ATMC: I want to thank oluwaseun, d owner of this site, tx a lot. I bumped into this site while searching for answers on whether a christian should pay tithe nd give first fruit. I had answers already from d bible...like i discovered dt tithes nd first fruit were given to d levites by d people nd they then tithe from all d tithes brought in to d priest. This made me to wonder now who r d levites nd who r d priest in our generation, we have been made kings nd priest unto d most high rev 1v6 nd 1pet2v9. So there are no more levites nd on further research on net, i found this website, i appreciate what i learnt from davidylan nd bolu nd others. Thank u for shedding more light on dt. I taught pple to give tithe, firstfruit nd dangerous seed in my church cos i'm a teacher but dt was in ignorance now with d help of this website i know better nd won't hesitate to correct my students when next d issue is brought up. I also want to use this means to tell may kelly to apologise to d guy she told will perish...we don't know it all nd just because someone doesn't view a thing our way doesn't mean d person's wrong.

ATMC: Prior to my research, i was asked by my pst to stop paying tithe, he practically stood me up during one of our services nd asked if there was any other person in church who wants to join me, he then went on to say dt just because he isolated me from paying tithe dt it doesn't mean i'm no more loved dt he still loved me nd d church likewise. This is with respect to what pastor kun said about my being excommunicated, dt had already happened...what led to it; it happened on our firstfruit service early this year, so we listened to a msg excerpts from our president in which he was to expatiate on first fruit, when we were done, my pst then asked if there was still anybody who's still not clear, i raised my hand to his utter dismay anyway but d truth was dt there was practically no msg on firstfruit in dt excerpt, pst dt's d president just called out some people who didn't believe they should give first fruits nd he asked them their reasons nd how long they 've been in church nd then said they 've been in church dt long nd still don't believe they should give their first fruit nd then he said don't give it, keep it to urself nd dt was all, so there was no explanation nd some people felt same way but i needed to be cleared cos my boyfriend explained to me dt i wasn't suppose to give first fruit nd i disagreed so i wanted my pst to explain it outside d old testament since we 're living in d new so i can have a basis for doing what i do nd also explain to my friend (though he my pst didn't know my reason) so i was misunderstood nd isolated nd its been so since then but dt didn't change much cos i still go to church nd all dt...but now at least i'm cleared to an extent concernin dt issue

drumdr: Although I haven't read all the posts, and I apologize ahead of time for not doing so, I thought I'd chime in. Being a pastor in America has it challenges, and If individuals choose to ignore my comments in light of all the problems (real or imagined) that America has inflicted upon the world, I understand.

There are several issues at hand, one being the tithe, the other the offering. The bible speaks of both, and in many instances, together. (I.E. Tithes & Offerings) There are also the issues of "giving", and/or "sharing".

Historically, we must remember that in the days of Abraham, there was no national leadership, other than Abraham himself. Even under Moses, the leadership the Hebrews had known was foreign and oppressive, (Egyptians.)
When Moses set up the tabernacle, the tribe of Levi was set apart from the other 11 tribes to tend to "temple" or tabernacle duties. The Levites were the priests and also the police. When judgment came from God, it was the Levites who were responsible for executing justice, even when it called for blood. The Levites were the judges, the police, and the tabernacle servants. As a result, the tithe became the way the tribe of Levi was "paid". They did not work as other tribes did, but were relegated to temple duties, and as a result, needed to be compensated. The compensation came in as "first fruits". These actual "fruits" became the food for the Levites, and eventually the coin became the medium of exchange. The tithe then was essentially what today we call "the tax".

The tax (tithe) was to pay government employees. (I.E. the Levites) Who were responsible for the welfare, safety and security of the people. They were not the army (each tribe contributed to the national army including the Levites) but were instead the government within the new nation of Israel. They eventually became the Sanhedrin, the scribes and Pharisees.

The abuse began to take hold as what was meant to be an "offering" rendered for services, eventually became a mandate. Jesus speaks to this cold hearted form of "government" often in the New Testament. He continually chastises the Pharisees for turning their hearts away from God. What happened? Well, the story of the money-changers in the temple speaks to this corruption. Jesus says they, the elite government ruling class, had turned the house of God into a den of robbers. This elite class were descendants of the tribe of Levi.

Today, we have a different form of government. Somewhere in history, secular government has taken control away from religious organizations and replaced it with the rule of law, in some countries. This is true in America, but not the whole world. Many countries still rely on the Clergy to keep the peace. In many countries, the "holy men" are equal with Heads Of State.

In America, it is my opinion, that the tithe is no longer valid. My reasoning is simple. The church (clergy, or "Levites" are no longer responsible for the welfare of the people, or their security. The government handles this with police, FBI, fire departments, judges, magistrates, and courts. The people pay taxes (30%-50% of their income) to the government for these services. For the church to take an additional 10% may be considered oppressive. The church is attempting to claim ground based on spiritual principles by saying, "We are the spiritual Israel" and "We take care of your immortal souls, " This kind of talk is gibberish. Each person is responsible for his/her own salvation according the bible. If you currently pay taxes for services like "law and order", protection, national security, etc, and the church is not providing it directly, then the church is not validated to receive the tithe.

Pastors have become arrogant by demanding the tithe and put fear into people by claiming damnation if you don't pay it. This is devilish. The word of God is meant to set people free, not put them in bondage. If pastors are real pastors, they provide the services of: comforting the sick and oppressed, taking care of widows and orphans, praying for the sick and needy, encouraging the church, and being an example of humility. As people see this compassion in action, it should (hopefully) compel them to give. This heartfelt gift is what we call "offerings".

If you are the regular recipient of comfort, good advise, wisdom, prayer, and encouragement, then you should be a cheerful giver in return, for you are fortunate indeed. This regular giving on the part of an individual represents their approval and agreement with the pastor's actions and the church vision and direction. If the church starts becoming arrogant, people may decide to quit giving. And so it goes on and on,

The reason pastors start demanding and oppressing the people is because it's easier than humility. Pride is always easier than humility.

If you want to stop corruption in churches, stop giving money to oppressive churches, and start giving it to humble leaders who walk with integrity. In this, we align ourselves with the will of God, for God gives grace to the humble, but destroys the proud, and those who align themselves with such.

Thanks for a great posting

Wow.. This is a big one.. May God help us at this time. I'm in church listening to my Rev talking about first fruit, I decided to read through nairaland to see people's take on this.
He only did this ONCE! To melchizedek and it came NOT from his own wealth but from the booty he captured during a raid.

So when next i go fight another people and capture their goods . . . i will pay my tithe since i'm a child of Abraham no?

Rebarobyn:


haba, this is exactly what we are saying, because the guy quoted a verse and is trying to make meaning out of it, you have condemned him to perish, you need to check yourself, who made you judge over men. the bible is the sword we are given by God and no man can override it by words that are not contained in the bible.

I totally agree, we Christians are brain-washed easily, we should question our leaders, what is the tithe collected used for, is all of it used in accordance to what God said (for the needy, widows and destitute)?,  the first fruit, what forms the basis for it? we should ask questions, it doesn't mean we don't have faith or we are rebellious, it only means we are guarding our souls and double-checking if we are in the right path,

you should apologize may kelly

OOLUSOGA:


[/b]Rebarobyn.[b]
applause for you bros. the bible is to teach and to correct if there is any error(s) found in our walking with God and for God. I think we all need to checkmate ourselves in some areas in our christian journey. Because God will look into everything we have done before He will give us a PASS MARK. I pray God will HELP of us.

Less i forget, please dont insult your fellow brothers. it is just a contribution. there should not be a word perish at all. please dont be offender by any post. it is not good enough as a believer.