Quote:
Originally Posted by bbyrd009
I can only imagine how our individual images of tithing became so disparate; but I have never felt "extorted," and would laugh in the face of anyone who made the claims that your shorthand (I presume) above attributes to "tithing." I would have to get my ducks lined up to present a good argument, here, but this seems to be a great description of what tithing is not? Without even looking, Christ Himself as much as said that extorted money is not a tithe?
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bbyrd009, You are fortunate to never have experienced some of what I consider malarkey when it comes to tithing.
You are blessed for never feeling "extorted", but I can tell you names and places in years gone by where people lived on food stamps, lost businesses, and even borrowed money to pay tithes because they were (for the lack of a better description) guilted - or
extorted - into paying tithes. The worst thing any minister can say about NT tithing is that it is a NT commandment, not much unlike the claim by some pastors that it is
God's tithe. The comment Jesus made to the Pharisees about tithing mint, anise and cummin was a rebuke to their own sense of importance over their own understanding of the minutae of the Law while overlooking the things that God considers important...
Yes, having finances is necessary in order to minister to the poor, the orphans, widows, sick and imprisoned but the tithing system became outdated when the old lamb was replaced by the Lamb of God, the laver of water replaced by the "sprinkling of the word", and the Holy of Holies replaced by the Holy Ghost. Behold ALL things are become new.
It is neither a New Testament "obligation" (although most apostolic pastors will disagree vehemently because it touches their income level), nor is it
God's tithe, because every requirement of the Law was and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ alone. There are far too many examples for me to give you of people I know personally that have either had to apply for assistance, lose a business, or alter their lifestyle (which conversely increased the lifestyle of the pastor), some even borrowing money over the sense of guilt applied. The extortion and/or guilt over tithing is group-think that is promoted by lead pastors. I am glad that you have never had to experience it.
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