A good friend and I had a very interesting discussion about tithing. While both of us are Christians, we differ in our belief when it comes to tithing. I don't believe that tithing is a valid form of worship. I don't even believe that Christians must tithe. Christians are commanded to give freely from the heart. My friend believes tithing is part of a Christian's obligation to God. He believes it is giving back to God what God has generously given him.
What stumped my friend about tithing is the fact that Jesus and his disciples never tithed. If tithing is an important and valid form of worship to God, how then do you reconcile the fact that Jesus and his disciples never tithed ? There is not a single verse in the bible that says that Jesus and his disciples tithed. More importantly, Jesus and His disciples never taught tithing to Christians. These facts only reveal that tithing is not valid as a form of worship to God.
The doctrine of tithing disturbs me most because it is a blatant form of abuse and deception that pastors shamelessly propagate to serve their own interests. It goes beyond the money involved. These pastors lie and deceive people to merely serve their selfish purposes. I am shocked that a lot of people refuse to see tithing for what it truly is. A lot of people will really take the word of their pastors more than what the bible says. Shocking to say the very least.
It is good to see someone speaking the truth.
ReplyDeleteJesus told the Pharisees to tithe...but it was NEVER money. It was mint rue and cummin...ie herbs grown in Israel.
Tithes were only ever to be the food and animal produce of the land of Israel (Lev 27:30 & 32)
Tithes were only ever to be given to Levites under a covenant (Numbers 18:23)
Tithes were given to Levites because they forfeited their share of the promised land (Number 18:21-23)....so why should 'pastors' today who own property and are not Levites get tithes?
Today the Temple is destroyed...and the Levites no longer minister ...so why should tithes still be given?
These changes have NOT been authorised by God...and those who change HIS Law will be least in the kingdom of heaven.(Mat 5:18-19)
Think carefully 'pastors' about continuing this deception. The price in eternity will be that you receive NO rewards for your lifes work on earth if it is supported by money extorted by deception!
yours in Christ
Chris