Every culture in the world understands their civil responsibility to those in higher authority. What has escaped most people—even many Christians, is that the HIGHEST authority is the Creator and Owner of all things. That is why Jesus Christ told us to do both: give to "Caesar" what belonged to him and to God what belonged to Him. 
God deserves, and we are responsible to give HONOR to Him. 
Several forms of "honor" are spoken of in the Scriptures: trust, love, obedience, etc., but we must not neglect to "honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase" (Proverbs 3:9). It is this PERSONAL "rendering" that seems to bring the most challenging pain—both to those who only render "taxes" to the government and to those who should render "tribute" to God. 
God is clear about "rendering" a portion of our wealth to Him. 
The New Testament is very specific that "every one of" us (I Corinthians 16:2), indeed, "every man according as he purposeth in his heart" (II Corinthians 9:7) is to give of his resources to our Lord. We are further told that it is to be "as God hath prospered him" (I Corinthians 16:2) and that it be "out of that which ye have" (II Corinthians 8:11). In more modern terms, we are to give proportionately (a percentage) of what we earn or possess. The only percentage tribute ever taught in Scripture is the tithe—10% of our "increase." 
What's the Christian to do? 
While not specifically demanded of the Christian, many view the tithe as a starting place for our thinking. We have both the obligation to give and the opportunity to give more. We are to give cheerfully (Acts 20:35; II Cor-inthians 9:7), lovingly (John 3:16; II Corinthians 8:8-9), expectantly (Luke 6:38 and II Corinthians 9:10-11), and sacrificially (Mark 12:41-44 and Mark 14:3-9). Our gifts should be directed to God-glorifying and Bible-honoring churches and ministries. 
Can ICR help? 
If we can help in your financial planning and thinking, please contact us. 
    [body_edit] =>  
Every culture in the world understands their civil responsibility to those in higher authority. What has escaped most people—even many Christians, is that the HIGHEST authority is the Creator and Owner of all things. That is why Jesus Christ told us to do both: give to "Caesar" what belonged to him and to God what belonged to Him. 
God deserves, and we are responsible to give HONOR to Him. 
Several forms of "honor" are spoken of in the Scriptures: trust, love, obedience, etc., but we must not neglect to "honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase" (Proverbs 3:9). It is this PERSONAL "rendering" that seems to bring the most challenging pain—both to those who only render "taxes" to the government and to those who should render "tribute" to God. 
God is clear about "rendering" a portion of our wealth to Him. 
The New Testament is very specific that "every one of" us (I Corinthians 16:2), indeed, "every man according as he purposeth in his heart" (II Corinthians 9:7) is to give of his resources to our Lord. We are further told that it is to be "as God hath prospered him" (I Corinthians 16:2) and that it be "out of that which ye have" (II Corinthians 8:11). In more modern terms, we are to give proportionately (a percentage) of what we earn or possess. The only percentage tribute ever taught in Scripture is the tithe—10% of our "increase." 
What's the Christian to do? 
While not specifically demanded of the Christian, many view the tithe as a starting place for our thinking. We have both the obligation to give and the opportunity to give more. We are to give cheerfully (Acts 20:35; II Cor-inthians 9:7), lovingly (John 3:16; II Corinthians 8:8-9), expectantly (Luke 6:38 and II Corinthians 9:10-11), and sacrificially (Mark 12:41-44 and Mark 14:3-9). Our gifts should be directed to God-glorifying and Bible-honoring churches and ministries. 
Can ICR help? 
If we can help in your financial planning and thinking, please contact us. 
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After a recent, televised, creation/evolution debate with a well-known evolutionist, a scientist who has written several particularly venomous articles against Christianity in the journal, American Atheist, I asked him why he opposes Christianity and creationism so fervently? Having asked this same question to a number of such persons, I was not surprised by his reply.
He had grown up in a very religious Christian home and church, and throughout his teen years had accepted Scripture in its entirety and had intended to become a minister. Yet, he did not get answers to a number of questions. All it took was one course in evolution at a nearby formerly Christian college to cause him to abandon Christianity and adopt atheism, not only as his own view, but also as his life's message.
His testimony is far from unique. A surprising number of this country's leading atheists, humanists, and evolutionists are from evangelical Christian homes, but almost none were ever taught how to defend their faith in a confrontational environment, nor were they taught how to think along Biblical lines.
