₦airaland Forum

An interesting write up. Thought it would be relevant here.

hoasis: Creflo Dollar had the audacity to tell his followers that they would receive a “Facebook curse” for listening to materials that expose corrupt leaders on the internet. This so-called “Facebook curse” is pure superstition and fear-based control. Other false shepherds have issued similar empty curses for those who listen to Christians and information online about their ‘ministry’ and lifestyle.

This ungodly paranoid behavior demonstrates just how unspiritual, carnal, immature, prideful and deceptive false shepherds are. If your ‘pastor’ behaves this way, you should take note and withdraw all support.

Your pastor may be guilty of this IF:

-he deletes comments from Christians who say that he twisted Scripture.

-he deletes comments from Christians who put Scripture back in context.

-he deletes comments from Christians who ask him to prove his teachings from Scripture.

-he deletes comments from Christians who challenge his teachings and practices.

-he deletes comments from Christians who call out his false prophecies and fake ‘miracles’.

-ALL of the comments on his page agree with him (this is a sign that someone moderates his comments to create an “amen section” by deleting any disagreement, reproof, or warnings)

-he tries to control the flow of information and micromanage your activity online by telling you who you can and can’t be friends with.

-Anyone who openly challenges him online is accused of “attacking” or “bashing” him and blocked.

-he invokes the wrath of God and posts superstitious threats and curses on people who disprove his errors from Scripture.

-he forbids members from going to certain websites and Christian blogs that warn against false teachers (especially him).

I encourage all Christian watchmen online to continue vlogging, blogging, tweeting, and sharing on Facebook regarding wolves and hirelings in the church world. Continue spreading the Good News message and warning God’s people against those who pervert it and mislead them.

If false shepherds can use the internet and social media to promote works of the devil, then surely we can use the internet and social media to do the work of Christ.

Some people say that you can’t change anyone’s mind over the internet, but if that were true there wouldn’t be any politicians, religious leaders, entertainers, and activists on the internet trying to influence minds. The true issue is that many people (including false shepherds) do not want Christians using the internet to influence and inform people with the word of God.

Many many Christians all over the world have been blessed, comforted, and liberated through sound teaching online. The Holy Spirit is delivering and healing many from the religious bondage and spiritual abuse of false teachers and apostate churches.

Some Christians have no idea what their leaders are into or who they really are. It is not until they get online and see something on a social network that they finally find out and see the truth. Other Christians are troubled and disturbed by things that their leaders are doing. They can see that something is seriously wrong, but they know that they are not allowed to talk about it in ‘church’ without retribution. The internet and social media can provide a safe environment for them to reach out to other Christians in confidence and ask questions, study the Bible together, and discuss topics that they are normally not allowed to talk about.

I know that the internet and social media are temporary, and there may not always be freedom of speech for Christians. But in the mean time, for now, I am very thankful for this technological advance which empowers God’s people to connect with others and speak the truth in love.

“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.They will reject the truth and chase after myths.But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

http://exitchurchianity.com/2014/07/13/false-shepherds-on-social-media/

www.nairaland.com/1820823/false-shepherds-social-media

The OP is an interesting thought.

For a while, I think that Jesus is the author of Facebook as it has become a tremendous source of information on falsehood. The internet as a whole also.

My former pastor told us his son went on Google search for the word "Benny Hinn". He said the young man was troubled at the volume of negative writing on a supposed idol. He told his son not to worry about it; that people would always write these things.

I felt and still feel he was wrong. why so much negative publicity on one man? If you Google "David Martyn Lloyd-Jones", you won't find negative report on him. Neither on Gbile Akanni or D L Moody. Why is that it is these modern day Pentecostal pastors that have all the negativity? There is no smoke without fire.

One nl, an American, was telling us on fb that he was chatting with Mike Murdoch on his fan page on tithes. Before he knew it, he was deleted from the forum.

I left my former church BC the pastors told me to stop posting things in Facebook. Are they are afraid of something?

Now while the internet is a source of great information we must beware what we learn here. Nevertheless the www has been a means of exposing falsehood, like no other. And corrupt pastors have reasons to be afraid.

alexleo: @DrummaBoy,

Thanks dear. I think the suggested write up for the tract which you posted here is balanced. May God take control. Amen. I'm not a beneficiary of tithe money rather I am a giver so its not a do or die affair for me. I am doing it purely because its in the bible and when Jesus spoke about it he didnt condemn it(at least that would ve been a good time for him to do so). I am open to God's truth at all times. My prayer has always been- Let his truth crush any falsehood in me. Amen.

I will go through the WOF thread you mentioned. God bless you.

You are welcome.

frosbel: Grace is to overcome sin not to promote self !

frosbel

I sent you a PM. Seen it?

alexleo: Ok dear. No problem. Tithe has been an age long practice in the church. If God sees it as an error and wants to correct it now then let his truth prevail. I dont have problem with tithing and i dont have problem with giving as recorded in the new testament. By the grace of God i do both and i have no regrets. However, if tithe is false as you people said then let your message triumph over it and crash it in Christendom, if not, then let your message crash. If both are good let them each stand. Amen. I stand for God's truth. God bless you.

