UCG: Tithing Converts The Soul

 

The boys in Cincinnatti are on a roll trying their hardest to make you believe you need to be funding their jobs with tithe money. Apparently, when you tithe, you are converting your soul.

Psalms 19:7 states, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Is that true when it comes to tithing? At the surface level, tithing can appear to be a mere physical commandment, ensuring that resources are given for God’s Work. However, the verse above indicates that cannot be the whole story! Tithing, as part of God’s law, has a part in “converting the soul”—have we considered how it does so? And how does tithing impart wisdom to a person? 

 

Tithing, like all of God’s commandments, teaches spiritual lessons about our Creator. Paul attests to this, saying, “For we know that the law is spiritual” (Romans 7:14). Tithing is a spiritual command that has a spiritual impact on us—converting our soul and bringing about meaningful changes in our minds and hearts.

Giving your chunks of change apparently changes your heart. So empty those pockets boys! YOu too can have a changed heart by dumping the chunks of change into the offering basket. God wants to hear the money clanging!

1st tithe, according to UCG:

The first tithe has the effect of changing our heart into a heart for God’s work to be done. God is still working here on earth, and we can be a part of that work! When we send our first tithe to the Church, placing it into God’s hands, we become personally invested in preaching the gospel to the world, making disciples and caring for those disciples. We have then contributed our own resources to the effort and put our own skin in the game. When we give first tithe, we can remember how we benefited from the tithes of others, giving thanks for how we first learned God’s truth and asking God to bless our contribution to help others learn His ways and find support through our pastors and congregations.

The new covenant says believers give according to how they have been blessed, freely, without stipulation. No command, but freely given. 

2nd tithe, according to UCG:

The second tithe develops in us a heart of obedience. Deuteronomy 12:14, in instructing us to go and keep God’s festivals, says “there you shall do all that I command you.” Laying up the second tithe for our family gives us the resources to go and do what God has commanded. In keeping the Holy Days, we not only humbly reflect on and rejoice in the blessings He has given us, but we also learn more deeply about His plan of salvation and connect with His people in fellowship. In this way, the second tithe cultivates obedience to God’s entire law and sets our heart toward obeying Him in every part of our lives.

Since holy days are not a new covenant command, being COMMANDED to keep the second tithe is not a requirement. Use that money for a real vacation. 

3rd tithe, according to UCG:

The third tithe sets our heart on the outgoing love of God. God cares about all people—He doesn’t want anyone to starve or suffer poverty or live on the street! Sometimes people find themselves in such situations by their own bad choices or problematic behavior and sometimes it’s through no fault of their own. But in every situation these people are hurting and God cares for them. The third tithe is only one of many commandments God gives regarding help for the poor, and the message for all of them is the same: God wants us to develop deep compassion for our fellow man. Whether it’s when we pay our taxes or whether we set aside third tithe beyond that, God wants our heart focused on those in this world who are in need. We ought also to recognize that we were all once spiritually poor, and God has given us exceedingly great riches with the precious knowledge of His truth!

Sadly, in the COG movement, very little of the 3rd tithe money ever really went to the poor, widows, or orphans. Even in the mother church (WCG) there were persistent tales about ministers using 3rd tithe to remodel homes (like Rod Meredith did) or that money being used for other pet projects of ministers or church leaders (buying artwork, gold, and silver finery. The stories are all over the internet about church members being told they don't deserve 3rd tithe money, even though they are struggling. Ministers will be very vocal in how begrudgingly they hand out some of the money. 

Tithing is a big deal, and it’s important not to take this act of worship for granted as we go on fulfilling it year after year. We work hard for the money that we earn, and to willingly give it over to God at His command requires ongoing humility and faith! 

 

But tithing goes far beyond an exercise of physical obedience—it is about God directing our heart to where He wants it to go. God wants our heart to be invested in His Work. God wants a heart that will “go and do” all His commands, including keeping His festivals. God wants a heart that is generous and inclined to the needy. 

 

If we obey God in this and worship Him not just in the flesh but with understanding in the Spirit, then His law will have the intended effect, “converting the soul” and “making wise the simple.” How Tithing Directs Our Hearts to God’s Purposes

If only UCG ever talked about Jesus Christ with such passion, then they too might really feel the "converting the soul" experience that Christians have understood for centuries. 

