http://propheticoutreach.blogspot.com/2007/10/christianity-and-tithe.htmlOct 30, 2007
Christianity And The Tithe
Danny McDowell
CHRISTIANITY AND THE TITHE
HONESTY
There needs to be a little HONESTY regarding this matter. Pastors often BOAST of their deep convictions, and devout entrenchment regarding “THE WORD OF GOD”. They frequently hold open invitation to those in agreement with them. They BELLOW of a “CHRIST CENTERED, BIBLE BELIEVING ADJENDA”.
With pride, [bordering arrogance] they proclaim their personal conviction. They wear their “RELIGION” blazingly on their sleeve. “Yes sir there brother; I believe that the Bible is the inspired WORD OF GOD”. They will speak of “abundant grace”, and of “salvation by faith”. They will boast of the many blessings of the Father. They decorate their automobiles with the “ADVERTISING” of their conviction. They are --------------“CHURCHITES” !
SACRED COWS
There is an abundance of SACRED COWS amongst the Churchites. They will vehemently deny that they have any such IDOLS. They are schmoozy in their denial, until one OPENS THE WORD, and proves them to be in grave error. They will SPIN a desperate rationalle for that which is abominable to the Christian Faith.
YOU can literally see this in action. Just ask them how many days and nights Jesus was in the tomb. Jesus said; “as Jonas was in the belly of the great fish for three days, and three nights; so the Son of Man will be in the earth for THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS”. Watch the desperation in their eyes as they attempt to defy mathematical reason.
See how this SACRED COW is corralled, and guarded by the Churchites. See how he dismisses the IMPORTANCE of the TRUTH in this matter. Watch the SWEAT bead upon his skin when he is threatened by the truth----------only to turn and label you as a “trouble maker”, and a sower of DISCORD”. Watch, as the graciousness of a timid spirit turns to VENOM---------and WHY ?--------because you have slain a SACRED COW !
TOUCH NOT MY CASH COW--------AND DO MY PROFITS NO HARM
MONEY----------is the DRIVING FORCE in the American Church. It begins at the PARKING LOT. The yearly budget for maintaining the “Church” parking lot can easily exceed the yearly income of SEVERAL families in a third world nation. Why don’t they save some cash by applying a GRAVEL [rather than the expensive blacktop surface that has to be maintained, and cleared of snow and ice in the winter] ? The yearly cost of maintaining a PARKING SPACE for the churchite’s 40,000 dollar gas guzzling S.U.V !
The building, and maintenance expence of the mega-church parking lot ALONE would build a medical clinic I Calcutta, or drill FIFTY fresh water wells in South America, or fund an AIDS ORPHANAGE in Africa. BUT NOOOO----- We simply MUST have a blacktop surface, with clearly defined parking spaces for the THOUSANDS that visit our “church” on Sun-day morning. Literally TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS go into your car’s personal comfort, while millions of your “brethren” worship the Lord on a DIRT FLOOR in China, or Africa.
There are even “ATTENDANTS’ who watch over the parking process. Everything goes like clockwork in the parking lot, so that the SERVICE can begin in a timely fashion. It reminds me of what I use to se back in Kansas where I grew up-------I mean; the way they use to load CATTLE from the stockyard pins, onto the rail cars for shipment.
Timely and organized with a little JOLT here and there for sake of expedience. All that’s missing is a CATTLE PROD. There is a THIRTY MINUTE interval between services in which to TRADE CATTLE [cars]------and the WRANGLERS [attendants] are never late---------HUNDREDS IN-----HUNDREDS OUT-------HUNDREDS IN AGAIN, and when it’s all said and done; it boils down to the most EFFICIENT WAY to gather-----MONEY---------AND WE HAVE NOT YET CROSSED THE THREASHOLD OD THE DOORWAY.!!
Now we move to the Church FOYER. “MAGNIFICENT” is the only way to describe the ENTRY-WAY to the mega-church in America. The WHITE HOUSE has no greater entry than the American Mega Church. This grand introduction to what is ahead, also serves as a POLITICAL PROPAGANDA CENTER at election time.
Tables are set up, and political brochures, and HIT LISTS cover their surfaces. At this time of the year; sermons are centered in YOUR OBLIGATION AS A CHRISTIAN to vote for this candidate, or that. “Hell awaits you” if you make the wrong choice-----or at least a shunning, and dismissal from the service ledger of available candidates. You will be treated politely, but you will know with certainty, that NOW you are an OUTSIDER
if you support THE OTHR GUY !. This ENTRO-WAY alone, costs THOUSANDS to function, in light of the costs of PRINTING materials, maintenance, and up-keep. Thousands, that could buy SHOES for those brethren who WALK TO “CHURCH” !
