NINE MARKS OF A PROSPERITY GOSPEL CHURCH

By D.A. Horton | 1.7.2014

How do you assess a prosperity gospel church?

The first nine years of my walk with Christ were spent in such an environment, followed by two years in theological rehab, which prepared me for the next six years of pastoring in the urban context. What’s become clear to me is that the nine marks of a healthy church provide a useful grid for assessing any church, including those that teach the prosperity gospel.

And what we find is that a prosperity gospel church is a purely anti-nine marks church.

Some of the examples in what follows are specific and may not identify with you the reader. Many however are universal and are propagated by preachers on the internet, radio, and television. Since the prosperity gospel movement is inter-denominational, the teachings expressed in this article are not to be associated with any one denomination within evangelical Christianity.

1. EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING

Preaching in prosperity gospel churches is far from expositional. Instead, the purpose of preaching is to motivate hearers to give financially, and you give to get. Preachers exploit the passages that deal with the sacrificial giving of tithes and offerings week in and week out. They instruct hearers to activate their faith by sowing a “faith seed,” thereby taping into God’s law of reciprocity and leading to their own financial breakthrough.

Isolated Old Testament passages are often used as examples of God's abundant reward for faith giving. One passage often used to manipulate hearers into giving more is Malachi 3:10. Prosperity preachers highlight two points from this passage. First, they tell hearers they are robbing God by not tithing. Second, they assure hearers that God wants them to test him by giving more, so that he can give them more.

But consider Malachi 3:10 in its proper context. The Israelites were robbing God by not giving enough food to the national storehouse that was used to feed the priests of Israel. So the priests were having to leave their priestly duties and take up farming to survive (see Neh. 13:10-13). God therefore exhorts Israel to test him by giving obediently. If they did, he would reward them as he did in the past (2 Chr. 31:7-10). The point of this entire passage concerns a historically specific episode in the life of Israel. Preaching it as a Christian sermon, however, requires more than transferring its commands and promises to Christians on a one-to-one basis. Yes, there are larger applications for the Christian concerning giving, but first one needs to account for the differences between old covenant and new, especially the nature of God’s promises to Israel and the manner in which they are fulfilled for the Christian in Christ.

A healthy church uses preaching to communicate God’s words to his people. It confronts the hearer with God’s truth and leads to conviction, encouragement, clarity, and a call to action. It also centers every text around the gospel in order to show the hearer how central and necessary Jesus Christ is to the believer living in obedience to God's word. A healthy church will inform believers that the results of holy living will not necessarily be financial gain but rather godliness that honors our Lord.

2. BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

Prosperity gospel theology rests upon the foundational error that man shares a form of deity with God, such that our words carry the same creative power as God’s words. Psalm 82:6, Proverbs 18:20-21, and Romans 4:17 are popular proof texts used to support this falsehood. It is often said that man is a “lower-case god” and possesses the power to demonstrate deity by speaking things into existence, creating and controlling our destiny with words, and even mandating a frustrated and limited God to act on our behalf for our benefit.

But none of these proof texts support these prosperity teachings. In Psalm 82:6, the Psalmist is crying out to God regarding the immoral judges who were governing the nation of Israel. God speaks directly to the erring judges by addressing them as “gods” to highlight the fact they were judging the nation in his place. They were to use his word as their standard of judgment. In the very next verse God reminds them they are not eternal beings. Instead they are mere men who have failed to live and judge righteously. This passage is not elevating man to a demigod status. Neither is it providing man with the ability to act with sovereign authority. Instead, the only true and living God is judging the immoral actions of these judges.

Proverbs 18:20-21 is a principle, not a promise, and it outlines two truths. The first is that our words do not dictate our destiny; rather, they display the conditions of our heart. Secondly, there are times when our words will cause us to endure consequences. This passage does not promise us the power to declare the length of our life. Neither does it pronounce God powerlessness to save us if we curse ourselves to death, as some prosperity teachers have taught.

In Romans 4:17 Paul teaches that God justified Abraham and declared him the father of nations while Abraham was still childless. This passage has nothing to do with saints speaking into existence more money, job promotions, or even the salvation of lost loved ones. This passage is in fact championing the truth that God is the only one who can call things into existence.

A healthy church teaches its members sound doctrine that is rooted in Scriptures that are kept in context. Sound doctrine is healthy teaching that provides the hearer with the biblical nutrients needed to grow to maturity in Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In order for a church to be healthy, they must teach the whole Bible, in the context of the whole Bible, and root all of their doctrinal convictions in the whole Bible, instead of pulling passages out of context (1 Tim. 1:5; Titus 2:1-10; 2 John 1-6).

3. THE GOSPEL

In many prosperity gospel churches the message of the gospel is identified with the material blessings of the Abrahamic covenant. Although Christ’s perfect life, death, burial, and resurrection are proclaimed, and salvation through Christ alone is championed, many prosperity gospel preachers say the evidence of a person’s belief in the gospel is whether they receive the blessings promised to Abraham by God (Gen. 12-15).

I’ve found this teaching leading people to one of two conclusions. If someone has prosperity and health, they conclude that they are saved because they’re enjoying the promises of Abraham. But if these blessings are not seen in the life of the believer, they don’t have enough faith. They’re in sin. They need to give more tithes. Or perhaps they have not fully trusted in Jesus Christ and need to become born again in order to receive the blessings of Abraham.

In contrast, healthy churches unashamedly proclaim the whole counsel of the biblical gospel. This includes the truth that we were created in God's image (Gen. 1:26-27), we once had open fellowship with God (Gen. 2:7-25), and yet because our first father Adam sinned all of humanity was separated both physically (Gen. 3:1-19) and spiritually (Rom. 5:12) from the holy and righteous God who created us. Since humanity has been separated from God because of sin, the penalty to atone for sin is the shedding of blood and death (Lev. 1:3-17). The beauty of the gospel is fact that Jesus Christ, who has eternally existed as God (John 1:1), became a man (John 1:14), lived a perfect life according to God’s law (Heb. 7:26), and shed his blood while dying in the place of sinners (Mark 10:45 and 2 Peter 2:24). Jesus was buried in a tomb for three days (Matt. 27:57-66) and on the third day rose from the grave (Matt. 28:1-8). Now he calls all people to repent of their sins and trust in him in order to be reconciled to God and receive eternal life (Jn. 3:16).

The biblical gospel does not promise that Christians will be wealthy and prosperous in this life in fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham. Instead, Christians are “blessed” in Abraham in that we receive the Spirit (Gal. 3:14), and we will receive not just land, but the entire new creation, in the age to come (Rom. 4:13, Rev. 21-22).

