Sometimes it actually does feel like they are trying to tackle you into tithing.
Definition of Tithing Principle
What is your definition of a principle? Is it the fact that the word “tithe” is repeated so much in the bible? Is it the fact that Abraham tithed before Moses came along? Is it the fact that God gives this way? A tithe is a standard, not a principle.
Taking my wife out once a week is a standard, not a principle. Reading my bible and praying for 30 minutes every day is a standard, not a principle. Donating 1 hour of time a week to my church is a standard, not a principle. Giving God 10% of my increase is a standard, not a principle.
Loving my wife, communicating with God, serving, and giving are all principles. These are all minimum requirements and principles that you find in scripture. All these minimum requirements are orchestrated for us by the Holy Spirit. I don’t have the bible to tell me what romantic things I should do this weekend for my wife. Sure, I am at liberty to follow Esther and Boaz. I don’t have the bible to show me how much I need to pray and read today, but sure, I could follow David’s example. I don’t have the scripture to tell me how often and where I serve, but sure, I could follow Timothy’s example. I don’t have the bible to tell me how much I should give this week, but sure, I could follow Abraham’s example.
The truth is, Church leaders are not afraid to let the Holy Spirit orchestrate people’s lives when it comes to serving, praying, reading, and loving; but when it comes to giving, our leaders’ faith in the Holy Spirit fades. We can trust him to move mountains, or to heal, or to turn a drug-addicted murderous pedophile into a servant of God, but to trust him to orchestrate people to give. That’s where we draw the line.
If I want control over my kids, I’ll just set boundaries for them. The Church’s control is no different. We do not trust the Holy Spirit to orchestrate others’ giving. So tithing is a great control mechanism to predict and balance our budgets. The Churches that actually practice financial faith only through Spirit-led giving, are few and far between. A church budget that enforces tithing hardly exercises the faith of a church budget that allows people to freely give where God leads.
Our church leaders enforce the OT tithe and bring financial security to their pockets and the church budgets. In turn, the congregation are the only ones practicing trust in God’s provision for them. Yes, In the OT, the Levities received the tithes also, but exercised faith because they had no part in a land inheritance. The Israelite nation exercised their faith in giving, and trusted God to bring the rains to grow their crops and feed their animals.
Spirit-led giving and receiving is a way that we can trust God to provide for us when we give, and a way for us to trust God to provide for us when we receive. A tithe minimum no longer predicts what will pour in. We just have to trust the Holy Spirit to prompt others to give to our needs.
What we need to apply today is the principle of faith. Faith starts with our Church leaders, and our church budgets enforcing and accepting Spirit-led giving.
Stop Tithing & Get Out of Debt
There it is, I said it. I think this is the first I’ve ever heard myself go straight out and say it. Stop tithing, and Get out of debt. I don’t want you to give another dime until all of your unsecured credit is paid off. I’m not talking about your house, or your car, or your school loans. I’m talking about all the store and credit card debt. Get out of Debt!
“No one can serve two masters”. Although that statement in the context of scripture was not referring to debt, I believe it is applicable as a stewardship principle. It’s hard to serve God with your money while you are still a slave to debt. It’s also hard to serve God with your money while you are a slave to possessions as well. I know there are some legitimate people who are not slaves to possessions but have some debt lingering over them. In those cases, the simple answer is to get out of debt, and then you can give God your money.
Do not bow to the pressure of the tithing threats while you are in debt. God does not judge a person by what they’ve given; He judges them by what they’ve kept. You need to be a wise steward, and part of that is making the decision to get out of debt, and then give to God. Actually, here’s a thought that just ran through my head. Who said that paying your bills and striving to get out of debt is not giving to God? The misconception is that paying your bills or striving to be debt free is not a spiritual way of giving. Are you somehow dishonoring God if you pay off your debts? Why would God be more honored if you paid the parishioner, but were late on your bills? Where is the honor in that?
God judges us based on our stewardship. I’ve stated this so many times as an example, but it is so relevant: The servant who gave 100% back to the master when he returned, was the one considered a bad steward. A good analogous word for “steward” is “investor”.
In the end, the truth is we will be judged by our investments. Whether we are in debt or not, God will burn up our works like wood, hay, and stubble if we’ve invested in worldly things. If you are struggling financially, and cannot get out of debt no matter what you’ve done, then stop giving it away and start investing in the plan to get out of debt. If you have trouble with debt because of self-control, then get some accountability, get some instructions, follow a plan to stop spending; and start investing in a debt-free life. Dave Ramsey and Crown Financial offer good programs to help you get out of debt. Don’t feel guilty about putting your money towards debt instead of in the offering plate. God will honor your decision for being a wise, investing steward.
Remember, God’s blessings are reaped naturally by a cause and effect more than they are reaped miraculously, such as money falling from the sky. You will reap what you sow. If you sow a debt-free life, you will reap the rewards that come from it. The natural reward of a debt-free life is not money falling from the sky. However, I wouldn’t pass that up.
