IS TITHING A CHRISTIAN REQUIREMENT?
tithe: the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like
(See 'tithe', Random House Dictionary, Random House Inc, 2012; See also New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, 3rd Edition, American Heritage, 2005)
I grew up listening to sermons on tithe in a handful of churches, and based on those sermons, I always believed tithing was a requirement. Christians should be aware of the Scriptures before jumping to conclusions.
Most pastors based their arguments for tithe in Malachi:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
-Malachi 3:10
The pastors I've seen preach on tithe say that this is a commandment, saying that we are required to tithe, but again, as we have seen in many Roman Catholic beliefs, it is dangerous to take one verse out of context and make an entire doctrine out of it. Malachi told us many times who the Lord was speaking to when He said this:
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
-Malachi 3:9
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
-Malachi 3:6
The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
-Malachi 1:1
The same pastors that will preach FOR tithing as a requirement (law) in Malachi are the same ones that preach AGAINST the requirement (law) of ceremonies in Leviticus. In Leviticus 14, the Lord commands that a bird be killed and its blood sprinkled throughout the house of a formerly sick man as a ceremony that the home has been cleansed, so if we are required to tithe, are we also required to sprinkle the blood?
And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them...
-Leviticus 1:1-2
When our Lord Jesus Christ came to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind, he freed us from the burdens of the law. Though we still keep God's moral laws, because they are a witness to His character that we portray via the Holy Spirit, we are not bound to the laws of the Old Testament.
The ten percent (tenth) that many churches teach as a requirement has never been a requirement of New Testament Christians. In fact, Hebrews 7 talks about the time where Abraham gave tithe to Melchisedec (Gen 14:20), which was traditionally upheld by the nation of Israel (due to Jacob's promise at Bethel), but if you read through the whole chapter, you'll see where our Lord Jesus Christ is the reason we are not bound to a law of tithing, anymore than we are bound to a law of sacrifice.
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec [i.e. Jesus Christ], and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
-Hebrews 7:11-12
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
-Hebrews 8:6
Shall we prove all things and hold fast that which is good as the Bible commands us? (1Thes 5:21) If you are a Christian who has tithed 10% or more of your income for many years, has the Lord given you so much that you had to reject blessings because you did not have room in your life, home, or bank account? If that has never happened to you, don't be afriad to be honest about it, and remember that the promises of Malachi and Leviticus were not made to you, but to the children of Israel. For example, the lands in Israel were not promised to the gentile Christians, but specifically to the children of Israel, so we should not expect God to give us the lands in the middle east, and likewise the promises of storehouse tithing were not given to gentile Christians, and therefore, we should not expect God to fulfill those promises that He did not give to us.
Our Lord Jesus Christ not only gave us Salvation, but was gracious and merciful to give Christians brand new promises:
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
-Matthew 6:25-27
If we Christians have truly accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, why do we think can add unto ourselves by observing and doing the works of the law via tithe? Why do we not want to accept the new and better promises Jesus Christ gave us?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
-Mattewh 6:31-33
If we seek after the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, God will automatically provide what we need. That's a better promise, and one that is provable.
We are intended to be free from obligations of tithe, but despite this, many pastors still preach a works-based doctrine from the law of the Old Testament that helps fill their church building's coffers, and since many Christians follow their pastors instead of the Bible, they are deceived in believing that their duty is to drop money in the plate to make sure their church director's office has air conditioning. In fact, according to research done by Christian History Magazine, tithing was not generally practiced in the Christian churches of America until 1895, when the Wesleyan church attempted to get out of financial trouble they created in the mid 19th century:
"Wesley Chapel in Cincinnati has financial trouble. In desperation, it tries 'suppers, festivals, lectures, stereopticon shows, subscriptions, and the whole round of man-made schemes and devices,' according to layman William G. Roberts. Finally, Roberts and others introduce the concept of 'storehouse tithing,' which turns the church around. Tithing is revived as a popular practice in U.S. churches."
