5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% Tithe
 

I recently heard of an evangelist teaching that beyond the tithe, saints are required to give an offering of 5% of their increase. His scriptures for this come from Exodus 30:13-15. What say ye?

Exd 30:13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel [is] twenty gerahs:) an half shekel [shall be] the offering of the LORD.

Exd 30:14 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.

Exd 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when [they] give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

He stated that the shekel of the sanctuary represented the tithe, and so therefore half of the tithe (an half shekel) should be given as an offering.

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

I have heard the 10% for tithes and 5% for offerings "doctrine" most of my life.

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This was known as the "Half Shekel Heresy" for years. Daniel Seagraves wrote an excellent article refuting these claims in the UPC's minister's magazine The Forward. I think it was about 1995 or 1996 or so that the Seagraves article came out.

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i've heard of this before and practiced it for awhile

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Also known as "Tithe Plus Five..."

It was promoted as a way to buy your healing and even salvation for your soul. Reminds one of Luther's controversy with Indulgences back in the 16th century. The same spirit motivates both schemes.

The full context: Exodus 30:13-16 -

"And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls."

A correct understanding would include the fact that a literal half shekel is involved here under Moses's Law, not a percentage. Further, the offering was dedicated to the maintenance of the Tabernacle itself where the blood was shed for the people's atonement. What's the analogy for that today? Are you trying to "buy Calvary?"

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

The half-shekel, as you quoted in verse 30:15 bears out the idea of an atonement for your soul. It wouldn't take much to understand that Jesus is the ransom or atonement for our souls - hence the teaching is erroneous for the NT church.

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Anyone have a copy or link to Daniel Segraves' article? I am curious.

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Are these "familiar spirits"?

Your personal; opinion may not exactly line up with new followers selling all in acts to follow the kingdom

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

The followers you appear to be referring to in the Book of Acts sold all and distributed the proceeds among their fellow believers.

This was not an offering for the maintenance of a place for blood sacrifices as required by the Law. It was benevolence among kindred believers. Also, as Peter told Ananias and Sapphira- "When it was in your hand it was yours to dispense with as you chose..."

The money was not given as a result of a command, and it certainly was not intended to be an "atonement for their souls."

It is my "personal opinion" that the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient for the atonement of our souls. http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...cons/icon7.gif

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

I had a response written up for this one. However I'll just quote Jack, many "Can't handle the truth!"

The concept and others are not truth....

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I remember it very distinctly because I was brought into a pulpit to "share" this idea and I refused to go along. One person shouted me down from the congregation because "... That's not what Bro. ... preaches!"

The Brother in question was a local district official who promoted the "Half Shekel" teaching otherwisee known as "Tithe + Five."

The Seagraves article came out the very next week and I brought it with me into the pulpit the following Sunday. It seemed to be too much of a "coincidence" to ignore. I wouldn't be fired for about another year or so as I recollect. To my knowledge, there is no publicly available archive of The Forward since it's intended to be "ministers only."

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I think of most that have around this forum for a while have read the threads concerning whether of not tithes is even a NT command.

Most know it is not in the NT...shoot it's not even commanded in the OT as we practice it today.

Charitable giving to help good causes, especially the poor is the most you can come up with that the NT teaches.

I give charitably to the church, over 10 %, but I told my wife to quit writing tithes in the memo.

I don't want my pastor to be lost for taking them for preaching.

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NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING!!!???!!! http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...ontbelieve.gif

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

You must have gone to an interesting church. ;)

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I repent I said I wasn't going to post but here goes.

The man this originated with preached several messages he made up from whole cloth. He was on the circuit preaching this and then others copied and followed. It spread like wildfire.

There is NOT ONE IOTA of Bible for this absurd 1/2 shekel teaching.

M.L. Walls of the ALJC wrote an article in the Witness concerning this false teaching. He call it extortion in the Name of the Lord.

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

Whatever we give is our blessing...however to teach this as a bible truth I cannot see it...may our giving far exceed the 5% mandatory offerings...