There are only two paths you can take toward Godly stewardship. One leads to debt as your master, and the other path leads to financial freedom as your master. Which path are you going to choose?
A Wolf’s Guide to Fool Sheep Into Giving
So everyone in Church has more money than you huh? Well, there’s only one way to get more for yourself. Convince others to give it to you. Here are 11 tricks you can use to convince God’s sheep to give you their money.
1. Be a Good Salesman
There is one thing for certain, you need to be a good salesman/woman. If you do not sound sincere about persuading your victims into giving, then people will not give as much. The fight for money is a war that you must win! Pick up a sales technique book. There are many tips and tricks that will help you hone your scandalous techniques.
2. Show Off Your Own Bling
The fact is, people want to see the truth in order to believe the truth. They don’t want to believe that giving makes you rich. They want to see it. So take this time to show off your bling. Perhaps you should wear diamond cufflets (if you don’t have any you can wear CZ’s). Or perhaps you can wear Armani suits and drive a Bentley. Perhaps you can fly a private jet. . . just make sure it’s in the Church’s name. Whatever it is, just make their eyes razzle and dazzle.
3. Pay for Actors to Give and Write Testimonies
People want to see examples of ordinary people who have a testimony of extraordinary things. Your audience will want to know that any Joe Schmoe can be blessed by giving. Just write some letters and come up with a good story. Start out by saying, “this letter is from Suzie Q. in Phoenix Arizona”. After all, nobody knows who Suzie Q is from Phoenix Arizona. People will want to see how another person in the same financial situation that they are in can afford to give so much. Make sure you praise yourself in this letter, because people will also want to see how joyful and cheerful these people are as well. The goal is to get your victims to want to be just like Suzie Q. from Phoenix Arizona.
4. Start Crying
Emotions play a large part in convincing people to give. People need a little more than logical reasoning to motivate them. This is where your acting skills come into play. When you are swindling money from people, you need to find your inner self. Think of something that would help you cry. Maybe the joy of being so rich will overwhelm you and bring tears to your eyes. Maybe the thought of not affording a new Rolex will bring tears to your eyes. Everyone has different ways that make them cry. I’ve even seen someone wipe onion juice on their mustache to help them cry. Whatever it is for you, you should do it.
5. Feed People’s Greed by Promising a 10 Fold Return.
Ah, yes. Money is the universal language. It breaks down all barriers. Just flash something gold or green in somebody’s face and you could turn a frown upside down without saying a word. In this case, you want to turn your frown upside down, so you need to convince people that giving to you really is a benefit for themselves. Learning how to tithe is like playing the lottery, but in God’s lottery, everyone is the winner. This is one of the best ways to convince others to give because they not only are convinced they will see more in return; they are also cheerful.
6. Have Poses of You Handing Out Food to Starving Kids with Bloated Bellies
People want to know that you have a heart, so we are going to have to do some Public Relations work here. You are going to have to take 1 week every year and get your hands dirty. I know it’s not fun, but it ensures that your pocket stays full. Make sure you keep a smile on your face because the cameras are rolling. Just think about all the money you can ask for just because you help starving children with bloated bellies and flies all around them. A wise old wolf once said, “If you touch people’s hearts, you will also touch their pocketbooks.”
7. Show a Slideshow of an Evangelism Rally in a 3rd World Country
As long as your victims know that people are getting saved because of your efforts then they will continue to give. This swindling technique is also one of the most effective. Each soul that you save (well actually, they are just pictures of some random person praying to God), is considered priceless. Who can put a price on someone’s soul? People will dig the deepest in their pocket just to have souls saved. Some might even empty their lifetime savings accounts. For every picture that you show of someone praying to God or lifting up their hands, consider it an extra thousand in your pocket. Take pictures of people from all different races, because whether it is black, white, yellow, brown, or red, all ethnicities want their nationality to be saved. Also multi-cultural pictures make you look like a well diversified and multi cultural ministry.
8. Install a coffee shop or some TV’s to show their money is being put to good use.
There may be times when people start questioning what you are doing with all this money. At this time you need to do something to pacify them. Install a coffee shop, or some flat panel TV’s. This will keep them happy and is an integral part of keeping the cash-flow steady. I know, it may cost money, but consider it an investment. You thought that you convinced them earlier about giving their money, but their cognitive dissonance has settled in. Make sure you spoil them. The things that you buy for them will keep them appeased and they will feel rewarded for giving.
9. Hire an Architect to Build a 3D Models of Potential Building Projects for the Church
Getting money based on people’s dreams and your promises is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it still works today. People want something to look forward to, so make sure your building plans for the future are as extravagant and lavish. All you have to do is convince them that this will happen if they sacrifice enough money. Your victims will ooooh, and ahhhh at the magnificent structure while you ooooh and ahhhh at the money coming in.
10. Have a Time Limit and Make it Urgent
Whenever you are beginning a giving campaign make sure you set a time limit and make it urgent. The salesman always wants you to buy now. They don’t need time to think about the decision, they just need to pick up that phone or offering envelope and commit their money now. The longer they wait, the longer God will wait to bless them.