4. CONVERSION

Conversion in a prosperity gospel church involves an uneasy mix of opposites: easy-believism and salvation by works. Prosperity preachers are known to teach a sinner is “saved” when they finish reciting the “sinners prayer.” After this simple salvation takes place, the new believer is to submit him or herself to the leadership and teachings of the church, tithe regularly, give offerings often, and strive to serve on a continual basis in ministry at the church. As long as a person does these things, he or she maintains salvation. But if one stops them for an elongated period of time, one can lose it. In order to advance this teaching, pastors have been known to use psychological and scriptural manipulation to get the members of the church to do various acts of service in the name of ministry to the Lord. Their service, he promises, will prevent them from “falling from grace” and losing their salvation.

Some prosperity gospel adherents burn out and become angry with their leaders. They begin to question the ministry’s methods and refuse to comply with its demands. I’ve watched pastors who sensed they were losing control of this type of person respond by claiming that the member is in rebellion, causing division, and on a trajectory to lose their salvation unless they repent and begin serving again. In these cases 1 Samuel 15:23was used as the proof text to point out the consequences of the person’s actions and to dissuade others from following. But this verse speaks of King Saul’s direct disobedience to a command of God, not a genuine believer who questions unbiblical teaching or church practices. 

A healthy church lovingly teaches the biblical view of conversion. In the Bible we read that conversion takes place when the biblical gospel is preached (Rom. 1:16-17, 10:9-17) and the sinner repents of their sins and puts their trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19; Rom. 3:21-26). Conversion happens when God the Holy Spirit causes the sinner who is dead in sin to become alive in Christ (John 3:3-8; Eph. 2:1-10). Biblical conversion puts the focus on repentance and belief in the work of Christ, not simply saying a prayer and serving to the point of exhaustion for fear of losing one’s salvation.

5. EVANGELISM

Prosperity gospel churches often teach evangelism must be coupled with a demonstration of signs and wonders. When these two elements are combined it is said that sinners will repent and believe in Jesus. I’ve heard people say in pre-evangelistic times of prayer that sinners will not repent unless they see physical evidence of the supernatural work of God the Holy Spirit as listed in Mark 16:15-16.

Since the inclusion of this passage in the original and oldest most trusted manuscripts is disputed, it is unwise to build one’s doctrinal stance on this passage alone. Further, mandating that people demonstrate the signs in this passage in order to be effective in evangelism is dangerous and manipulative.

Biblical evangelism is proclaiming the gospel and calling sinners to repentance. The gospel needs no upgrades, bells, or whistles in order to be effective (1 Cor. 15:1-4). The Bible is clear that the preached gospel is powerful to save sinners (Rom. 1:16, 10:17).

6. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Prosperity gospel churches often equate church membership with regular attendance, tithing, and service—with or without a formal commitment. People are often “grandfathered” into church membership if they do these things long enough. In one case I recall a person who attended the church for over two decades, received the benefits of membership, yet never formally joined the church. They felt no need to since they gave financially and served weekly. I’ve watched people in such circumstances live in open sin and avoid church discipline.

A healthy church presents church membership as a blessing and mandate for the believer. The blessing is that the church affirms the believer’s faith and builds the believer up in love (Eph. 4:11-16). The mandate is that Jesus requires Christians to submit to his authority by submitting to the church’s authority. You’re not truly a member of the body if you can simply detach at will.

7. CHURCH DISCIPLINE

I’ve witnessed church discipline in prosperity gospel churches land on one of two extremes. The first was an informal excommunication where the biblical protocol for church discipline was not followed (i.e., Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:6; 2 Thess. 3:6-15). The individuals said to be living in sin were “disfellowshipped” from the church in private only to be spoken of in public as those we were not have contact with because of their rebellion.

The second extreme was for leadership to completely ignore the sin of either another leader, popular member, or both. When this approach was used, the leaders who knew the person’s unrepentant habitual sin willfully refused to acknowledge and deal with it. Sadly, I witnessed leaders members who brought up the sin of other members with statements like, “God forgives and his love covers the multitudes of your sins,” and “only God can judge them.” In the case of sinning leaders remaining in ministry, it was said “the gifts of God come without repentance” a distortion of Romans 11:29. Prosperity preachers often use 1 Chronicles 16:22(“Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”) as a repellant for questions from members of their congregation. Sometimes prosperity gospel churches have been known to cover the sin of a leader by sending them on a sabbatical in place of practicing 1 Timothy 5:17-20.

Healthy churches embrace God’s desire for a pure, holy church. As they help their people grow in Christlikeness, they will shine like stars in the world (Eph. 4:11-32; Phil. 2:1-18). Healthy churches understand that leaders are not exempt from temptation, lapses of judgment, and sin. Healthy churches then teach and follow the biblical prescription for church discipline, including discipline of leaders (1 Tim. 5:17-20).

8. DISCIPLESHIP

Discipleship in prosperity gospel churches often tends toward co-dependency with the pastor or another prominent church leader. The entry level of discipleship is known as the “armor-bearer” stage. An armor-bearer in Scripture was a person who carried the weapons of their leader and protected them (1 Sam. 14:6-7and 2 Sam. 18:15). But in prosperity gospel churches, armor-bearer has become an unofficial office. New converts who want to grow in their walk with God are placed in a cohort. This cohort is trained to serve the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the pastor or church leader. The pastor will often commission armor-bearers to engage in activities ranging from carrying his Bible to paying his bills, all in the name of “ministry.” In some extreme cases I’ve counseled ex-armor-bearers who were instructed to give the pastor massages after he preached, and even sexual favors.

If an armor-bearer sticks around long enough, they can earn a promotion that comes with a title, licensure to preach, and even ordination. Most often, the pastor does this to pad the stats of his ministry as many of these ordained men (and sometimes women) sit on the sidelines cheering the pastor on while he preaches. I’ve known some pastors to boast in having dozens of ordained men sit under them for decades. Rarely are these ordained ministers sent out to plant churches, revitalize dying churches, or engage in vocational ministry overseas. Sadly, in one instance I counseled someone who sat under a pastor for over fifteen years as an ordained minister and was never once instructed about the biblical qualifications of an elder.

A healthy church disciples its people to depend more on Jesus, not a pastor or church leader. Believers grow by deepening their knowledge of Jesus (2 Pet. 3:18), and, by the power of the Spirit, imitating Jesus (1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1; Eph. 5:1). Biblical disciples produce more biblical disciples, not dependents (2 Tim. 2:2; Titus 2:1-8).

9. CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Prosperity gospel preachers often receive undying support from their members because the people live vicariously through their pastor. If the pastor’s platform and bank account grow, the members of the flock celebrate as if the prosperity were their own. Some congregations want their pastor to have the newest top-of-the-line car, wear expensive name-brand clothing, and live in a large home in order that God’s blessings would trickle down to them. I was once told, “If my pastor is living large, he's paving the way for me and my family to live large.”

