I thought we've come to the end of our discussion on tithing but some have wondered how the church could be financed if there is no tithing ? They seem to have missed the point about FREEWILL OFFERINGS, by which the Lord Jesus and the disciples were supported. We need to let the people know the truth of God's Word which shall set them free. John 8:32. When the people know the truth, then they can decide what to do with it, but we don't have to lie to them, to fabricate things which the Word of God does not say. While it takes money to support the church, we have no right or authority to put any burdens upon the Lord's people, to threaten them, to intimidate them or bring them under condemnation or guilt or curse them because of tithes. After all, the Lord Jesus died freely for all mankind but He did not demand any money from anyone before He went to the cross ! We should stop evoking Malachi 3:8-10 and other Scriptures to terrorize and bamboozle the Lord's people into giving, but teach them the truth and exhort them so they could support the Lord's work with cheerful hearts, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Let us examine ourselves to see why we're in the ministry in the first place ? Has the Lord called you ? Did He call you to make yourself comfortable and live extravagantly while His sheep are so poor and wretched ? To squeeze money out of poor people to satisfy your selfish interest ? To build up business empires for yourself at the expense of the Lord's people ? In short, are you in the ministry to FLEECE the Lord's people instead of FEEDING them ? "....should not the shepherds feed the flocks ?.....I will both search My sheep and seek them out." Ezekiel 34:1-11. Did He call you to make yourself a lord over His people or to serve them and lead them to Him ? Leadership is not lordship, but being good examples to the flock of God which He bought with His own blood, feeding but not fleecing them ! Further, is your love and trust in the Lord or in the tithe ?
And for his work, the shepherd( pastor, prophet, apostle, whatever) must be supported by those he serves as undershepherd, the Lord Jesus Himself being the Chief Shepherd. 1 Peter 5:4. Faithful shepherds or ministers who labour for the Lord's work need to be supported, but you don't do it grudgingly and not as a burden, but lovingly as a child of God. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14.
Jesus was supported by some people including Susanna, Joanna, Mary and many others. Luke 8:2-3. The apostles were also supported by individuals and the churches. Acts 4:34-37; Philippians 4:15-16; Acts 11:29-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. The Philippian church was exemplary in giving because they took particular care of Paul's needs, and so should every church, group or fellowship take good care of their leaders who serve them faithfully.
We cannot afford to neglect our leaders who the Lord chooses to labour alongside Him in His vineyard. If they minister to us in spiritual things, we're also to minister to them in carnal things and whatever we could afford, but as the Bible says, we need to do it in love and cheerfully. In giving, let us remember to give our best and not some leftovers, because God gave us His best, His only begotten Son ! Whatever the case may be, we should not give under any compulsion or threats whatsoever.
Even though proponents of tithing cannot prove their position from the Scriptures, many are still adamant in getting the tithe. Instead of repenting from the sin of teaching a false doctrine and robbing and stealing from God's people, they persist in their greed and love for money, and the prophet Isaiah has a timely word for them:
" Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter." Isaiah 56:11.
But now you know the truth, so let the truth set you free, and don't be cajoled into tithing by anyone, be they prophets, apostles, bishops or archbishops. None of them can claim to be better than the apostle Paul, let alone the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul was a Pharisee who knew all the Mosaic laws, yet when it was necessary, he had to "rob other churches," to serve the Corinthians. 2 Cor 11:8. In other words, Paul had to accept support from other churches in order to serve the Corinthians. If the Lord, or Paul or any of the apostles did not collect tithes from anyone, but depended on voluntary support, why should you allow anyone to tell you to pay tithes ?
Modern-day tithing is a false doctrine brought into the church either by ignorance or greed, and has gone on for generations and we don't expect that this brainwashing would disappear overnight. This is just a small start and we're going to keep the tempo till all the greedy and false preachers repent or get out of the pulpits and stop taking the name of the Lord in vain. But watch out, they would come to you with lying words to try and rob you and steal your money:
" But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you....and through covetousness(greed), shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you......." 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Give cheerfully to the Lord's work, but don't be deceived any longer !
Edmund Amartey
Contact:
Brother Amartey
brotheramartey@gmail.com
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