Thank you Alexleo for understanding.

Let me invite you to our WOF thread where I just did a summary/index of the discussions we have been having on that thread, that will permit ease of navigation on the thread

https://www.nairaland.com/1790500/word-faith-movements-doctrine-proponents#24330864

One thing I have learnt from that thread is that tithing is the least of the problems of the church today. We have only discussed 7 of 20 topics and the revelations are damning.

If people will keep tithing but unlearn the falsehood being unveiled on that thread, I will be content. But truth is there is all likelihood that when men unlearn these things, the tithe falsehood will also disappear.

Lastly, in the proposed text I made available for the tract, I suggested a condition where tithing can be acceptable, I will find it now and just cut and paste here. I say this so that you wont think that I feel tithing is such a great evil. What I detest about it is the compulsion its been made into today and the fact that a corrupt clergy system thrives on it.

The text:

DrummaBoy: [size=16pt]SHOULD YOU TITHE TODAY?[/size]

Christian Giving

While tithing is not a New Testament obligation for Christians to observe, it is our duty to give to support Christian works anywhere we find them beginning with our local churches. Indeed God instituted the tithe in the Old Testament to teach us the basic principle of giving. And the New Testament encourages Christians to give and give without inhibition. This was the position of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple?  and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?  14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Please note that while the apostle refers to the Law to pursue the position that Christians should give for the support of ministers, he never mentions tithes. Paul, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, could never ask for people’s tithes. Rather he uses the principle of giving in the Old Testament, where the Levites were giving offerings, tithes, and firstfruits, as a principle to teach the fact that Christians must give to their ministers and to Christian works. We see from the scriptures that this giving is free will giving. When Jesus sent out the evangelists in Matthew 10 and Luke 10, he did not ask them to live off people’s tithes. Rather he instructs them to eat anything that is giving to them – free willed giving. And this is what played out in Acts 4 when the Spirit came in power. We see people giving everything they had to support the gospel. In the days of God’s power, people will be willing to give. If they are not giving willingly we should ask what has happened to God’s power and not resort to twisting the scriptures for monetary gain.

This tract is not discouraging giving. In fact it is not out of place for people to give a percentage of their income to support Christian works. It could be a tenth or any other percentage. There is nothing wrong with this. It becomes wrong, however, when the tenth is made mandatory and called the biblical tithe.

[size=16pt]MY SUBMISSION ON F7: HOLY LAUGHTER[/size]

Question: "What is holy laughter?"

Answer: The term "holy laughter" was coined to describe a phenomenon during which a person laughs uncontrollably, presumably as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit's joy. It is characterized by peals of uncontrollable laughter, sometimes accompanied by swooning or falling down to the floor. Firsthand accounts from those who have had this experience vary somewhat, but all seem to believe it to be a sign of a "blessing" or "anointing" of the Holy Spirit.

The experience of holy laughter is, by nature, a subjective one. Therefore, in an effort to find the truth of the matter, we must try to be objective. When our definition of truth depends upon our experience of the world, we are a very short way from becoming entirely relative in our thinking. In short, feelings do not tell us what is true. Feelings are not bad, and sometimes our feelings are aligned with scriptural truth. However, they are more often aligned with our sin nature. The fickle nature of the heart makes it a very unreliable compass. "The heart is more deceitful than all else, and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). This deceitful-heart principle is specifically applicable to the phenomenon known as "holy laughter." There is no doubt that people have indeed begun to laugh uncontrollably at revival meetings. That is a fact. But what does it really mean?

Laughter is addressed a number of times in the Bible. Often it is used to describe a mocking or scornful response, as was the case with Abraham and Sarah who laughed when God told them they would bear a child in their old age. Some verses use it as a sign of derision (Psalm 59:8; Psalm 80:6; Proverbs 1:26), and still others make pointed statements about the nature of laughter itself. Solomon, for example, made the following observation in Ecclesiastes 2:2: "I said of laughter, ‘It is madness,’ and of pleasure, ‘What does it accomplish?’" He then goes on to say, in 7:3, "Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face is sad a heart may be happy." Proverbs 14:13 says the reverse: "Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief." Both of these verses are true: a sad person may laugh to cover his sadness, and a person may cry although he is inwardly happy. So, not only does emotion fail to give us truth, but we also see that laughter is not always indicative of joy. It can mean anger, sadness, or derision. Likewise, the lack of laughter does not automatically mean sadness. Laughter is clearly subjective.

