POWER BLOG

Link: http://www.powerofaith.com/tithe.htm

How many times have you heard that? Quoted from the book of Malachi ~

Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:9 "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!

This was one of the many (613) laws of the old testament, under the old covenant. (Christ's new covenant with us, made these laws null & void) However, unfortunately, contrary to scripture, many people still believe in the curse today.

If your pastor preaches and teaches tithing, it is surely because he is concerned for your soul. Concerning tithing, I'm sure he doesn't really want your money, he just takes it for "your" own good. Let's face it, it's only for your well being that he gets rich. (It's a tough burden, but someone has to carry it)

Now, if you want to know your pastors true position on tithing, just tell him you are tithing "Somewhere Else". He will then tell you that you should tithe where you get fed! You then tell him that you get fed mostly from Christian TV or the Power of Faith Ministries Website.

If you do this, I can guarantee that next Sunday, the sermon will "not" be about tithing. Instead, it will be about "Planting a Seed, Offerings, Love Gifts etc.." Now there is another subject for another time. Planting a seed!

The word Seed, usually is translated as the "Word of God" ("that" is the seed we are supposed to be planting) but they like to make it exclusively about money. (what a shock!)

You can set your watch by these things! The prelude to the passing of the offering plate is, the story of the poor widow who gave all she had to the Church (two copper coins amounting to about one cent) Mark 12:42

What you don't get from the pulpit, is the "Whole Story". To get the true meaning of what Jesus was saying, you need only, to back up four verses to Mark 12:38 Jesus just finished saying how the scribes "devored widows houses, but offered long prayers for appearance's sake.

Jesus was not so much pointing out the virtue of the poor widow tithing, as he was pointing out the greed of the Church and how they were Ripping her off!

Another golden oldie that you hear just before the clang of the offering plate is Matthew 23:23 ~

Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

What Jesus said was true! "They should not have neglected tithing! (and they did tithe) However, this scripture does "not" apply to you. The Scribes and Pharisee's that Jesus was talking to, (and Jesus himself) Were at that time, living under the "old covenant"

Jesus not only lived by all of those laws, he fulfilled them! So, at the very instant Jesus died, the new covenant took effect and the old one was done away with. (like turning off a light switch)

There is nothing wrong with giving to the Church, providing they are doing the true work of God. Matter of fact, I would encourage you to do so. But tithing is nothing more than a "work".

A "work" is anything you do, expecting payment (in any form) in return. If you do this, it will most likely have the reverse effect, and not the one you intended. When God opens up the windows of heaven, all you might get is "wet".