Well at least he’s  obviously a cheerful giver, so i couldn’t argue with that one. So, i actually laughed.

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“A religious broadcaster is building a $4 million home in a gated, lakefront community in western South Carolina at the same time that the ministry has cut jobs and reset thermostats in its new headquarters.”

You gotta read this story people. This ministry is expected to reach revenue of 100 MILLION! Not only have Inspiration Networks laid off workers but they froze wages and canceled contributions to employee 401k’s.

“If they’ve got these kinds of assets, does the state really need to offer … tax breaks?” asked Don Weaver, president of the S.C. Association of Taxpayers.

That’s a good question Don Weaver. I am all for the tax exempt status to be withdrawn from non-profits.

CEO David Cerullo’s new house includes more than 9,000 heated square feet, along with a 2,000-square-foot screened porch . . . And it’s shaping up to be one of the priciest houses in western South Carolina. On Realtor.com, just two homes in the greater Greenville area are on the market for more than $4 million.

nuff said.

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Before i post my comments, vote on your initial thoughts and emotions on this video.

Videos like this are all over the internet. I’m referring to videos of tithing testmonies about how miracle money arrived in the mail a week or even 1 day after they tithed. I think i feel lots of things after i see videos like this. I guess frustration, anger, and annoyance are a few.

FRUSTRATION, because i’ve worked hard to get people to see the truth and yet the opposition that promotes false teachings are still going at it. Frustration also because there’s no logic in their tithing testimony, so how do you convince someone’s emotional experiences have blinded them from the real truth? As far as they know, they couldn’t be any more convinced about what they believe then they do now.

ANGER, because an emotional ploy is used to convince others of the promise of tithing rather than using biblical analysis to do the talking. Anger because i see even more testimonies that are exactly opposite of this and yet you don’t hear those testimonies. You don’t hear the testimony of those going in debt; or those being ripped off by a pastor; or those sacrificing everything for their church and yet, leave nothing for their children. Anger, because tithing is a false teaching that fleeces the sheep. Sometimes i wonder if God is angry too? Is it his patience or his grace that stops him from striking down lightning on the wolves in sheep’s clothing?

ANNOYANCE, because tithe teachers are like a sore thumb. I’m so tired of hearing their same old, worn out arguments that can’t hold a drop of water. Annoyed because i have to get on here and expose lies and write about the truth more than i should have to. Annoyed, because i’m sick of sounding like a broken record repeating the same arguments to the same people who can’t give answers to why they believe in tithing.

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Pulpit Pimps has a great article on tithing as well. You can read the PDF here.

For those of you wondering. . . I have been slammed with work and have so much on my plate. I will be returning shortly with more blog posts.

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I guess this question can be reworded to ask if it is important to debate any doctrine. Many people steer away from any debate, and i’m trying to find out if it is healthy to have this position in one’s life. The reason why i brought up this topic is because i recently confronted someone about a specific teaching he had about the tithing issue. Not to be arrogant, but my accusation torched his teaching.  Basically, he responded by saying, “I’d rather watch paint dry then ever debate anything”.

I guess this kind of bothers me that i just nailed that guy, and he won’t even concede just a little. I don’t know if i took it personal, or am just angered at his ignorance. One of my biggest flaws is that i have no patience for people, so being upset is not the right response on my end; but i still want to hear opinions about what others feel about debating. You are probably thinking in your head that i’m a little late on this question considering i’ve been debating tithing on this blog for three-and-a-half years. Well, maybe i’ve been doing it wrong? Maybe i need another approach? I’m gonna throw out some verses in the bible that talk about debating(NKJV). I highlighted a few key words in each verse. I want to hear what your comments are about this.

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

Romans 1:29
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

1 Peter 3:15-16
15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

Acts 17:16,17
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.

1 Timothy 6:3-5
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. £From such withdraw yourself.

Acts 15:7
Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

2 Timothy 2:14-17
Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17And their message will spread like cancer.

2 Timothy 2:23-26
23But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Proverbs 25:9
Debate your case with your neighbor,And do not disclose the secret to another;

What say ye? Is there a Godly approach to debating?

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1. Acts 2:44-45
   Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
2. Acts 4:34-35
   Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
3. Acts 11:27-30
   And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
4. Acts 20:35
   have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak.
5. Romans 12:13
   distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
6. Romans 15:26
   For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor
7. 2 Corinthians 8:14-15
   but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
8. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
   But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9As it is written:
   “He has dispersed abroad,
   He has given to the poor;
   His righteousness endures forever.”
9. 2 Corinthians 9:12
   For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.
10. 2 Corinthians 11:9
    And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied.
11. Galatians 2:9,10
    and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
12. Ephesians 4:28
    Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
13. Phillippians 4:10-11,14-16
    But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: . . .
    Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
14. Titus 3:14
    And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful
15. James 1:27
    Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress
16. James 2:15-16
    a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17. 1 John 3:17
    But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

I will send $50 to anyone who first finds a bible verse that urges generosity in the early church for anything other than an essential need. I will send $15 to anyone who can find a verse to add to the list above. The verse must be in reference to the church in Acts through Revelation, and must be universally translated the same within the KJV, NKJV, NIV, and NASB in regards to how offerings were distributed or used.