Fleecing the Flock - The One Thing COG's Are Good At

 

TITHING: The fleecing of the flock!

Unfortunately, many Christian leaders have appropriated the Old Testament principle of tithing to support their ministries. The reasons for this misappropriation of the flock's resources are obvious: 1) it provides them with a substantial and reliable source of income, and 2) by grounding it in Scripture, they can claim that it is a Divine requirement - not something which they have instituted in their own self-interest! In other words, church leaders can claim with a straight face that anyone who fails to tithe is actually robbing God and hurting themselves, not the folks who are actually collecting and spending the money! In this way, these ministers have quite cleverly imposed a self-policing mental straitjacket on their parishioners.

In the now-defunct Worldwide Church of God (and in many of its descendants), the tithing principle was probably exploited more effectively than in any of the other Christian groups which have employed it! In addition to demanding that their members give one-tenth of their gross income to the church, they also expected members to set aside a "second" tithe (to be used in attending their annual eight-day celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles referenced in the Torah), and a third ten percent every third year (ostensibly designated to help their poorer members). "How do you convince folks to devote such a large percentage of their incomes to the practice of their faith?" you may be wondering. They accomplished this in part by claiming that God would more than makeup for what they were sacrificing financially. In this regard, one of their favorite quotations was from the Old Testament book of Malachi: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10, KJV)

In exploring this topic, one of the very first things that we need to point out is that the designation of a "first, second, and third" tithe does NOT appear in the Judeo-Christian canon. That's right - modern religionists use those designations to describe what actually appears in the Torah. In other words, Scripture talks about A tithe that was to be used in a number of different ways by the Israelites. Why would religionists describe them thus? Do you think it's possible that it might have something to do with the fact that having ONE tithe employed in three different ways would naturally reduce the amount of money flowing into the coffers of the church?

Next, one of the most important things that these Christian groups often fail to mention is the context of the tithing mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Not only was tithing clearly identified with the tenets of the OLD Covenant as outlined in the Torah, but it is also very clear that the principle was intimately associated with the AGRICULTURAL economy of ancient Israel! In the book of Leviticus, we read: "And all the tithe of the land (Hebrew "eres" or earth), whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord." (27:30) In addition to crops, we read in the same book: "And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord." (27:32) In other words, the tithe was figured on crops and livestock - It was NOT figured on wages derived from labor! Notice too, that the context also takes for granted the farmer's ownership of the land, the planting of a crop, and the preexistence of a flock or herd! This is made even plainer by the insistence in the book of Deuteronomy that the Israelites tithe on their INCREASE (Hebrew "tebua" or product, yield, crops, gain, revenue) - what was produced THAT year! (See Deuteronomy 14:22, 23 and 28). In other words, ancient Israelites were NOT tithing on their gross income - they were tithing on their NET income from their crops and livestock!

It should also be noted that there is absolutely NO MENTION of using tithing as a means to support the New Testament Church in Scripture! Now, it is true that Jesus Christ pointed out the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees relative to their attitudes towards tithing (see Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42). Jesus underscored the fact that they had neglected the more important aspects of their faith by focusing too much attention on getting tithing right. Christ taught his followers to "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." (Matthew 5:42) Indeed, throughout most of the New Testament, we find the principle expressed that Christians should be motivated to willingly give of themselves and their resources (see Mark 12:41-44, Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35, I Corinthians 16:1-2, II Corinthians 9:7, and Hebrews 13:16). In other words, there is NOTHING in the New Testament to suggest that Christians are under any obligation to tithe on their income and present it to the Church! Moreover, anyone who would suggest that this is a requirement for Christians is almost certainly motivated by self-interest! Christians are clearly obligated to be generous and to be looking to help those who are in need, but there clearly isn't any formula prescribed by Scripture for accomplishing that end!

by Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix

Ex-RCG Member John Wilson: To My Regret, But RCG's Shame

 

John Wilson: To My Regret, But RCG's Shame

 

 

I was in The Restored Church of God splinter, and yes, it's a splinter, too. I had what I call a "crisis of conscience" in 2008, which I won't go into. Anyway, it caused me to turn to the Church of God community for meaning.

 

I first turned to the Living Church of God but never attended a congregation. For some unexplained reason, I was disinvited by the Milwaukee minister. This was in the spring of 2009. So, I turned to RCG because they reminded me of the old Worldwide Church of God with the amount of literature available and the preaching of the gospel. I began attending in May 2009, believing it was the "true church," which I no longer now believe as no one can lock God into a physical organization.

