THREE REASONS TO GIVE

God's old covenant people had to give at least 10 percent of their income, plus offerings on other occasions. In contrast, the new covenant does not specify a certain percentage. However, the underlying principle is still valid: Humans ought to honor God by returning some of the blessings he gives them. Here are three reasons: 1) God blesses those who give. 2) God commands his people to give. 3) The church needs money to serve the members.

God could supply all our needs miraculously, if money were the only need we had. Instead, he supplies our needs through the contributions of his people. That's because he is not only working in the church as an organization, he is also working in the hearts of his people. By making the church dependent on the members, he is addressing the most important need we have: that each of us become more closely conformed to the love exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Until Christ returns, the church will always need money. Sometimes the needs will be urgent, sometimes more predictable. There will always be work to do. However, even if the church did not need money, God's people should still give — at the very least, simply because God commands it. And as we know, God's commands are given to us for our own good. Our generosity does not enrich God at all — but it does enrich us (Acts 20:35).
Those who are generous from the heart are becoming more like Christ, putting treasures in heaven for eternity. And God often blesses us in this life, too, for the sacrifices we make in his service (Luke 18:29-30). It takes faith and trust — trust not so much in the people to whom the money is given, but trust in the living Jesus Christ to follow through on the promises he has made. That's where our faith needs to be — and our actions need to be consistent with our faith.

Paul asks for generosity

The apostle Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 8. He was encouraging the Corinthian Christians to give an offering. Although this particular offering was not for himself, what he says is relevant to our need to be generous with the church that is teaching us the gospel of salvation.
Paul mentioned the example of the Macedonian churches, who gave even to the point of self-sacrifice (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Paul is implying that the Corinthians needed to make some sacrifices themselves. But Paul did not command this (verse 8). Instead, he wanted a change of heart — this is the fruit that he wanted most of all. He wanted the Corinthians to give themselves to the Lord first, and then to others. He wanted their gift to be done in love, not grudgingly (verses 5, 8). Paul reminded them that Christ had become poor for their sakes; the implication is that the Corinthians should be willing to make some financial sacrifices of their own.
Of course, the Corinthians could not give more than they had, and they did not have to impoverish themselves to enrich others. But the rich should share with the poor (verses 12-14). Since some of the Corinthian members were wealthy, Paul was confident that they would give generously (verse 14). He asked them to prove their love (verse 24) and to do as well as he had told the Macedonians that they would (2 Cor. 9:2-5).
Paul again said that the offering should come from the heart (verses 5-7). He reminded them that God rewards generosity (verses 6-11), and that a good example causes people to praise God and puts the gospel in a favorable setting (verses 12-14). These are good reasons to be generous. Christ has made many sacrifices for us, willingly, not grudgingly, so we also ought be to willing to give to benefit others, to share significant portions of our blessings with others.
This collection was for the poor saints in Judea; it was not designed to support Paul. This gave Paul an extra reason to be confident that the Corinthians would be generous. He was not asking for something in addition to ministerial support, but a substitution for it. Paul had not asked for any financial support from Corinth (2 Cor. 11:7-11; 12:13-16). Instead, he had been supported by Macedonians (11:9).

Paul had a right to financial support

However, Paul had a right to be supported by the Corinthians, even though he did not use it (1 Cor. 9:3-15). This passage in Paul's first letter tells us more about our Christian duty to give financial support to the gospel. Workers should be able to receive benefits of their work (verse 7). Priests, soldiers, vineyard workers, herdsmen, oxen, plowers and threshers all receive pay from their work. Jesus said, "The worker deserves his wages" (Luke 10:7). Paul mentioned these principles again in 1 Timothy 5:17-18. Elders, especially those who preach and teach, should be honored financially as well as with respect.
Jesus also commanded, "Those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:14). This implies that those who believe the gospel must contribute toward the living expenses of those who preach. There is a financial duty, and there is a promised reward.
Jesus had much to say about our use of money. For example: "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me," said Jesus to a rich man (Luke 18:22). He said the same thing to his disciples (Luke 12:33). He praised a widow who put two coins into the temple treasury, because she gave "all she had" (Luke 21:2). The new covenant makes astonishing demands on us — it demands all that we have. This is fair, since Jesus gave all he had for us, and he paid for our entire lives.
Jesus warns us about the dangers of greed and about the danger of storing up wealth for self without being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:15-21). When we use wealth to help others, however, we gain "treasure in heaven" (verse 33). Generosity helps put our heart in heavenly things instead of earthly, temporary things (verse 34).

