Gentleman Outlaw

Tithing

Tithing

by | Jun 22, 2025 | Biblical Perspective, Case Studies, The Outlaw Files

Tithing

Tithing

In the Hebrew covenant, tithes were given in the form of agricultural produce, livestock, or other goods, rather than money. It’s fascinating to note that the concept of tithing is first mentioned in the book of Genesis. In this passage, Abraham, a man of great faith, generously gives a tenth of his possessions to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:20).

Moving forward, in the Mosaic law, the Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their produce, including grain, fruit, and animals, to support the Levites. These Levites were devoted to serving in the temple and didn’t have their own land to cultivate (Numbers 18:21–24; Deuteronomy 14:22–29).

It’s worth noting that there were instances when the tithes could be converted into money. According to Deuteronomy 14:25–26, if the journey to the designated place of worship was too long, the Israelites had the option to convert their tithe into money. They could then bring this money to the place of worship and use it to purchase whatever they desired—be it oxen, sheep, wine, or strong drink.

So, while the primary form of tithes in the Hebrew covenant was agricultural produce and livestock, there were provisions for converting these tithes into money when necessary. The flexibility of the system allowed the Israelites to fulfill their tithing obligations with ease and convenience.

Under the new covenant of grace, believers are encouraged to give generously and cheerfully, but there is no specific requirement to give a tenth of their possessions. The focus is more on the motivation behind giving rather than the exact amount. This shift in perspective highlights the importance of a willing and joyful heart in giving, rather than a legalistic approach.

In the teachings of Jesus, he emphasizes the importance of giving from a place of love and sincerity. He encourages his followers to give to the poor, to those in need, and to support the work of spreading the gospel. The emphasis is on giving sacrificially and selflessly, rather than adhering to a specific percentage or form.

In the early Christian church, we see examples of believers voluntarily selling their possessions and giving to those in need. This communal sharing of resources was driven by a deep sense of love and unity among believers. It was a practical expression of their faith and an embodiment of the teachings of Jesus.

Today, in the context of the new covenant, giving is viewed as a personal decision guided by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to prayerfully consider how they can use their resources to further the kingdom of God and bless others. The focus is on a heart transformed by grace, motivated by love, and eager to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Polygamy in the Bible

Polygamy in the Bible

by | Jun 22, 2025 | Biblical Perspective, Misc

Polygamy in the Bible

Polygamy in the Bible: A Complex Blessing

Polygamy often raises eyebrows in modern discussions of biblical morality, yet the Scriptures themselves treat it with surprising nuance. While never explicitly commanded, polygamy appears multiple times in Scripture—sometimes as a cultural reality, and other times with what seems to be divine allowance or even blessing.

Old Testament Examples

  1. Jacob, Leah, Rachel… and Two More
    In Genesis 29:31–30:24, Jacob marries sisters Leah and Rachel, and later has children with their maidservants. Though the family dynamic is messy and full of strife, God is intimately involved—opening wombs, giving children, and building the twelve tribes of Israel through this very household.
  2. David’s God-Given Wives
    In 2 Samuel 12:8, the prophet Nathan conveys a striking word from God to David:
    “I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms… And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.”
    The implication is startling—David’s multiple wives are not condemned here, but are part of God’s provision.
  3. Solomon’s Excess
    1 Kings 11:3–4 records Solomon’s hundreds of wives and concubines. While Scripture does condemn Solomon’s eventual idolatry influenced by his wives, God had still granted him immense wisdom and blessing beforehand. The issue isn’t quantity—it’s compromise of faith.
  4. Law for Additional Wives
    In Exodus 21:10, Mosaic law includes instructions for a man who takes another wife:
    “He must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.”
    The law doesn’t forbid polygamy—it regulates fairness within it.

New Testament Direction

The New Testament shifts the focus. It emphasizes faithfulness, character, and spiritual leadership—but doesn’t offer a direct condemnation of polygamy.

  • 1 Timothy 3:2: “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife…”
  • Titus 1:6: “An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife…”

These verses elevate monogamy as a standard for leadership, not as a universal requirement for all believers.

What Can We Conclude?

The Bible does not condemn polygamy, nor does it explicitly endorse it as a divine ideal. Instead, it presents it as a real part of human relationships in certain times and cultures—often accompanied by blessings, and just as often followed by human frailty, jealousy, or spiritual decline.

Polygamy in Scripture is not portrayed as sin, but it is often the backdrop for sin. And like many blessings, when received without faith or handled without wisdom, it can lead to brokenness.

Rather than judging ancient lives through modern lenses, it’s better to reflect on the heart of the matter: God desires faithful, loving, and covenantal relationships. Whether monogamous or polygamous, when human relationships lose sight of the One who gave the gift, the blessing often turns to burden.

Walk In The Snow

Walk In The Snow

by | Jun 22, 2025 | Just for Fun, Personal Stories

Walk In The Snow

Cold Night

He took a walk in the snow to clear his head, for he could not find solace in the warmth of his bed. The thoughts that stirred within were far too heavy to be healed by the crackle and heat of the fire’s blaze.