The most convincing scriptural argument against what is called "holy laughter" is found in Galatians 5:22-23. It says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." If self-control is a fruit of the Spirit of God, how can uncontrollable laughter also be a fruit of His Spirit? Revival leaders claim that being filled with the Spirit means that we are sort of "tossed about" by His whims. But the idea that God would make people act drunk or laugh uncontrollably or make animal noises as a result of the Spirit's anointing is directly opposed to the way the Spirit acts, according to Galatians 5:22-23. The Spirit described in Galatians 5 is one who promotes self-control within us, not the opposite. Finally, there was no one in the Bible more filled with the Holy Spirit than Jesus, and not once does the Bible ever record Him laughing.

In light of these things, it is profitable to take a look at the following passage from 1 Corinthians 14, where Paul talks about speaking in tongues: "But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?" (v.6).

"For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air” (vv. 8-9).

"What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God" (vv. 26-28).

"...for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints" (v. 33).

In those days, many people in the churches were speaking in languages that were unrecognizable to others, and, therefore, Paul says they were useless in the church because the speaker could not edify others with his speech. The same could be applied to holy laughter. What does it profit (Paul asks) unless we speak to one another with revelation, teaching, knowledge and truth? Again, he says, "Let all things be done for edification." He caps off his argument by saying, "God is not a God of confusion, but of peace," which makes it clear that he does not want the atmosphere within the church to be one of confusion and meaninglessness, but one of knowledge and edification.

It seems, from what Paul is saying, that which is called "holy laughter" would fall under the category of what is "not edifying" to the body of Christ, and should therefore be avoided. We have recognized that a) laughter is an unreliable emotional response; b) it can be a sign of several different emotions; and c) it does not accomplish anything useful. Furthermore, uncontrollable spasms of emotion are contrary to the nature of the Holy Spirit. It is advisable, therefore, not to look to "holy laughter" as a means of growing nearer to God or as a means of experiencing His Spirit.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/holy-laughter.html#ixzz37vWH8Y88

@Image123, Bidam and Gombs

I believe my posts for the last hour or so has answered everyone of your queries. If you still have anymore, I advice you read those posts again.

Outside of this, I humbly request that the three of you should stop derailing this thread. If you are bent on "saying this truths" or you are certain that someone conscience is being pricked on tithe or you think someone misquoted your sermon, you can open new threads for those, I can assure you that Seun will not complain.

Pls, this thread, again, is about designing an anti tithe tract, that common sense should dictate only those opposed to the fraudulent regime of tithing can participate in.

alexleo: Its a very simple thing. If I am not lying about an issue and somebody quotes Ananias case to me i will simply say - no problem. A clear conscience shouldn't panic in such statement. When you panic it shows there is something behind it. Let me tell you that nothing is biting me about what you people are doing. I'm not rigid about tithe. I'm not also convinced to stop and i dont condemn those who are not paying tithe. As you are led pls go ahead. Its a free world. My simple prayer is- If what you people are doing is truly from God, may it prosper but if it is not from God, may it crash. Amen. I dont think the Op banned tithers from commenting. If he did, i will stop commenting.

Good.

And "amen" too to the bolded.

Read my last response to Bidam and see my statement on judgement, that I am ready to be held responsible by God for what I am doing here.

Bidam: Lol

Lol?

That's a new one. I expected you to say "yawn", but apparently you yourself know that you've overused it and thus the resort to the more common "lol".

I threw out a bate and it caught you. Very good, let's start the "exorcism"...

If you are clean then you shouldn't be afraid of my post.

Nobody is afraid of you, awe, if anythingvat all, it's your cognition we question and that is why one must endure you in an exchange like this bc ideally you should be ignored.

One of the work of the Holy Spirit is God's righteous judgement. Jesus said He will Purge His Church. As for me i am never afraid in the Household of faith. It is only guilty folks like you that are afraid.

Your friend on this forum, Image123, was the one who came to the new thread on WOF sermonizing about Jesus' parable on the wheat and tares. Telling us that we should not expose errors because Jesus said wheat and tares should grow together. I took pains to explain to him that that scriptures shows us that it is the duty of God's servants to distinguish wheats from tares, something that is well done on that thread. As for rooting out tares, that is the exclusive presrrve of God. We were not doing God's job on that thread.

This is exactly what you have expressed in the above statement.

If God be true to his word, and judgement must start in his house, then every man who has been using the name of Jesus to merchandise the gospel is on a collision course with God's wrath.

Everyman who is teaching a false gospel of a monetary tithe and have set up avenues to fleece Christ flock is also going to collide with this wrath.

All those who have aided and abated this false gospel shall not be left out.

And if I and others, have in anyway stood against Gods righteous will in his church by championing an anti tithe position, we shall also not be left out in Gods judgement (I say this with every sense of responsiblity).

Your rantings here like a sissy won't change biblical truth and reality.

Let your words be seasoned with salt and have grace in them. Even in rebuke, learn to do it in love.

The GRACE you seem to enjoy now has an expiry date

Apparently, for you too.

