Tithing Fools!

by David J. Stewart
 

One of the biggest problems I see in America today are people who foolishly financially support dead-beat ministries.  It's epidemic in America.  Ninety-five percent of all churches in America are a big waste of money.  It's tragic how religious people blindly support so many worthless ministries.  America's churches are a disgrace.  I like what Billy Sunday said early one hundred years ago... "It would be a godsend if the Church would suffer persecution today; she hasn't suffered it for hundreds of years. She is growing rich and lagging behind. Going back." -Billy Sunday, The Need for Revivals, From "Billy Sunday: The Man and His Message", by William T. Ellis, Philadelphia: John C. Winston Co., 1914 What a statement!  I couldn't agree more with Billy Sunday.  The problem is much worse today, we just don't know what persecution is in America and other free nations.  One of my web visitors recently sent me some photos from Sudan in Africa showing Christians being stabbed to death by an angry Muslim mob.  One man lying dead on the ground had a machete sticking out of his chest.  The churches today in wealthy nations like the United States are blind to reality.  Worse, most churches don't care.  The U.S. is in trouble.  Sadly, Christians in America are already beginning to lose their freedoms because of the indifference and complacency of it's churches.  And that is because of it's lifeless and spiritually sleeping pastors.  Yet, believers continue to support such failing organizations.  Why do Christians support bad churches? Most people tithe because the pastor pressures them to tithe.  Let's face it, most pastors harp on tithes and offerings all the time.  Most pastors are no better than the greedy televangelists.  I am a firm believer that a pastor shouldn't preach on tithing more than other subjects.  Yet, many pastors mention tithing in nearly every sermon to financially milk their congregation.  A godly pastor will get a side-job if needed to make ends meet, but he won't browbeat his people to get their money.  A pastor should lead by example, not force.  Pastors can quickly become big hypocrites if their not careful.  Most pastors receive quite a bit of gifts, money, and fringe benefits throughout the year that members in the church don't ever get.  That said, pastors often live a wealthier lifestyle than their congregation members.  I think it's deplorable for a professed man of God to drive a new car, eat the best of foods, wear the best of clothes...and many of the people supporting him are living on a shoe-string.  It's just not right.  Such pastors will be held much more accountable by God since so much has been given to them. If you do tithe, do it for the Lord Jesus Christ and no other reason.  Never give a preacher or pastor money simply because they ask for it.  Ask the Holy Spirit, "Is this money going to further the kingdom of Heaven?  Is this money going to result in lost souls hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  What type of ministry am I supporting?  Is the pastor living extravagantly?"  I would NEVER support any ministry like the Salvation Army that doesn't aggressively preach the Gospel to the people whom they are trying to help.  It's sweet that the Salvation Army gives hot-chocolate to cold firemen, but it all means nothing if they don't hear the Gospel.  I dare you to go to the Salvation Armies' official website and show me how to be saved.  They are more Army than Salvation.  Give your hard-earned money to a soulwinning church!!!  A church that does not have a weekly soulwinning ministry is a dead church.  The church in the book of Acts was a soulwinning church (Acts 20:20).  Don't be a fool, give your money to a soulwinning church.