You enter the GRAND ARENA [sanctuary], and GRAND IT IS! A salaried organist is playing “inspirational pieces”-------[some composed in the middle ages] -----that you do not even recognize. The organist salary pales in comparison to the cost of the instrument itself. Every note, from every PIPE, bellows out DOLLAR SIGNS1 Of course, not all “churches” are this magnificent, but you can rest assured that the less GRAND of the assemblies, would very much like to exchange places with their opulent siblings. ..
Choirs of dozens of professional voices begin to sing, as the service officially begins. A salaried MINISTER OF MUSIC leads the orchestra [including harp, and strings], to elevate the spirit to a place that one believes; this must truly be--------HOLY GROUND!
After the MONEY PUMP has been sufficiently PRIMED-------the pastor steps forth sporting an eight hundred dollar suit, and without a wrinkle-----because the “seating compliment” in his LEXUS is designed to be STATIC FREE----and GARMENT FRIENDLY! He begins with his necessary announcements, the collecting of the TITHE, yada, yada.
The ceilings of this TEMPLE TO THE GODDESS OF TREASURE, are FIFTY FEET HIGH. The whole thing is designed to artificially induce a feeling of awe in preparation for the message, and to GOBBLE UP THE TITHE in heating, and air-conditioning expenses, in as short a time as possible.
This monster [church] was intentionally designed to be--------A MONSTER-------A MONEY EATING MONSTER, with an endless and veracious appetite. It’s like one of those Star Trek creatures that feed on energy, and the more you try to kill it with your plasma-gun, the more it grows and devours everything with energy, or in this case------MONEY..
What’s my point?--------My point is: ALL THIS STUFF COSTS MILLIONS !! Where do you think these MILLIONS are going to come from? Do you think that this FINANCIAL MONSTROCITY is going to support itself on the “FREEWILL” offerings of the weekly attendees?-----------ROFLOL----------IT’S THE TITHE STUPID!!
In gathering the weekly TITHE, it is possible to “financially STRATIGIZE for the FUTURE”. It’s something the “church” authority can COUNT ON. Out of this dependable, and bottomless source of revenue; come plans to GROW THE CHURCH FURTHER-------ADD MORE SERVICES---------ADD TO THE MEMBERSHIP----------[trumpet fanfare please]-------AND COLLECT MORE TITHE. Something seems familiar about this. I think the world calls this a PYRAMID SCHEME, or something like that.
WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS OF THE TITHE.
“TITHING” IS NOT A NEW TESTAMENT PRINCIPLE! Tithing is an element of the LAW of the Levitical system. Under the Law; the Levites [pastors] collected the TITHE from all the citizens of Israel [whether righteous or not]. This system would be best portrayed as if the AMERICAN CLERGY collected a TAX from EVERY FAMILY IN THE NATION, for the express purpose of supporting a NATIONAL RELIGION.
With the gathering of the Tithe, the priesthood was able to support them selves to that degree that was established in the Law. It was God’s will that tight parameters be placed on the Levites so that their POWER to collect treasure could not easily be abused by greedy clergy. The Levites were forbidden to own property. They were forbidden to own livestock, or ANYTHING that could lead to REVENUE PRODUCTION. No INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO! No CAPITAL GAIN! NADA!!!
They were compelled to be cared for BY THE PEOPLE and UNDER THE LAW. Imagine a TITHE COLLECTING PASTOR of today, living under those circumstances.. In fact, that might be the solution to many of our problems. If a pastor was to be restricted to this kind of austerity----------the pulpits would be emptied at the first sign of a problem on payday. They would “HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD” saying “COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND GET THEE ANOTHER JOB----- IF YOU CAN”. A giant SUCKING SOUND would be heard, as the “pastors” exit the BACK DOORS in droves.
The New Testament is CLEAR about this matter of “giving”. It is a matter of THE HEART. Paul tells us time and again, that we are to give as the Lord [through the Holy Spirit], leads us. Time and again PASTORS smother us with promises of PROSPERITY, and more importantly------GOD’S FAVOR in the tithe.