See "Money in Christian History (II): Christian History Timeline - Dates and Events Regarding Money," Christian History Magazine, Issue #19, p. 25 [www.christianhistorymagazine.org]
Why would a church ever have to get into "financial trouble?" This is not a matter of people who are starving or homeless; this is a matter of people who have entered into debt by trying to build buildings and get fancy stuff that the church shouldn't be getting into because it sets a bad example to the world, and because that debt is unbiblical:
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
-Romans 13:8
We should not assume our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are incompetant. If the Lord wills a church building to stand, He will send the Holy Spirit to do what needs to be done to make it happen. Christians instead take matters into their own hands, taking on the traditions of man-made devices, not allowing the Spirit to work as needed.
Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
-Matthew 15:6
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
-Colossians 2:8
On the other hand, we are not to uncharitably let our ministers, evangelists, and missionaries go hungry. With liberty in Christ comes the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and with the Spirit, we will develop the habits of charity. Please do not think that charity simply means putting cash in your church's offering plate one a week, or dropping off your children's old clothes at the Salvation Army once a year, because, according to the Scriptures, charity means much more than that:
charity: 1) In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.
(1Cor 8, Col 3, 1Ti 1)
2) In a more particular sense, love, kindness, affection, tenderness, springing from natural relations; as the charities of father, son and brother.
3) Liberality to the poor, consisting in almsgiving or benefactions, or in gratuitous services to relieve them in distress.
4) Alms; whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the poor for their relief.
5) Liberality in gifts and services to promote public objects of utility, as to found and support bible societies, missionary societies, and others.
6) Candor; liberality in judging of men and their actions; a disposition which inclines men to think and judge favorably, and to put the best construction on words and actions which the case will admit. The highest exercise of charity, is charity towards the uncharitable.
(See 'charity', Noah Webster's Dictionary, 1828, retrieved Jan 19, 2012, [http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,charity])
Charity involve the following points:
Judging of Others (Mat 7:2)
Treatment of Others (Mat 7:12)
Humility Towards Others (give your adversary the benefit of the doubt)
Meeting Physical and Emotional Needs of Others
Providing Gifts and Services for Evangelists and Missionaries of God's Word
Providing Gifts and Services for Local Ministry Needs
Demonstrating the Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ
If Christians were charitable, instead of focusing on tithe, they would see what happens with their giving, and would know how to give more effectively, and they would also not be limited to just ten percent. Sometimes, God does not convict a Christian to give anything, and sometimes, he convicts a Christian to give all they have, but many are not listening to the pull of the Holy Spirit to do what is pleasing to the Lord, and instead just drop money in a plate every week, giving it over to others without knowing where it goes nor why. As we have seen with the government and taxation, letting someone else take control of the spending of our money while we sit in ignorance can lead to a lot of grief.
Granted, we do have a lot of Christians wasting money on a lot of things, for example, this ministry alone could operate on a full-time capacity if only TWENTY Christian homes would turn off their wicked cable TV with all its pornography, fornication, drugs, alcohol , lies, etc--and instead send that money to help our ministry. It would really be that simple, but it will probably never happen because getting Christians to turn from sinful things and do good works is like pulling teeth in today's American society.
Many Christians put in their wasting of money in the "necessity" column, when it doesn't belong there, but putting that aside, pastors preach that people should take from their basic living expenses to provide his meal ticket. This is a lie designed to deceive the hearts of the simple.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
-Romans 16:18
That's why I refer to the preacher's "meal ticket." Serving their own belly means they preach to feed themselves, instead of winning souls. He's a hireling.
