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VERSES FOR OFFERINGS
Think about giving – it's truly beautiful in God's eyes. When you're preparing your offering, remember it should be your best, given with a sincere heart. It should be a joyful act, knowing how much God has already blessed us with, even when we don't deserve it. He's been incredibly generous, hasn't He?
If you only give what's leftover, well, life might just mirror that back to you. Think about it – give as if you're giving to yourself. Don't do it out of obligation or because you expect something in return. True giving comes from the heart.
Don't make a big show of it either. It's not about getting praised or patted on the back. Let your giving be a quiet act between you and God. He sees what's in your heart, and He loves a cheerful giver. Remember what it says in 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Giving is an act of worship, a way to give back a portion of what God has already given us. And when God gives, He gives abundantly. When you offer from the heart, you're opening the door for even more blessings. The more you give, the more you receive. It's a beautiful cycle.
Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
If any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting;
for he who greets him shares his wicked work.
Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,
lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber—not even to eat with such a one.
There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
She weeps bitterly in the night, tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him,
knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
for the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.
I do not sit with false men, nor do I consort with dissemblers;
I hate the company of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
O that thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God, and that men of blood would depart from me,
Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discernest my thoughts from afar.
men who maliciously defy thee, who lift themselves up against thee for evil!
Do I not hate them that hate thee, O Lord? And do I not loathe them that rise up against thee?
I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.
You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.
I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.
For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.
But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us wantonly ambush the innocent;
like Sheol let us swallow them alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit:
we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with spoil;
throw in your lot among us, we will all have one purse”—
my son, do not walk in the way with them, hold back your foot from their paths;
He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you;
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.
They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips,
the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.