Re: Is this a Powerful Message or a Religious Message?

I was happy to see you say that about tithing. Yes, I did think you were brainwashed into thinking we were bound to tithing. I did think that you did not falsely believe that it was a salvation issue as some teach, but that you thought there is something wrong with a person's heart if they do not tithe. I thought you felt Christians should tithe whether it meant not feeding their children and paying their rent as many ministers preach. Furthermore, they preach that if they do not do so under any circumstances, even these desperate kind, they are living in disobedience, rebellion and have a heart issue. This is being preached in many Pentecostal churches and yes, it feels like a gun put to the head. I am getting the feeling from you that your church is not putting people under that kind of pressure so that is why we have had some misunderstandings with this issue.

I feel that God has asked many Christians to tithe or give ten percent of their income. I feel He has asked others to give more than the tithe and yet others He has asked to give less. This is certainly not what He is asking of all Christians. This is not the message of the new covenant that we are under. Paul said we should set aside a percentage. Ten percent is a great percent for some, but not for others.

About your accepting a pastor teaching you about tithing, I hope you would examine what he is teaching. If he is preaching the truth about tithing I have no problem with it. If he is twisting the scripture as many are, then, of course, you may be in some deception about tithing if you are believing a twisted message.

A true Christian with a right heart is going to want to give as much to God as he can. This will be of his money and his life. He will joyfully give all he can. The problem is people are being forced to tithe because of lies being preached to them which they believe. Yes, this is robbing people of their money because they are not giving joyfully, but forcefully. They are giving because they are being lied to. How much better would it be if people were taught the truth and lead to give out of love, obedience and joyfulness. People would want to give ten per cent and much more as they experience the joy of giving. The Christian who does not want to give is the one with the heart issue. Tweet