He needed the crunch of snow beneath his boots, the chill of the wind across his face, and the distant sound of an owl’s cry—haunting, beautiful, like the finest of flutes.

As he walked, it seemed the moonlight split the dark sky like a blade of hope, cutting through the weight he carried. Something awakened in him—something long buried. The frozen night had lit a flame within his soul.

He returned at last to the glow of his little home and lay beneath the covers, no longer seeking warmth from the blankets, but from the spark now kindled in his heart.

Sleep came swiftly—with the promise of many tomorrows and the daring tales they might hold. And the first story his pen would write would be this: how a walk with his Creator on a cold, dark night forever changed his life.

The Truth About Casual Sex

The Truth About Casual Sex

by | Jun 22, 2025 | Personal Stories

The Truth About Casual Sex

The Truth About Casual Sex

No one told me the truth before I had a lot of it…

Not the kind of truth that makes it into schoolbooks or locker room talk.
Not the kind whispered at sleepovers under half-drunk breath.

I had to live it.

I had to wake up in someone else’s bed with my soul scraped thin
And my body pretending it hadn’t just memorized a stranger’s breath like a love story.

I had to learn that the body is an altar—
And not everyone deserves to kneel at it.

They say sex is just physical.
But I’ve felt the aftershocks of a single night echo through my nervous system for months.

I’ve stayed too long with people who weren’t good for me—
Not because I didn’t know better,
But because my cells already believed we were one thing.

Because oxytocin doesn’t understand red flags.
Because dopamine can make a prison feel like paradise.
Because orgasm isn’t just a climax—
It’s a binding contract written in chemistry and signed in vulnerability.

I’ve watched people confuse intensity for intimacy.
I’ve done it.
Skin to skin before heart to heart.
Bed before truth.

And we call it modern.
We call it freedom.

But what if it’s just another kind of enslavement?

One where we give away pieces of our sovereignty
In exchange for a moment of connection we didn’t earn.

What they don’t tell you is this:
Sex rewires you.
It maps your memory.
It softens your instincts.
It makes you stay when every part of your logic is screaming run.

And even if you say it doesn’t matter—
Even if you swear you’re detached—
Your body still remembers.
Your soul still flinches.

Because there is no such thing as “casual”
When your nervous system is that involved.

And no—this isn’t about shame.

I’m not here to condemn the wild.
I believe in sacred chaos.
In lust that tastes like lightning.

But let’s stop pretending we can screw like animals
And not feel like ghosts when it’s over.

Because real sex—soul-deep sex—isn’t just about climax.
It’s about collapse.
It’s about letting someone so deep into your orbit
That your inner world tilts.

And that?

That should be earned.
That should be sacred.

So no—sex was never just a handshake.
It’s a soul exchange.
And if we remembered that,
Maybe we’d stop giving our bodies
To people who haven’t even earned our eye contact.

Jesus Drank Wine

Jesus Drank Wine

by | Jun 22, 2025 | Biblical Perspective, Case Studies, Just for Fun, The Outlaw Faith, The Outlaw Files, Tobacco & Alcohol

Jesus Drank Wine

11 Reasons Alcohol Might Just Be… Biblical

(A lightly cheerful list you can read with a smile—and a Bible in hand)

1. Jesus drank wine.

“I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
— Matthew 26:29

Yep. Real wine. And He plans to have a glass with us in the Kingdom.

2. Jesus gave wine to others.

“Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant…”
— Matthew 26:26–30

At the Last Supper, He served the cup—not just symbolically, but literally.

3. Jesus made more wine when they ran out.

— John 2:1–11

Not just any wine. Good wine. And the guests had already had plenty. Miracle #1: A wedding wine upgrade.

4. The Apostle Paul prescribed it.

“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”
— 1 Timothy 5:23

Apostle-approved. Doctor-endorsed. Moderation encouraged.

5. It’s recommended for stress relief.

“Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.”
— Proverbs 31:6

Sometimes you don’t need a lecture—you need a little peace in a glass.

6. God approves it for celebration.

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:7

That’s right—cheers, with permission.

7. Even church leaders can have some.

“Deacons… must not be addicted to much wine.”
— 1 Timothy 3:8

Note: It doesn’t say no wine. It says not too much. Big difference.

8. Little old church ladies are in the clear too.

“Older women… not slanderers or slaves to much wine.”
— Titus 2:3

So yes—Grandma can sip her merlot while mentoring the younger women.

9. It’s perfect for after church.

“Eat the fat and drink sweet wine… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
— Nehemiah 8:10

A holy day? That calls for a holy toast.

10. It was part of Old Testament worship.

“Their drink offerings shall be… a half hin of wine for a bull…”
— Numbers 28:14

God didn’t just allow it—He expected it on the altar.

11. It’s great for the church picnic.

“Buy whatever your heart desires: oxen, sheep, wine, or strong drink… and rejoice, you and your household.”
— Deuteronomy 14:26

There’s a reason potlucks are biblical.