One of the comedic notes on this story written by ABC News is that the “SEC also alleged that he doled out cash to make a splashy music video starring his wife, Meshelle, draped in white fur and diamonds. The name of the song? “Billionaire.”" If you have the slightest imagination you should get a chuckle out of envisioning the gangsta and his wife singing out their bling-bling with money floating out of the sky.

Another kicker from the ABC News story is that, “Lakewood Church told ABC News they opened their doors to Taylor to speak on the subject of “Biblical financial principals,”"

To top it off, one of the investors that were schemed out of their money warned Lakewood Church leadership about Ephren Taylor, and after doing so the leadership blames the victim. These wolves in sheep’s clothing are letting other wolves sneak into the fold, which is crazy that impostors can’t even recognize their own kind!!!

Related posts:

1. Christian Financial Counselors V. Tithing
2. Christian financial discernment
3. Couple’s Christian board game guides people to prosperity

As we continue our series ‘Tithing on Trial’, let’s evaluate another argument used to defend tithing.

ARGUMENT #3
All Scripture is profitable, so we can’t ignore tithing in the Old Testament.

2 Timothy 3:18 states this, “All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

If this passage applied to half of the Mosaic laws in the Old Testament (OT), I’d be okay with using it in this context; but considering how 2 Timothy 3:18 is not a common source used to validate any of the other 600+ Mosaic laws, then using this verse to defend a single OT law makes one look desperate.

If we really believed that 2 Timothy 3:18 can be used to defend tithing then there are many other OT laws that would drastically change how the Church functions today. Here are a few examples below

• Deuteronomy 23:2 would not allow illegitimate children into Church services.
• Exodus 21:20-21 would allow us to own slaves as property and beat them within an inch of taking their life.
• Leviticus 19:19 would not allow you to wear clothing  made with polyester and cotton nor spandex mixed with silk.
• Leviticus 21:5 would not allow ministers to shave any part of their head. Maybe this included the beard ( i don’t know? )
• Leviticus 21:16-23 would not allow anyone with a physical defect to give offerings.
• Numbers 8:24 would not allow ministers to serve in the Church more than 25 years.
• Leviticus 20:9-10 would sentence rebellious children and adulterers to death.

I think you get my point now.

How Profitable is the Old Testament Law?

Galatians 3:24-25 states, “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.”

Although our schoolmaster is retired and we are not longer following the law as our master, this does not render the Old Testament useless. There are many other universal principles that can be taught through the Old Testament, but the ordinances were nailed to the cross and left there

Colossians 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross”

Although Old Testament laws were taken out of the way, this doesn’t mean there aren’t principles to be found within the practice of them. We can find universal principles taught in the New Testament with references to Old Testament laws. Circumcision, altar sacrifices, and burning incense are all referenced in the New Testament. Here are some scriptural references of how Old Testament laws are applicable in the New Testament

• Colossians 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
• Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
• Philippians 4:18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

We know that neither circumcision, nor sacrifices need to be enforced in order to teach principles behind the matter. In regards to tithing, we can read that tithing is neither a necessary nor exclusive practice used to teach principles of stewardship.

What About Giving in the New Testament?

Here’s a concise list of passages in the New Testament that describe how giving should be administered throughout the Church.

• 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first [day] of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 [So let] each one [give] as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity;
• Romans 12:6-13 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, [let us use them]:…he who gives, with liberality…distributing to the needs of the saints
• 2 Corinthians 8:1-8 …their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to [their] ability, yes, and beyond [their] ability, [they were] freely willing,  imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints…. I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
• 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 For if there is first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to what one has, [and] not according to what he does not have. For [I do] not [mean] that others should be eased and you burdened; 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.

After reading the above passages you will see that there is nothing to advocate tithing in the New Testament. Although, I have bolded some words above to emphasize how giving should be influenced. You will see phrases such as- ‘liberality’, ‘freely willing’, and ‘not by commandment’. This form of giving in the New Testament does not fit with the form of giving found in the Old Testament, so this puts us in a bit of a quandary if we wish to honor the whole scripture.

