Who is ROBBING God?

I was talking with a friend the other day and had commented that I no longer saw tithing as a requirement for Christians. Whereas, caring for the poor should still be a very high priority. My friend was quick to respond with a story that gave an example of how distorted tithe teaching has become.

An immigrant to Canada was living on a very meager monthly stipend. $300 was the number quoted. She went to a church looking for help and was told that if she tithed the Lord would provide for her. If not, she was robbing God and that is why she was in such financial difficulties.

The thinking from this group of deceived Christians was that there is no such thing as a poor person who could use some help. I guess they felt that tithing is meant to look after a pastor and a church building. The fact that she was a poor immigrant did not soften their hearts or open their wallets.

The most quoted passage they use to prove this is in Malachi 3,
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Strange that God felt He was being robbed when the tithe was not used the way He designed it. We just have to back up to verse 5 to see His intent for justice concerning care for others.

"So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
Malachi 3:5

This verse is rarely quoted by tithe teachers. And yet it explicitly states that the way to rob God was to not give it or not use it for the care of the poor.

In other words most churches that teach tithing are really ROBBING God because they don’t use the tithe to care for the poor.

Preachers are notorious for spiritualizing this and other passages to make the storehouse the local church and the food they give to people, a sermon. It certainly makes them a salary and clears their conscience regarding the real needs of others. Meanwhile, the local poor are told to care for these strong pastors while orphans around the world are malnourished and some even die.

These days, the lion’s share of tithes and offerings (some don’t believe in tithes) goes to supporting the strong and tearing down old buildings and building bigger, fancier ones. Always, at the expense of caring for those in need.

The Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 12: 13-21
A modern day paraphrase.

13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

14Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; My Church does not consist of the size of its buildings or the popularity of a local pastor."

16And he told them this parable: "The preaching of a certain pastor produced a great number of followers. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place for my people to listen to me.'

18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will have my people listen to my great oratory and interpreting skills. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of people to serve your vision. Take life easy; enjoy the praises of men.”

20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

21"This is how it will be with anyone who thinks many followers is the way of the cross but is not rich toward God by giving to the poor."

How does Jesus define righteousness?

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:34-40

Reaching out to the Poor

This is a great article about some people who are making a difference.

Love like Jesus
by John Fischer

I opened a newsletter this morning from my good friend Robbie Goldman who heads up Dry Bones, a ministry to homeless teenagers in downtown Denver, and found a sobering conclusion to our discussions this week about Christians leading with the hellfire and brimstone message. The lead story is all about Robbie and his staff's shock and awe over the behavior of Christian protesters at the Democratic National Convention in Denver earlier this summer where signs like "Ask me why YOU deserve HELL," and "WARNING: Baby Killing Women, Party Animals, Rebellious Women, So Called Christians, Liberals, Jesus Mockers, Porno Freaks, Muslims, Drunks, Homosexuals, Sex Addicts, Mormons… GOD WILL JUDGE YOU!" greeted them along with insults hurled from the holders of those signs, as in "Can you even read?" and "What planet are you from?"

"We watched the spectacle with a growing sense of despair and sadness," Robbie wrote. "I was sick to my stomach. The scene was one of the single most heartbreaking experiences of my life."

Examples like this may be extreme cases of misrepresenting Christ, but harboring even the slightest attitude of judgment or hatred is only a matter of being a few degrees away from this. It's headed in the same direction. To the degree that we let any of these feelings take hold, we might as well be a sign-holding screamer of insulting epithets.

"I walked away with my co-workers; some of us were crying. Others like me simply walked in silent shock. Above all the emotions – sadness, anger, shame – I felt something else that had a stronger pull. I was motivated and rejuvenated. More than ever I was convinced of my job, and your job, to love. We must re-define Christianity to a watching world.

"What if we became a group of people known for the way we love homosexuals? What if we became a group of people known for coming alongside those struggling with addictions? What if we became a group of people known for the way we embrace people of other religions and backgrounds? What if we became a group of people known for the way we love women who have had, or are thinking about having abortions? What if instead of calling these women murderers, we told them how much they and their children are worth? What if we decided right now, today, to adopt would-be-aborted babies? We tell young women not to have abortions, but are we willing to give them another option?"