For what exactly are we without the grace of God?

alexleo: Are you afraid of what Bidam said? Is your teaching a lie? Search yourself. I don't understand the panic.

I believe you are directing your question at the wrong person. It is Bidam you should be asking those question and possibly, also, ask him what could be eating him up.

Check the Genesis of his post here, it has been one diatribe after another. What exactly has anyone said that requires a reminder of Ananias and Saphira? Is it not high time someone shows him the source of his frustrations, which is so well captured in the scripture trustman provided?

If anyone is panicking here, it should be firstly Gombs and then lately Bidam. And for reasons no one can tell because no one has asked them for anything to make the tracts. So the first question that you should be asking them both, or which all of you tithers should be asking yourselves is what exactly is your business here on this thread? And if it is to exercise your freedom of expression, then what exactly is biting you guys about the printing of a tithe tract? Or are you pastors whose business would be threatened by the project?

Let's start with those for now.

trustman: Luke 6:45:
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, [size=14pt]for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.[/size]"

Well said...

In fact, very well said...

On a second thought, could it better said than above?!

^^^ In other words, the pain the Master endured was sufficient sufferings for our sins. There was no need for a hell torture.

Two things, sir, that I request as addition to your splendid writeup.

First is the Sanhedrin you spoke about that constituted the pharisees and saduccees. The historical records on the pharisees does not paint them in the evil picture that the NT paints them with. The Pharisees were a religious group that descended from the Macabees, a godly family, God used to restore true worship to Israel in a period after Malachi and before the NT and who also carried out military campaigns. The pharisees simply continued the tradition this godly family had taught Israel. But by the time of Jesus, they were practicing dead orthodoxy and were ready tools in Satan hands. I believe that Jesus disciples intentionally painted them in the light they did in their writing bc by practicing religion, they had become evil people who would crucify the saviour. The question I leave with you is this: what does it take for a Vatican, a CAN, or a WOF group of ministers to become pharisees who will kill prophets sent to them as Jesus rightly said in Matthew 23?

The second thing I wish to add to BabaG well written document was that Jesus did not only endure pain on the cross, he endured shame also. Our Master was crucified na_ked - butt open. With the whole world, men, women, disciples staring at him. In the language of modern success teachers, Jesus was a failure. This is the picture that wrought our redemption.

It is neccesary to say all these to show that the fable of JDS is unnecessary. Jesus death was ignominious enough. It need not be painted worse with lies. Jesus physical death secured our redemption and that is sufficient.

This link below offers a fine reading on JDS:

www.deceptioninthechurch.com/word-faith2.html

Image123: You're crying more than the bereaved bro. Find something to do.

I accept that bereaved aspect; is the fraudulent practice of tithing not as bad as murder?

As long as you are on this thread, I have time for you. And pls don't throw in that "last word" of yours. It won't work this time. I want you to give this the best you've got. Hopefully by the time we are done, you would learn not to dabble into things you should not.

Let's go there...

Image123: It is a clear Bible truth that bible time economy wasn't currency or naira driven.
Hope you meditate on that one line enough till you get it. The rest of what you wrote is not just worth it.

Like I told you before, I will tell you again, this thread is not a tithe discuss or debate, it is meant to draft a tract.

If despite all that what written in the discuss has not convinced you as to the real nature of the tithe, open a new thread for it and I hope those who have time to waste can meet you there. Stop detailing this one.

@Image123

You know, its not by force to comment on threads. The fact that you have a "reply" button on a thread does not mean you must use it even when you have nothing worthwhile to say.

Read the title of the thread: its a challenge to write an anti tithe tract for 50 pounds. If you are unhappy about it, you can offer double for a tithe tract or simply just ignore the thread.

You come here claiming to be busy and not having time to post. None of us here is jobless. We make out time for what we believe is important.

FYI I have proposed a text for the tract, its on page 1. You can start to make some sense by either posting a rebuttal to that text or simply *scat*

Enough of distractions. If it's not zakat, it is tithe can be money... kilode; can't you guys even see that the thread is not for tithers?

Abegi...

Image123: Remember, remember. i remember God's Word above my necessary food. You called it "arguments" BTW. The fellow you were addressing was stating a clear Bible truth about the economy. You were not interested in going there AT ALL. Instead, you referred him to a thread. Remember that.

Yes, the choice to repeat those words "remember" was deliberate because of the tendency for people like you to forget. It is hoped if one mentions it enough, you won't forget this time.

What you call "a clear bible truth" should better be called "Image123 position on that discuss" and that is why I referred him there. Mark Miwerds and candour took the pain to thrash out every biblical reason why tithes can never be money, why should I repeat it all over again when an easy reference was available. If the guy you reference was not so lazy, he could have easily gone there to look up what was said. But here you are encouraging him not to when he would have also had the opportunity to see your own submission on the matter and then make an informed decision, rather than wallow in ignorance.

Image123: And your many days arguments for and against should not supersede the Word of God.

