No tithes? No blessings! Generations measures your Christianity by your giving
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John: If you have a member, a church member, who isn't tithing or isn't tithing enough, and they need help, they're S.O.L?
Rich: Yeah.
John: Wow. Wow!
Rich: Let me tell you why. Let's say you're tithing. And let's say this guy right here, "Joe", he doesn't tithe. Should I take your money and give it to him?
John: I have a question about the ethics of your philosophy. I'm serious. Because it doesn't seem like you should, if you have a group of people following you or using your house of worship, and for whatever reason one of them isn't tithing, then you're not going to help them. That's very surprising to me.
Rich: We're going to teach them about tithing. ...
I find it frightening that a pastor thinks he has the right to ACT for God in deciding who should and shouldn't be blessed. It's ludicrous that Rich Witmer believes he can teach lessons on God's behalf. Romans 12:19-20 says, "Do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. But, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in doing so you will be heaping fiery coals on his head." This suggests that it is not man's job to determine blessings and punishments -- that's God's job. Shame on Rich Witmer for thinking he's like God!
I also asked Rich if the Bible says tithes have to be money. He said, "It's always money." However, other Christian churches teach their members that tithes can be time, money, or talent. In addition, other churches also don't force members to pay tithes directly to the church. Instead, legitimate churches allow individuals to give their tithes to other charities.
From a psychological perspective, I question a church system that actually monitors how much each member is giving to the church. This activity creates a level of pressure to give more than one can afford because the followers are aware that they are being "measured" on their tithing behavior. The pastor himself even said that he will check a member's tithing record before offering assistance.
Hey Gunny,
Thanks for this website! Our shop has some guys who have been brainwashed and are following the Generations idea of giving away $$ to be loved by God. Sad but true. I have been asked by several different individuals to join them at cell or attend a barbecue. I always politely and tactfully say NO! Anyway, thanks and hope you expose this guy to the world. You should do the "ask the CO a question" the the desert warrior and ask see what he thinks NCOs should do about maybe giving an indoc or something along those lines for warnings about giving your money away. Sorry- it's late and I'm running on empty. This post probably makes very little sense but thought I would write a little something and I will definitely spread this website around! In the words of Borat, Very nice!
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Just want to encourage you with what you are doing here. You're a top bloke for making a solid stand. All the best.
Andrew
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Id like to say a few things really quick after listening to this. Tithing isnt always money. It's support, it's lending out what you have to help others. What did the people in the bible tithe? Time to the church and Grain, food. And the lord promised to open the flood gates and return it to them ten fold. They didn't give up gold or silver. They didnt have it. They gave what they could. And the lord only asked for 10% of their crop because he knew they could handle it and not have any problems. Where did it say they gave 10% then went and starved and took out a loan? No where. God will not task you with what you cannot handle. And to push that for yourself is just ludacrous. And as for helping others. Especially non Christians. Thats where he's wrong. Look at the masses that Jesus helped. The whore, the blind man, the lame. Were they christians? NO. Its love thy neighbor, its not Love thy neighbor only if he is a christian. You're supposed to be there to help no matter what the circumstances. Especially as a pastor. Maybe you can't help someone with money. But maybe you could council them teach them how to be thrifty. DO what you can within your limitations. Remember the lord will not task you with what you cannot handle.
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wow, John when I was attending I never put my name on the envelope that I enclosed my 10% on, so now I know when I was in emotional distress why they didn't care and it wasn't a problem me leaving, because I was looked up and they didn't see any tithe for me in there system or on the books how ever they keep it. My blessings should not be based on my financial situation, I have been hurting financially since I got out of the military and its sad to say that the people that helped me were not from the church but non-believers, darn I should of put my name on those tithing envelopes, but I never kept track of it for tax purposes even while my whole time in the military all my donations, charity work, building schools never expected any recognition for it. I gave because I wanted to and I didn't expect tax exemptions back in return, even though I gave to Navy Relief every month for 8 1/2 years and when I needed them they didn't help me, I didn't stop giving to them, I figured someone else maybe in more need then I. I don't believe in giving to get back something in return but I see how this church operates and it saddens me these people who are vulnerable are going to be taken advantage of and learn if you don't give money then no blessings and this isn't so. I believe the church has a purpose and some how lost track along the way from the mission that was set in front of them. thank for the infromative information, like I said before in an email, for a long time I thought something was wrong with me and I believed I wasn't good enough because I didn't live up to their teachings or standards, but I now know its Gods word not theres. Thanks and God Bless.
P.S. I agree with a comment, it should be part of indoc, checking into a command to be briefed on giving money away, the bible also focuses on taking care of your finances and paying your bills.
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G12 is a franchise operation. Rich pays to be part of the orginazation. It's all about money and profit. Tithes are mandatory, offering is mandatory. Opening a cell is mandatory-it commits you even further into the system. (and guarantees them your income)
Rich is "owned" by Cesar in much the same way he owns his disciples.
That church has so much money it's sickening- but they don't even employ a janitorial service!! In addition to going to open cell as well as leadership cell and having a cell... going to church and classes on Sunday (with homework) The cells are required to spend time cleaning the place- toilets and all!!!
Thanks John for this site..... expose this place for what it is! Good on ya!
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are u serious? G12 is a franchise my god...!! our church adopt the g12 but honestly we never bought castillanos business. thats ridiculous! this church need to investigate!
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Yuma residents please let us take an action and do something for this guy.Generations is business not church.
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check this out. people we had in our cell, had no electric, no water, late on rent. Asked the church for help, and was told no............now check out this link! whose money he use? http://web.mac.com/leocarlo/iWeb/Site/Club%20Noah%20Web.html
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So glad that they enjoyed their resort vacation while I was tithing and giving what I could. While they enjoyed their time, I was scraping to get by. Thanks Pastors!
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Actually, every church is a business.
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yeah isnt it nice to know while you are literally starving and end up homeless because you tithed all you had and it wasnt enough for Rich and "his" house of worship.....they were sunning it up at some resort?
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OH DEAR GOD I WANT TO PUKE!!!!!!!
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What worries me is that these people are featuring prominently in the ucoming world G12 conference. If people this high up in the G12 vision are acting this way, then it suggests to me that there is something very wrong with the whole G12 system. It's funny because when I went to a G12 church, it wascommon knowledge that many of the South American female leaders(from poor countries) were getting boob jobs, yet nobody questioned this, or wondered 'is this tithe money that they are spending?'. We just put it down to cultural differences or something. You learn not to question the leadership, since so much emphasis is placed on authority and submission... and curses if you choose to leave.
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Apparently Rich is being audited finally by the IRS. Let's hope he's slipped up somewhere so he can be exposed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUnfMtLZYQ0
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