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
-John 10:12-13
Revealing the State of the Church of Jesus Christ
Most pastors today have gotten themselves into a situation where they get into debt for seminary college, and must emphasize tithing in order to pay off his debt, pay off his house, his car, and provide for his family. There are many preachers out there today who believe in their hearts it is every Christian's duty to help them pay off their debts and provide for their every need. These pastors are teaching tithe for filthy lucre's sake.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
-Titus 1:10-11
The failing state of Christians working in charity is not a reason to teach false doctrine in tithing, but rather an opportunity to see that the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ as a whole is smaller than most Christians think, and that true charity is rare among the Body. Many pastors know that if the truth of tithe were actually preached, and the congregations given liberty in charity, most churches would fall, but that would be a good thing. Allowing the Lord Jesus Christ to chasten the congregations in the Body is good, but despising and resisting that chastening can be very bad.
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
-Proverbs 3:11
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
-Hebrews 12:5
If church buildings are closing their doors due to lack of funding, the solution is not to lie to congregations to get them to give more. The solution is to LET IT HAPPEN. The only way Christians are going to wake up from their apathy to realize the state of the Church of Jesus Christ in America right now is to let the church building doors close; if that's what it comes down to. It would show Christians the true state of the church, and inspire true born-again Christians to action in evangelizing and prophesying; two areas we desperately need filled.
The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ can't be corrected on a lie.
Consider for a moment the woman in the Bible who gave two mites. (Mark 12:41-44) She did not tithe, or she would have cut a fraction of one of her mites and tossed it in, but instead she gave all that she had in charity. Christ singled out what she gave as more significant than all the rich men who gave a portion of their wealthy abundance because she gave all, not as a law, but she gave charitably with liberty via faith.
Some Christians may say, "Well isn't my tithing every week being charitable?" No. If we think our tithe is a REQUIREMENT, it is no longer charity, but an obligation of the law. (i.e. grace vs works) For example, do you consider sales tax to be charitable? Do you pay gasoline tax out of charity? Tithe cannot be charity anymore than taxes can be charity because there is no giving in love if we are required to pay.
There are many pastors out there who teach: "If you give us money, God's gonna' bless you!" (We have witnessed creation ministries here in Indiana deceiving Christians with this type of message.) This is called "seed-faith" preaching, and it is completely unbiblical.
Seed faith preaching offers false promises of blessings, putting the hearers into a mindset of expectation that God is going to give them something good that he/she particularly wants at the time. (i.e. If I give, I get something good in return.) Seed-faith givers are being inticed to give in order to get back, putting their hopes in false messages from preachers, rather than in the edifying truth in the Word of God.
The seed-faith concept was invented by a man named Oral Roberts. Roberts is a well-known false prophet, who started preaching "seed faith" sermons to pressure people into giving more because he claimed to have communicated with a 900-foot Jesus who told him to raise 8-million dollars to build a hospital. The hospital was built, and today, it stands as a bankrupt monument to a false prophet, and a witness to the false teachings of "seed-faith" giving.
If Christians followed the Holy Spirit for guidance in charitable matters, the churches of America would be just fine in getting rid of the "storehouse" and "seed-faith" tithing sermons that teach a works-based doctrine, and they would better protect themselves from being deceived by wolves in sheep's clothing. The real desperation of pastors holding on to the "storehouse" and "seed-faith" tithing sermons is in the knowledge that most church buildings would not survive without forcing a guilt-based REQUIREMENT on Christians to seek after the old covenant bondage under the law. This should clearly demonstrate to the Christian world that we have an awful lot of Christians not following after the Holy Spirit concerning charity and liberty in our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather, we have people seeking after the old law, based on whatever the pastors tell the congregation, without searching the Scriptures to prove the truth.
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
-Galatians 3:23-26
I've been in many different church buildings, and I see enormous auditoriums, tall steeples, huge bay windows or stained glass, and many other luxury items. I think to myself, "Is this what people are tithing for? Soft pews, HD monitors, and elaborate chandiliers?" The Christian will immediately begin to make excuses for these things, but we are supposed to PROVE all things, and hold fast that which is good. (1Thes 5:21) Though some churches truly take collections to help with ministries, local and global, there are many others that do very little ministry with the money they receive and create large amounts of elaborate waste that takes advantage of a "laity" with open wallets.
