SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST MISSION
International – Papua New Guinea / Malawi Africa
P.O. Box 60150 Ndirande Bt. 6 Blantyre Malawi /
P.O. Box 233 – Mt Hagen (WHP) Papua New Guinea
Tanggi Mission Station – North Koroba, Hela Province, PNG
Missionary / Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Email: panagioite04@gmail.com  /  Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com

Date: 1 April 2019

Dear Pastor, Church, Supporters;

Leviticus 27:30–31 — And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

I have spent the better part of thirty-five years engaged in mission work and have been honoured to teach people that there is one system GOD has throughout the Bible and amongst all peoples, tongues, tribes, and nations to accomplish HIS work through the means HE has ordained in human and physical form.

It takes people who are called by HIS name to preach, proclaim, and share the message of the Gospel. It takes means to do a work — to travel, to establish some form of residence and housing, some means of transportation, and so on.

This being said, over the years of doing mission work, I have taken very little for myself, but felt that as long as I had food, clothing, and shelter — the basic necessities of life — the LORD had supplied what HE promised. I have also learned that many times the LORD has blessed far beyond that basic need, and with great substance.

I have never lacked for much of anything, but in the same sentence there have been great sacrifices made. The need has always been met by those whom GOD has raised up. I can share stories where GOD chose to raise up a group of lost Huli tribesmen to defer the cost of my shipping container from Port City Lae, PNG to the mission station. I can share how one church met a need, or a group of people, or one person, or the old widow in the jungles of PNG that gave all she had — $1.33 — as an offering for me to buy some sweet-potatoes.

I could go on with these stories of real people, in real time, and real places, who gave all they had, sacrificed for the cause of Christ and the love for HIM.

However, I would like to present a question, a dilemma, to you the reader — be it a pastor, church member, Christian, or otherwise. You may ponder the question: do we believe the Old Testament? And what part of it applies to us today? Ask yourself whilst pondering: did Christ use and teach out of the Old Testament? And did the Apostles preach and use the Old Testament? You might ask which part of the Decalogue may we break today. Is it ok to steal? Or to possess idols? Is it ok to commit adultery? Someone may argue that tithing puts one back under the law — but then you haven’t read the Old Testament, for Abraham paid tithes to the King of Salem (Genesis 14:20) some four hundred years before the Law.

Did not Christ preach and teach out of the Old Testament? (Luke 24:27) — “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

GOD has always had HIS financial program for HIS churches and people, through tithes and offerings. I have ministered among tribal people for many years, and the tithe is not the free-will offering — and it is not just legal tender, but the very substance GOD blesses us with.

I would like to focus on a question begging for an answer: once someone has put their tithes in the church, may they at any time recall those tithes? If not, why not? And if any offering, which is a free-will offering given to the LORD for a designated cause, does GOD honour the withdrawal of that free-will offering? Deuteronomy 23:23 — That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

I have learned to be content as Paul said, in whatever state I am in — whether eating steak or sweet-potatoes. I believe that the cattle upon a thousand hills belong unto the LORD, and that all things HE has made were made for the good of HIS people and for HIS honour and glory.

I personally do not want my pastor or church to be held accountable for the custody of free-will offerings for a period of time, only to be contacted and asked to resend those offerings back.

The LORD’S work will move forward. HE can raise up the stones, and HE can use HIS people or the heathen, for HE is Sovereign and who can stay HIS hand or say unto HIM, What doeth thou?

I also want to encourage those of you who faithfully give and support this mission work. I could not do what I do on the level I do it without your financial assistance.

May our LORD bless and keep you in the centre of HIS will.

Peter Halliman