Are you being commanded to tithe? Navy chaplain speaks out!
The following article was published Sept. 27, 2007, in the official military newspaper of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ. Yuma's false teachers, Rich and Melissa Witmer (and all their sidekicks), mandate heavy tithing and offerings in order to be monetarily "blessed" by God. This message is an abberation of Scripture.
Lt Osborne holds a Master's in Divinity from an accredited seminary, and speaks out against this false doctrine based on his significant and studied knowledge of the Bible.
-----------------------
The 11th Commandment?
By U.S. Navy Lt. Shawn Osborne
Lt Osborne holds a Master's in Divinity from an accredited seminary, and speaks out against this false doctrine based on his significant and studied knowledge of the Bible.
-----------------------
The 11th Commandment?
By U.S. Navy Lt. Shawn Osborne
Station Protestant Chaplain
MCAS Yuma, Arizona
When I was a seminarian, I had the privilege of serving as a youth pastor for a small rural church in Minnesota. Every year, one Sunday in September was devoted to reminding the congregation on the importance of tithing. In passing I told one of my seminary professors about it and he told me tithing is part of Jewish law and not a part of the Christian faith. I argued back, “But it’s in the Bible!” “Yes, it is in the Bible,” he replied, “but, not in the New Testament.” I was dumbfounded; so I went and did my own investigation and, sure enough, he was right.
The closest bit of Scripture the New Testament gives us is found in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Guess what; you can cheerfully give of your time and talents. As difficult as it is to get people to give money, getting people to donate their time and talent is even more difficult. Churches across the country are struggling to get their members to give up their evenings for youth group or choir practice -- 10 percent (if that) of the congregation does 90 percent of the work.
I have heard several churches and Christian radio programs that preach tithing as the 11th Commandment. The Apostle, Paul, warns us in Galatians 5:2-4, “Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
Again, I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” The same can be said regarding tithing. If you maintain tithing as part of a command, then you better be eating kosher, abstaining from eating meat with blood still in it, and refraining from getting tattoos.
All of these laws are a part of the old Levitical code and not a part of the Christian faith. Isn’t it convenient that the one law churches will pull from Jewish law is the one that benefits them the most? To be candid, I wish I could mandate a tithe. There would be a lot less hungry and homeless people today if people gave 10 percent of their income to the church. People spend a lot more than that on entertainment, toys and designer clothing!
Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 9:13, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” God doesn’t need your money, he desires your heart. If you’re tithing simply to get blessings from God, then you better check the purity of your motivation.
Jesus never promised an easy life. When a person becomes a Christian, they are turning in one set of problems for another set of problems. The stresses and temptations of life don’t magically disappear. On the contrary, Satan will increase his efforts to get you out of Jesus’ fold. Three Gospels record Jesus telling his disciples, “All men will hate you because of me.”
Read “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” sometime and tell me if the early Christians were blessed by worldly standards. Check out the “Voice of the Martyrs” Web site and see the persecution Christians in other countries are facing today. It’s easy to preach a prosperity gospel in the United States because we’re not facing threats of imprisonment or death for our faith. But try preaching that to a Christian in Saudi Arabia. It won’t work because it’s not biblical.
I'm so glad to see this post; I hope Generations people are reading your blog and the Desert Warrior!! Generations people are commanded to tithe... or face the wrath of an unhappy God. I can tell you that they keep tabs and if you are in leadership and miss a payday; it will be noticed and brought to your attention. They go far beyond the 10% tithe....That's just the beginning. There is an annual Missions conference that individuals commit to- this offering is collected once a month in addition to the tithe. There is also the weekly offering that is preached- 10% is the have to- that's the minimum. "Doesn't God deserve more than the minimum?" That's the message that is spoken, so kick in an extra $10 or $20 for this. Now let's not forget pastor appreciation week. That's another collecting time- and the gifts that are given to the pastors are pretty extravagant. Trips most of the time- a week in Hawaii is what I saw! Now I'll tell you what I didn't see.... not once did I see the church help it's own needy. I've attended cells that took up yet another collection for an individual that was struggling with finances. Again another collection from my pocket- not a dime from the church!! They go on missions trips from a separate offering to facilitate cell planting, to go to conferences, etc etc. And like you said before John, Rich speaks at other G12's and is paid from that as well as other pastors speaking at Generations for a fee. When other pastors speak at Generations there is an offering collected for them specifically!!
The church I now attend collects an offering and asks that its members also serve. I gladly give of both my time and money (not 10%) but what I feel in my heart to give. This church however gives in return. This church gives a significant amount back to the needy. Within the congregation as well as to the missions it supports in other countries. The pastor does not brag about the vehicle he drives or the house he lives in!!!
Reply to this
The Good News - Jesus came in the form of man, shed His Blood for the forgiveness of sins, was buried, raised to life; now seated at the right hand of the Father!
NOT THE GOOD NEWS OF MONEY!!!
Reply to this
Commanded to tithe- you bet they are!!!
Cha-Ching! Maybe Rich will get a new BMW with the additional 10% the church will be getting with the coming tax rebates!!
Reply to this
First of all I support this website.
But I must make a comment on this article.
Yes, tithing is really an Old Testament belief BUT, the New Testament teaching of Christ is to give it all away and follow Him. I'm not saying that we all must have no posessions but must not withhold things from God that we have and He can use, money included. Time is more important than the money for service but we can see how the Lord was pleased with Abel giving his best to God. I believe we should give our best to God in all areas of our life.
Reply to this
Good point; BUT, you should give $$ directly to the people, not launder it through "ANY" organization.
What's your motive? A tax credit?
Do you have enough discernment to recognize a need and meet it? Or do you need Witmer or someone else to think for you?
You are right about giving God our best in all areas of our life, but the author of this article is correct in pointing out; "God doesn’t need your money, he desires your heart. If you’re tithing simply to get blessings from God, then you better check the purity of your motivation."
You say; "I'm not saying that we all must have no posessions..."
But Jesus says: Give it ALL away, pick up your cross and follow Him.
You are on the right track, I pray you continue to grow in grace.
Grace, Peace & Mercy from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reply to this