Self-examination needed

In summary, Christians have a spiritual need to give, to share their resources and blessings with others. They have a duty to support the preaching of the gospel and give financial support to their leaders.
The old covenant was glorious, but the new has a much greater glory. The old covenant required 10 percent; the new covenant commands us to give as we are able. How shall we respond to the better blessings we are given in the covenant of liberty? Each of us must examine our hearts before the Lamb of God, realizing he gave everything he had for us.
Although the new covenant does not specify a percentage for giving, it does not tell us to give less. Instead, it tells us to give what we can. The new covenant requires more soul-searching, more training for the conscience, more selfless love for others, more faith, more voluntary sacrifice and less compulsion. It tests our values, what we treasure most, and where our hearts really are.
Christians should examine their circumstances and the blessings they have been given in the new covenant — blessings such as the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life. I believe that when we understand how much has been given to us, we will respond with greater generosity to support the church in its collective work of preaching the gospel and for the expenses involved in the congregations and pastors.
The church does have financial needs. Members do have financial responsibilities toward the church. And God does bless the cheerful giver.

SHUKURUNIKWA KILA JAMBO

Be blessed all as you read this! !


Kijana mmoja aliyekuwa akijiandaa kwa mahafali ya kuhitimu chuo kikuu, kwa muda mrefu alikuwa akiitamani gari moja ya kifahari ya kimichezo iliyokuwa ikiuzwa katika duka moja la magari, na akijua dhahiri kuwa baba yake ana uwezo wa kununua gari hilo na kumpa yeye kama zawadi yake kwa kuhitimu masomo vyema, na alimwambia baba yake kuwa hicho ni kitu alichokipenda
mno. Kadri siku zilivyokuwa zikisogea kuelekea mahafali kijana huyo alisubiri kwa hamu kuona dalili za baba yake kumnunulia gari hilo . Siku ya siku ikafika na asubuhi ya siku hiyo ya mahafali, baba yake alimwita kwenye chumba chake cha kusomea na kumwambia " Najivunia kuwa na mtoto bora kama wewe" na pia akamwambia ni kwa kiwango gani anampenda. Akamkabidhi kijifurushi cha zawadi kilichofungwa vema kwenye karatasi safi za kufungia zawadi. Akiwa mwenye hamu kubwa lakini akiwa amekatishwa tamaa alifungua kifurushi hicho na kukuta ni Biblia nzuri yenye jalada la ngozi na juu yake kumeandikwa jina la kijana huyo kwa maandishi nadhifu yaliyonakshiwa kwa dhahabu. Kwa hasira akamfokea baba yake akisema " Yaani pamoja na pesa zako zote
unanipa biblia?"akatoka hima ndani ya nyumba hiyo na kuiacha biblia.

Miaka mingi ikapita na kijana akawa ni mtu wa mafanikio sana kibiashara. Alikuwa na nyumba nzuri na familia bora, lakini akagundua baba yake ni mzee sana sasa, na akadhani ni muhimu kwenda kwake. Na alikuwa hajawahi kumuona tena toka siku ile ya Mahafali. Kabla mipango yake haijatimia, akapokea waraka wa simu ukimtaarifu kuwa baba yake amefariki dunia, na amemrithisha kila kitu alichokuwa nacho kijana wake wa pekee. Hivyo alitakiwa kurudi nyumbani haraka kusimamia mali za baba
yake.