Ignoring the Cross

I think people get all messed up on this issue because they ignore the cross. It’s not about ignoring the Old Testament or the New, it’s about Calvary. The greatest example we have of giving found throughout the entire bible should answer this question for us. The ironic thing is that neither of us have doubts on whether we ought to be praying or reading more even though I don’t see anyone enforcing minimum amount of praying or the minimum amount of bible reading.  When we reflect on what Jesus did for us, we challenge ourselves to pray and read more. Some of us may incorporate personal benchmarks that help us perform this duty, but these benchmarks all vary and have different effects for everyone.

When scripture said pick up our cross and to give up our lives as a sacrifice, i don’t believe that he meant for us to legalize the process with our petty milestones.

Now that the evidence has been given in this court of law, it is your turn to decide; Can we ignore tithing in the Old Testament – guilty or not guilty?

YOU BE THE JUDGE

No related posts.

As we continue our series ‘Tithing on Trial’, let’s evaluate another argument used to defend tithing.

ARGUMENT #2
Jesus Taught Tithing

In Matthew 23:23, Jesus is speaking to the pharisees and says this, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”

Undoubtedly because these words come out of the mouth of Jesus, many believe this settles the tithing issue for them. But this assumption is made out of ignorance and the conclusion is not within scriptural context. If you read the whole chapter of Matthew 23 and research the other Old Testament commands that Jesus taught, we can reveal that the tithing issue is not settled by the words of Jesus.

If you were to understand what Jesus was talking about, who he was talking to, and under what circumstances in Matthew 23:23, then we need to start at the very begging on the passage and understand it’s context.

Matthew 23:1 begins by saying, “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,[a] that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.”

At the beginning of Matthew 23, Jesus confirms that the pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, and then commands the disciples to obey the pharisees (which is surprising). The introduction in Matthew 23 reveals that Jesus upheld the Mosaic law, and still commanded it. One of the keys to remember in this passage is that we can learn from the teachings of Jesus, but it doesn’t mean Jesus’ address to the disciples and the Israelites is a personal plea for the New Testament Church. If you believe Church leaders sit in Moses’ seat and that we are to observe the Mosaic laws, then  i can see why you believe that everything Jesus’ commanded back then should be commanded now.

In another example of Jesus teaching the law, we read Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

 Considering that this was near the end of Jesus’ life on earth and somewhat close to the birth of the Church, i am somewhat shocked that Jesus is still giving the Israelites instructions on how to worship on an altar.

Luke 5:14 is another passage of Jesus upholding the law when he commands a healed man to show himself to the priest. If you read more scripture, you will see that Jesus observed the Passover and attended the feasts prescribed in the Mosaic law. There was no question that Jesus obeyed the law, practiced the law, and taught the law. So, who is to say that Jesus was commanding the New Testament Church to tithe?

Let’s review Matthew 23:23 again where Jesus highlights how meticulous the Pharisees were tithing the small herbs in their crops, and then criticizes them for omitting justice, mercy, and faith. If you have an understanding of how tithing was practiced in the Mosaic law, you would know that the only items that could be tithed upon were crops and animals. This means that neither money, nor goods were accepted for the tithe. What’s important to remember here is that Jesus did not ridicule them for their obedience to the specifics of the Mosaic law; he approved their obedience to the Law. So, if you believe Jesus commendation to tithe is applicable to us, then you must also believe that only the tithes of animals or from crops is applicable.

If you need some sort of litmus test to determine what laws in the old testament are commanded today and what laws are not, you could likely use the actions of the Pharisees as your test. We know the Pharisees excelled at keeping the Mosaic law, but did not excel at obeying universal principles such as justice, mercy, and faith. So, you could abstain from any of the laws that the pharisees were religious about without worrying if you are doing the wrong thing. In regards to tithing, please take note that the Pharisees excelled in this area.

Now that the evidence has been given in this court of law, it is your turn to decide; Did Jesus Teach Tithing for us- Guilty or not guilty?