In many cases, the pastor is said to be God's voice to the congregation, and therefore has unquestioned authority. The leadership structure varies between a C.E.O. model and a monarchy. I’ve often seen others appointed as pastors or elders not based on biblical qualifications but because of their occupation and closeness to the pastor.

A healthy churches champions biblically qualified leaders. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 are passages that clearly lay out qualifications for the men who would lead God’s church. The qualifications emphasize the man’s character, not his occupation or friendship with the pastor. Elders are to shepherd the flock, feed them with healthy doctrine, lead in humility, and defend them from false teachers.

SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

There is unceasing grief in my heart for people who are under all or some of the teachings highlighted here. They are like the weary, scattered sheep without a shepherd on whom Jesus had compassion (Matt. 9:36). These precious souls of Jesus’ day were being abused, distressed, and harassed by their leaders. They knew no other way of life since it was their own religious leaders who treated them this way. Jesus responded by telling his disciples to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

The grief I share for the weary and scattered sheep of today drives me to do two things: pray for the Lord to send out laborers who will seek and serve these scattered sheep, and labor to lead a healthy church in order to reach the sheep in my city. I pray this article has helped kindle a fire in your heart for seeing healthy churches serving cities across the globe.

D.A. Horton is executive director of ReachLife Ministries, the non-profit ministry of Reach Records. Prior to serving at ReachLife, D.A. was an urban church planter in Kansas City, Missouri.

Why You Should Not Tithe

God, Money, and You

Lesson 4: Why You Should Not Tithe (Selected Scriptures)

Steven J. Cole

December 5, 1993

"It would be political suicide to give that speech," said an aide to his boss. "He's right, Senator," chimed in another aide. "It's just one clear-cut statement after another" (Morrie Brickman, Reader's Digest [4/83]).
It's probably suicidal for a pastor to preach on why you should not tithe! It's risky at best, because some may hear the part about not tithing and block out the rest of the message! I would guess that if everyone who came regularly to this church gave ten percent to the church, our income would probably triple, at least! So why am I not preaching instead on why you should tithe?
The answer is that tithing is not the New Testament standard for giving. Perhaps more than any other factor, giving reflects the condition of our hearts: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21). You can fake some things, but you can't fake giving your money! You may get mad at me, but I'm going to give it to you straight: If you give ten percent or less of your income to the Lord's work, in most cases it reflects a lukewarm heart toward God. I used to give ten percent and thought I was doing fine. Then I made the mistake of preaching on giving! I discovered that God's Word teaches that ...

We should not tithe because God wants us to give generously, and tithing is the bare minimum.

Our God is a generous, giving God who so loved the world that He gave that most precious gift, His only begotten Son. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). As God's people who are to be like Jesus, we are to be generous givers.
The Bible teaches that God, who richly has supplied us with all good things, wants us "to be generous and ready to share" (1 Tim. 6:18). But what does generosity mean? Isn't giving 10 percent of my income to the Lord's work being generous? If not 10 percent, how much should I give?

1. Tithing is not the New Testament standard for giving.

Many churches promote a concept called "storehouse" tithing, based on Malachi 3:10, where God tells Israel to "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse." They teach that the local church is the storehouse, the tithe belongs to God, and His blessing is conditioned upon faithfulness in tithing. One pastor in a church near me in California preached that if his people weren't giving ten percent to that church, they were in sin and needed to go home and repent!
Before I critique this view, let me point out that there are some commendable points regarding tithing: (1) Those who tithe are often acting in obedience to what they believe God has commanded. (2) Tithing gets some to increase what they give. (3) Tithing helps consistency and discipline in giving. But consider these seven reasons why tithing is not God's standard for Christians:

A. Tithing was a part of the law of Moses; believers are not under the law.

Romans, Galatians, and other New Testament passages make it clear that Christians are not under the law of Moses. That does not mean that we are lawless, because we are under the law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:20-21; James 1:25; 2:8, 12; Rom. 13:8-10). Those aspects of the Mosaic law that reflect the moral character of God are valid under the New Covenant and are repeated as commands in the New Testament. But the church is never commanded to tithe.
Those who argue for tithing point out that Abraham and Jacob both tithed prior to the Mosaic law (Gen. 14:20; 28:22). Thus tithing supersedes the law, they argue. If the New Testament gave no further guidelines, that might be a valid point. But it does, as I will show. But there are other practices, such as circumcision and sabbath-keeping which pre-date the Law and yet are not binding on us.
If you examine the references to Abraham's and Jacob's tithing, you will see that God did not command them to tithe and there is no indication that this was their regular practice. On one occasion after a victory in battle, Abraham tithed the spoils from that battle, but nothing is said regarding his other possessions or his regular income (Gen. 14:20). To follow Jacob's example would be wrong, because he was making a conditional vow before God, promising that if God would keep him safe and provide for him, then he would give God a tenth (Gen. 28:20-22). That's hardly a good example to follow in giving! Tithing was required under the Mosaic Law, but believers are not under the Law.

B. Tithing was an involuntary tax to support Israel; believers are not a part of the theocratic nation.

In the Old Testament, there was both required and voluntary giving. The tithe was required. It was commanded for every Israelite to fund national worship and help the poor. In actuality, there was not just one tithe, but rather two or three ([1] Lev. 27:30-33, Num. 18:20-21; [2] Deut. 12:17-18; [3] Deut. 14:28-29), so that the total was not 10 percent, but more like 22 percent (see Charles Ryrie, Balancing the Christian Life [Moody Press], p. 86). Thus if we are required to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse today, we had better up the percentage from 10 to 22 percent!

C. Tithing is not mentioned in any instructions to the church, although much is said about giving.

G. F. Hawthorne writes (New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology [Zondervan], 3:854:

Since the tithe played such an important part in the OT and in Judaism contemporary with early Christianity, it is surprising to discover that never once is tithing mentioned in any instructions given to the church. Jesus mentions scribes and Pharisees who tithe ..., but he never commanded his disciples to tithe. The writer to the Hebrews refers to Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek and Levi paying his tithe to Melchizedek through Abraham ..., but he never taught his readers to follow their example. Paul writes about sharing material possessions to care for the needs of the poor ... and to sustain the Christian ministry.... He urges and commends generosity ... but never once does he demand, as a command from God, that any specific amount be given.

If tithing is to be practiced by the Christian church, it seems strange that Paul did not mention it when he wrote of giving, especially to the predominately Gentile churches which would not be familiar with the Old Testament.