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Is this the same as "the Temple Tax" that was going around several years ago?

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Yes.

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I must commend those who have challenged this teaching. The person(s) responsible for this 10% plus 5% are the ones about whom it is written, "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies , which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith : so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling ;(having…: or, not aiming at) Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good , if a man use it lawfully; ..."

The attempt to make merchandise of the saints, by manipulating both the content and the context of this passage (Ex 30:13-15), is a classic case of scripture being twisted to "support" some man-made agenda. Or, the preachers who teach the 10 + 5 doctrine are simply ignorant of the Hebrew history, religion, and language and have joined the ranks of the blind teachers attempting to make blind followers.

Again, those who have challenged this precept, thank you and God's grace be unto you.

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

BINGO. Ya hit the nail on the head my friend.

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He's wrong the 5% and the tithes. Shekel is not tithes. Man, people come up with some junk sometimes.

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

Wasn't the half shekel offering a once a year thing anyways? If so why is brought out.

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

How about a half shekel, from half wits to half wits?? :-)

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I've never heard this taught in my entire life. Is it kind of a regional thing?

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Naw. Just by those who want bigger churches (building wise).

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LOL! Well, we're getting ready to enter a MAJOR building program for a new sanctuary. Maybe we could incorporate this new doctrine.

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I think it will work as long as you are able to promise that those giving will be receive a percentage of those who give down line!

After 6-12 months all they will have to do is walk to their mailboxes to pick up their checks.

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Ugh........you wouldn't believe how many of these schemes people have tried to suck us into over the years. They always come after preachers/pastors because they think they can reach your whole congregation. Melaluca, Shaklee, etc. etc. etc.

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I know of a congregation close by that just built a new building.

They are strongly encouraging 20% from all of their members.

They are gonna have to have that too, to just survive.

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Yep... Luke Levine just preached this exact thing in a revival (of all things) in my area. It has caused quite the controversy. I'm glad people are questioning! Thank God for people who are starting to realize that it's NOT good stewardship of the intelligence God gave us to park our brains with our cars before we walk into the church building.

1 Thessalonians 5.21 - Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.

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Bingo! :thumbsup

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i am wondering what an evangelist is doing teaching on giving in a church, that is the pastors job, dt

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You get in good if you preach on giving.:thumbsup

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It does lift a burden from the pastor at times. However, it should be a scriptural lesson based on the Word, not some man-made contivance designed to make merchandise of the flock.

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Jaamez, are you certain about this? Not doubting your word, it's just I would be a bit disappointed and would like to know more. We're you there, for example? Did he cite the passage from Exodus 30?

Was there a "promise" offered for "healing" and "atonement" for those who gave the "Tithe + 5%"?

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This was taught over 20 years ago and just about did my husband in. He had just come out of the Baptist church and was amazed so many were buying into this, as Jesus bought our atonement.

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I was not there personally as I'm no longer associated with that assembly. But I know HUNDREDS who were there, having talked to several myself. I have also personally seen the three-page notes handout that was passed out before the message. I'll get a copy myself and let you know more if you're interested. I DO know that he specifically referred to the half-shekel after the sanctuary shekel.

On this topic, there was another pastor in the area who took it even further - preaching as a command that the 10% tithe is exclusively for "the ministry", and an additional 5% is required for general offering, and additional 5% is required for building fund, and 3% is required for missionary offerings. A whopping 23% of your income was immediately confiscated by this joker's preaching. So much for the gospel being good news to the poor!

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Cranky Jankee...that sermon would make me leave that church. I do believe that offerrings are above and separate from tithing but it has to come from abundance and a thankful heart. The Bible teaches good stewardship and this applies to churches also. They should not overbuild and tax the people until they are worn out and paupers.

JMHO.
Blessings, Rhoni

Re: 5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% T
 

I was taught that for years; however, I have grown to understand that "giving" cannot be mandated.

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:thumbsup AMEN! Just like holiness cannot be legislated. Holiness is taking on the nature and character of Christ.