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| The Tithing Swindle |
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The Tithing Swindleby Van Robison  Tithing as the church world teaches and demands from Christians, is among the greatest swindles in the Christian era. In fact, the subject of tithing is so misrepresented and so misunderstood, that once anyone really gets their eyes opened to the truth, you have to wonder how you were ever so deceived. Understanding the truth about tithing is elementary, and the primary reason that pastors don't know the truth about this outrageous false teaching is because their Bible study is superficial, and very likely they also love free money. I have no personal doubt that there are false teachers, whose motive in teaching tithing is simply $$$$. Money is a means of wealth, and when sheeple can be made to believe that this false doctrine impacts their relationship with Jesus Christ or their salvation, it is nothing short of pure heresy.
The Internet is inundated with articles and extensive material about the subject of tithing from countless sources, and consequently anyone who really is seeking the truth about tithing, will be exposed to Biblical truth on this subject, which is generally not available in churches. Some church organizations are extremely wealthy (literally billions of dollars annually) from this UNBIBLICAL doctrine as practiced in churchianity.
In this very brief article, I would like to challenge all pastors and all practicing "tithe" payers to abandon all preconceived ideas and teachings on this subject and initiate a fresh, in-depth study about this vital topic. In so doing, I am here highly recommending the research and studies of Russell Earl Kelly, Ph.D. and ex-Seventh Day Adventist. Brother Kelly is legally blind (physically) and yet he sees (spiritually) what almost no pastors see who have good vision (physically). His two hour Internet video (Tithing Is Not a Christian Doctrine) is available free to watch and listen, and Kelly presents a wealth of knowledge and in-depth truth that few have ever been exposed to in regard to the tithing issue. Kelly also has a website and a free book on tithing titled Should The Church Teach Tithing? that you can freely download here.
Virtually no church goer can be deceived about the tithing subject, if this topic is looked at with a fine tooth comb and under the microscope of honest Bible scrutiny. Any pastor who comes to terms with the tithing truth, will have to work for a living and stop robbing and stealing from others through false teachings. This may be a gut wrenching experience for pastors who have lived on church welfare and who have not supported their own families through their own honest industry. The issue is one of teaching truth verses teaching a false New Testament doctrine that has no place in the New Testament paradigm.
Note: Please be sure to also check out The Truth About Tithing for more about this issue. |
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23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone. 3:8 Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 3:9 Ye are cursed with the curse; for ye rob me, even this whole nation. |
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Though in actuality tithing is not appropriated to the believer as the Jewish tax of 10%, it is equally mistaken to think that giving to our local church is unwarranted. It's not the act of giving a portion of our income to the church that's halted, it's the amount that is not to be superficially regulated at 10%:
9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren to go on to you before me, and arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so that it may be ready not as an exaction but as a willing gift. 9:6 The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 9:7 Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. That the early church gave regular, periodic offerings of money to support the local church is also evident in the following: 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. Unless one has come across some sort of cash cow for quallified ministers, I'm not sure how pastors are going to be in a position to shepherd the flock without our offerings. |
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I am against the established Whore, but believe He has a remnant that believe in Him and not doctrines of man, but I still think that the Lord is the same as He was then. If He setup a way to take care of those that can't care for themselves, and in turn a blessing for those that give, why would He change? The Whore wants to take the tithes and setup their own kingdoms, and build multi-million dollar idols called a church building, When He set us up as the Church. The remnant use the tithe to care for the poor, feed the hungry, help the widow with the money put aside by tithing. It is the same old problem man has had with money (wealth), it corrupts. But if the fellowship shepherd uses the money as designed by the Lord, and remembers that it is not his money to use, but it is for the ministry. Should the shepherd work, Paul did. I truly believe that the body is better off going from home to home, but man wants some thing tangible to look at and say, see here is what, oops I mean where I worship. here is what the Lord game me on the shepherds http://www.mychurch.org/blog/147849/For-the-shepherds pray about reading this. |
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Not feeling well,
I did not write this article but I did blog it
and I do believe a lot of it is true. |
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Cheryl |
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April 07, 2008 at 6:53am |
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Pastor Elam,
Sorry you are not feeling well brother, will be praying...say hi to your wonderful family for me!
This article is disturbing at first glance and completely goes against my belief system....I am going to watch the video when I get a chance and parallel it to God's word.
Thank you for the post.
Love ya man and blessings brother!~ |
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Robin |
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April 07, 2008 at 7:17am |
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Pastor Elam,
I read this blog and your previous one. I do not agree with you. God's Word is full of the tithing principal. Giving is so much a part of who God is. He gave and gave and gave. I believe that tithing is a matter of the heart.