(Ed Young, materialist teacher of false doctrine, preaching "tithe or get out!"
He compares not paying tithe on an equal level with drug addiction.)
@1:45 -- "It's all about the money!... God's the one that said that. Second greatest theme in the Bible."
@4:27 -- "Seriously, why are you even coming to church if you're not bringing the tithe? What are you expecting? Just hang out at home and play golf."
Ed Young gives us a fine example of wicked teaching. Should we not be assembling ourselves together for the hearing of the Word? Not according to Ed Young, and many other "pastors" out there like him. According to Young, your purpose is to bring your pastor money, and if you don't, then don't bother assembling together.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
-Hebrews 10:25
Let's take a look at the reality of church buildings and "churchianity-pastors" today. The Schaeffer Insititute gathered polls from over 1,000 pastors in the California in 2006, and what they found was very interesting:
"Eighty-one percent (81%) of the pastors said there was no regular discipleship program or effective effort of mentoring their people or teaching them to deepen their Christian formation at their church (remember these are the Reformed and Evangelical—not the mainline pastors!)."
-Dr. Richard J. Krejcir, "Statistics on Pastors," Schaeffer Institute, 2007, retrieved Feb 2, 2012, [www.intothyword.org]
If there is not much mentorship or discipleship going on, what is the point of the church? Isn't that what the gathering of believers together is for? Why this would happen starts to make more sense when we look at another statstitic they found:
"Seven hundred fifty-six (756 or 72%) of the pastors we surveyed stated that they only studied the Bible when they were preparing for sermons or lessons. This left only 28% who read the Bible for devotions and personal study."
-Dr. Richard J. Krejcir, "Statistics on Pastors," Schaeffer Institute, 2007, retrieved Feb 2, 2012, [www.intothyword.org]
Focus on the Family, Barna, and Fuller Seminary all did similar studies and came back with similar results:
"Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons... Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living."
-Dr. Richard J. Krejcir, "Statistics on Pastors," Schaeffer Institute, 2007, retrieved Feb 2, 2012, [www.intothyword.org]
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
-1 Timothy 6:9-10
Is it possible you're paying someone to stand in front of your congregation because he doesn't want to find another job? Have you proven where your tithe is going? So far, every Christian I've talked to says, "Well, my church isn't like that." So I guess the churches where these statistics are coming from don't exist? Folks, we need to get more involved in our giving, and with our congregations to prove the truth:
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
-Romans 12:2
I'm not saying that all churches and pastors are untrustworthy and dishonest, but we Christians need to wake up to what's happening around us, and get back to the Scripture on issues of giving. Just because we Christians have done something, or been taught something, all our lives, doesn't mean it's automatically true and Biblical. Tithing, just by definition, is a REQUIREMENT of the church or of the pastors therein, and most churches are pushing this "storehouse tithing" as a necessity to the congregations:
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
-2 Corinthians 9:7
When a church has overhead, and will be shut down without money, that creates a NECESSITY of giving. With the knowledge we have of the Word, and love we share via the Holy Spirit, let's take this opportunity to learn how to give alms the Biblical way.
alms: money, food, or other donations given to the poor or needy; anything given as charity
(See 'alms', Random House Dictionary, Random House Inc., 2012; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co., 2009)
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
-Matthew 6:1
We're to do everything we can to make sure other men don't know about our giving, but so often, I see people donate to a church to have their name put on a list or plaque. Others will pay by check (which gives all your information), and if people think that the church leadship doesn't see who pays the most, and that the influence of the giver is not taken into consideration in the church's decisions, they're lying to themselves. In fact, how many of those around us see our giving when the offering plate is passed in church?
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
-1 Corinthians 16:2
Paul even prefered that there be no gatherings for offering when he came to preach to the Corinthians, but rather that each person, in private, gave as the Lord had prospered him. (i.e. FREEWILL giving) This shows us that we should give secretly, and do so outside of the congregation, rather than during a sermon.