11. Scare Them Into Giving
You might want to save this one as a last resort. There are many Biblical examples that you can bring into this. First, you have Annanias and Saphira being killed for lying about giving. Then there is Malachi 3:8, where you are cursed for robbing God. Scaring people into giving is a bit cynical, but is a necessary evil in order to convince people to pay for your new mansion. You can even use personal testimonies that show how people were cursed for not giving their tithe.
The Buck Stops Here
A person reported in the news sacrifices and gives up $3 million in an offering plate, and on the other hand the church gets excited about hoarding it. Here’s a news story of a person anonymously putting a lottery ticket in the offering plate of a (here we go now. . .) strugggglllliing church. Ooooh! doesn’t it just make you shiver! Man, this church was busting out the seams and now they can afford a new building. yippeee! God is glorified. When our building cup runneth over, God just goes all out and gets us a new building cup.
If your cup is full? Duh! Just get a bigger cup. We don’t need to plant more churches. Duh! Just make ours bigger. That’s the problem with us Christians. When our church is packed out, we think the size of the building is to blame. When a cup overflows, the size of the cup is not at fault. The fault is those who don’t pour it out when its full.
Our first reaction when we are full is to get a bigger cup instead of pouring ourselves out into a completely different cup that’s empty. There are desperate and empty parts of town that need a church, but we don’t want to pour ourselves into that area, because we just want to get bigger. Our first reaction is “let’s just expand ourselves “IN” here”, instead of “let’s just spread OUT there”.
Before you get onto me about the big deal of getting a new building, let me explain something to you. What was all the hype about in that news video? The truth is that the excitement was generated from what they were going to “build” with that money. You didn’t hear anything about needs being met, or bodies or souls being fed with that money. Because. . . well. . . duh. . . that would just be boring. Who would just give away that money and not use it on themselves? Giving away money is boring. Using it on ourselves, now, that’s exciting! Apparently, the person who gave the lottery ticket away in the first place felt that it was important to distribute the wealth. Unfortunately, the Church doesn’t think it’s important to distribute. The church is truly where the buck stops.
The deception our church leadership has is that we take this money in the offering plate every Sunday and invest it into facilities and programs and call it a distribution. We don’t recognize that we are just spending it on ourselves. For instance, if me and my wife saved money for some long-term goals, and rarely and barely gave to others; we would be considered selfish. But if a church does this very same thing under the cloak of “God’s will”, then they do not fall under the same accusation. But why not?
God’s Word does not provide instructions on how to fund an organization. It does however show us how to help those in need. We are the only thing left on this earth that resembles Jesus Christ. Jesus left us a legacy from his works and actions. He didn’t leave us a building, or a worship center, or a youth center. On the other hand, we’ve done a good job of leaving all the things that Jesus didn’t leave. Unfortunately, we have not done a good job of leaving Jesus. Where does the buck stop with you?
Cheerful Giving
I like to go in forums and strike up debates with people. It drives me to study and prove the truth behind what i am saying. I am my biggest critic. I guess I try to stay open-minded about myself. I am not a respecter of persons and that means myself included. There are times when I’m on forums debating and arguing when people take what i say and either twist it, or take the polar extreme of what I’m saying and argue with me on their own conclusions.
For instance, I wrote on a forum that cheerfulness is required in giving to God, so in turn someone accuses me of saying that we shouldn’t give unless we feel like it. First, I never stated that, but nonetheless, I try to reason with them. In a nutshell, my conclusion was that cheerfulness is not required “in order to” give, it is required “of” giving. There is a difference in the comparing statement above. You don’t sit around and wait for your heart to get right in order to obey God’s orders.
So anyways, I get accused further for obeying God based on emotion. Then they want me to provide bible verses that show how emotions is a requirement to obtain or maintain salvation. . . the list goes on and on. Quite frankly, it gets very tiring and annoying. I don’t know why I try to reason with people, or why I even go back to that forum. Maybe one of you reading this is a psychologist and can explain why a dog returns to its vomit, and why i go back to this emotionally draining forum.
So yeah, as I said, I am pretty open-minded, but it just is crazy to me that people aren’t the same way. I mean for crying out loud. People will argue with you over one stinking little word that you said, instead of sticking to the subject. I have conceded to many things on the opposing side of the tithing debate, but not once can I remember in my 400-something posts, that the opposing side conceded to me.
If I state that the tithe was part of the fulfilled law and is not required for New Covenant Christians, I get painted as a heretic that is trying to throw out the bible. It’s crazy. I feel like I’m the one that has to defend my position, but in reality, I’m the one that is armed with so many accusations and questions that they should be the ones on defense.
So Anyways, my question to you is do you think cheerfulness is required of giving? I don’t want to know if you should be happy in order to give. I want to know if being cheerful is a command just as much as giving is a command? I feel like this answer is obvious, but I want to hear your opinion. I want to make sure I am not losing my mind on this issue. The next post i will state my defense and reasoning on this issue.