It seems that items of interest come in waves of sorts. Last week, I posted the first article in a series on Tithing. Meanwhile, wouldn’t you know it but that I came across a couple of related blog articles.
First, David Ben-Ariel posted the below video “Religious Truth (Herbert W. Armstrong)” on one of his (many) blog sites, Worldwide Church of God. In this composite video of different presentations by Herbert W Armstrong (HWA), HWA speaks about the different Christian denominations, the Sabbath, tithing and other topics.
HWA said, “We [as a nation] don’t believe in tithing!” Yes, you can see that in the comments of another blog article, “To Tithe or Not To Tithe,Church Member Gets Shocking Letter From Pastor.”, posted on the same day on The Old Black Church! blog. There are so many in the comments section that get worked up about tithing. However, that’s not what I want to focus on today.
Emma Hafferkamp says her friend has been distraught ever since she received the letter. "In the letter, it says she had only tithed twice last year and she needed to pay her tithes within thirty days or her name would be removed from the membership list," Haffercamp told 27NEWSFIRST.
I want to point out that the pastor in that article is wrong. When I give you Biblical evidence that the mandate in Scripture is to tithe, I want you to understand that it is your obligation to fulfill that mandate, not your pastor’s. It is between you and your Creator.
God knows what the church members are doing. We are to create and maintain a relationship with Him, not a man.
Let me be blunt: Churches that check up on their members in such a manner are cults.
And if that shoe fits any of your past or present associations, then let them wear it!
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
~ 3Jn 8
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
~ 2Co 1:23-24
Notice Paul said “we” (he and Timothy, v 1) are “helpers” and don’t have “dominion over your faith”. Yes, ministers have authority in the Church for Church matters, but not over your faith.
…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
~ Php 2:12c