D. Tithing is not mentioned in any writings of the early church fathers.

By itself this is not decisive, but it lends weight to the biblical arguments. If the early church practiced tithing, then the concept should surface somewhere in the writings of the church fathers of the second and third centuries. But it does not, even though giving was an important part of early Christian worship (see Hawthorne, pp. 854-855).

E. Tithing puts the wrong emphasis upon giving.

Tithing emphasizes your obligation to God; New Testament giving, as we shall see, emphasizes your willing, loving response to God's grace. Furthermore, tithing limits giving by making a person feel that he has paid his dues (so to speak) and thus nothing more is required, when, in fact, much more could be done. Tithing has a tendency to put a person on a legal basis with God, rather than a love relationship. It's the wrong emphasis.

F. Tithing leads to a false concept of stewardship.

It leads to the notion that 10 percent is God's money and 90 percent is my money. In reality, 100 percent is God's money, and He may want me to channel 90 percent into His work and live on 10 percent. Tithing can be a bad rut.

G. Tithing is burdensome for some and too easy for others.

If a man with a family of five makes $20,000 a year and tithes, he has $18,000 (apart from taxes) to support five people. If a childless couple makes $100,000 a year and tithes, they have $90,000 (apart from taxes) to support two people. That would be burdensome to the man with five mouths to feed, but ridiculously easy for the couple.
There are seven reasons that argue against tithing. Then what is God's standard for giving?

2. Generous grace giving is the New Testament standard.

When you say "grace," a lot of people, unfortunately, connect it with hang-loose, undisciplined living. But that is not grace! Nor is grace the balance point between legalism and licentiousness. Rather grace (as a system) is totally opposed both to legalism and licentiousness, which are two sides of the same coin.
Legalism and licentiousness both operate on the principle of the flesh. Legalism is an attempt to earn standing with God through human effort and leads to pride or condemnation, depending on how well you do. Licentiousness casts off restraint and lives to gratify the flesh.
But God's grace is His unmerited favor based on Christ's sacrifice. The motivating power in grace is the indwelling Spirit of God. The person under grace responds out of love and gratitude to God and depends upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to conform his life to what God requires. With that basic understanding of grace, let me spell out some things that grace giving is not, and then some things that grace giving is.

A. Grace giving is not ...

(1) Random and irresponsible. It does not mean that you give every now and then, hit and miss; rather (as we shall see next week), it is planned and systematic (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7).
(2) Based on feelings. Being under grace does not mean living by feelings. Living under grace means walking by faith and obedience in response to God's love. There are many commands under grace.
(3) Usually less than the requirement of the law. God's grace should motivate us to excel far more than the minimum under the law (1 Cor. 15:10).
(4) Giving God the leftovers. God deserves the best, not just what is convenient. If we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then we won't just give Him what's left over after the bills are paid. He deserves first place.
Thus grace giving is not sloppy, irresponsible, haphazard giving whenever we feel like it.

B. Grace giving is based on ...

(1) God's example in Christ (2 Cor. 8:9). Aren't you glad that God did not just give a tenth! He gave all. The Lord Jesus Christ was infinitely rich. He dwelled in the unimaginable splendor of heaven, apart from the sin and corruption of this world. But He gave that up, laid aside His privileges, and took on human flesh. He could have chosen to be born as a prince in palatial splendor. But instead He was born and lived in poverty. He ultimately impoverished Himself to the maximum by taking upon Himself the sin of the human race in order that we might become rich (2 Cor. 5:21).
Grace giving looks to the nail-pierced hands of the Lord Jesus, who gave Himself so that we might be rescued from the wrath of God, and says, "Lord, You gave all for me! What can I give back to You?"
(2) The concept of stewardship. "You are not your own, for you have been bought with a price ..." (1 Cor. 6:19-20). All that we are and have belongs to God, not just a tenth. I am merely the manager of His resources. As a good manager, I use the Owner's resources to further His work (see Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 11:27-30 for some examples).
(3) Inner motivation, not outward compulsion (2 Cor. 8:3-5; 9:7). Motive and attitude are crucial. It is better to give a small amount based on a loving response to God's grace than it is to give a large amount based on outward pressure or pride. Note the attitude of the Macedonian believers: they had an abundance of joy (2 Cor. 8:2); they gave of their own accord (8:3); they begged with much entreaty for the favor (8:4!); first they gave themselves to the Lord (8:5); they had both the readiness and desire (8:10-12, 9:2); they gave cheerfully, not grudgingly or under compulsion (9:7).
We should not think, "How much do I have to give?" but rather, "How much can I give?" We should not wait for someone to pressure us with a need; we should look for needs that we can meet (8:4). I look for and give to Christian organizations or workers that do not pressure donors with desperate appeals for funds. You almost don't notice these workers because there are so many pleading for your money so that they "won't go off the air next week." May I say, "Let them go off the air!" Christians ought to give based upon inner motivation, not outward pressure. Grace giving is based on ...
(4) A new relationship with the Holy Spirit, not the old dispensation of the Law. Romans 8:14 says, "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." Galatians 5:18 says, "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." The context of both passages shows that Paul is talking about the Holy Spirit leading the believer into righteous, godly living. In Galatians, such righteous living is spelled out in the context, in part, as sharing financial resources (6:6, 10).
It's easier in some ways to follow a set of rules. Just give your 10 percent and that takes care of the matter. But God wants us to be led by the Holy Spirit. That's kind of scary! The Holy Spirit might want me to give 35 percent or who knows how much! But the point is, I am not living by rules, but in a relationship with the living God.
(5) How much God has prospered you. How much should you give? How much has God prospered you? (Note 1 Cor. 16:2, "as he may prosper"; Acts 11:29, "in the proportion that [they] had means"; 2 Cor. 8:3, 11, 12). Generally, they gave according to their ability, and in some cases beyond their ability. Sometimes you should give sacrificially. (We will look at that next week.) But the general principle is, give as God has prospered you.
When God entrusts you with more money, instead of spending it on more junk that you have to protect from moths, rust, and thieves, you should ask, "Lord, how do you want this money used in Your kingdom?" As God gives you more, you should increase the percentage you give, not just the amount. If you have enough to live comfortably, then invest the rest where God pays guaranteed, eternal dividends.
But here's the catch: we need to start giving where we're at, and not put it off until someday when we're rich. The Macedonians gave in the midst of a great ordeal of affliction, out of deep poverty (2 Cor. 8:2). Jesus commended the poor widow who gave all she had to live on, but He was not impressed with the large gifts of the rich, because they had much left over (Mark 12:41-44).
George Muller is remembered as a man who received millions of dollars to support his orphanage, in response to secret prayer, without making any needs known to others. What many don't know is that Muller gave away vast amounts to the Lord's work out of funds that were given for his personal support. From 1870 on, he personally contributed the full support for about 20 missionaries with the China Inland Mission. From 1831-1885, he gave away 86 percent of his personal income! As the Lord prospered him, he could have lived in style. But he lived simply and gave away the rest.

