5% Mandatory Offering Required on top of 10% Tithe

[CrankyYankee]

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.

[RandyWayne]

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

[pelathais]

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.

[Dedicated Mind]

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

[pelathais]

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?"

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by CrankyYankee

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.

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.

[CrankyYankee]

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

[coadie]

Originally Posted by pelathais

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.

Are these "familiar spirits"?

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

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by coadie

Are these "familiar spirits"?

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

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.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by CrankyYankee

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.

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....