God will FIX ANYTHING in your life, IF YOU FAITHFULLY TITHE!! This is what we are told. The Body, and Blood of Jesus have become irrelevant to our privilege in the work of Christ. There is ANOTHER path to God’s favor [they say]--------it’s called THE TITHE. With it; the sacrifice of the cross becomes SECOND FIDDLE. Our redemption is “INCOMPLETE” without THE TITHE!!
We are INDEED REDEEMED to that point where our FINANCIAL NEED comes into play--------then our Great Redeemer becomes weak, and inadequate to save. Who will save us from our financial despair?------------“THE LAW”---------“THE LAW WILL SAVE US” in the inadequacy of Christ’s Blood. If you will only TITHE----------then “blessings” are just beyond the next bend in the road. Your salvation is COMPLETED when you add the TITHE to your faith. YEAH----THAT’S THE TICKET!! Faith carries us just so far-------but the LAW catapults us to the FINISH LINE!! Such a deal??---------NONSENSE!!!
But the pastor has taken us to the Seventh Chapter of Hebrews, and proven conclusively that Abraham TITHED to Melchezedek, and Abraham lived PRIOR TO the law, and Melchedzedek was a type, and foreshadow of Christ. Doesn’t this place God’s seal of approval to this matter? Well, let’s see what the message of Hebrew’s Seven is all about.
Hebrews 7
7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
KJV
To begin with; we are introduced to TWO characters in this illustration. They are both actual historical characters. They are both type, and foreshadow of things to come.
The first character is an ancient HIGH PRIEST. He rules from a place called Salem [meaning “peace”]. Salem is located at a high location [later to be called Jerusalem]. This man’s name is Melchedzedek. He is a portrait in type of Christ our HIGH PRIEST.
The second character is Abraham. He is our portrait type of MANKIND. He precedes the Law and Moses in history. Now the story begins;
Abraham has just returned from a battle in which he slaughtered several local kings. He has rescued his nephew LOT, who had been captured by those kings. He also comes with all the people that had been taken with Lot, and all the BOOTY OF WAR. This Melchedzedek descends from his throne in Salem, and meets Abraham in the valley below. Abraham knows that the KING OF SALEM has come to extract a gift [tithe], and Abraham respectfully complies.
Now HERE is where the whole thing brings CLARITY to this matter of the TITHE. Abraham gives TITHE of the booty of war. In exchange; the KING OF SALEM gives BREAD AND WINE to Abraham. Can you see what has happened here? Abraham gives TITHE------the representation of THE LAW; and Melchedzedek gives to ABRAHAM--------BREAD AND WINE, the very SYMBOL of the New Testament in Christ’s BODY AND BLOOD. This entire story is a portrait of the exchange made at the cross.
It was the exchange of the system of LAW-------for that of GRACE. The story goes on to say; “and the LESS [Abraham] was blessed of the GREATER [the King of Salem]-- [verse 7]. Do you see in this typology, that GRACE is more excellent than LAW, and that Melchedzedek [Christ] left his home in Salem [heaven], and descended to the valley below [earth], and met with Abraham [mankind], and received the TITHE [law] unto himself, and blessed Abraham with BREAD AND WINE [the testament in Christ’s body, and blood]------and Abraham [the lesser---the law] received of Melchedzedek [the greater----the New Covenant in grace] ?? This is the message of the ENTIRE BOOK OF HEBREWS. The writer WARNS the Hebrew Church to SHUN THE LAW, for in returning to the things of the LAW, one presents himself EXEMPT from the benefits of GRACE-----and there IS NO REMEDY to those who would try to BLEND law and grace.
KJV
Heb 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame
KJV
When CHRIST OUR PASSOVER screamed out these words: “ IT IS FINISHED”; the VEIL that separated God and man, was FOREVER destroyed. Three and one half years into Christ’s ministry-------HE CONFIRMED THE COVENANT WITH MANY, AND CAUSED THE SACRIFICE AND OBLATION FOR SIN TO CEASE !!!
There is NO LONGER a path to God’s blessing, other than that TRAIL OF BLOOD that flows from the STAUROS. I beseech you as a brother in Christ, to cease, and desist from the coercion in the tithe. It is reprehensible that you should believe that the TITHE survived the cross. Christ PAID THE TITHE for the entirety of human kind.
Now our offerings are made in the NEW Holy of Holies---------the heart of the elect. Our gifts, and giving are far SUPERIOR to that gift given by Abraham. Our gifts are motivated in purity, and recompensed in JOY. FORSAKE THE TITHE, and FORSAKE RELIGIOUS COERCION. Danny McDowell
