In the Church of God world, Passover has always been a time of inward introspection and self-examination as to why people do the silly signs they do even though they know it is wrong. But lately, the expectation is that COG members examine themselves as to why they don't give more money or tithe more or support the "work" more diligently.
Richard Ames writes to the Living Church of God members:
TITHES AND OFFERINGS: Have you been faithful in paying your tithes to God this past year? Have you been faithful in giving offerings? Be honest with yourself. Stealing from God is a serious matter. "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ’In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation" (Malachi 3:8–9).
God owns the earth, and everyone and everything on it. He promises to provide our every need (Philippians 4:19). God provides for His children, but some have "little faith" and do not trust Him (Matthew 6:30). He gave this admonition: "’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ’If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it’" (Malachi 3:10). God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and He promises to abundantly bless the tithe payer. Those who have faithfully saved their Festival tithe know firsthand the joy God gives at His annual festivals.
Examine your degree of faithfulness this past year with God’s tithe. Have you stolen from God? Have you saved a full Festival tithe? Ask God for the ability to give. Trust and honor Him in your tithes and offerings. If you have been a thief this past year, ask God’s forgiveness, determine to trust Him this coming year, then take the Passover in faith!One of the biggest lies used as a weapon to intimidate church members was the accusation that people were "robbing God" when they did not tithe or give lots of offerings. It was a control tactic deliberately spit out to instil fear in church members and make them compliant.
from: Tithe no more
4 comments:
Amongst churches of almost every denomination, tithing is ubiquitous. While Catholics base their tithing on decisions made in the Sixth Century, and enforced by Charlemagne, it's difficult finding a common reason among Protestants. One Protestant teacher said that the "Apostles decided on 10%" -- he also said the Apostles changed worship to Sunday...
The Tithing Papers in Ambassador Report, and Dr Martin's Tithing Question, along with Jewish sources refute any proofs that may be offered for mandatory tithing today. We know that HWA copied GG Rupert's teaching on payment of first, second and third tithe. Once I read where HWA (misunderstanding what "binding and loosing" means) ruled (Levitical) tithing be extended from produce and livestock to all forms of income.
The argument given from the R/WCG and then the splinters is based on Hebrews, but this again is poor scholarship. The statement on tithing raised in Hebrews is not about replacement of the Levitical system with a return of the Melchizedek priesthood, but a contrast. Levites and the Aaronic Priesthood on Earth, Melchizedek in Heaven; if Jesus was on Earth, he would not be a priest (Heb 8:4).
That doesn't rule out support for the ministry by freewill offerings, with cheerful givers...
At the church I attend, an independent pentecostal/apostolic congregation, teaches tithing is not binding on new testament Christians and we only give AS WE ARE ABLE. We are not under old testament tithing laws. I give as The Lord has prospered me.
This is from the March/April 2009 living church news
ACOGs don’t so much keep the Old Covenant holy days. They exploit them.
BB
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