First I was hoping you would remember that you were part of that project - a major actor for that matter.

Secondly, I was hoping you would remember that we labored to ensure that that project was not another mere "argument" but a solid discuss on tithes meant to be a reference point for other discussions in the future, like this thread.

And lastly, I was hoping you would remember that it was the bible we used mostly as reference in the discussion and that I am not saying anything in that post you quoted implying something superseded the word of God.

@klbakare

So far in your posts here, your focus has been on witches, wizards and demons. Is this the focus of the scriptures? Are these the Central truths of the bible? Jesus cast out demons; is that all he did? How many of them did he send to hell? How many of them did he kill? How many times did he call "fire"? How many times did he accuse someone of being demonized?

I ask you to take a few minutes to Google the term Christian cults and see what you will find. Particularly search out info on the group the QUAKERS who started well but ended badly. There are just a few of them left now.

Blockus has been trying to show you that the emphasis of the Christian gospel is in sharing the knowledge with the unsaved. Living in love in the process. Sometimes having to defend the integrity of the gospel from perversion and living in holiness before God. In the bid to kill demons, many MFM people have failed in this primary assignments.

Thus we see s cult following rising up.

Some two Xmas ago, Sahara reporters went to your camp on the express to cover the watch night service. For reason best known to your GO, they were refused. When they protested, ushers bundled two of them and had them locked up in a "jail" on the camp, without food or water for close to two days. They were eventually released and no reason was given for their unlawful detention.

Is that Christian?

Were they being exorcised of demons?

Should a church camp have prisons and if they do, are church members being imprisoned too?

The worst that can happen to a mortal being is for their thinking faculties be stolen from them. I should also ask if you still have the ability yo think?

@Blockus

So very well said.

@kilabare

Let me let you into a secret.

There is a blessing in some of the discussions that we have here on nl. On this forum there is no pastor or bishop, everyone presents an idea, for which others can oppose or defend. Their perfect liberty. Ideas rule: right or wrong.

Now, whatever else the gospel of Jesus might be, it is first an idea. Conversion itself is bringing men to understand this idea first, repent and believe.

What you propose on the OP is the willingness to share the MFM idea. And you have invited us to even question it.

Now, for me, I am not really going to question but to show you that the MFM is gearing more towards beings a cult than a Christan assembly.

Stay tuned...

Pastors will not free anyone. Its the people that should free themselves.

I saw this post on fb by Keny K'ore the musician:

"No other truth is as central to the Christian
faith as the death, resurrection, and the
SECOND COMING of Yeshuah Hamashiach.
It's a wonder how so many Christians know
scriptures about how GOD wants us to be
Billionaires, but they're confused about the
events leading up to the second coming of their
Saviour.

Now you can see how it is more likely that
Jesus would come like a thief in the night, with
the CHURCH TOTALLY UNPREPARED and
CAUGHT UNAWARES, than Him coming to meet
all the mega CHURCHES and denominations
PREPARED and GOOD TO GO.

They'll be busy chasing after money, contacting
anointing for prosperity by giving money to
prosperity preachers.

People's faith would be almost totally
misplaced.

Don't say it can't happen to you, it's already
happening around you.

WATCH AND PRAY!!!-Matthew 26:41."

Then I referred the person who Posted it to a discussion I am having on WOF,

www.nairaland.com/1790500/word-faith-movements-doctrine-proponents

the very root of the problem Kenny is complaining about and I heard no response. Many Christians complain like keny but cannot pay the price to uphold truth.

My point: many people themselves love it this way. Falsehood flourish bc people have itchy ears.

So the fault is not those preaching this nonsense, the fault is with those listening to them and keeping them in business with their tithes and offerings.

So let the people continue in the bondage until they learn...

^^^Well OP, let's start with the question provided above and see how it goes.

While ruminating on those questions, I want to know why your headquarter church "imprisoned" staffs of sahara reporters a few years ago?

Just that for now.

I invite folks on this thread, the mother of all tithe thread on nl, to peruse the text below being proposed for a tithe tract to be published by members of nl.

DrummaBoy: [size=16pt]SHOULD YOU TITHE TODAY?[/size]

The answer to the title of this tract is “No” and we shall be explaining “why” in the remainder of the tract. The subject of whether Christians are to tithe or not to tithe is a deeply contentious one today, and obviously so because it involves money. This tract shall be offering biblical proofs to the thesis that “Christians are not obligated to tithe today”.

The Biblical Tithe

When we hear the word “tithe” today, our minds are drawn to the concept of 10% of a person’s income. Unfortunately, this is not the definition the bible offers for the tithe. In fact from Genesis to Revelation there is no account of anyone giving a tithe of his income to anybody; neither was the tithe money in the bible, even though there are ample evidences to show that money was being used since the days of Abraham. The word “tithe” had been mentioned in the story of Abraham and Jacob in the book of Genesis, but it was not until Leviticus 27:30-32 would we find something close to a definition for the tithe.