Conclusion

Generosity and grace giving are built on the qualities we have already studied. If you're free from bondage to greed and debt, you won't be enslaved to money. If you're a person of integrity and if you're faithful as a manager, not the owner, of your money, then when God supplies you with more, you will prayerfully channel anything above personal and family needs into His kingdom.
In this church, we don't use pressure or gimmicks to get people to give. I want your giving to be between you and God, based on your response to the love He has shown you at the cross. Also, I want to encourage each of you to refuse to give to any organization that uses pressure and fund-raising gimmicks. If you believe in the work of this church, then give generously as God has prospered you, out of love for Him.
Don't assume that because we don't use pressure we don't have needs. I believe it is legitimate to inform the church family about needs so they can give wisely. We have needs: to meet our monthly budget; to get some better office equipment; to pay off the mortgage on the house next door so that we can use it and the house across the street for ministry; to buy more property for adequate parking; to pave the lot behind the church. We have to turn away missionaries who need support. I believe the way to meet these needs is to help God's people get their hearts right before Him and to teach what His Word says about money and giving. As we respond to God's grace by giving generously, the needs will be met.
A farmer who was not much concerned with spiritual matters once went to hear John Wesley preach. Wesley was preaching about money and he soon had the farmer's attention, because his first point was, "Get all you can." The farmer nudged his neighbor and said, "This is unusual preaching! I've never heard the likes of this before. This is good!" Wesley talked about hard work and purposeful living.
His second main point was, "Save all you can." The farmer became more excited. "Did you ever hear anything like this?" he exclaimed. Wesley denounced waste and extravagance. The farmer was quite happy, thinking, "I do all this."
But then Wesley advanced to his third point, which was, "Give all you can." "Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" moaned the farmer. "He has gone and spoiled his sermon."
I hope you don't think that I have spoiled this series on money by saying, "Give all you can." God has given all for us; He wants us to be cheerful, generous givers who respond to His grace.

Discussion Questions

1. Agree/disagree: In most cases, not giving more than 10 percent reflects a lukewarm heart toward God?
2. What is the biggest hindrance to generous giving among Christians? In your own life?
3. Should we give out of obedience even if we don't feel like it? Isn't that legalism?
4. If 10 percent isn't the standard for giving, how do we know when our giving pleases God?

Copyright 1993, Steven J. Cole, All Rights Reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, © The Lockman Foundation

QUESTION: "IS 'NAME-IT AND CLAIM-IT' TEACHING BIBLICAL?"

Answer: The “name it and claim it” or “prosperity gospel” is not biblical and is in many ways antithetical to the true gospel message and the clear teaching of Scripture. While there are many different versions of the name it and claim it philosophy preached today, they all have similar characteristics. At its best, this teaching comes from the misinterpretation and misunderstanding of some Scriptures and, at its worst, it is a completely heretical teaching that has the characteristics of a cult.

The roots of the Word of Faith movement and the name it and claim it message have more in common with new age metaphysics than with biblical Christianity. However, instead of us creating our reality with our thoughts, as new age proponents advise, name it and claim it teachers tell us that we can use the “power of faith” to create our own reality or get what we want. In essence faith is redefined from trusting in a holy and sovereign God despite our circumstances to a way of controlling God to give us what we want. Faith becomes a force whereby we can get what we want rather than an abiding trust in God even during times of trials and suffering.

There are many areas where name it and claim it departs from biblical Christianity. The teaching really exalts man and his “faith” above God. In fact many of the more extreme Word of Faith teachers teach that man was created on terms of equality with God and that man is the same class of being that He is Himself. This dangerous and heretical teaching denies the very basic tenets of biblical Christianity which is why the extreme proponents of the name it and claim it teaching must be considered to be cultic and not truly Christian.

Both the metaphysical cults and the name it and claim it teaching distort the truth and embrace the false teaching that our thoughts control reality. Whether it is the power of positive thinking or the prosperity gospel, the premise is the same—what you think or believe will happen is ultimately what controls what will happen. If you think negative thoughts or are lacking in faith, you will suffer or not get what you want. But on the other hand if you think positive thoughts or just have “enough faith,” then you can have health, wealth and happiness now. This false teaching appeals to one of man’s most base instincts, which is one reason why it is hugely popular.

While the prosperity gospel and the idea of controlling one’s future with his thoughts or faith is appealing to sinful man, it is insulting to a sovereign God who has revealed Himself in Scripture. Instead of recognizing the absolute sovereign power of God as revealed in the Bible, the name it and claim it adherents embrace a false god who cannot operate apart from their faith. They present a false view of God by teaching that He wants to bless you with health, wealth and happiness but cannot do so unless YOU have enough faith. Thereby God is no longer in control but man is. Of course this is completely antithetical to what Scripture teaches. God does not depend upon man’s ‘faith” to act. Throughout Scripture we see God blessing who He chooses to bless and healing who He chooses to heal.

Another problem with the name it and claim it teaching is that if fails to recognize that Jesus Himself is the ultimate treasure worth sacrificing everything for (Matthew 13:44) and instead sees Jesus as little more than a way of getting what we want right now. Jesus’ message is that a Christian is called to “…deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul” (Matthew 16:24-24). Contrast that to the message of the prosperity gospel. Rather than being a message of self-denial, the prosperity gospel is one of self-satisfaction. Its goal is not becoming more Christ-like through sacrifice but having what we want here and now, clearly contradicting the words of our Savior.

The Bible teaches that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12), but the name and claim it message is that any suffering we undergo is simply the result of a lack of faith. The prosperity gospel is completely focused on us getting the things the world has to offer, but 1 John 2:15 tells us we should not “love the world or the things in the world” and, in fact, those with a fondness for the things of the world become enemies of God (James 4:4). The message of the prosperity gospel simply cannot be any more opposite of what the Bible really teaches.

In his book Your Best Life Now, prosperity teacher Joel Osteen says that the key to a more rewarding life, a better home, a stronger marriage and a better job is found in a “simple yet profound process to change the way you think about your life and help you accomplish what is truly important.” How different that is from the biblical truth that this life now is nothing compared to the life to come. The message of the prosperity gospel is focused around the “treasures” or good things we want and can have now, while Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Jesus did not come to give us health, wealth and happiness now. He came to save us from our sins so that we can have an eternity of bliss with Him. Following Christ is not a ticket to all the material things men desire in this life but a ticket to eternal life. Our desire should not be to have our best life now but should be that of the Apostle Paul who had learned to be content “in whatever state I am” (Philippians 4:11).

Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff.

While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

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Related Topics:

Is there power in positive confession?

Is the Word of Faith movement biblical?

Is pleading the blood of Jesus biblical?

Was Jesus rich/wealthy?

Are Christians “little gods”?

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Questions about False Doctrine

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/name-it-claim-it.html#ixzz2TqAVzGCb

HOW TO BECOME A PROSPERITY PREACHER

After the recent expositions about some church leaders, it has become clear that Pastoral work and Christianity as a whole is a huge pillar to Uganda’s economy. Just as a form of encouraging economic development, John K. Abimanyi gives a few guidelines to follow if any one is interested in starting, maintaining and prospering a church

Start from scratch
Do not wait to build a 10,000-seater auditorium to begin a church. The back yard garage at home can do for starters. If you follow the instructions below to the dot, you will upgrade to a palace church in no time.

Prosperity gospel
Above all, make it clear from the start that the only way to get a thing from God is by constant, sincere, and faithful tithing and sowing. The flock should know that God knows exactly how much they earn and will punish them when they give him less than a tenth. Preach about getting rich and prospering.
Do not talk about sin and hell because people do not like being blamed for the slightest sin they commit; rather, they want to listen to the promises of prosperity that God has for them.

Scream
You need a loud, sharp and hoarse voice. 21 century church is not conducted in whispers. Thus, you should be able to scream the lungs out to the masses all sermon long. It shows that you are an authority on what you are preaching. You should also be able to quote a few Bible verses off the cuff without turning the pages of the bible.

Regular concertsOrganise regular music and dance extravaganzas facilitated by dynamic bass boost sound systems. It is the only way to attract this day’s youth to your church. You can also include youth conferences where you talk about sex, abstinence, marriage, and relationships from as many perspectives as you can create.
They love hearing such talk and will never get tired of it. You would also love to have a mass choir, probably run by your wife or daughter, where the boys and girls meet to socialise during the practice. This will keep the youth satisfied and once you have today’s youth, you have tomorrow’s leaders.

Unique personalityHave a unique personality. You ought to have a few vices that you were saved from. Occasionally, remind your church that you were once a murderer, or a thief but you were saved and are now cleansed. The flock will easily associate with you because you have been where they are.
Drive high powered SUVs with personalised plates. You would particularly want to drive a Humvee. This would show that you are a General in God’s army. It helps to spread the word and show how God has blessed you. You do not need to be a good man to be a pastor. Do not let your promiscuity, witchcraft, lust, and theft stop you from serving.

The parking yard
After getting the church venue, gather up a few cars to park around your church on Sunday morning while you conduct your service. People feel secure going to a church that is attended by trendy looking people. All those that do not have cars, and they are really many, will have hope that within three months of attending your church, they will be driving as well.
So let them come and fill your bags with ‘seed.’ Words of caution though, do not pack Toyota Corollas a.k.a. kikumi and Toyota Coronas a.k.a. kibina at your venue because the people may think that your congregation is made up of special hire drivers only.

Gad for God
You need a good English accent. You must be able to pronounce the word ‘God’ as Garrd. That way, you give the congregation the feeling that you are learnt about the white man’s language; and that only builds their confidence in you. You should at no time refer to the Holy Spirit as that; rather, call him Holy Ghost; pronounced hurly gawst.

Testimonies
Hire a few people to give testimony once in while. This will send the message that things are working in your church and keep people anxious and ‘sowing.’ Do not worry about how to get the people to do this sacred job because many Ugandans would love to do such a thing. If they can sell the most private of their body parts for a couple of coins, then they can sell off their conscience for a little more than that.

People who matter
Hang around people who make things happen in your society. It helps to say words like, “while I was with the President the other day…” during your sermon. Your flock will know that they are in secure hands because you even command attention from high people. People like L.C.5 Chairperson, the President and his wife, and many of the kind. With this, you can never go wrong even if you blander with a prophecy or two.