Most of our charitable practices, if we give alms in charity, are not done within the church building we may attend. The Lord may lead us to give to other charitable causes for missionaries around the world. Sometimes, the Lord will show us that our unsaved next-door neighbor has a need that we can fill. Whatever the situation, alms goes to where the Lord individually shows us it needs to go, and Christians should be active and aware of who we give our alms to and where it goes, instead of handing it over to someone else to decide for us.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
-Matthew 7:6
If your congregation has a need, find out what it is and see how you can help provide for that need, but I urge Christians to stop focusing on the law and false requirements of tithe, giving to men who are teaching false doctrine. Christians should not seek to be bound by the law, but rather, accept the liberty given to us by our Lord. Let's start turning to our Lord Jesus Christ in prayer, and ask Him to reveal to us the needs of our neighbors, our adversaries, and our evangelists and preachers, so we can practice being humble and charitable Christians whose actions will give honor and praise to God Almighty.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. [not tithe!]
-1 Corinthians 13:13
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
-Galatians 5:1
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work... For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
-2 Corinthians 9:6-15
But pastors like Creflo (give me a) Dollar could care less what the Scripture says when it comes to his greed of filthy lucre...
C. DOLLAR: "I thought about when we first built the dome [his massive stadium-like church building] to put some of those little moving bars and give everybody a little card, they stick it in a little computer slot. If they were tithing, beautiful music would go off: 'WELCOME! WELCOME! Welcome to the World Dome!' But, if they were not tithing, the bar would lock up, the red and blue lights would start going, the siren would go off, and a voice would go throughout the entire dome: "CROOK! CROOK! CROOK!" Security would go and apprehend them, and once we got them all together, we would line them up in the front and pass out uzzies by the ushers... and at the count of three 'Jesuses' we'd shoot them all dead, and then we'd take them out the side doors there, have a big hole, bury them, and go ahead and have church and have annointing."
The push for churches to gather up more tithes is getting worse every year. Some churches are beginning to install tithing kiosks so that people can quick pay with a credit card in churches.
What happened to not being seen among men?
Most of these people are paying with a credit card, not a bank card. What does the Bible say about that?
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.
-Proverbs 22:7
And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
-Luke 6:34
These churches are encouraging Christians to enter into sinful debt to corporations. A credit card uses borrowed money that doesn't belong to the person using it. How can it be called a "Giving Center," when they aren't giving their own money?
"SecureGive currently [as of 2007] operates in 25 churches around the country. One of them is Family Church in West Monroe, Louisiana, where Terry Taylor is the executive pastor. 'We wanted to help those who were not giving to start walking in obedience,' says Taylor. 'We feel that is being achieved.'"
-"ATMs: Automatic Tithing Machiens," Leadership Journal, 2007, retrieved June 22, 2013, [http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2007/summer/13.14.html]
This preacher doesn't care so much about Christians walking in the charity of our Lord Jesus Christ who loves a cheeful giver, but walking in obediance to the church and "clergy" from their ever increasing pressure to give more money. These kiosks will start creating lines after sermons where people will stand around waiting to give, all the while being seen by everyone in halls and lobbies, thereby increasing their personal incentive to give. [And don't forget to take your receipt so you can write off your donation on IRS tax forms!]
(Read "501c3: The Devil's Church" here at creationliberty.com for more details)
"Phil Martin of the National Association of Church Business Administrators says that Automated Tithing Machines might only be the beginning. 'Whether we'll have an offering plate with a card reader one day, who knows,' he said. 'But we're certainly not far from that.'"
-"ATMs: Automatic Tithing Machiens," Leadership Journal, 2007, retrieved June 22, 2013, [http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2007/summer/13.14.html]
We no longer have pastors, we have peddlers.
We no longer have apostles, we have accountants.
We no longer have ministers, we have marketers.