YOU BE THE JUDGE

Related posts:

1. Did Jesus Fulfill the Law?
2. Was Jesus Poor?
3. Honk if you Love Jesus

We are starting our series of posts called “Tithing on Trial” and begin with this argument defending tithing.

ARGUMENT #1
There is no place in the Bible where it says to give less than a tithe.

There are plenty of examples in scripture where the Israelites gave an offering or a sacrifice that was less than 10% of their increase. To say that there is no place in the bible where it says to give less than 10% is a closed-minded and ignorant statement.

If we want to get technical about giving, we should remind ourselves that there is no place in the bible where it encourages us to offer less than 100%. If you want to dissect this even further, God doesn’t require us to give back 100%, he requires us to give back 100% plus interest. We can see this concept in the parable of the bags of Gold in Matthew 25:14-30.  ”…Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?  Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest…”

In this parable a master leaves three servants entrusted with his riches while he’s away on a journey. When he comes back, the master finds that two of the servants give back even more than what was given to them, but finds the third servant returning only 100% what he was given. Although this parable is ultimately about lost souls, we can reflect on the implications this has on stewardship in general. This parable shines new light into my heart and brings conviction about how i should truly view stewardship and giving.

A misconception about tithing is the belief that everyone was required to give tithes off everything. The bible repeatedly clarifies that the tithe was only given from the crops or animals, which means that tithes were not given off of wages earned from other occupational incomes. Bankers, lawyers, doctors, blacksmiths and carpenters did not give a single cent from their occupational income. On the other hand if they garnished increase from their herds or from their personal crops, they were to give the tenth one to God. One can only conclude that some carpenters may not have tithed at all if their never had crops or animals.

If you read every single bible verse about tithing from the time it was commanded to the end of scripture, you will see that neither money nor other goods were involved in tithing. Even when Jesus spoke to the pharisees in the New Testament about tithing (Matthew 23), he confirmed that herbs and spices from the garden were to be tithed upon.

Many people also forget that the poor received the tithe; they didn’t give it (Deuteronomy 14:28,29). There is no scripture stating that the poor must give back 10% of what was donated to themselves. As you can see, this is another group of people that not only gave less than 10% of their increase but in reality were benefactors without even being a contributor.

I’m sure there are some of you who think i am looking at tithing legalistically, and i’m focusing on the legalities of the Mosaic law instead of tithing under grace. There is a pre-mosaic example of Abraham’s tithe which didn’t include animals or crops that we can look at. But let’s compare scripture with scripture and really understand whether or not Abraham’s example prior to the law sets the tone for tithing throughout scripture. Let’s read Numbers 31:25-30, “Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ’Count up the plunder that was taken–of man and beast–you and Eleazar the priest and the chief fathers of the congregation; and divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. And levy a tribute for the LORD on the men of war who went out to battle: one of every five hundred of the persons, the cattle, the donkeys, and the sheep; take [it] from their half, and give [it] to Eleazar the priest as a heave offering to the LORD. And from the children of Israel’s half you shall take one of every fifty, drawn from the persons, the cattle, the donkeys, and the sheep, from all the livestock, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.’”

I know it is kind of a lengthy passage, but in summary, God just told Israel to divide the spoils of war in half, take 1/500 of the first half and give it to the family of the high priest, and then take 1/50 of the second-half and give it to the Levites. For those of us who are bad at math, i had a genius figure this out for me, and it seems the Israelites gave 2.005% of the spoils of war to God. So, in other words, this is a clear example where Israel was commanded to give less than 10% of their increase.

Now that the evidence has been given in this court of law, it is your turn to decide; Does the Bible allow less than 10% of your increase- Guilty or not guilty?

YOU BE THE JUDGE

Related posts:

1. How Many Tithes Were in the Bible?
2. Bible Verses on Spirit Led Giving
3. Bible verses about tithes

I’m going to start writing a series of posts to address common arguments used to promote tithing. These arguments have been listed on the 50 tithing arguments debunked page, but it is not in a format where i can really go into detail. These series of posts are going to be called “Tithing on Trial” series. As i hear arguments used to promote tithing in the Church, i will address them in this series. On the side menu you can see a link under the categories for ‘Arguments’. If you click it in the future, you will see a comprehensive list of posts that address each and every argument to promote tithing.