30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S:  it is holy unto the LORD…   32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

The tithe is defined here as “seed of the land”, “fruit of the tree” and tenth of the herd. The biblical tithes were agricultural products or food, they were never money. This so called definition for the tithe is accepted by many because Leviticus 27 is the first time in the bible God would mention the word “tithe” and while mentioning it, he describes it as holy and he tells us what it consisted of.

Later in other books of Moses, we find passages of scriptures that help us to comprehend the biblical tithe better. Numbers 18:20-28, Deuteronomy 14:22-29 and Deuteronomy 26:12-15, showed us that the biblical tithes were a tenth of the agricultural products Israel harvested off the holy land God had given them. The tithes were to be given to the Levites. Levi was a tribe in Israel God had separated to serve him and who had no inheritance in Israel; the tithe was their inheritance. In the process, the Levithical tribe, that included the Aaronic priests, were the people involved in the administration of the civil and the religious life of the nation of Israel. This duty was to be full time and therefore they could not work the fields and harvest crops to eat. The tithes became something close to our own kind of tax with which the Levithical tribe was provided for as they served the people. The aforementioned scriptures also showed that the tithes were given to the poor, the widows, the orphans and the stranger. Therefore this class of people was exempted from tithing. At other times, the tithe was even eaten by the tither himself. Every scripture in the bible that referred to tithes showed that the tithe was food. When God mentioned the bringing of tithes in Malachi 3:10, he also said “that there might be meat (food) in my house”. When Jesus mentioned the tithe in Matthew 23:23, he enumerated “mints, anise and cumin”. These were spices for food.

Finally, the injunction to tithe under Moses was part of the Mosaic laws that were done away with through the sacrificial works our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross (Romans 10:4; Ephesians 2:15; Hebrew 8:13). If we must tithe today, we should also keep every other aspect of the laws of Moses (Galatians 5:3; James 2:10 ). If this is not practical, then it is simply not practical to tithe today.

Abraham’s Tithe

When the errors of tithing according to the Mosaic laws are pointed out, some again resort to the incident of Abraham’s tithing in Genesis 14:20. In Genesis 14, Abram had gone to war and returned with spoils of war. On his way, he meets Melchizedek who is said to be King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God. Melchizedek blesses Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of the war spoils.

This incidence is what some would refer to as a descriptive account in scripture and not a prescription for Christian practice. The story of Abraham is recorded in scripture because he would become the progenitor of two major religions that would come from God: Judaism and Christianity. For Christians, it is Abraham’s faith that is prescribed to us to imitate (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6-7) and not everything that he did in life – many of which were not exactly exemplary. Abraham tithed of war spoils and not his own possessions or income. In Genesis 17 God commands Abraham to circumcise himself, his son and all males in his household and that this practice was to be an everlasting ordinance with Abraham and his descendants. By the time we come into the New Testament we have the apostles of the Lamb insisting that the Christian faith was not to be ratified by circumcision (Acts 15; Galatians 5:3-4; Phillipians 3:3). They never taught anywhere that we should not be circumcised according to the Law of Moses but can be circumcised as Abraham did. For them, circumcision was circumcision. Despite the fact that this passage was prescribing a practice, the New Testament reveals that such prescription is not relevant for Christians.

Hebrew 7 shows the Christian church the reason why Abraham is recorded to have tithed in Genesis 14. God knew that in the days when his Son Jesus would come to redeem Israel and the world at large there would be another high priest functioning, that of Aaron. He therefore set up this scenario to show the Hebrew people that the priesthood of Christ is greater than that of Aaron, and the need to change “allegiance” from Aaron to Jesus. Psalm 110:4 describes Jesus as having a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. It didn’t say that Jesus was Melchizedek and there is no scriptural evidence to support that position. Thus if Melchizedek would bless and receive a tithe from Abraham, then Melchizedek is greater than Abraham and therefore greater than Aaron. And so Jesus was greater than Aaron. Hebrew 7 goes further to show that “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” So Jesus is not only greater than Aaron, the whole priestly order under Aaron had been changed to a new order under Christ. That of Aaron was carnal and needed carnal things to sustain it like tithes; but that of Christ is immortal and therefore does not need a tithe to sustain it (Hebrew 7:16). And to buttress this point, Jesus, who lived out his full potential as God, man and priest during his earthly sojourn on earth was never recorded as collecting tithes from anybody. Our Lord could not do this because those instructed to collect tithes were from the tribe of Levi but Jesus was from the tribe of Judah; a fact that Hebrew 7 emphasizes also (verse 14). Hebrew 7 does not teach tithing for Christians.

