One on-going indictment leveled against many churches is their constant pleas for money. Specifically, the subject of tithing often comes under scrutiny. Sadly, a lot of shame-based teaching surrounds this important practice.
Many suggest that those who don’t tithe come under a curse. They support their premise using a passage from Malachi 3:7-9, “Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. But you ask, ‘How are we to return? Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…’”
I personally tithe because I love giving into earth’s greatest enterprise—the Kingdom of God! Yet, I struggle with the negative, shame-based approach many leaders take when it comes to this wonderful privilege. A lot of guilt surrounds church offerings! It’s easy to get caught up in the negative cycle of reminding people what they’re NOT doing, instead of giving them positive, Christ-honoring reasons to respond to gospel directives. Shaming people always pushes them away.
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