If you find a bible verse and want the reward, post it in the comments, and i will send you an email to get your mailing address to send the cash through paypal or mail. Hey, i’m offering this without doing extensive research, so you might get lucky. Hopefully, i won’t be broke by the time this is done.

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As a side note, there is a short introduction before Jim Bakker starts preaching, feel free to bypass the intro parts.

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The Tithing Dilemma

I would say that many of these people know already what they should do, but their conscience has been deceived about tithing for so long that their guilt becomes a stumbling block for doing the obvious thing. On one end, they have tithing. On the other, there’s common sense, which wants to avoid debt, pay bills, or provide for one’s family. On some occasions a desire to give to other ministries outside of their church contradicts the teaching that a tithe must go to your local church.

So i asked myself the question, why do so many people not know what they should do? I don’t know if this is the answer but I believe the main reason why i receive these questions is because their giving abilities have been trained on tithing, but not Spirit led giving. Being guided by the spontaneous characteristics of Spirit led giving is foreign to most, or at the least bit, still in its immature stage. Giving 10% of your gross income seems cut and dry, but when a unique circumstance comes up, tithers freeze and do not know what they should do. Questions, such as, “should I tithe on their retirement money”, or “can I give to a charity”, are just a few questions that many ask. The thought of hearing and listening to a personal God about spontaneous instructions on their giving is foreign to them, because they’ve been spoon fed about what they should do with their money for so long. Tithing has turned many believers into a tamed lion that forgot about its natural instincts.

Spiritual Instincts

Tithing has made us into baby Christians, which is antithetical to the philosophy that it trains us into mature Christians. Children, who are initially trained through Spirit led in their giving, don’t freeze up with difficult questions. Those who are led by tithing, are examples of wild animals caged up and tamed, and have developed no survivable instincts outside of their little cage. Tithing believers have lost their natural, Spirit-led instincts. They are being tamed by a giving instructor that dictates their move, and it satisfies them because of the security and consistency it brings in their life. Assuming, with tithing, there seems to be no doubt or questions about what you are doing until a bizarre situation comes up.

Unfortunately, many believe that tithing is commanded for the New Testament Church. New Testament children are born again to be free, and not caged up like a circus lion. The Spirit of God is meant to be our guide – not tithing. Our spiritual instincts naturally guide us when we are in the wild because we are naturally free and wild creatures. God didn’t give us spiritual instincts so that the tithing tamer could control us. Break free from your bondage. Get out into the wild, and let the Spirit be your guide.

We have created a huge dilemma. We want to build Christians who eventually will be free to be Spirit led with offerings above the tithe, and yet our training is performed in a cage? How does all this make sense? Why do we train our children how to tithe when their destination is to give with Spirit led offerings?

Basic Training

Training is a crucial experience in a believers life. For so long, we’ve been brainwashed into thinking that tithing is the “training wheels” or the “baby steps” in regards to stewardship and giving. But when we are thrown out into the wild, which requires us to be at the peak of our instincts, we don’t know how to feed ourselves and survive on instincts. We have not been trained to be Spirit led, we’ve been trained by tithing.

Most of us, when we figure out offerings above the tithe, we automatically begin calculating, and it sounds something like this, “1 or 2 % sounds like a pretty reasonable offering to give”. So, is  Spirit led offerings much like throwing darts? Is this is what tithing exercises helped us figure out?

For so long we’ve been told to tithe, and it’s been fairly simple to figure out what to do with it. Once we get our paycheck, just cut out 10% for God. As far as the offering is concerned, i would dare say that most add 1% or 2% and place our gift in the same offering plate every week. Some of us might go out on a limb and actually take the liberty to check mark the offering envelopes to designate if our offering should go towards the mission, building, or benevolence fund. If checking a box would be the biggest spiritually financial decision we would have to make, then we have seriously failed in our training.

Many of us have heard the pun that our wallet is usually the last thing to get saved or be baptized. Well, i agree in a different way. Most Christians recognize our new birth in Spirit led living, but when it comes to giving, we are still attracted to the old life under the law. For some reason we are attracted to the way, Abraham, Jacob, & Israel gave. On top of that, the old covenant curses and blessings on the tithing law attract our attention even more. We have been baptized out of this system into a new system. It’s time to start living and giving like it.