Here are a few of the pro tithing arguments

• Jesus commanded tithing
• God owns everything
• The church is the storehouse
• Tithing began before the Law
• Jesus didn’t abolish the Law
• God wants the first and the best
• How is the Church supported without tithing?

Related posts:

1. Let’s Talk About Jesus Radio Tithing Series
2. The Millionaire from Nazareth?
3. Apples of Gold Ministries Take on Tithing

Francis Chan on tithing: “I don’t believe you are required to give a certain amount of your income. From my study of scripture, as i look through this, when i look at the New Testament; i don’t believe that we’re required to give this ten percent.”

Listed the whole audio of Francis Chan on giving.

No related posts.

The Annual $34 Billion Church Scandal

Found this astounding but horrific article on a blog called “Christian Headlines Blog” that opens up the research on how religious organizations provide a safe haven for 34 billion in fraud and theft ANNUALLY! Here’s a few excerpts. It will blow your mind!!

Tithing is for Sissies

Before you tithers get your panties in a wad and go all hormonal on me, get some tissues out to wipe your tears away. Here’s a few reasons that should convince you pansies to trade in your skirts and begin giving sacrificially through freewill, Spirit led giving.

A Look at the Prosperity Gospel in the Pentecostal Church

Data, collected by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows that the Pentecostal Church is one of the least financially blessed groups of religious believers worldwide.

Church Gives Automated Call to Remind You to Tithe

As i was going through my routine of reading blogs on tithing, i came across the New BBC Open Forum. Here the writer shares a story of receiving an automated phone call to remind him to tithe this upcoming sunday.

Tithing Debate on Revelation TV

For those who did not get to see the tithing debate with Russ Kelly in action on Revelation TV, here are the videos.

Related posts:

1. 2010 Review: Top Blog Posts
2. Church Gives Automated Call to Remind You to Tithe
3. The Church is a Spoiled Brat

As i’m sitting here pondering what i’m going to get my wife for Christmas, i am reminded of how my quest for romantic giving is so similar to how Spirit-led, freewill giving can be. If i were under a legalistic covenant with my wife, i wouldn’t worry about searching for gifts that touch her heart in a unique way. With legalism, all i have to worry about is just giving to my wife consistently and mechanically. But because I am free from legalism, my mind and heart can wander off to give in ways that are romantic, creative, and sacrificial. I don’t need mechanisms in place to motivate my giving or even to provide for the most basic of needs. I give sacrificially to my wife because i love her.

Romantic giving and Spirit led giving are neither complex nor ambiguous chores for me because my intimate relationships help me understand the deepest of desires of my recipients. I don’t have to wonder if my wife will appreciate what i’m giving her because she’s already communicated to me what she wants. The same goes for Spirit-led giving. Because of our personal relationship with our Savior, our communication allows me to be constantly aware of God’s expectations. I don’t need a methodical list of chores like Israel had; simply because the veil of separation between creator and creation has been torn.

It’s quite sad to me that many still use tithing as a requirement in Christian practices. A benchmark for our giving is completely out of character in a period of time that is by faith through grace, and not of ourselves. The reason it is not of ourselves because God has made a distinction between physical and spiritual requirements. The gospel pounds and pounds and pounds that concept into us and yet we still assume acceptance is gained through our physical requirements and not our spiritual accomplishments.

Spiritual accomplishments can be obtained through any benchmark or standard; but I’m not here to tell you what you should give. The best thing i can say is that this Christmas i’m going to give my wife a gift that is sacrificial, romantic, and creative. And if my love for my wife effects me in this way, then how should my giving towards God be effected?