Alipofika nyumbani kwa baba yake , alipata uchungu na majuto ya hali ya juu rohoni. Akaanza kupekua baadhi ya nyaraka muhimu za baba yake ndipo! alipoikuta ile biblia ikiwa vile vile kama alivyoiacha miaka kadhaa nyuma. Huku akilia alifungua kurasa za biblia. Baba yake kwa umakini mkubwa alipigia mistari maneno yaliyopo katika Mathayo 7:11, yanayosema " basi ikiwa ninyi, mlio waovu, mnajua kuwapa watoto wenu vipawa vyema,je! Si zaidi sana Baba yenu aliye Mbinguni atawapa mema wao wamwombao?. Wakati akisoma maneno hayo, funguo za gari zikadondoka kutoka katika kurasa za mwisho za biblia. Ikiwa na jina pamoja na alama ya
lile duka la kuuza magari ya kifahari ya kimichezo aliyokuwa akiyapenda sana . Kukiwa na tarehe ile ya siku yake ya mahafali huku imeandikwa ... IMELIPIWA PESA KAMILI.

Mara ngapi tumezikosa baraka za mwenyezi mungu eti kwa sababu hazijafungwa tutakavyo? Naamini umefurahia hili somo la leo. Peleka ujumbe huu kwa wengine. Usipoteze ulichonacho kwa kutamani usichonacho: Lakini kumbuka ulichonacho sasa ni moja kati ya vitu ulivyo vitamani huko siku za nyuma. IKIWA ZAWADI UPEWAYO HAIJAFUNGWA KWA KADRI UTAKAVYO, NI KWA SABABU HIVYO NDIVYO HALI BORA KABISA YA UFUNGWAJI WAKE ULIOPATIKANA! SIKU ZOTE SHUKURU VITU VIDOGO: KWANI HUWA NA VITU VINGINE
NDANI YAKE!

TAFADHALI TUMA UJUMBE HUU KWA WATU WASIOPUNGUA WAWILI ILI KUFANYA UJUMBE HUU UENEE.

Thanks and Good day,

Test your knowledge online
Robert Wadlow is recorded as being the tallest person in the world, 8 feet 11 inches, but there is one person recorded in the Bible being 6 cubits and a span which is about 10½ feet tall. His name is Goliath of Gath, a Philistine. You can read about him in 1 Samuel chapter 17. Robert Pershing Wadlow was born, educated and buried in Alton, Illinois. His height of 8' 11" qualifies him as the tallest person in modern history, as recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. At the time of his death he weighed 490 pounds. By the time he was 8 years old his height had reached 6 feet. Visit the web site below for some more good photos of Robert Wadlow and lots more information about where he lived and his family.
Robert Pershing Wadlow
1918-1940

· IMPORTANT DATES
· PHOTO GALLERY
· GROWTH CHART
· LIFE STORIES
ALTON MUSEUM
· GIFT SHOP
· HOME
Robert Pershing Wadlow was born, educated and buried in Alton, Illinois. His height of 8' 11.1" qualifies him as the tallest person in history, as recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. At the time of his death he weighed 490 pounds.
Robert was born on February 22, 1918, and weighed a normal eight pounds, six ounces. He drew attention to himself when at six months old, he weighed 30 pounds. A year later at 18 months, he weighed 62 pounds. He continued to grow at an astounding rate, reaching six feet, two inches and 195 pounds by the time he was eight years old. (See growth chart)
His middle name, Pershing, was in honor of the World War I General Pershing, then commanding officer of the European conflict.
Robert was the first born of Addie and Harold Wadlow. Later the Wadlow family grew with the addition of two sisters, Helen and Betty, and two brothers, Eugene and Harold Jr. Despite Robert's size, all of his family members (photo) were of normal height and weight.

Trying to maintain a normal life, Robert enjoyed collecting stamps, photography, and become the world's tallest Boy Scout at seven feet, four inches, when he was 13 years of age. Later he became a member of DeMolay and the Masons.
At age 18, he had reached eight feet, four inches tall, and weighed 390 pounds. His clothing required three times the normal amount of cloth, and his size 37 shoes cost $100.00 a pair (a lot of money back in the 1930's). Two years later his shoes were provided free by the International Shoe Company.