Tithing and the Gospel

Ideally the subject of whether Christians should tithe or not should not occupy a central space to warrant publication on a tract, if not for the fact that the practice of tithing is threatening the Christian gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is shown clearly in the New Testament to be a free gospel (Romans 8:32; 2Peter 1:3). The idea that salvation can be purchased is strongly repudiated in the bible (Acts 8:20). Unfortunately, this is the impression that modern day practice of tithing is giving the world. There are many Christian churches today that make tithing compulsory. They go to the extent of saying that people cannot be members of churches except they are “faithful” tithers. Apart from the fact that such a position is foreign to scripture, it also betrays the central truth of the bible that our salvation is no longer fully paid; rather, it gives the impression that there are things we must add to it. In the days of the bible some thought to add good works to their salvation; in our days pastors are asking us to add tithing to our salvation.

Apart from the above, the impression that the world is getting about the church is not good at all. Many people have discarded the gospel message because modern gospel preaching does not only require for them to submit their lives to Christ, it also demands for them to submit their bank account to church. So that the tithe which members give to the church is the minimum people bring to church. Outside the tithe, there is also the mandatory yearly Firstfruit that members must pay as they give their whole salaries to churches in January. There are building pledges to be redeemed. There is the mission offering to be given. There are gifts that must be bought for the pastors at key occasions in their lives. At the end of the day, the ministers are the ones smiling to the bank, while church members are groaning. The lie is continually sold to church people that God blesses giving. Even though he does, these preachers should be reminded that giving is not the central subject of the bible. The implication is diverse but one of them is the proliferation of churches all around and the fact that many young people, who should be using their youthful years to be productive and make clean wealth, branch out to ministry for quick gain.

Despite the abuse the gospel of Jesus Christ has suffered in the hands of false teachers, its basic content remain unchanged. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all men so as to save men from sin. All that is required to enjoy the blessings of the cross is for the individual to understand this truth and to repent of his/her sins and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. By believing in him you will be saved. God does not require a penny from you to be saved; neither does he demand a kobo from you to keep you safe. The salvation that Jesus Christ purchased for the world has been fully paid for, we need not add a tithe, a firstfuit, pledges, a giving, or any kind of good works to make it complete. The salvation you receive by faith is a complete one (Colossians 2:10). All that God requires of you is to repent and believe. I trust that if anyone reading this tract is not saved, they would take advantage of this free offer of salvation. And for those who might need further understanding on the subject of salvation, you can refer to the contact address below this tract.

Christian Giving

While tithing is not a New Testament obligation for Christians to observe, it is our duty to give to support Christian works anywhere we find them beginning with our local churches. Indeed God instituted the tithe in the Old Testament to teach us the basic principle of giving. And the New Testament encourages Christians to give and give without inhibition. This was the position of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple?  and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?  14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Please note that while the apostle refers to the Law to pursue the position that Christians should give for the support of ministers, he never mentions tithes. Paul, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, could never ask for people’s tithes. Rather he uses the principle of giving in the Old Testament, where the Levites were giving offerings, tithes, and firstfruits, as a principle to teach the fact that Christians must give to their ministers and to Christian works. We see from the scriptures that this giving is free will giving. When Jesus sent out the evangelists in Matthew 10 and Luke 10, he did not ask them to live off people’s tithes. Rather he instructs them to eat anything that is giving to them – free willed giving. And this is what played out in Acts 4 when the Spirit came in power. We see people giving everything they had to support the gospel. In the days of God’s power, people will be willing to give. If they are not giving willingly we should ask what has happened to God’s power and not resort to twisting the scriptures for monetary gain.

This tract is not discouraging giving. In fact it is not out of place for people to give a percentage of their income to support Christian works. It could be a tenth or any other percentage. There is nothing wrong with this. It becomes wrong, however, when the tenth is made mandatory and called the biblical tithe.

Further Study

A tract like this cannot contain everything that needs to be known about the biblical tithe. I therefore refer the readers to some readily available materials on the internet for you to study more on the biblical tithes:

1. Gary J. Arnolds works on www.tithing101.com
2. Matthew E. Nerramore’s works: www.tekoapublishing.com.
3. Dr. Russel Kelly whose PHD theological thesis was on tithing: www.tithing-russkelly.com

Contact Address:

(As shall be agreed by the publishers of the tract).

EDITED

www.nairaland.com/1810931/design-anti-tithe-tract-50/1

Pastor Tunde Bakare spoke of a vision/dream he had once. He was in a Nigerian church known for its great number of congregation. He was ministering in a ministers meeting. After the ministration he said "In Jesus name..." and the chains which were on the ministers initially fell off. The GO of that church approached him angrily asking why he released them

Now I am not the type given to visions to validate messages or ministry but their is some truth in those words of Bakare. The fact is that if people hear sound teachings, the chains of religion will fall off them. This is what upset the pharisees the most with Jesus. This is what angers modern church leaders most with sound preaching. Pastors will prefer messages that will continue to enslave people to them. So they can continue to have influence over their lives and especially their finances.

We are in the time when these will end and discussions on nl like this are the ones that will aid it.

