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In West Africa Nigeria, a Church senior pastor went and deposited 100 Million Naira($278000) Church's money in a Fixed Deposit, and the monthly returns was been remitted into his personal account. Seems industrious financial move but this pastor never paid interest on the Church's funds in Fixed Deposit all through the year.
People reacted when the word came out, because the money in question is the Tithes and offerings/gifts by church members to the church and not for just one man to take advantage of it and get greedy in the process. Another incident happened over a decade ago when a church member dropped a Bank cheque of 6 Million Naira as offering in the Church. The ushering team couldn't resist the urge and they took the Cheque, forged signatures and went to open a bank account far away from the Church Location in the City- Luckily they were not successful.
This two brief stories shows how flawed the church system is on the basis of tithe and offerings/gift. The early Christians/Churches never amass wealth like most churches do in the present day but share everything equally amongst the congregation.
"Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold" Acts 4:34(KJV)
SURGICAL DISSECTION FROM BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
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Tithing/Offering is a matter of the heart, and so no pastor or Prophet nor Bishop should ever mandate it to give all you have in expectant of more as it was never illustrated in the Scriptures whether to Tithe our Net or Gross profits/interest/Salaries. In all of Jesus Christ parables, over half of those parables mentioned Money and wealth. So giving a tenth part of your earnings or interests shows "you are not a slave to Mammon!"
Over 800 times was money/wealth made mentioned of in the Holy Bible, therefore there is emphasis on giving out of our resources to God but with discretion and intuition.
GIVING/OFFERINGS
"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." 1 Corinthians 16:2(KJV)
It was stated Clearly by Apostle Paul that giving should be done;
- Proportionally(and not go Bankrupt or get Loan to do so)
- Often(Regularly)
- Individually(As the spirit leads you and not as pastors commands it.)
- Methodically(With Discernment and not as fear of a Pastor or Cardinal)
Giving/Offering and tithe is between God and individuals, form the Old testament point of view; tithing is generally on seeds, farm produce, wine, oil, animals(Firstlings). The Biblical verses explaining the first born of animals and human are Exodus 13:2, Numbers 3:13
Just three times was tithing mentioned in the New Testament; The New Covenant; Jesus Christ Mentioned that the Pharisees were more careful about their tithes and they deem it more important than mercy and helping the poor among them so they make show off it while paying their tithes for all to see.
Since there was a change of priesthood from the Levites to Jesus Christ which automatically implies a change in the law assigned to the Levites of the Old Testament, then the Old Laws had been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ which would technically render tithes Obsolete.
"But as humans and as individuals, we should Honor God with our Resources voluntarily and not mandatory "... @oluwoleolaide for STEEMCHURCH!
Happy New Week Steemizens...Below are the links to some of my latest posts. I appreciate all the supports i have gotten from you all!
THE SCAVENGERS AND THE WASTELAND; AN AFRICAN UNTALENTED WAY TO SURVIVE!
THAT AWKWARD MOMENT #18 - "A TIME TO BE SILENT AND A TIME TO SPEAK"
SPORTS AND CRYPTOS- THE MASS ADOPTION ARISING
Tears of a Soldier- A Poem
My Definition of PhD- Determined in Attitude and Spirit!
A FOOLS QUEST TO RULE STEEMLAND: LEARN FROM STEEMIANS ALL OVER THE WORLD, TO BE RELEVANT HERE IS NOT A TUG OF WAR!
FOLLOW-UPVOTE-RESTEEM AND MAYBE DROP A SUPPORTING OR CONTRARY COMMENT.....It's your friendly Neighbor @oluwoleolaide for Steem-Lagos-Nigeria-Africa-World!
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