Christians should be giving cheerfully, not out of extortion or compulsion. I love Concise Oxford Dictionary. It say “extort” means to obtain by force, threats, or other unfair means and “compulsion” means the action or state of compelling or being compelled; constraint or an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one’s conscious wishes.
To advice the Church members to go through the Statement of Accounts which is to me the Book of Life to make sure that their names are not listed as “Zero” or else they will be visited by the “tax collectors” is extortion. It is not not scriptural at all. To track cheerful giving by account number is actually clubbing and totally against all sound Christian teachings. click here
Yes, as New Testaments Christians, we should be giving cheerfully. I totally agree that tracking and publishing the amount of tithe paid by members is indeed 1st class clubbing. God Bless.
By: Jenny on June 18, 2009
at 3:19 pm
For me, God accept whatever amount I give
By: Boy on June 18, 2009
at 3:21 pm
The account book is forcing me to tithe.
By: No name on June 18, 2009
at 3:22 pm
Just as a church may say that our view on giving reflects where our hearts are, the church that focuses on receiving has the same heart problem. It sounds as if your church ignores Paul’s comments on giving under complusion. Now, if a church wants to operate as a social organization like the local “LA Fitness” club where membership comes with dues, then I guess that makes sense. Pay your dues or no longer be a member. Either way, the church’s focus is wrong.
It is part of why I withdrew my membership from my church.
Consider why Jesus died on the cross… so that we could have big buildings, mortgages on them that we struggle to pay, and full time ministers on staff drawing a salary and benefits from the members???
No, I don’t think so. In a sense, a church that DEMANDS a 10% tithe is the newest version of a “den of thieves”.
When Jesus sent out the disciples, he told them to go make disciples of the nations. He didn’t say go build yourself a nice building, put on a nice show, play some cool music, and take people’s money.
Show me a church that is ministering to people, bringing people to a saving faith, and meeting the needs of it neighbors and I’ll bet you I can show you a church where people are happy to give because they see the fruits of their labor.
A few things about Malachi–it was to the nation of Israel, not to individuals. It begins with “An oracle: The word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.”
First, we as believers are NOT the nation of Israel. Second, even if we were, this is still an agricultural message. It is talking about the tithe in agricultural terms, not financial. And third, it goes back to the law of tithing which we as Christians are no longer under.
I encourage you to keep your faith and seek the truth that is God’s alone–not man’s interpretation of it because we do corrupt it with our own views. Never let the failings of man shake your faith!!!
By: trebord on June 25, 2009
at 1:44 pm
LOL! I just could not stop laughing. Tracking the amounts that members give is truly clubbing. And what is so sad is that it is a club without any benefits.
If you join the gym, your member dues allows you to use all the facilities within the gym. You use them at your convenience, the way you like. But what is the benefit of church dues sorry I meant tithes to the giver? None whatsoever! All you get is a healthy dose of brainwashing and personal opinions in the name of the gospel.
Christians should try to read their bibles
By: Tony Isaac on June 26, 2009
at 5:14 pm