When he turned 20 Robert traveled for the shoe company, visiting over 800 towns and 41 states. His father had to modify the family car, removing the front passenger seat so Robert could sit in the back seat and stretch out his long legs. The father and son team traveled over 300,000 miles on their goodwill tour for the shoe company.
He established his place in the history books when he exceeded eight feet, four inches in 1937, surpassing the record previously held by an Irishman who died in 1877.
Robert was very fond of his mother Addie, and there was a quiet manner about him that earned him the title 'Gentle Giant'.
Robert's unique size was attributed to an over active pituary gland, which produced much higher than normal levels of growth hormone. Today's medical science can compensate for such problems - but in the 1920s there was no therapy available.
As a youth, Robert had enjoyed good health, but his large feet had troubled him for many years. He had little sensation in his feet and did not feel any chafing until blisters formed. While making an appearance in Manistee, Michigan in July 1940, a fatal infection set in when such a blister formed. On July 4th, doctors had Robert confined to a hotel bed, unable to find suitable accommodations at the local hospital. Days later, after emergency surgery and blood transfusions, the infection lingered and his temperature continued to rise. At 1:30 a.m., on the 15th of July, Robert Wadlow passed away in his sleep.
Robert's body was brought back to his home town of Alton for burial. The 1,000-pound casket required a dozen pallbearers, assisted by eight other men. Out of respect for Alton's Gentle Giant, all city businesses closed for the funeral. Over 40,000 people signed the guest register. Robert's gravestone simply reads "At Rest."
Robert Wadlow holds a special place in Alton's history. He is remembered as a quiet young man who overcame a unique handicap, and who was an inspiration to all of those that knew him. In 1984 a citizens committee organized efforts to immortalize Robert, and in 1985 a bronze statue (photo), was erected on the campus of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.
Upon Robert's death in 1940, his family had almost all of his belongings destroyed. They did not want collectors to obtain his clothes or personal items, and be displayed as 'freak' memorabilia. We want to continue to honor their wishes, and are displaying what items we have in our museum with pride and dignity.


IMPORTANT DATES

1918
Robert was born February 22, 1918 to Harold F. and Addie (Johnson) Wadlow on Monroe Street in Alton, Illinois, weighing 8.7 pounds.
1919
When Robert began to walk he weighed 40 lbs.
1920-1926
The family lived in Roxana, Illinois.
1923
At 5 years of age, attending kindergarten, Robert was 5' 6 1/2" tall. He wore clothes that would fit a 17 year old boy.
1928
Ten years old. Robert weighed 210 pounds and was 6' 5" tall. His shoes were size 17 1/2.
1929
Robert takes his first airplane ride.Just before his 12th birthday Robert had his first checkup at Barnes Hospital (St. Louis), where the family learned of his over-active pituitary gland that caused his fantastic growth.
1929-1931
Robert sold magazines to earn money for a savings account. In 1931 the banks failed, and he lost his savings. He gave up the magazine business.
1931
At the age of 13, and a member of the Boy Scouts, he was the largest Boy Scout in the world. His weight was 270 pounds, and his height was 7' 4". It took 14 yards of 36" wide material to make his Boy Scout uniform.
1933
Robert received the largest birthday postcard ever delivered by the Alton Post Office. It measured 14" x 22".Robert attended the World's fair in Chicago. It took two turns and 20¢ to get Robert through the turnstile.
1935-1936
Robert became Advertising Manager of the Tatler - Alton High School Year Book. He graduated in the January class, 1936.
1936
In February, Robert enrolled in Shurtleff College.
1937
Robert and his father made an extensive trip west, including Hollywood and most of the western states, as a goodwill ambassador for International Shoe Company. Thereafter, the firm made his shoes free of charge.
1940
Robert Wadlow died July 15, 1940. His weight was 490 pounds, his height was 8' 11.1". He was buried July 19, 1940 in Upper Alton Cemetery.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tallest Person in the world to be a resident of Ukraine
digg_url = 'http://curiousphotos.blogspot.com/2007/08/tallest-person-in-world-to-be-resident.html';
All Leonid Stadnyk [Stadnik]wants is a simple, quiet and inconspicuous life. But the 33-year old Ukrainian is just too tall for that.At a height of eight feet four inches, Stadnyk may be the world's tallest man and he keeps on growing.The tallest man is in called Stadvyk and he lives in the ukraine. He is 4 inches shorter than Robert Wadlow, the tallest man ever recorded at 8 ft 11 inches. However this guy has a tumor in his pituatary gland and grew 6 inches in the last two years.That was as of May of 06.