Tithing and Extortion

[jaydam]

I go to a church that teaches tithing and specific blessings that come from it.

It seems to me that to say God wants to bless you, but needs your tithe to do so, is like the mob boss who says he wants to protect you, but needs your money to do so.

I struggle to see why anybody would want to serve a God they see as an extortionist. The gospel they seem to preach is that there is more from God that our money can buy, than what Christ purchased for us.

I do believe that a generous giver will experience blessings related to their giving, but I do not know how to express the difference to my pastor that I see between a lifestyle of generosity with time and things to any who need them vs. a remaining obligation that must be paid to the church one is in to somehow unlock something God otherwise holds back.

Anybody have experience with this, and can give me some keys that have worked before when talking to tithers?

The catch 22 is that a tither can blame all blessings they receive on their tithing, and can tell even the most successful non-tither that there is more awaiting them if they would just tithe, and there seems to be no way to dispute this claim.

The only thing I have been able to do when the scriptural debate fails is to point to all the good things in my life, and tell tithers that I do not practice tithing, yet God blesses me.

[steve]

You've got a good point!

[jaydam]

Thanks Steve, but how do I overcome the catch 22 that seems to offer the tithers a safety net that cannot be really disproven?

Any experience in that area?

[jaydam]

Also, can Romans 8:32 be used to relate to this topic?

While the context does not address tithing, it seems "all things" can refer to everything God has in mind for us comes through Christ, not tithes.

[Candlepower]

I do not know how to express the difference to my pastor that I see between a lifestyle of generosity with time and things to any who need them vs. a remaining obligation that must be paid to the church one is in to somehow unlock something God otherwise holds back.

As long as you’re part of a group that is led by a religious employee (most pastors) who functions as the CEO of a religious business (most churches) it will be very difficult for you to change your pastor’s mind about tithing. Not impossible (some pastors do agree with you), but very difficult. Having a vested interest in error does influence one’s philosophy.

I’m not proposing that you leave the group. It sounds to me like you’re in a position to exercise some corrective influence. That’s a good position to be in.

[TheEditor]

Maybe show him a picture of Robert Tilton and then say, "Don't be like this guy"?

Regards, Brenden.