I read an article by Monday Morning Insight titled, “Church Tithes Continue to Decrease”. The evidence of this statement is based on the research done in the publication, “The State of Church Giving through 2004”, by Empty Tomb inc.
I know what you’re thinking. Probably something like this, “Why are people giving less and less to the Church?” That is a valid question, and I’m sure there are many answers to that. Can we actually narrow the behavioral habits of the saints down to one cause? I doubt it. But I want to twist that question for you and prove that you’ve been brainwashed. Why did you first come to the conclusion that the Congregation is giving less and less to the church? Ahh! That first thought ran through my head as well. But what if you read it this way. Your church continues to give less and less to others outside of its own walls. Hmmm, that’s an interesting way to say it. Yeah, Yeah, i know the church are the people and the people are the Church, but let’s not put the congregation on the stand today. Let’s put the organization itself on the stand.
Our churches are giving less and less to the poor, the needy, and the hungry than ever before. Let’s face it, your church organization is decreasing their tithe more and more by percentage each year. Yeah, it might be up this year from the past, but let’s look at the grand scale of decline. A chart will show that your church is spending more on its own wants than it is spending on the needs of others.
I did write a comment on the comment section of the Monday morning website, and I said this, “It’s no surprise that the congregation is withholding more and more for our own wants when our pastoral leaders teach them to do the same by withholding more and more for our church wants.” Let me explain that in relative terms. A church does need programs and buildings to operate. but when we compile these expensive programs and buildings together, most of the time it turns out to be a hefty price. A majority of the church staff’s creative ideas, called “programs”, will be anointed and considered as Spirit-led. But when I want to spend money on family vacations, a safe, nice secure home, a nice safe vehicle, good education for my children, all of a sudden it’s like the Spirit’s anointing on these important things are gone.
Why should the congregation give more from themselves when the church organization is keeping it for itself? This is not what God intended for his Church.
You can read the article from Monday Morning Insight here
You can read the publication from Empty Tomb here
Thanks for this article. During a workshop for new church members, the topic turned to tithing. I asked my former pastor [at a church I had recently joined] about circumstances that might prevent a person from tithing 10%. I told him how I had moved to Atlanta but I still had a mortgage on my home in Charlotte and I was having a tough time financially contributing even the $30 a week that I was giving. The pastor told me that he could only tell me what the scriptures said and said that if I didn’t tithe the scriptures said, I was a “thief and a liar”. I was shocked and tears welled up in my eyes. The church matriarch then proceeded to tell me how she started receiving more blessings when she began tithing 10% of her gross than she received when she was tithing 10% of her net. I asked her if she was suggesting that I not pay my mortgage to which she replied, “Try it! I promise you the blessings will come”. I left the church after that workshop and never returned even though the church matriarch continued to call me. Churches will continue to see tithing decrease because many behave now like the common bill collector by making you feel guilty and ashamed to go to even church when you can’t pay your tithe.
Thank you for your comment Felicia,
I am tired of the burden that is placed on those who are struggling financially. Although their intentions are well meaningful, they are wrong about the requirement to give 10% of your income.
Usher: People must think that if they don’t tithe and then they get to heaven, God will hold them in debtor’s prison for a few centuries to make up for it. This women seems to speak of God like he’s a big bad IRS agent.
Deacon: Wonder if the matriarch knows she’s ripping God off by only giving 10% when what she gives comes from the people. You think God will punish her?
TITHING MOST ALL PASTORS, TEACHERS ETC DON’T HAVE A CLUE HOW? WHY? FOR WHAT PURPUSE TITHING WAS INSTIUTED?? THEY USE THE SAME SCRIPUTERS TO BLACKMAIL, CONDEMN, THREATEN GODS PEOPLE AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL EVERY SUNDAY!
AND THEY SAY THAT’S WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS!! THE BIBLE SAYS ALOT OF THINGS!!
THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND SALVATION!! WHAT GOD GAVE US THROUGH JESUS OUR SAVIOR!!
I’LL GAVE YOU SOMETHING BETTER THAN ” OPEN THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN”
” GIVE AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN PRESS DOWN RUNNING OVER MEN WIL GIVE INTO YOUR BOSSOM’
THINK ABOUT THIS THE PHARASSES REMENBER THEM THEY WHERE THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW!!!
MANY OF THEM WORKED, THEY OWNED BUSINESS THEY WENT OUT AND EARNED A LIVING!!!