God wants our best. He desires to be first place in our life. He desires we put our relationship with Him above all else. He desires that we spend time with Him. He wants us to read His Word and DO His Word. He desires we pray to Him and allow Him to speak to us. He desires we spend our time in a manner that brings Him glory. He wants us to share His love with others to bring them to a saving grace. God wants us to love all and be an example of God and who He is. He wants us to use our talents, gifts, and time for His glory. He also wants us to use our money to glorify Him.
When we value something or some one we put a lot of time, energy, and money into that. When my husband and I first started dating, He spent a lot on me. He spent a lot of time with me, we did many things together, went many places, and he spent money on me. All this were ways he showed me how much he cared and valued me.
God wants us to show Him our love and commitment to Him with ALL we have. He wants us to give our time to share His love with others, care for those who need to be cared for, feed those who need food, visit those who need to be visited,and take the Word of God to all people of the world. All these things we know we are to do according the Word of God. My question is HOW?
How do we do all those things that God has called us to do? Money is needed to feed people, money is needed to travel to other nations or places in US, money is needed to meet the physical needs of others. It also takes money to print the Bible in many languages.
Where is that money to come from??? God had a plan for that as well. He set tithing in motion way back in Genesis with Cain and Able. God set out the tithing principle for His people in the old testament and also spoke of giving/tithing in the new testament. God established His plan and gave us His Word (both old and new) for us to live by.
Does that mean that man has not corrupted this? No, anything man is involved with has the potential to be warped. Even so that doesn't negate the Word. God always looks at the heart, and with tithing it is no exception. He desires we tithe with a heart of love.
If a person doesn't tithe will they not go to heaven...absolutely not. Jesus was clear there is only one way to heaven. In the Word, God talks about bringing our tithe and offering our first fruits. I look at it this way: the first cookie out of the oven is the best one. It tastes so good, warm, gooey and satisfying. I view the tithe the same way, it is the first best and most satisfying. God desires we have a heart after Him and seek Him. It seems that the "things" or "people" we love we give our best to....as in our money speaks so loudly.
My husband and I are givers, not just of our money but of our time, and life. We tithe and give more than the 10%. We also serve with our time in our church, teaching children, greeting, doing outreaches into the community. We also give outside structured outreaches. We give in our neighborhood, and other community areas. Jesus was always giving and serving. Jesus had money to do all this....otherwise why would he need a treasurer??
Anyway, I wanted to share and shed a little different light on this issue. May God continue to bless you and your ministry to all you are called to serve. |
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Cheryl |
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April 07, 2008 at 7:23am |
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Pastor Elam,
Hello brother,
I watched 14 minutes of the video...but then it malfunctioned...
I completely see what this man is talking about.....very interesting....also do want to continue watching the video.
Unless you use intelligent...the first hearing of this assaults the senses...then one belief system that has been taught is attacked by the very thought of us not tithing...HOWEVER that is not the complete truth that this man is speaking of. In his Doctoral Thesis he brings to light the variable contained in the tithe. Parallelled with society and one wonders how our ancestors got involved in money tithing or pagan worship. I have began a outline of his doctoral study. I am not easily swayed and have not been swayed yet. If anyone on this site knows me they know I am very strong in my word and an Advocate for the truth. I have been actively in Ministry for 23 years. I want to continue the video to see what his conclusion is. I don't know at that time of course if I will change my beliefs...but one must always ponder if the beliefs they have are man-instilled or God breathed.
Blessings brother |
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We studied the Malachi passage noted above in Minor Prophets study. One thing that always intrigues me on this subject is that the scriptural concept of a tenth most always seems to apply to goods and/or services. The Levites were totally dependent on the people of Israel for the giving of food, clothing, and other goods/services for their basic survival. Our culture now is different in that we don't have to bring chickens to the church to feed our pastors. But the basic premise is the same. I fully believe that it is the responsibility of the church family to provide for its Shepherd. He should not have to seek out other employement for his survival. But in the instance of a small church, or new church, he may not have another choice. I think that God understands this....God does want this person to provide for their family. The balance between dependence on God and doing our part is a very careful balance.
I think that the Lord will bless a cheerful giver....because the Bible tells me that. But as to the amount and what God is due....that is something that each person must study and determine for themselves. Everything we have is Gods. We need to realize that. There are plenty of verses in the Bible that tell us not to worry about tomorrow because we don't know if we'll even be here tomorrow. That is a huge and difficult concept to understand. Because the Bible also tells us to consider the ant and how it plans and stores food for winter.