Related posts:

1. Pros and Cons: Tithing v. Spirit Led Giving
2. How Spirit Led Giving Could Transform the Church
3. Spirit Led Giving Defined

A Tithe Means 10%

Right off the bat, the three tithes system has an uphill battle in its defense. Obviously, 23% is not a tithe. At the very core of the tithing definition, a tithe means 10%. If I gave God 23% of my increase, then i am not tithing, and we cannot call it a tithe. Let’s illustrate this. If you and i were in a business partnership and we had an agreement for each of us to take 10% of the profit, could either one of us take an additional 10% from our profits and still have a valid agreement? The answer is, no. Once we’ve both taken more than 10% of our increase for the year, then we no longer have a tithing agreement.

A Single Tithe is Complex Enough

Regardless if there certainly was a single tithe system, we already agree that the bible is vague about this complex matter in the first place. Now take into account the more complex nature of a three tithes system, which involves an algorithm of various times, places, and recipients. With a multiple tithing system there would arise an exponential amount of  ’fill in the blanks’. For instance…
… How would one go about giving the second or third tithe of his harvest that he’s already stored, sold, or eaten?
… If some of it was stolen or lost in a fire, do you tithe on the original harvest, or on what’s left . . . if anything?

See the trouble you run into? We’ve just made a very ambiguous single tithing system ten times worse. Let’s go back to our business illustration. After our business partners have withdrawn the first 10%, and have decided to then withdrawal another 10%; is the second 10% debited off the original value of their increase, or do they debit 10% off the already decreased value (80%)? If we truly believe that there were three tithes, then this opens up Pandora’s box and a plethora of additional complexities arise, which are not even remotely addressed in the bible. Something just doesn’t fit when this multifarious task  is extremely disproportionate to the minute amount of details given.

One Tithe was Sufficient Enough

I read a book titled, “Eating Sacred Cows” written by Graeme Carle. In this book the author explains through the census records in the bible that the Levites  consisted 7% (some argue less than 4%) of the total population of Israel. Because of this numerical imbalance, the Levites would have had 3x-4x more food than they needed if there were multiple tithes. We can take the number of Levites and compare with the rest of Israelite population, and KNOW that one tithe alone should have been sufficient; this is without mentioning firstfruits, offerings,  spoils of war, and increase in animals that were born under Levitical possession.

One Tithe was Spread Throughout the Year

A possible explaination of why there is so much confusion about multiple tithes is that some have not taken into account that there were multiple harvests throughout the year, resulting in multiple occasions of tithing. If any of us were farmers, we would understand that figs, barley, wheat, olives, and various other agriculture were not harvested at the exact same time in the year. I found a Jewish calendar that has the times of year that different produce was harvested. here is a summary

1. Barley Harvested in 1st & 2nd Months
2. Wheat harvested in 3rd & 4th months
3. Grapes, figs, walnuts & olives were harvested  in the 5th month
4. Vegetables, cotton, & pomegranate’s harvested in 6th month
5. Rice harvest 8th month
6. Winter figs & citrus harvested in 11th month
7. Flax harvested in 12th month.

2 chronicles 31:7 is an account of the Israelites harvesting for 4 months and storing the tithe which leaves room for three general harvest periods throughout the year. If multiple harvests throughout the year would result in multiple opportunities to tithe, maybe this would clear up confusion about the number of tithes there actually were. This would conclude that a tithe still is 10%, simplify the tithing system, and prevent too much waste.

It doesn’t make sense to reserve a tithe from each harvest period throughout the year to be given as a lump-sum at the end. So, i would disagree with those who say there was only one tithe, once a year.

What is the Year of Tithing / Third Year Tithe?

Deuteronomy 14:28 - At the end of [every] third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store [it] up within your gates.

Most people explain that the third year tithe is an additional 10% added onto the 20% of tithes that are given every year, and is repeated the third and sixth years in-between sabbaticals. There are a few things to be aware of. One, many translations of the bible interpret the phrase “[every] three years” while inserting the word “every” for clarification. The problem is that the word “every” is not in the original Hebrew. In the other 300 instances in the bible, the same Hebrew is not translated “every three years”.