Editing Note: We formerly had some information on this page about a "Landover Baptist Church" and the tithing plate card readers. We were informed by a Christian brother that this was a satirical (fake) website. We apologize for any information about it included in our audio teaching because I can't go back and remove that part from them. (Although the way some churches operate is not much different than what the fake website says.) However, the tithing machines are real and actively used in churches around the country, and we have added in new (and more interesting) information below.
If Christians believe that most of today's modern American church buildings would never get this bad, then I'd say they must have a willful blindness to the state of the Church right now. The average ministry I see when I visit a website has already transformed itself into a shopping mall, so how much farther behind are the church buildings of America?
According to the easyTithe website, a new company selling easy-to-setup tithe kiosks, the churches of America are going to jump right in:
"Easy Tithe more than paid for itself within the first month of offering online giving. On top of that, our giving has continued to significantly increase month over month!"
-Kevin, Pastor, Saginaw, TX
"If every church knew about this (Easy Tithe), every church would be signing up!"
-Tony, Pastor, Atlanta, GA
-easyTithe, Giving/Donation Kiosk Testimonials, retrieved Mar 8, 2014, [www.easytithe.com/giving-kiosk.htm]
At Bible Money Matters, they republished an article about the congregation handing over their personal bank account information:
"Most Churches will sign you up for auto-withdrawal. This is where you fill out a form, which includes your bank routing and account number, your specified contribution % or amount, and an attached voided check. The Church then hands your info over to their bank who handles the rest."
-Phillip Taylor, "Automated Tithing: A New Way to Give," PT Money, Mar 19, 2012, retrieved July 26, 2014, [ptmoney.com/automated-tithing-a-new-way-to-give]
Since our government loves digital currency more than paper money (because it's easier to track and document transactions), one day, all 501c3 churches are going to be required to use card-payments through these types of readers in order to have legal donations. It's easy to see where this is going: making all non-501c3 Biblical churches illegal simply on the terms of charitable giving not being done through the proper IRS channels.
And with some of these churches, as they convert over to these debt-kiosks, it's easy to see how leavened they are:
"Pastor Marty Baker preaches that the Bible is the eternal and inviolate word of God. On other church matters, he's willing to change with the times... the electric house band has been known to cover Aerosmith's "Dream On." A recent men's fellowship breakfast was devoted to discussing the spiritual wages of lunching at Hooters."
-Richard Fausset, "At Church, an 'ATM for Jesus'," Los Angeles Times, Sept 28, 2006, retrieved July 26, 2014, [articles.latimes.com/2006/sep/28/nation/na-holyatm28]
Not only do they bring in wicked satanic rock music into their church, but also discussing IF it's okay for men to have lunch at Hooters, a place with very immodestly dressed women, leading them right into temptation of adultery. Topics like this should be a no-brainer for those who study the Word of God, but for those who don't, it's a complex subject up for debate.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
-Matthew 5:28
According to this article, Marty Baker (pastor of Stevens Creek Community Church) had already made a decision to build a $3-million building, but people weren't giving enough for his plans. With the over $1.1 million the church receives in donations every year, I guess it just wasn't enough to build his mega-church and still keep his five or six-digit salary.
"So he began studying the electronic payment business... In early 2005, he introduced the first machine at his church. Since then, kiosk giving has gradually gained acceptance among his upper-middle-class flock. The three kiosks are expected to take in between $200,000 and $240,000 this year -- about 15% of the church's total donations. 'It's truly like an ATM for Jesus,' Baker said."
-Richard Fausset, "At Church, an 'ATM for Jesus'," Los Angeles Times, Sept 28, 2006, retrieved July 26, 2014, [articles.latimes.com/2006/sep/28/nation/na-holyatm28]
Oh yeah, "for Jesus," of course. That new BMW... that's for Jesus. That giant oak office desk... all for Jesus. When the janitors come in to wax the marble floor and clean the fourth-floor windows... that's all for Jesus. It never ceases to amaze me how much people will lie to themselves.
