As I was going through my routine of reading blogs on tithing, I came across the New BBC Open Forum. Here the writer shares a story of receiving an automated phone call to remind him to tithe this upcoming Sunday.
“Today was “Prove the Tithe” Sunday at Bellevue. Yesterday every Bellevue family received an automated, pre-recorded phone call from Brother Steve saying (paraphrased but close), “Tomorrow is ‘Prove the Tithe’ Sunday at Bellevue Baptist Church. God says, ‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.’ Whether you already tithe or not, we’re asking you to take one-tenth of what you make in one week and give that to our church in the form of a tithe. Blah blah blah.””
Here is the link to ‘prove the tithe day‘ on Bellevue’s website. I’m curious . . . just curious, if any members have received automated phone calls about praying for a missionary, or serving at the homeless shelter? Why do churches (small ‘c’) have such a push for money? The answer is simply found in Matthew 6:21. It’s a pretty sickening cycle to get yourselves in a position to spend more money to get money isn’t it?
I’m all for accountability, but this isn’t the right kind of accountability. Regardless of your belief on the requirement of tithing, if you don’t give frequent reminders about other things as well, there is no reason to remind someone about giving you money.
Our priorities are all messed up. The order is Jesus – Others – You. I applaud (sarcasm) Bellevue for setting the example here. I’m not saying it’s wrong to challenge others to give or be sacrificial with their resources when you are directly involved in benefiting from it. We can see that Paul challenged the Church numerous times on providing for himself and others. What i think could be wrong in this situation is overflow of accountability that churches provide when it comes to giving, but all other accountability is so barren. Do me a favor. Look directly in the seat in front of you next Sunday, and pull out the information in the back pocket. Ask yourself, besides giving, ‘What else are they trying to remind you of’?
Maybe a GOLD offering plate disrupting a service is not a big enough reminder.