So far we have all been guilty of derailing this thread. It is not meant to debate/discuss tithing, it was meant to present text for a tithe tract.

I request we return to the original purpose of the thread.

NativeBoy: Again, tithing predates the nation of Israel. I definitely tithe based on Malachi 3. I'd be foolish not to when God promises that he will bless those who do so.

End of discussion.

I rest YOUR case.

NativeBoy: Why not? We have a different economic system. One that's built entirely about money.

Now let's not go there ra ra at all.

Before I proceed, let me refer you to our 58 days academic discussion on tithes. M4 did a sound analysis on tithe not being money. Weigh the arguments for and against and see that tithe being money was never and can never be scriptural:

www.nairaland.com/1548047/theological-discuss-tithing-rhymeyjohn-image123/6#20318249

Gombs: Cos, this won't exist outside Nairaland...I can bet my right arm.

Waiting to make alive this thread in 4months time...and asking "how far?"

Gombs, you can keep your right hand but this project will fly.

NativeBoy: You and I know that a lot of the burnt offerings were required for atonement and consecration and the like. Which have been perfected in Christ.

That said, the biblical principle is that the more you give, the more you receive. So you don't have to bring animals to your church come Sunday, but why not bless the church and your fellow saints by identifying what is needed and supply it. Buy some candy and snacks for the kids. Buy or make a meal for the elders or the whole church. Some fried rice, egusi, etc. There is a blessing associated with that.

... perfected in Christ...

ehen, now we are getting each other.

Jesus has fulfilled the Law and perfected its requirement in us.

If there are principles to be learnt from the law, how can you not understand that the principle behind tithing was giving?

The principle behind the Jewish ordinance of tithing food cannot be tithing money now.

Abi!

BabaGnoni: I too was playing Devil's advocate with our friend's quote
but hang on, you left out circumcision now

What was circumcision before, as in about cutting of flesh
is today's new creation, as in the cutting away of our sinful nature by Christ (i.e. Colossians 2:11 NLT)

Thank you sir for that keen observation. Its been edited.

NativeBoy:

I do not practice arguing with Christians. It undermines the mission to which we are called.

Let's start from here. It's plain dishonesty to claim a dislike for argument but have no qualms responding to issues on nl. Whether argument or not, the aim is for the discussion to birth understanding.

So my rebuttal will be brief and I will ask that you reread my post as I feel that I have been very clear. Tithing as well as circumcision are not commandments to non-Jews. I believe I was pretty clear in stating that.

I understood you then and understand you well enough now.

You are mistaken in your interpretation of Paul's actions. Paul was against circumcision because the Jewish part if the church was making it a requirement for salvation and for being a true believer. You will find I have made no such remarks. In fact I have stated the contrary.

I agree with you. When I made those remarks I was responding to the general perspective on tithing and not necessarily yours here. True, you made no such remarks.

I believe you might want to rethink your list. If you are saying that taking an action because you know there are benefits associated with it somehow nullifies the action, then I wonder how you interpret a majority of scripture. Using the circumcision example, if my motive for doing it is because I know the health benefits, how is that wrong? If I tithe because I know God will bless me for doing so, how is that wrong? If I show mercy because I know God will show mercy, how is that wrong? If I forgive knowing that God will also forgive, well you get the point? Scripture is filled with doing things knowing that they please God. Nothing wrong with acting in accordance with that motive. The tithe is not compulsory but it is pleasing to God and there are benefits associated with it.

I do not get your point. Maybe I should rehearse my own point so you could get me.

My point is that the motive is what justifies the action. And my list was concerned with motives. I said that the motive behind circumcision is the reason the apostles jettisoned it. I also said I find the same motive behind tithing and thus the need to jettison it too. There is nothing wrong in doing a thing in religion that will benefit, my point is there everything wrong in tithing based on Jewish practices for blessing. I however made it clear in my last response that giving with no such strings attached (such strings being blessings as found in Malachi) is permissible. And going by Jesus admonitions in Luke 6, it is not wrong to give trusting God for a blessing but it certainly wrong to tithe, like the Jews did to get a blessing.

The benefits are in the list you made excepting 2,3, and 4. Abel and Abraham tithed before the giving of the law. Tithing won't put you right standing with God and won't take you to heaven.

I am not sure about Abel tithing o, you may want to recheck that.

Abraham also carried out circumcision, burnt offerings and sacrifices, it doesn't it make them Christian practices.

As long as 1 and 5 on my list is still approved by you, my point is proven. You are tithing based on Malachi 3:8-10. A tithing that is based on Jewish practices and not on Christian giving.

[size=16pt]MY SUBMISSION ON F6: JDS (i.e. Jesus Died Spiritually)[/size]

I have no submission for JDS.

The ones I have heard, is upsetting enough.

I endorse everything BabaGnoni and trust man have written on it.

If there are no further submissions on F6, I request you gentlemen for us to move quickly to F7.