Our ICR books and messages have shown that creationism is foundational to all Christian doctrine and living. Neither Christianity as a whole nor individual Christians can remain strong against frontal attacks without a firm belief in supernatural creation. Until we understand that Jesus Christ is the Creator, we can never fully grasp the significance of His work of redemption. Unless we understand that He created the world in a sinless state, and that this state was lost by the rebellion of Adam, we can never understand our need for a Savior.
How did we get into such a situation? With few exceptions, today's public high schools and state universities are confrontational to the creationist student. I have counseled with students and wept with heartbroken parents over this issue. The creationist perspective is simply not tolerated by many teachers or professors, who take it upon themselves to ridicule Christianity and belittle and intimidate creationist students. When I was on the faculty of a major university, my outspoken creationist testimony was strongly resented, and a number of efforts were made to silence me.
The problem extends to Christian schools, as well. Recently, a creationist science professor at Baylor University (Southern Baptist) was warned by the faculty and by a national atheistic organization never to identify himself with creationism again on that campus. Many professors at Wheaton College, Calvin College, and other schools with strong Biblical roots, are now among the most outspoken critics and bitter opponents of a return to creationist thinking.
Perhaps the greatest responsibility, however, is reserved for evangelical churches and homes. Many pastors have: been trained in theistic evolution (sometimes even in leading evangelical seminaries) or else taught to ignore "controversial issues." Likewise, parents have neglected to get good reading material into the hands of their children, and have not monitored their input from TV, schools, etc.
Today we can expect at best only tolerance of the Christian worldview in the public schools. Our only hope is to return, in our own churches, schools, seminaries, and hearts, to the infallible Word of God, especially its foundational principles in the early chapters of Genesis.
*Dr. John Morris is President of ICR.
    [body_edit] =>  
After a recent, televised, creation/evolution debate with a well-known evolutionist, a scientist who has written several particularly venomous articles against Christianity in the journal, American Atheist, I asked him why he opposes Christianity and creationism so fervently? Having asked this same question to a number of such persons, I was not surprised by his reply.
He had grown up in a very religious Christian home and church, and throughout his teen years had accepted Scripture in its entirety and had intended to become a minister. Yet, he did not get answers to a number of questions. All it took was one course in evolution at a nearby formerly Christian college to cause him to abandon Christianity and adopt atheism, not only as his own view, but also as his life's message.
His testimony is far from unique. A surprising number of this country's leading atheists, humanists, and evolutionists are from evangelical Christian homes, but almost none were ever taught how to defend their faith in a confrontational environment, nor were they taught how to think along Biblical lines.
Our ICR books and messages have shown that creationism is foundational to all Christian doctrine and living. Neither Christianity as a whole nor individual Christians can remain strong against frontal attacks without a firm belief in supernatural creation. Until we understand that Jesus Christ is the Creator, we can never fully grasp the significance of His work of redemption. Unless we understand that He created the world in a sinless state, and that this state was lost by the rebellion of Adam, we can never understand our need for a Savior.
How did we get into such a situation? With few exceptions, today's public high schools and state universities are confrontational to the creationist student. I have counseled with students and wept with heartbroken parents over this issue. The creationist perspective is simply not tolerated by many teachers or professors, who take it upon themselves to ridicule Christianity and belittle and intimidate creationist students. When I was on the faculty of a major university, my outspoken creationist testimony was strongly resented, and a number of efforts were made to silence me.
The problem extends to Christian schools, as well. Recently, a creationist science professor at Baylor University (Southern Baptist) was warned by the faculty and by a national atheistic organization never to identify himself with creationism again on that campus. Many professors at Wheaton College, Calvin College, and other schools with strong Biblical roots, are now among the most outspoken critics and bitter opponents of a return to creationist thinking.
Perhaps the greatest responsibility, however, is reserved for evangelical churches and homes. Many pastors have: been trained in theistic evolution (sometimes even in leading evangelical seminaries) or else taught to ignore "controversial issues." Likewise, parents have neglected to get good reading material into the hands of their children, and have not monitored their input from TV, schools, etc.
Today we can expect at best only tolerance of the Christian worldview in the public schools. Our only hope is to return, in our own churches, schools, seminaries, and hearts, to the infallible Word of God, especially its foundational principles in the early chapters of Genesis.
*Dr. John Morris is President of ICR.
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