Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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From a sermon by Preacher Clark at Grandma’s house in 1972
Sometimes, Preacher Clark’s sermons could last two thrilling hours, covering a host of different topics. The following is a short excerpt from a sermon by the seventy-one-year-old Preacher when he was talking about spiritual laziness but then drifted to the matters of rendering tithes to God and prosperity.
“I’m not looking for a place to shout. I am looking for a place to work.”
“God’s children are losing out [with God] for being idle.” [He then went on to say that you can be busy with many things and yet be idle in the things of God.] Then he said, “Where are we?” And, “Where do we go from here? That’s the question today. What will this year mean to you? What have you done so far this year for God? Or are you just idling your time? We should be fishers of men.”
[Then, referring to tithes and offerings, he said], “Your tithes don’t count as work for God; your offerings do count because your offerings are what you are giving, and tithes are what you owe. That [tithe] is not even yours. You can’t give your tithes; you ‘render’ tithes, and you ‘give’ offerings. Especially is this made clear [by the laws concerning sacrifices].”
“God is looking for you to move forward. We have too much idleness among some of us, when we should be working for God. If you can’t go in person, you can go by sending a gospel tract or a tape [CD] by mail. Someone says, ‘I work [at a job] and pay my tithes.’ That’s not enough. Children of God, we must move because time is slipping by, and we are going to be left here standing.”
“A preacher promised people they would prosper if they paid tithes. That’s terrible. I won’t promise you to prosper one bit for paying tithes. I’ll tell you what I will promise: I promise that you won’t prosper if you don’t pay them. You’re going to be sick. You’re going to be in need, and you’re not going to be happy. But here’s what I promise you: If you’ll pay your tithes and give your offerings and use wisdom with what’s left, it will go further than the whole thing would have gone if you hadn’t have rendered your tithes and given your offerings.”
“Under this anointing, you walk down the street and you are imparting something to someone. You need to give every one you meet something. If they are in need financially, give them a shilling or something. If they don’t need any money, give them a smile. If they ask you directions, give them directions. Walk by them and raise your hand and smile to them. They will soon inquire, ‘Who is he, and what does he have?s’ So, every person you meet, give them something, whatever it might be. You should never meet a person and nothing imparts from you to them.”