There is one instance in the bible that has the phrase every three years. in 2 Chr. 9:21, “For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish ...” The Hebrew word (echad) is  in 2 Chr. 9:21 and by definition it means ‘each, every’. So the translation in 2 Chr. is correct in implying a three year recurring event.

The second thing to be aware of is most significant in understand the “Year of Tithing”. Let’s read Leviticus 25:20-22 “And if you say, “What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow nor gather in our produce?” ’Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce enough for three years. And you shall sow in the eighth year, and eat old produce until the ninth year; until its produce comes in, you shall eat [of] the old [harvest].

Every Seventh year, Israel had a sabbatical where they did not tithe, grow crops, nor tend the field. So, in Leviticus 25, God states he would bless them so much in the sixth year that their increase would last the next three years. Three years is a lot of food and a long time, but if you read closely in Leviticus 25 there was a reason for it. Israel did not eat from their crops again until the ninth year. This means there were two consecutive years (7th and 8th) where they did not tithe because there was nothing to harvest yet. BUT, the third year, which is the year they began tithing again is when God said their produce would come in . This is why it is called the year of tithing.

Most people assume that there was only one year without the agricultural tithe, but there were two years without tithing, which was followed by the third year when they commenced tithing again. Hence the “Year of Tithing”.

I know i went into the year of tithing a little deeply, but it’s important to grasp the understanding of the “year of tithing” so you don’t get caught up in the thought process that this was some special year, where additional 10% was given.

Other Great Points

Here are just some roadblocks that come to mind when i try to defend the three tithes position.

1. How would a farmer survive for the sabbatical if he were to tithe 30% on the sixth year; as well as give 10% to the king, pay government taxes, give sacrificial offerings, and actually leave parts of their land ungleaned?
2. There is no reference for Israel to save up 30% the third year
3. Jewish Rabbis disagree on the number of tithes
4. In Leviticus 27:32 God said count 1 out of every 10. I’m not sure how that comes out to 30%?

Conclusion

So, what i believe is that Israel divided 10% of their increase into multiple payments throughout the year. I’m not saying that i have given the final answer to the single tithing system, but in my view, the three tithes theory sprouts even more conflicts and questions than it even begins to solve. So, for now i stick with it. Figuring out the amount and types of tithes is not one of those issues where people get into heated arguments about. Truthfully, aside from misinterpreting scripture, it doesn’t really matter to me if I’m wrong about this issue. But nontheless, i have devoted a lot of time studying the intricacies of the tithing system and i feel it helps me understand God’s word just a tad more.

What do you have to say about this issue? Do you feel i am wrong, or is there anything you have learned?

Related posts:

1. Bible verses about tithes
2. Beyond Tithes & Offerings
3. Church Tithes Continue to Decrease

The tithing video also goes on claiming that once ‘bob’ started tithing, his marriage, finances, and relationship with his children had a breakthrough. Tithing is bob’s lucky charm, so he keeps it in his pocket along with his lucky penny and rabbit foot.

Related posts:

1. Another Video on Tithing – God Pie
2. Nooma video- RICH
3. Tithe Phobia Video

The State Journal Register released a news article outlining research and giving statistics released  in October 2011 by Empty Tomb Inc. Here are some short points taken from SJR about the research below

“Parishioners gave about 2.38 percent of their income to their church . . . Only 0.34 percent of parishioner income went to what Empty Tomb calls “benevolences,” such as charities and seminary training beyond the four walls of the church. Those are new lows, at least going back to the first report in 1968.”

The diatribe you hear about tithing and all the bantering you hear about health, wealth, and prosperity all comes from those who give 2.38% of their income?! All i can think about is how is it that my character is the target of scrutiny for opposing the tithe. I’m not the hypocrite.

“previous research identifies no clear pattern that shows donations dropped during past recessions. In other words, the recession is only partly to blame, if at all.”

Excuses…excuses…excuses. It looks like the obvious scapegoat just got shot dead. Sorry pastors, you can’t use the “bad economy” line anymore.