It first begins with training ourselves to be Spirit led. To clarify,  being Spirit led is not about neglecting the Word of God, nor is it following your emotional whim. Most people are afraid that their emotions will get in the way, and that’s why they calculate their giving every week. Not to say that creating goals, or a set amount for our giving is bad, but unless the Holy Spirit is really setting a consistent standard for you, then that’s not Spirit led giving.

Definition of Spirit led Giving

Figuring out Spirit led giving is much like deciding where you should live, where your children should attend school, who to marry, what job should you take . . . etc. Are there direct commands in the bible that tell you where to live, or attend school? Well, yes, but no. I’m sure you can find commands intended for Israel to live in a certain place, or who to marry, but how are these commands practical to us today? If i were to disregard these old testament commands intended for Israel and make my marriage a Spirit led decision, most would agree with why i am free to do this. Yes, we know about these Old Testament commands, and we know there’s nothing wrong with living our life by some of them. The problem is when we’ve incorporated these laws into New Covenant dogma, and discourage all other viewpoints.

Why?

Once again, why are tithing questions frustrating? I think it’s the realization that we shouldn’t be struggling with these questions any more. I guess the next frustrating thing is that tithing is enforced by those who say it’s suppose train you make the right decisions, but all it’s done is create us not know how to make any Spirit led decisions.

Although i am tired of baby Christian questions, i will still answer them. So, keep em’ coming.

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If I want to donate to a house building ministry to cover the cost of materials to build the house, and go to Mexico to do the work, can that be my tithe? I can not afford to give my church my 10% next month and the house building for the poor all in the same month. I have committed to the Mexico trip.

Mark,

First things first. You are not required to tithe. I don’t want to go into much detail about that, since there is so much information not only on this website, but on so many others as well.

It seems that the Spirit has put a burden on your heart to help the people in Mexico. Do not suppress the Holy Spirit’s conviction on your heart.  I cannot directly tell you what you should do with your giving. I would definitely say it’s not worth getting into debt over the matter. If you feel that the Holy Spirit is asking you to give both to Mexico and your church, then find ways you can sacrifice in order to pay both. I don’t know if it would be selling something, or fasting through a couple meals to save money.

It is great news to hear that your heart is opened to the conviction of giving from the Holy Spirit and not from a law that is dead. The Spirit is alive in you, so follow the calling from the law that is living in you instead of the law of tithing that has been dead for 2000 years.

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Here’s the first question for this category.

Q: We need to get caught up on our debts and pay them off. My husband insists that we still pay tithes and offerings instead of paying them off. Is he right?

A: Absolutely not.

How can you serve both the master of debt, and also serve God with gifts? You can’t serve God while you are a slave to debt. There is no guarantee of a reward of money to pay off your debt just because you paid the tithe and offering first.

My parents paid tithing for 20 years, and i can tell you that in the end they were still in $30,000 in credit card debt. Their tithe over those years was equivalent to about $100,000. I believe a wise steward would pay 70,000 in tithes and offerings and used the other 30,000 to stay out of debt.

God doesn’t look at the amount. He looks at your heart, which will fall in line with a sacrificial giving attitude. But he’s not happy with poor stewardship regardless of your worthy giving habits. Remember, it was the servant in Matthew 25:14-30 who gave 100% back to his master that was considered a wicked servant and a bad steward.

Living in debt, outside of investment purchases such as schooling, mortgages, transportation, and business purchases, is poor stewardship. I’m not trying to get you to be divisive with your husband, by all means, come to an agreement together; but please be persuasive that tithing does not exempt you from the curse of poor stewardship.

In the end. Remember that you can’t properly serve both masters.

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I’m just throwing this question out there cause i’m not sure what to conclude about it myself. When church doors close because of financial hardship is it good or bad? I know some of you are thinking immediately that its bad. But think about it. That’s one less mortgage bill that has to be paid and that’s more money towards the poor, and other needs.

Let’s face it, giving statistics state that 85% of what a church brings in is spent on the internal operation of the church. Let’s put this in perspective. If Paul was called to minister to the gentiles but he spent 85% of his time with the jews, how effective would Paul’s ministry be? Let’s put this another way, if God calls us to go and teach all nations, and seek and save the lost, but we spend 85% of our resources on ourselves, how effective can we be? The truth of the matter is that giving statistics state that the church only spends 3% on directly ministering to the unsaved.

Let’s ask the question again, if only 3% of a church’s resources are going towards ministering to the unsaved is it good or bad that a church closing its doors frees up the other 97%?

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One thing i want to point out about Randy White response about the prosperity gospel. When the interviewer asked him, “you can look those folks in the eye, and say, ‘your money, if you donate it to this church is not being misused’”. This question comes about 3/4 of the way through the video. Watch Randy’s eyes as he looks up and away to the left (his right). I am not a psychologist, or an expert on telling if someone is lying, but the general rule is, that if someone looks up and away to his right, then they are more than likely trying to visually fabricating the truth in their head.

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