140 QUESTIONS TITHE-TEACHERS SHOULD HONESTLY ANSWER

1.       According to Genesis 14:11-16 were the spoils of war Abram received holy tithes from God's holy land? Would they have been "holy" tithes in the Law? Answer: Of course not. There was no holy land yet. They do not fit the description of “holy” tithes under the Law and could not have been used to support the Levites and priests as Levitical tithes. 2.       According to Genesis 14:18-20 and Hebrews 7:4 does the Bible say that Abram freely gave tithes of spoils of war to the priest-king Melchizedek? Answer: No. Genesis 14:21 suggests that he was obeying the Arab law of the land which required tithes from spoils of war be given to the local king-priests. 3.       According to Numbers 31:21-30 what percentage did the statute of the Law for Israel later require as a tithe from spoils of war? Answer: One tenth of one per cent (.1%) (One half of one five hundredth): this was only one tenth of what Abram paid to Melchizedek. 4.       Why did Abraham tithe 10% of spoils when the Law later required far less? What controlled his actions? Answer: The Bible does not say “why”. Recorded tradition found in archaeology suggests it was the required law of the land throughout his world. 5.       From Genesis 14:20-21 could there be another law or Arab tradition involved?   Yes, No, Perhaps. Do some deep research on this. Answer: This is repetition of previous questions. Research many commentaries for a surprise answer. 6.       Would Abraham's tithe have been accepted as a holy tithe to enter the Temple? Answer: Only that which could be purified after passing through fire. And then it could only be used for temple maintenance.  Compare First Samuel 30:20-35. 7.       How often did Abraham tithe? Answer: The Bible does not record any other instance. Therefore, we really do not know. 8.       Is Abraham an example of tithing personal property and tithing regularly? Answer: Not at all. If we followed his example, we would only tithes from spoils of war and only once. 9.       Is Abraham's example of giving 90% to the king of Sodom an example for Christians to follow? Answer: Not at all. Yet tithe-preaches do not discuss this. 10.     From Genesis 20 and 21 is it possible that Abraham also paid tithes to the Philistine priest-king Abimelech whom he served? Answer: It is possible if it was required by their law. He obeyed the law of the land. 11.     Referring to Genesis 28:20-22 would Jacob's tithe from Haran have been accepted as a holy tithe to enter the Temple system? Answer: It does not fit the description of a holy tithe to be used for normal sustenance of Levites and priests. 12.     Referring to Genesis 28:20-22 should we follow Jacob's example and only tithe after God has met our conditions? Answer: No.  Yet this is not discussed by tithe-teachers. 13.     According to Genesis 28:20 was Jacob's tithe a freewill "vow" or a commandment of God? Answer: A freewill vow. And there is no record that he kept the vow. 14.     Is Jacob an example of tithing for Christians to follow? Answer: Not at all. 15.     How common was money, gold, silver, precious stones and shekels in Genesis? Answer: The word “money” occurs 32 times in Genesis. Check an exhaustive concordance.   16.     According to Genesis 13:2 and 20:16 did Abraham have a lot of money? Answer: Yes. It was already an important part of that economy. 17.     Was money essential for routine worship in the sanctuary?    Answer: Very much. Do your own research on the words "money" and "shekel." 18.     Is it honest to teach that tithes were only food because money was not common? Answer: No. It is dishonest and comes with dishonest ulterior motives to change God’s Word. 19.     According to Exodus 19:5-6 was tithing part of God's "original plan" before the incident of the golden calf? Answer: No. Tithing is not mentioned in Exodus. While Aaron’s house was intended to be resident priests, every Hebrew from every tribe was to be his/her own priest before God. Levitical priests were not mentioned. 20.     According to Leviticus 25:3-7 no food tithe could be taken every seventh year. Why is this ignored by churches today? Answer: Churches would have no grounds for collecting tithes every seventh year. 21.     According to Leviticus 25:12-13 no food tithe could be taken every fiftieth year. Why is this ignored by churches today? Answer: If one followed all of the OT tithing law, tithes could not be requested every 7th and 50th years. 22.     According to Leviticus 27:30, 32 (and 14 other texts), tithes were only food from the land of Israel and herds inside God's holy land of Israel which God had miraculously increased. Where in the Bible --over 1400 years from Leviticus to Luke -- are tithes defined as income or money? Answer: Nowhere. God’s definition of a holy tithe never changed. 23.     According to Leviticus 27:30, 32 the tithe was the tenth of the total crop and the tenth animal. Since the word "tithe" means "tenth" when did it change to become the "first" in the Bible? Answer: Nowhere. This is man’s change of God’s Word. 24.     According to Leviticus 27:34 the first tithe was not the "best." Where in the Bible does the first whole tithe become the "best"? Answer: Nowhere. Tithe-teachers dishonestly change God’s Word and ask for the first tenth of one’s paycheck. 25.     According to Leviticus 27:34 tithing was part of the Law given only to national Israel as a unique covenant.  When were the Gentiles, (pagans) or Church commanded to tithe in the Bible? Answer: Nowhere. None qualified as tithe-payers. They were not Hebrews and they did not grow food inside God’s holy land. 26.     Since only farmers and herdsmen living inside Israel produced tithes, where is the principle that says everybody was required to begin their level of giving at 10%? Answer: Nowhere. It is a tradition of man. 27.     Where does the Bible say that non-food income was tithed and that carpenters (Jesus), fishermen (Peter), tentmakers (Paul) and tradesmen tithed? Answer: Nowhere.  It is a tradition of man. 28.     Did God command the pagans to tithe? Answer. Absolutely not. 29.     Would Israel have accepted tithes from the pagans or pagan lands? Answer: No. And that should also be true today since God never changed the definition of holy tithes. 30.     Although Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" this was not given as a reason to collect tithes from pagans and from lands outside of Israel. Why is that true? Answer: Holy tithes were limited to food from God’s holy land of Israel. 31.     Why don't Christians observe all of the other things called "holy" and "most holy" in Leviticus? Answer: They say that these do not apply to the Church today because they were fulfilled or ended at Calvary.  32.     Where in the Bible is the exact wording of the ordinance or statute of tithing? Answer: Numbers 18. 33.     What is the difference between tithes and first-fruits?  Compare Lev 27:30-35; Num 18:13-18, 20-24; Deut 26:1-4; Neh 10:35-37; Prov 3:9. Answer: Tithes were tenth-fruits from God’s holy land which were brought to the Levitical cities where they were needed for food per Neh 10:37b. Firstfruits were very small token offerings which were brought to the Temple and eaten by the priests on duty. See Deu 26:1-4 and Neh 10:35-37a. 34.     Where are tithes equated with first-fruits in the Bible? Answer: Nowhere. This is a tradition of man designed to scare believers into giving their first to God whether or not they had met their family essentials per First Timothy 5:8. 35.     Weren't first-fruits very small token offerings from the first of the harvest? Answer: Yes, as previously discussed. 36.     OT Levites who received the first whole tithe were merely servants to the priests and later political workers. How is this principle applied in churches today? Answer: It is totally ignored. 37.     OT Levites gave the best tenth of their tithe to the priests --only one per cent of the total. How is this principle observed today? See Num 18:25-28. Answer: It is totally ignored. 38.     OT priests and Levites who received the tithes were not allowed to own or inherit property. Why isn't this principle observed today (Num 18:20, 23)? Answer: Modern tithe-teachers ignore every single OT principle concerned with tithing. They only apply their own re-definition. 39.     The OT tithe was never used for mission work to evangelize the pagans. What biblical principle authorizes it for missions today? Answer: None. This is a tradition of man. 40.     According to Deuteronomy 12 and 14:23-26 a festival tithe was to be eaten in the streets. Why is this tithe principle ignored by churches today? Answer: Their idea of tithing is not biblical. 41.     According to Deuteronomy 14:26 some festival tithes could be turned into alcoholic strong drinks. Why is this principle ignored by churches today? Answer: It does not fit into their change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. 42.     According to Deuteronomy 26:12-13 every third year a tithe was kept in the homes for the poor.  