As a huge fan of Reno Omokri, I would not love to pick issues with him or his stance on matters in the public sphere because he is someone that knows his onions. That conceded, I would also advise him that he is not all-knowing, no one, except the Almighty, is. Even Jesus Christ, while on earth alluded that there were certain issues beyond his scope of knowledge. That is the humility that most public speakers lack today; they believe to stay relevant, they must have a strong opinion or position on everything, about everything.

The issue of tithing in today’s generation churches is one that remains controversial. For something that has to do with a financial obligation, akin to taxation, this is not a surprise. Reno, like several others who claim to be knowledgeable in religious matters, are not more knowing or more authoritative than Jesus Christ or the earliest apostles. Therefore, they are in no position to categorically declare that tithes are never to be paid to pastors or religious leaders.

What most people ever fail to mention when arguing about tithes is what Jesus himself said in that regard. For emphasis, let me quote the words of Christ in Matthew 23:23, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! YOU GIVE A TENTH OF YOUR SPICES—MINT, DILL AND CUMIN. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, WITHOUT NEGLECTING THE FORMER.” If Christ did not outlaw paying of tithes, then on whose authority does Reno stand? Presumptuousness is not a humble trait.

It is true that the Bible never recorded Jesus or his apostles collecting tithes, if fact, actually, only one person is recorded to have received tithes in the Bible, and he was not a Levite, he was of no known tribe; he was Melchizedek. So the practice of tithing, which is an act of giving back to God a tenth of one’s gains, predates the Mosaic law on tithing.

On Reno’s claim that only Levite’s are entitled to receiving tithes, please read St. Paul’s explanations in Hebrew 7 very carefully:

(5) Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.

(9) One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, (10) because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

(11) If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?

(12) For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.

From the above, it is evident that, while tithing remains relevant in worshiping God, events have overtaken the law that directed it to be paid to only those of the bloodline of Levi.

So, Reno, please don’t throw away the baby with the dirty bathwater. You can address the myriad of ways that so called men of God have abused the practice of tithing without discountenancing its relevance in sustaining those that sincerely promote the ministry of Christ, who is the eternal high priest.

Tithes is NOT for Christians today. Having said that, if you want to pay, pay.

PastorM:
Tithes is NOT for Christians today. Having said that, if you want to pay, pay.

"If you want to pay, pay" is more like it, you have to do it willingly and cheerfully, else it's useless.

"Tithes is NOT for Christians today."? Is that the gospel according to you? Cos nobody in the Bible was knowledgeable enough to put it that matter-of-factly.

Again, Christ's words were "do not neglect" it, and his words "will never pass away."