 

I believed that I had found my "home" in RCG. As I used to put it, “Being there was like having a sunny, clear blue sky overhead.” In other words, it was "perfect.” And it was this way for years and years. Then, the "The Greatest Untold Story!” series began in November 2015. “Wow, that was amazing,” is what we all thought. Especially as it lasted longer than the “1,335 Days of the Son of Man” Series of eight parts in 2011. And at the time, learning about prophecy reinforced my belief that it was the "true church" and that David C. Pack was an apostle. How could one not? It was thrilling to learn that we were “so close to the end" as God revealed so much.

 

Then March 2019 rolled around. And DCP stated that Christ would return during the night. It caused me doubts. Why? Simple reason: What did Jesus say (the name Jesus seems to be a name the COGs fear to utter, as they all say Christ instead)? “No one knows the day or hour," and “no one knows the times or seasons.” That was enough for me. No human can possibly know, not now nor ever. It's simply impossible. To quote David C. Pack, "...just believe the verse." But I, too, fell into thinking the church could know the year or month, as DCP taught. Talk about being literal!

 

This is known inside The Restored Church of God as “The Night Watch.” Members of the church across the globe were instructed to stay up all night waiting for Jesus Christ to return. The exact hour was unknown, but we could not be found physically asleep like the foolish virgins in the Matthew 25 parable. DCP speculated that angels on chariots would take members to a gathering place, most likely, to the RCG Headquarters campus in Wadsworth, Ohio. It would then “make plain” the reason for the Campus being built.

 

So while brethren were in their suits and dresses staying up all night, I was blissfully asleep. And, of course, it didn't happen.

 

DCP started setting dates regularly after that. He was fixated with it. We went through every calendar month, whether Jewish or Roman, every holy day season, and every equinox and solstice.

 

I probably would have stayed if he had dropped it in 2019 or 2020. Then, more date settings came during the Feast of Tabernacles in 2019, but this time he spoke about us not going home because the kingdom would arrive before we went home.

 

I didn't believe it. I relied on Jesus's words in Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32, and Acts 1:7. I also don't believe in church eras and that we are in the end times. Acts 1:7 proves it. So, why the Olivet prophecies? I don't know, but wars, famines, diseases, and earthquakes have existed for millennia. That doesn't prove a thing.

 

So, 2020 came around, and "The Greatest Untold Story!" was going on and on and on, even though DCP periodically stated, "I have no more to give." Until he did. Then the Series just became boring, and the church became prophecy-focused. Obsessively so. More and more, DCP gave a new date and never apologized. So much for humility.

 

When the weekly Sabbath services came around, some brethren were very heartbroken. I went through that a time or two because I really wanted to believe that Jesus was returning. Terrible heartbreak from genuine people who just wanted their Savior and God to return so we could be with them forever and help the world. Who wouldn't? Anyone could see it on the brethren's faces. They were crushed!

 

At one point, I asked our local minister to say something to our congregation because people were a dragging anchor with emotional turmoil. Here is the reaction I received: a shrug of the shoulders and an "Oh well, the apostles got it wrong. Daniel got it wrong. Mr. Armstrong got it wrong, too." That was it. Parroting what Pack himself stated more than once.

 

Oh, well. How stupid of us to actually believe what we are being taught in the one true church by the last apostle. Silly us. That was a downright cold-hearted response given by my minister. Just buck up, kids, and press on! What a disservice to folks. Just uncaring.

 

I became very disillusioned in the spring of 2020. Unknown to anyone else (unless they now read this), I stopped listening to Pack's unending series of confusion as he quit giving them on the Sabbath. A pet verse of the COGs is 1 Corinthians 14:33. Hmmm. God is not the author of confusion or disorder. Okay, the series changed from one part to another. Pack is an apostle. This is the true church, but we are drowning in confusion. Who is the author, then? BECAUSE IT'S CONFUSING! I don't say it's the devil or demons, and I won't go there. I believe it's his own delusional mind. DCP is the author of confusion in this ridiculous sermon series.

 

Then, I would catch up on the series after about ten or so to listen while not believing. This happened a couple of times, then I just completely stopped in the summer of 2020. I gave up. He became obsessed with date-setting. Still is, I see.