Baker, being obviously oblivious to what Jesus Christ has to say about these matters, continues to chuckle at a very serious issue:
"At church services, Baker said, the next few years could be comparable to another upheaval centuries ago, when offerings of grain and animals were replaced with what was then the newfangled medium of money. "I'll bet that caused a stir, too," he said, chuckling."
-Richard Fausset, "At Church, an 'ATM for Jesus'," Los Angeles Times, Sept 28, 2006, retrieved July 26, 2014, [articles.latimes.com/2006/sep/28/nation/na-holyatm28]
Well Baker, since you don't seem to study your Bible much, let me tell you what DID cause a stir: the money-changers. Let look at what Jesus did:
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he [Jesus] drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
-John 2:14-16
And now let's look at what Baker's doing:
"This summer, Baker and his wife, Patty, began selling the devices to other churches through their for-profit company, SecureGive. They are its only employees, but a handful of contractors help them custom-tailor the machines for churches... The Bakers charge between $2,000 and $5,000 for the kiosks, which come in a variety of configurations. They also collect a monthly subscription fee of up to $49.95 for licensing and support. And a card-processing company gets 1.9% of each transaction; a small cut of that fee goes to SecureGive."
-Richard Fausset, "At Church, an 'ATM for Jesus'," Los Angeles Times, Sept 28, 2006, retrieved July 26, 2014, [articles.latimes.com/2006/sep/28/nation/na-holyatm28]
money-changer (n): a person whose business is the exchange of currency
(See 'money changer', Random House Dictionary, 2014, [www.dictionary.com]; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co, 2009)
Quite a few of the very men that are taking positions of leadership in today's church buildings, are the very men that Jesus Christ kicked out of the temple.
Why would these churches need card readers to make it easier for people to give more? Why is there so much focus on getting money? This is an image Joel Osteen's home, and multi-story houses and extensive shrubbery around his fenced-in estate, along with luxury vehicles can be very expensive. As you can see, he's supposed to be an ordained minister of God, so your job as "laity" is to hand over portions of your paycheck to make sure he's provided lavish comforts, otherwise he can't teach you his "truth."
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
-2 Corinthians 11:12-15
Robert Schuller has no choice but to have a shining monument to been seen from miles away, and he needs you to hand over your hard-earned money so they can provide an organ bigger than your house, and maintain the entire facility at 72 degrees fahrenheit year-round, otherwise he can't provide you with quality television that not only offers you the best quality praise music, but also can give you a great deal on porcellan bald eagles at the low, low price of only $29.95 each. What would happen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ if you don't help maintain this place?
(The Crystal Cathedral filed bankruptcy in 2010.)
Not just mainstream churches, but even many evangelical churches today have turned into businesses, rather than ministries. Giving in charity is part of the doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we should be teaching that, but the pressured giving from storehouse tithing sermons is not the doctrine of the New Testament dispensation. I pray our Lord Jesus Christ would cleanse His Church of those seeking a paycheck, and replace them with humble preachers who will be salt and teach righteousness.
As a final point, I've heard tithe-preachers come back and say that Ananias and Sapphira were killed by God because they held back the tithe. That is NOT true. In fact, the example of Ananias and Sapphira were excellent warnings to preachers who are preaching false messages and setting bad examples with tithe:
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
-Acts 5:1-11
Ananias and his wife sold land for a certain price, kept back part of it, and gave part of it to the church, and there was nothing wrong with that. The problem was that they LIED by saying that they gave the church everything they received in payment for the land they sold so they could look good in front of the congregation, and so God punished them for LYING, not for keeping back a portion.
All of us are going to give an account for everything we have ever said, thought, or done when we stand before God, and I encourage church leaders to think carefully about what they're doing and what example they're setting. You might look good in front your congregation, but God knows the truth, and He knows your heart.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
-Psalm 12:2
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
-Luke 16:15