All in all, it's an area that requires much study of scripture and definitely much prayer. Both on the part of the receiver (the pastor and church leadership) and the giver (the flock). |
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Robin |
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April 07, 2008 at 7:39am |
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All we have is God's. We are owners of nothing stewards of everything.
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Robin wrote:
My husband and I are givers, not just of our money but of our time, and life. We tithe and give more than the 10%. We also serve with our time in our church, teaching children, greeting, doing outreaches into the community. We also give outside structured outreaches. We give in our neighborhood, and other community areas. Jesus was always giving and serving. Jesus had money to do all this....otherwise why would he need a treasurer??
I am a giver my wife and I give more than 10% we teach our children to give. We are very active
In our community. We are setting up a soup kitchen and soon a food pantry. I am not saying you
are a sinner if you pay tithes. My concern is only in the way tithes is taught.
Classic example:
Jesus told Peter to go down to the river and catch a fish take the coin and pay his taxes
if he had money why not give him the coin and have him go pay the taxes.
Jesus said foxes have holes birds have nest but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head
If he had money do you think he would have brought some land for himself.
LorenDp wrote:
The Levites were totally dependent on the people of Israel for the giving of food, clothing, and other goods/services for their basic survival. Our culture now is different in that we don't have to bring chickens to the church to feed our pastors. But the basic premise is the same. I fully believe that it is the responsibility of the church family to provide for its Shepherd. He should not have to seek out other employment for his survival. But in the instance of a small church, or new church, he may not have another choice.
If it is a commandment from God then small Churches should not be exempt
In the old testament tithing was always food but they had money then if we are
going to say we don't have to bring chickens,cattle today that would seem to say
they did it that way because they did not have money in that day but they did.
Jesus was a carpenter I wonder what Jesus was doing from age 12 to age 30
I will let you in on a little secret according to Jewish law at age 13 you went into
the family business that means (sorry) Jesus had a job.
Peter (worked) as a fisherman and went back to his job for a while because they
were fishing when Jesus meet them on the bank after the Resurrection.
Paul made tents during the day and taught in the temple (He Worked)
When Peter and John were at the temple they told the man silver and
gold have I none They had been with Jesus they should have been loaded
Paul wrote; Again, it seems to me that you have used this same logic concerning the tithe.......some are abusing it, so ditch it.
No don't ditch it, teach it correctly I didn't write it I studied it and i just wanted
to share my views with my brothers and sisters in Christ I know this is touchy
because it tears at the fabric of what we have been taught.then I studied it and
I have a clearer understanding. By all means continue to pay tithes but if a day
ever comes where you can't you won't be cursed. God does not need our money
cattle on a thousand hills belong to him it all belongs to him.Ministries need your
money these huge light to pay salaries and pay to pay the mortgages on the
huge buildings that we segregate to on Sunday mornings and condem the church
down the street because they don't believe like we do.
Wonder what would happen if the churches would get on one accord and do like the first
church did sell all this stuff we don't need and show the world our love through giving.
of course that means that some preacher might have to get a job to pay for there life
of luxury. not all of them are doing but it is being done. and the Church in someways
needs an overhaul, Pray for me I do mean well even if it comes off or is perceived the wrong
way.
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errors, errors,
Ministries need your
money to pay these huge light bills, to pay salaries, and to pay the mortgages on the
huge buildings that we segregate to on Sunday mornings and condem the church
down the street because they don't believe like we do. |
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Cheryl,
Thank you for at least taking the time to view the teaching
I know your love and commitment to truth here is if there
is error I know you will find it. Happy searching make sure
you have your bible handy it is a bumpy ride :) |
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Cheryl |
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April 07, 2008 at 11:34am |
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| I have my seatbelt on too! hehe |
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Trukki |
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April 07, 2008 at 11:57am |
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| Nothing worthwhile is easy Brother, keep up the good work. Like Cheryl said this is disturbing at first glance; however if people will take the time to investigate and get into the word it will make perfect sense to them. God Bless, brian |
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Right, taking the tithes out of churches, would be like taking prayers from schools, allowing violence on t.v. etc. I agree you are not talking about the giving, but the misuse.
It wouldn't be good to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater'
When we arrive in unity to the kingdom way of thinking to share all things, going above and beyond, life will be a blessing. |
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a free book on tithing titled Should The Church Teach Tithing? that you can freely download here.
Russell Earl Kelly, Ph.D. and ex-Seventh Day Adventist. Brother Kelly is legally blind (physically) and yet he sees (spiritually) what almost no pastors see who have good vision (physically). His two hour Internet video (Tithing Is Not a Christian Doctrine)
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