 

I wanted to leave. There is no way…no way that God is leading this man. This is what I thought then. I was troubled because I couldn't understand (and still don't) how God allowed this person to remain in power. And cause His children to go astray, quit Christianity, become an atheist, go into Churchianity, etc. Where is the love? It befuddles me. How many tests must one endure? With all the date failures, when is enough? Perhaps it is a cult, after all. I didn't want to go to the Feast in 2020. I was sick of being in the church by then. But couldn't leave as I was already booked for the housing and would lose money, and I had five others with me in our rented accommodations. 

 

Someone in the house turned me in because of my attitude toward Pack. I had soured so badly I could not hide it. He saw it and told our minister. I don't blame him. He did the right thing. No one wants divisiveness in their organization. So, I got suspended for three weeks after the Feast for speaking against Pack.

 

I got COVID in Missouri, as well. Thankfully, I was recovering toward the time to leave. So much for God's protection that Pack stated we wouldn't get it. During my suspension, I did feel cut off from the group, I wanted to do what was right, so I self-corrected and was brought back. But it didn't last.

 

The date setting continued. There would be announcements in Member Services, “Everything is still on track. Keep watching.” This meant keep watching Pack fail. I had counted over twenty times from March 2019 to when I left. I quit song-leading, being a host, giving opening and closing prayers, and reading announcements. I was sick of RCG. I just couldn't do it anymore and believed my punishment should have consequences. Then, I gave up taking notes in the long, boring sermons being given weekly. I wanted out. But I couldn't decide on when. Eventually, I had enough when we heard that DCP was giving another part, which would be posted after Sabbath. The next day, I sent in my resignation letter. This was December 2020.

 

 

December 20, 2020

 

Mr. [Minister],

 

I hereby resign my membership in The Restored Church of God, Inc., effective immediately. 

 

John Wilson

 

 

I felt the pain of separation. After all, it was a break-up. However, I know I made the correct decision. Just look at the mess RCG is still in nearly two years after I left. Incredible. People still listen to him despite all the date failures. I suppose I can't be too hard on them. I stayed for a while, too.

 

Good riddance to that false prophet. He is officially worse than Gerald Flurry, Ronald Weinland, and Bob Thiel. Interestingly, Thiel believes Pack, Flurry, and Weinland aren't converted. And that Pack always has coveted money. People can read it for themselves on his website.

 

Deuteronomy 18:22 and Jeremiah 14:14 are applied to these false prophets that have arisen. Just because Pack states he isn't a prophet but explains them doesn't mean he isn't one. Why set dates, then? Once was enough to be discredited. Why not apologize and never do it again?

 

To those still in RCG and are confused emotionally and mentally and are reading this not knowing what to do: the common refrain is "...but there's nowhere else to go." Yes, there is! Get away from Pack, now! Don't believe that the other groups (except PCG, COG-PKG, CCOG) aren't true if you want to stay in the Churches of God organization. Get the mold of RCG out of your heads. Lose the narrative they inculcate you with. Do you honestly think that the only true Christians on the whole globe are only…only in RCG? Do you? Nonsense. (I am speaking of Church of God groups.) Go to one who isn't so obsessed with prophecy. You'll be fine. Don't be afraid of counseling with a professional, either. There is nothing wrong with psychology.

 

For me, The Restored Church of God started as the church but turned into a cult. Authoritarian, obsessed with news and prophecy, led by a narcissistic false prophet.

 

Nearly two years out, I'm better off than in it. I gave Common more than once. But, I gave it to God. Not to RCG or Pack.

 

Regardless of what one does regarding one's beliefs, stay with the Armstrong groups. Stay home. Or go to a Sunday church. Go to another religion. The point is that you'll recover and be fine.

 

Ask yourself: Who is in control of your salvation? God, David Pack, or any other physical church?

 

Does God HAVE to work through RCG only? Are you limiting God to RCG?

 

There is life and sunshine outside of a shriveling little cult in eastern Ohio.

 

 

In accordance with Romans 16:17, which is for brethren to do, I mark David Crowl Pack for causing division and offences, as Paul stated, in the body of Christ and Church of God. He is to be avoided at all costs for lying, coveting, and promoting brethren to leave fellowshipping with God and Jesus.

See: To My Regret, But RCG's Shame