Riaan Pretorius

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WHEN PERCEPTION LEADS TO DECEPTION

Greetings in the Name of Jesus
The title of this message this morning is called When perception leads to
deception.

Scripture Reference
The Twelve Spies

Numbers 13:27 Then they told him, and said: We went to the
land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and
this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land
are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we
saw the descendants of Anak there.

Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses,

and said, Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are
well able to overcome it.

Numbers 14:7 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us

into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and
honey.

The intriguing part about this story is the fact that there were two opposing
views of the same witnessed event. How is it that people can go to the same
place, see the same things and have two distinctly different views? This is the
result of ones perception.

The definition of perception is: The way in which something is regarded,

understood, or interpreted.

There are multiple Scriptures in the Bible commanding us to Tithe and give
offerings. Were all very familiar with these. It is our perception of these
commandments and other common factors or objections that can result in our
blessing or cursing. Here is a parable to illustrate the point:

What are they doing with the Collection Money?

There was a taxi filled with people going from Wentworth into town. While on the
freeway, the Pastor of a well-known Wentworth church came alongside in a
brand-new Mercedes Benz. Pointing to the car one elderly lady quipped I wonder
how can that church allow their Pastor to drive such an expensive car, they
should feel ashamed! Is this what theyre doing with the collection
money? This is pure miss-management! One of the passengers in the taxi
was a tithing member of the church sat quietly while the conversation around
this Pastor ensued. He became so discouraged by the opinions of the people that
he stopped tithing shortly after.

1 Riaan Pretorius
Interfellowship Global Ministries
Saturday, 11 March 2017
 Riaan Pretorius
Sermons and Articles

Later that day another taxi with a group of passengers travelled on the same
highway from Wentworth to town. Pulled aside in the emergency lane was a
beaten up old VW belonging to another well-known Pastor from the area.
Exasperated, this Pastor was standing in the back of the car with hood open
trying to fan the smoke away with his suit coat. As the taxi passed by this scene,
one young man commented I wonder how can that church allow their Pastor to
drive such a rotten car, they should be ashamed! What are they doing with
all the money they collect? They must be miss-managing it! One of the
passengers in the taxi was a tithing member of the church sat quietly while the
conversation around this Pastor ensued. She became so discouraged by the
opinions of the people that she stopped tithing shortly after.
The moral of this story is two-fold:
1) The way you perceive or interpret something can sometimes lead you into
deception if you dont know or consider all the facts
2) One can never please people because everybody has an opinion based on
their interpretation of events or facts
For these reasons, and to avoid discouragement, we need to place our faith,
hope and trust in the infallible Word of God so that we are not discouraged in our
well doing.

In conclusion, we are given an example of true New Testament giving in 2

Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 Now, friends, I want to report on the

surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the
churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on
the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The
trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy,
though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something
totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I
was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever
they couldfar more than they could afford! pleading for the
privilege of helping in the relief of poor Christians.

5-7 This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and
caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they
had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The
other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in
their lives. Thats what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the
relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun
could be finished up. You do so well in so many thingsyou trust
God, youre articulate, youre insightful, youre passionate, you
love usnow, do your best in this, too.

It is our mandate as a church to follow the commandments and example of Jesus.

This is a simple Gospel that we seem to want to complicate. Giving of tithes and
offerings is a commandment of God. Dont allow your perception to lead you into
deception.

2 Riaan Pretorius
Interfellowship Global Ministries
Saturday, 11 March 2017
 Riaan Pretorius
Sermons and Articles

3 Riaan Pretorius
Interfellowship Global Ministries
Saturday, 11 March 2017