Robbie concluded with, "I am convinced that when we love like Jesus, we are slowly but surely helping to prepare someone's heart for God to do His work. Love well, brothers and sisters. Re-define Christ for the people in your life with love and see what happens."

And I can't help but think that whoever carried that sign about the Baby Killers and Porno Freaks is in for a big surprise when he is eventually welcomed into heaven by all the people his sign condemned. There will be tears.

[For more on this subject, see: "The Separation of Church and Hate: Finding the Way to Real Cultural Change" and more of my related articles for Breakpoint.org at http://www.breakpoint.org/listings.aspid=159&display=Display+by+Author&authorId=1436]

[For more on Dry Bones, see www.drybonesdenver.org]

NORTH AMERICAN UNION & RFID Chip TRUTH

This is a clip from Zeitgeist: Addendum.

Caste System Meets MLM

If ever there was a fatalistic system in the world it is the caste system found in India.

The castes are divided up into 5 groups.
1. Brahmans: the priests and teachers
2. Kshatriyas: the rulers and soldiers
3. Vaisyas: merchants and traders
4. Sudras: laborers
5. Outcasts- the Dalits or untouchables. These are considered too impure or polluted to rank as worthy humans or even have a caste.

These castes are sharply defined and the social stigma of mixing the various castes is considered taboo.

Religions will clash with each other but have little chance of effecting each other on mass. Christians may even bring the gospel to individuals within the various castes but they have little impact on overthrowing this very fatalistic worldview on the whole.

But here’s where a MLM business model has the potential of truly upsetting the apple cart. A traditional single owner or even corporate model would not be able to do this. Hiring would be based on caste and in fact would simply serve to strengthen the caste system.

However a Network Marketing model, with a truly great product, would be able to have tremendous impact within the economic and rank system of any society.

On paper an MLM looks somewhat like a pyramid but the reality is there are no lines of hierarchy but rather simply lines of time, essentially, who got there first. Some people don’t even like that idea but it’s no different than talking about an older brother or sister. Each one has the opportunity to succeed and even go way beyond those who are ahead of them.

A simple example of this would be my enrolling Jim who has six children. As Jim builds his business he supports me. I support Jim by enrolling other people after Jim. One of those people is an 80 year old widow. After her, Jim might enroll another one of his children, in this case, a son who is 12 years old. I continue to support all of them by enrolling even more people after the 12 year old son.

Jim supports me, the widow supports Jim, the 12 year old supports the widow and so on. There is no hierarchy but rather the look and feel of a team. Each person supports someone else and is being supported by others.

Now let’s put this economic system into a culture based on the caste system.
An outcast signs up first with a Brahman signing up later. A Vaisya gets into the mix and after them comes a Kshatriya. Perhaps another outcast signs up and then a Sudra. Each one supports the other and is dependent on the others for their success. Because everyone is making money, the strict, distinct walls begin to slowly crumble. Higher castes and lower castes alike are rooting for each other to succeed. The barriers, prejudices and fatalistic thinking are shattered through a cooperative plan of doing business in way that has everyone succeeding.

Can an unorthodox business model change the world? Remember the story of a smart businessman who could understand dreams by the name of Joseph.

When young Joseph had his first dream and it caused him to be sold into slavery in Egypt, no one would have predicted that that beginning would literally be Israel’s salvation. Even when he was able to accurately interpret the dream of 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine, without a sound business plan, the correct interpretation would not have saved anyone.

Joseph was able to tax 20% of the grain during the years of plenty and then sold it during the years of famine. If he hadn’t sold it, the people would have eaten all of the food before the 7 years of famine had been completed. I’m sure there were a few people who didn’t like the 20% tax and probably labeled him as greedy. They definitely didn’t like having to purchase the grain later on with the greedy label now firmly attached and documented. Nevertheless, God was able to give a divine revelation to a skilled businessman to save His people at that time. The barriers of bitterness, shame and unforgiveness were broken with the aid of a successful business plan.