This year’s report represents the fourth consecutive annual decline in benevolences. Put another way, American churches are spending more on themselves and less on beyond-the-church charities.

Dare we say that selfishness and greed be preached from the pulpits any longer? I say we hew down every pulpit and rebuild it into a pew, and in turn, transform the pews into pulpits.

Ronsvalle even goes so far as to suggest “if a church is turning inward and valuing the happiness of its members” over service to others, “it is moving on a spectrum toward pagan values.” The bottom line: U.S. churches seem to be more concerned with their own needs and their own desires over the needs of others.

Can we blame those sitting in the pews? Partly – yes, because their ignorance is stubbornly patronizing the pagan values being practiced from leadership. But what about the leadership that rants and raves about their right to keep the general mass ignorant? Can administration simply say that it’s our duty to give and not to ask, or God forbid, influence what is done our contributions? Granted, on a micro level, every individual is responsible for their personal decision in regards to giving; but in the communal aspect of giving, the mass population is threatened into tithing with fear of being punished by a curse.

The Salvation Army has seen its contributions increase by 5 percent in the U.S. over the last fiscal year

You know what? The Salvation Army practices what they preach and there aint no surprise there.

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“The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives.” Deuteronomy 14:23 (TLB)

Tithing is the spiritual habit of giving back to God the first 10 percent of all I make.

If I make $100, I give $10 back to God; if I make $1000, I give $100 back to God. I get to keep 90 percent, but I give 10 percent to him.

Why do that? Because God says so, and that’s reason enough. If you don’t do it, you’re disobeying God. But there’s another reason. Jesus says, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21 NLT). …

… Today’s verse explains that “the purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first” in your life (TLB). If I say, “God, I want you to be number 1 in my life,” but he’s last place in my budget, that’s a contradiction.

The issue here is where you place God in your list of priorities. Your finances simply reflect what those priorities are. What do your finances reveal about the priority of God in your life?

The first obvious blasphemy was using the TLB translation (if you could call it that) of Deuteronomy 14:23. Let’s read the difference between the NIV and the TLB

NIV –  ”Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.”
TLB –  ”The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives.”

The Living Bible is suppose to be a paraphrase of bible passages. This isn’t a paraphrase, this is a flat-out lie. The author of the living bible wanted to rewrite the bible to fit his own version of how he saw God.  In other words, he created his own God. Could you imagine what our lives would look like If we translated scripture into a bible that fit what we wanted God to be?

On another note, Rick Warren is completely ignorant about what the bible says on tithing. First error is Rick Warren says tithing is giving back the first. Hmmmmmm, sorry Rick, the tithe was not given from the first, nor the best of the increase. Please read Leviticus 27. Next, Rick Warren states that the tithe comes from “ALL” that you make. Really Rick, Really – “All?” This certainly wasn’t the case for Israel. Only the tenth of increase from the fruit of the land and the animals were to be given. No. Carpenters did not tithe from their income. You can exclude any other occupation that did not include growing food or raising animals.

Rick goes on lying some more. He gives false reasons to why tithing is required.  The first reason Rick Warren states why we should tithe is that “God says so“. God said a lot of things Rick, one of them being that you should stone your children, require circumcision, worship on Saturday’s, and beat your slaves. No Rick, i don’t think it’s the fact that God said so, i think it’s the fact that you said so. God never required tithing for gentiles, never required tithing outside of Israel, never required tithing from anything but food, and most blatant of all, God never said tithing was required in the New Testament for the Church.

The second reason Rick Warren states why we should tithe is that “Jesus says, wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be”. What does Jesus statement have to do with a 10% standard? What’s ironic to me is that we are talking about putting your treasure where your heart is, and Rick’s example is giving a measly 10%? How does giving 10% an example of putting your treasure where your heart is? Are we only devoting 10% of our heart?

The final error is that Rick Warren says tithing teaches us to put God first in our lives. I’d like to know how well that worked out for the pharisees since they were so good at tithing?

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