefde uitdragen. Elkaar het leven geven... dat kunnen wij! Dat doen we door uit ons eigen wereldje te stappen en elkaar aandacht te geven, elkaar au serieus te nemen en door te luisteren naar elkaars verhalen en noden. Door elkaar te laten voelen: ik ben met jou begaan. Door samen te komen op bepaalde plaatsen kan elke gelovige zijn geloof mee uitdragen maar ook tot steun en toeverlaat voor anderen zijn. Het sociale contact dat er in de leefgemeenschap van die geloofsgroep dan gegeven kan worden is van zeer groot belang. Dat is een niet te verwaarlozen bijdrage.

Voor kleine kleine geloofsgemeenschappen, vooral al zij niet gedragen worden door institutionele kerken, is het veel moeilijker om overeind te kunnen blijven en om de kosten aan te kunnen. Doordat zij reeds op veel minder middelen beroep kunnen doen zijn zij enorm beperkt in de uitdraging van hun geloof en in de kenbaarmaking van hun geloofsgemeenschap.
De onderlinge verbondenheid tussen mensen in de kleine geloofsgemeenschap kan zeker blijven - hoe klein in aantal de gemeenschap ook is, als deze op waar geloof is gebouwd.  Het komt er dan op aan dat de kleine groep van mensen enthousiast kan blijven en dat zij steeds blijven  zoeken naar vormen van samen-kerk-zijn die passen bij hun gemeenschap.

Als plaatselijke gelovigen kunnen wij slecht hopen dat bij meer mensen meer besef komt dat de verschillende deelactiviteiten ten dienste staan van de opbouw van de ene gemeenschap en haar missie. Dat meer mensen meer actief betrokken mogen worden bij de opbouw en het onderhoud van de kerkgemeenschap en mogen beseffen dat er een ‘groot’ aantal kleine taken zijn die noodzakelijk kunnen vervuld worden. Iedereen in de geloofsgemeenshap moet er zich bewust van zijn dat de kerkgemeenschap een positief opvallende en tegelijkertijd herkenbare rol moet vervullen in de dorpsgemeenschap en dat activiteiten en projecten van de kerkgemeenschap een grotere bekendheid kunnen geven aan de geloofsgemeenschap waardoor op haar beurt de gemeenschap ook weer zal kunnen aangroeien en zo een goede return krijgen.