Tithing and Offering; A controversial Topic in the Christian Faith
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In West Africa Nigeria, a Church senior pastor went and deposited 100 Million Naira($278000) Church's money in a Fixed Deposit, and the monthly returns was been remitted into his personal account. Seems industrious financial move but this pastor never paid interest on the Church's funds in Fixed Deposit all through the year.
People reacted when the word came out, because the money in question is the Tithes and offerings/gifts by church members to the church and not for just one man to take advantage of it and get greedy in the process. Another incident happened over a decade ago when a church member dropped a Bank cheque of 6 Million Naira as offering in the Church. The ushering team couldn't resist the urge and they took the Cheque, forged signatures and went to open a bank account far away from the Church Location in the City- Luckily they were not successful.
This two brief stories shows how flawed the church system is on the basis of tithe and offerings/gift. The early Christians/Churches never amass wealth like most churches do in the present day but share everything equally amongst the congregation.
"Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold" Acts 4:34(KJV)
SURGICAL DISSECTION FROM BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
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Tithing/Offering is a matter of the heart, and so no pastor or Prophet nor Bishop should ever mandate it to give all you have in expectant of more as it was never illustrated in the Scriptures whether to Tithe our Net or Gross profits/interest/Salaries. In all of Jesus Christ parables, over half of those parables mentioned Money and wealth. So giving a tenth part of your earnings or interests shows "you are not a slave to Mammon!"
Over 800 times was money/wealth made mentioned of in the Holy Bible, therefore there is emphasis on giving out of our resources to God but with discretion and intuition.
GIVING/OFFERINGS
"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(KJV)
It was stated Clearly by Apostle Paul that giving should be done;
- Proportionally(and not go Bankrupt or get Loan to do so)
- Often(Regularly)
- Individually(As the spirit leads you and not as pastors commands it.)
- Methodically(With Discernment and not as fear of a Pastor or Cardinal)
Giving/Offering and tithe is between God and individuals, form the Old testament point of view; tithing is generally on seeds, farm produce, wine, oil, animals(Firstlings). The Biblical verses explaining the first born of animals and human are Exodus 13:2, Numbers 3:13
Just three times was tithing mentioned in the New Testament; The New Covenant; Jesus Christ Mentioned that the Pharisees were more careful about their tithes and they deem it more important than mercy and helping the poor among them so they make show off it while paying their tithes for all to see.
Since there was a change of priesthood from the Levites to Jesus Christ which automatically implies a change in the law assigned to the Levites of the Old Testament, then the Old Laws had been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ which would technically render tithes Obsolete.
"But as humans and as individuals, we should Honor God with our Resources voluntarily and not mandatory "... @oluwoleolaide for STEEMCHURCH!
Happy New Week Steemizens...Below are the links to some of my latest posts. I appreciate all the supports i have gotten from you all!
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I like your informative post.
I fully agree to your claims about tithe and offerings, it is meant to be given from the heart and not because you were forced or compelled to. Thanks for this inspirational piece of writing.
Most grateful for reading it my friend.
I agree 150% completely.... We put ourselves under unnecessary yokes because "men of God" say we should... Christianity is a personal race...christ came to refurbish the law... Nd its simple... LOVE.... paying huge tithes while someone beside you lacks basic things in life is not LOVE... giving is an important part of christianity but it is supposed to be to one another with the mindset that we are all part of the body of christ... Nourishing a part of body enriches d whole body.... Like the post said give
Dont punish urself pointlessly abeg
Thanks for buttressing my points...
You see giving is important but not compulsory. It is the giver that knows the reason why he's giving. Me for one cannot be mandated to drop nada...
Good you have a strong stance concerning that, millions had been brainwashed by our "pastsa"!
Tithing and offerings are God's idea, not man's idea....
But men of God always try to superimpose it on the Congregations
This is very deep and could birthloads of arguments. However, I prefer to see the big picture you've chosen to paint and not focus on minor issues. All in all, God loves a cheerful giver. Cheers!
Our giving attitude shows we are not a slave to Mammon...But not to be Brainwashed by Men of God!
I was not criticizing your article, just added a kind of footnote. Indeed every one is entitled to their own opinion. And as long as each person is conscious of James 4:17 and applies it to their pattern of giving, all is well
Yeah it's a little controversial but important to talk about! I usually just give straight to people in need instead of churches or charities :D
Thats a very fantastic principle my friend...
One local priest in my country went so far to put names of the families who failed to give offerings on the Church's info board. He didn't put it there to inform community that maybe those families don't have money so they need help, but as a warning to others to be afraid of public shame. It was just an awful act.