I remember when I was a kid, we moved to a new town from our ranch in the boonies, and
Mom started taking us kids to a Catholic church on sundays. As I recall, Mom and Dad
went to visit with the priest to officially become members of the parrish.
About a week later I heard my Father ranting and raving somewhere in the house, and
I later learned that the church had sent us a bill for the tithe this priest decided
was our fair share...that's right....a BILL!.
Well, my old man is a true Irishman, and his Irish was up that day!
In following years I've come across many variations of this same mentality, usually
more along the lines of laying a guilt trip on a congregation to squeeze money from them.
In the first place, the tithe in Israel (bringing 10% to the storehouse) was not a spiritual
issue, but an income tax. Our politicians should take heed of God's idea of a fair tax!
Let me explain..
The original government of the nation Israel, until Saul was anointed King, was a Theocracy. Jehovah
was literally the Ruler of Israel. In His government Jehovah (Jesus Christ) appointed his prophets
and holy men as the regents of the land, to serve in a capacity as government officials.
These men "wore two hats", one as men of God, and the other as government officials. In the latter they
did not discriminate between those who were the faithful and those who were pagan, or unbelievers.
Remember, God's prescribed social environment in a nation is freedom, and His policy recognizes the
rights of all equally.
The tithe, which has become popularly regarded as a responsibility in many religions, was actually a
form of income tax, administered by the prophets, but not as high officials in the Levitical Priesthood,
but as God's "Cabinet Ministers". As such, the tithe was levied on all citizens, believers and unbelievers
alike.
There is a legitimate need of every church for gifts from the congregation, but any minister who coerces
his people to fork over the dough, and particularly the loathsome practice of one religion to charge
a fine for sins, is pure evil. No person should be made to feel small, and embarrassed, because they may
be too poor to come up with a contribution.
We give as the Holy Spirit moves us to give, and as God gives us the means to give, and for no other reason.
A Pastor should pause at the sunday services and pass the plate, but he should make it clear, and on a regular
basis, that giving is not a demand of the church administration, but as the individual is moved to give. My
Pastor states that God will provide the hearers, and the revenues to operate the church, so longs as He wills
it. A Pastor's job does not include gouging his congregation for money.