The main problem with this is that the tithe is an Old Covenant concept that has absolutely no application for those who are part of the New Covenant. Jesus Christ never told His followers to pay the tithe (in Matthew 23:23 Jesus is speaking to Pharisees, not believers). Acts through Revelation shows not even one instance of Christians paying the tithe.
Let me repeat: Christians do not have to pay a tithe.
For pastors to preach that Christ-followers must pay the tithe is a massive error. The interpretive gymnastics it requires boggle the mind. Even if they could state with a straight face that the tithe is binding, they then would need to say that payment goes for temple upkeep in Jerusalem (of course there is no temple, but I digress). Instead, pastors then say that this tithe should be paid to the local church, not in farm goods such as wheat but in cold, hard cash.
The irresponsibility of this type of hermeneutical manipulation is staggering. Pastors who do it should be ashamed. They do not interpret the rest of the bible in this manner.
One way to stop this sad situation is to have churches stop paying salaries for pastors. That would likely do away immediately with most tithe-preaching.
(The above is part fifteen of 25 Reasons Professional Pastors Should Resign.)
1 comment:
Thank you for making this clear. and for the whole series really. I think all of these points are things that "we all" think about... but it's so hard to speak about since we all have friends that are paid pastors.... and also it's hard because I've never walked those shoes. I'm thankful for your example and perspective since you have.
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