These days, I know of no other business model that would allow average, non business type people to prosper through their own business with virtually little or no investment and no educational costs to overcome. When it’s done well there is always a spirit of cooperation and WIN/WIN.

Of course, there are lots of stories of poor implementation of this type of business model. Just as there are many stories of bad doctors, substandard teachers and evil corporations who only serve profits or themselves. That doesn’t make any of the above models bad, but are simply examples of poor implementation or greedy individuals. How many students have shelled out $100,000 - $200,000 and have not ended up with jobs in their area of expertise? Would we denounce the entire educational system for this failure?

What if Joseph had only taxed the people 5%? That would have been an example of poor implementation when the grain ran out at year 3 of the famine.

It seems that in these days of economic uncertainty and incredible global needs that a simple business model that allows average people to succeed by helping others, might very well be a mechanism that God would use to bring about equality on a global basis.

Me Church

If this is bad, why do most large churches create a consumer mentality? Are people not capable of visiting each other, raising their own children and helping their neighbors without paying somebody to do these things for them? Why do people need to be reminded each week that these things are important?

These videos seem to lay all the blame on the consumer (parishioner). What about the pastors that catered to their selfish desires and demand an hour each week from people who are more than capable of thinking for themselves. Oops, sorry I forgot, they would need their pastor's permission to do such a heretical thing.

Faith is Not Getting Others to Pay for Your Vision

I have often heard these words, "I'm living by faith", from people who have quit jobs and are living by faith. That's the code words for being bankrolled by others. (Been there, done that. Oops, I digress.) There is an insidious implication being made that those who have jobs don’t live by faith. They just pay for the ones who are spiritual enough to "live by faith".

It rather irks me when people talk about a faith life that is more mystical, magical, manipulative or subjective rather than being based on a growing understanding of God and His ways and backed up by the Bible.
“Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God.”

My favorite faith story comes from an encounter that Jesus had with a Roman centurion.

The Faith of the Centurion

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."

Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."

The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
Matthew 8:5-13

There was nothing mystical or “wishing it were so”, in the centurion’s discussion with Jesus. He did not try to manipulate Jesus but simply stated why he knew Jesus could heal his servant from his understanding of authority. For a Roman soldier to fail to do what he was commanded would have meant a severe flogging or death. No wonder the centurion knew the job would get done.

But here’s the kicker. Jesus related the centurion’s "natural" understanding of authority with a greater faith than He had found in all of Israel.

In the same line of "naturalistic" thinking, using a good business plan or good work ethic is not contrary to faith but in fact is a true demonstration of faith.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thess. 4:11-12

So let’s cut out the absurd idea that great faith means one will exhibit great skill in getting others to finance their vision.

Many leaders talk about faith in this manner but that's not how Jesus taught or lived. He didn't get his disciples to bankroll the feeding of the 5,000, He demonstrated what He saw from His Father.

I think this century has seen more than enough Christian begging and manipulations in the guise of faith.

Nevertheless, men will continue to build buildings and "ministries in THEIR name" as a testimony to THEIR faith in God. Incredibly, many of God's people would have it no other way.

Why then, does the New Testament not bear witness to these modern measurements of faith?

As for me, the only building I'm interested in is the one built with living stones. ...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5

Why does this matter?

If God's people channeled just 20% of their giving away from brick and mortar and pastor's salaries to true caring for others not a single child in the entire world would go to bed hungry tonight.

Some might even consider that a true demonstration of faith.

The Poor Never Tithed

Give one example of a poor person in the Bible who tithed.

Who benefited from the tithe?

The widow, the orphan, the alien and the Levites. (The Levites are included in this list because they were not allowed to own land or have a business.)

When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.
Deuteronomy 26:12

This is the tithe that Malachi 3 is talking about.

Have we taught this to people?

Lying

If you really, really believe a lie to be true, does that mean that it’s not a lie?

When you discover that you have been teaching a lie (that you sincerely thought was true) for many years, should you tell those you taught that you taught them a lie?