Why is this principle ignored by churches today? Answer: Again, it does not fit into their own change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. 43.     According to Deuteronomy 26:12-13 the Levites were included among the poor, strangers, fatherless and widows. Does this mean that the Levites and priests were to be counted among the poor? Answer: Yes.  It is highly likely that God expected the Levites to give away much of what they received to the poor at all times. 44.     Where does the Bible say that the poor were required to tithe? Answer: Nowhere, unless they were landowners or herdsmen living inside Israel. 45.     Many OT Levites who received the first whole tithe were political servants of the king (1 Chronicles 23 to 26). Why is that principle ignored today? Answer: Again, it does not fit into their own change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. 46.     In the OT the first and best tithe went to the king. Why is that principle ignored today (1 Sam 8:14-17)? Answer: We are not under a theocracy. Under Roman rule the first tithe went to Rome and often even the second tithe of fruits. 47.     Where did the Levites and priests live most of the time? See Joshua 20-21, Numbers 35 and First Chronicles 6. Answer: Far away from Jerusalem in their Levitical cities. At first there were 48. Judah had 13 originally but may have expanded them later. 48.     How often did the Levites and priests serve in the Temple?  See 1 Chron 28:13, 21; 2 Chron 8:14; 23:8; 31:2, 15-19 35: 4, 5, 10; Neh 11:30: 12:24; Luke 1:5-9. Answer: At a minimum of once every 24 weeks in a rotation (cycle). They spent the other 23 week either raising tithed animals or learning trades necessary for temple maintenance. 49.     ***Since 98% of the Levites and priests were not working in the temple most of the time, why would God tell the people in Malachi 3:10 to bring all of the tithe to the Temple when 98% of it was needed for food elsewhere? Answer: He did not. The “you” of Malachi 3:10 only makes sense if it only refers to the priests. The typical interpretation of Malachi 3:10 contrasts with Nehemiah 10:37b and common sense. 50.     What covenant was the curse of tithing part of?   See Neh 10:29; Deu 28:12, 21-22; Gal 3:10-13. Answer: Only the Old Covenant.  God is today dealing with His Church in terms of the New Covenant (Heb 8:8-13). 51.     According to Nehemiah 13:5-10 who was guilty of stealing the Levites' portion of the tithe? Answer: The priests. 52.     ***According to Nehemiah 10:37b where were the people commanded to take the tithes?  Why? Why is this text ignored today? Answer: (1) To the Levitical cities. (2) That is where 98% of those who needed it for food lived most of the time. (3) Again, it does not fit into their own change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. 53.     According to Nehemiah 10:38 where were the priests located when they received the tithes? Why is this text ignored today? Answer: In the Levitical cities. Again, it does not fit into their own change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. 54.     According to Malachi 1:6-14 who was guilty of stealing vows of tithes? Answer: The priests from 1:6. 55.     Who was cursed in Malachi 1:14? Answer: The priests. They were not commanded to tithe, but they were expected to give generous vow offerings from the tenth of the tithe which they received from the Levites. Num 18:21-28. 56.     Who was cursed 3 times in Malachi 2:2? Answer: The priests. 57.     Who is questioning God in Malachi 2:17? Answer: The priests from 2:13-17. 58.     To whom is God replying in Malachi 3:1-5? Answer: The priests from 2:1-10, 13-17. 59.     Are the priests also "sons of Jacob" in Malachi 3:6-7? Answer: Of course. They text does not have to refer to all sons of Jacob. 60.     Cannot Malachi 3:8 be referring to the priests stealing a third time? Answer: It makes sense that God has not changed from cursing the priests. 61.     "Curse" refers to the priests four times in 1:14 and 2:2. Is it possible that God is still cursing the priests in 3:9 instead of suddenly having pity on them? Answer: Common sense says yes.  God has not suddenly changed to feeling sorrow for priests. The “you” of 1:6 and 2:1 has never changed away from the priests. 62.     Does the pronoun "you" refer to the priests from Malachi 1:6 to 3:5? Answer: If it has not clearly changed, then it must. 63.     Is there concrete evidence that God has changed his address from the priests to the people in Malachi 3:6-7? Answer: Not in the context. 64.     Has God changed from cursing the priests to having pity on them in Malachi 3:8-10? Answer: This would be illogical. 65.     Since "you" has thus far referred to the priests and since Nehemiah 10:37 proves that the people brought their tithes to the Levitical cities, then is it reasonable to conclude that "you" in Malachi 3:10 also refers to the priests of Nehemiah 10:38? Answer: Yes. 66.     Again according to Nehemiah 10:37 where was most of the tithe needed and stored? Answer: In the Levitical cities. 67.     According to Nehemiah 13:5-10 how large was the storeroom in the Temple? Answer: If it was made from combining two rooms, the largest would be about 10 ft by 20 ft. Compare 1 Kings 6:6 for room size. 68.     Could the Temple have physically held all of the tithe of the nation in Solomon's time or Nehemiah's time? Answer: Absolutely not. 69.     Is it possible that the Temple "storehouse" idea has been misunderstood? Answer: Yes. Levites and priests living far away from the Temple would have to travel long distances for food. And the early church had no legal buildings for almost 300 years after Calvary. 70.     In Second Chronicles 31:15-19, why did King Hezekiah choose to relocate the tithes from rotting heaps in the streets of Jerusalem to the Levitical cities? Answer: After consulting with Levites and priests, they realized that it was the logical thing to do. The temple storerooms only supplied food for the Levites and priests who ministered in the temple on weekly rotations. 71.     The "outlaw" early church met in secret in catacombs and graveyards for over 200 years after Calvary. They had no building to call "storehouses." Why does the modern church use the term "storehouse tithing"? Answer: It is dishonest and wants ignorant believers to think that they must bring the first ten per cent of their paycheck to the church. 72.     The OT Temple has been replaced, not by a building (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19), but the body of individual believers. Why does the modern church ignore this and teach that tithes should be brought to the church building as a replacement of the Temple? Answer: Again, it does not fit into their own change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. 73.     Matthew 5:19-48 refers to all 600+ commandments of the Law. Why is 5:17-18 used only to argue that tithing is still valid? The text is self-destructive for that argument. Answer: Again, it does not fit into their own change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. The text must be interpreted to teach that we are either under all of the law or none of it. 74.     Did Jesus (a carpenter), Peter (a fisherman) and Paul (a tentmaker) qualify as tithe-payers under the Law? Answer: No. They were neither landowners nor herdsmen inside Israel. That which the produced was from their own increase and not from God’s miracle. 75.     How do you explain Matthew 5:19 "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."? Answer: It means that you cannot keep tithing while discarding most of the law. A consistent principle of interpretation is needed. 76.     Does not Matthew 5:19 obligate one to keep all 600+ commandments of the Law? Answer: In its context, yes. 77.     According to Matthew 12:1-2 Jesus and his disciples gleaned food on the Sabbath Day. Were they accused of not tithing?  Why? Answer: No. Because by allowing them to glean, the law recognized them as poor. It also proves that the poor were not expected to tithe from gleanings. 78.     According to Mark 12:42-44 a widow gave at the Temple. Was she tithing or giving a freewill offering? Answer: She was giving a freewill offering of money. Money was never a tithed item. 79.     Since Paul's tents came from pagan lands, did his income from selling tents qualify as tithe-able income under the Law? Answer: Absolutely not. 80.     According to Matthew 23:2 who were the recognized interpreters of the Law? Answer: The scribes and Pharisees. 81.     According to Matthew 23:2-3 why did Jesus tell his Jewish disciples to obey the scribes and Pharisees? Answer: They were the current recognized authorities who sat in Moses seat to interpret the law. 82.     According to Matthew 23:3-4 did the addition of herbs and spices change the tithing law into a burden? Answer: Yes. Counting small seeds would be a great burden. 83.     Did the Law command tithes from garden spices and herbs? Answer: The tithing law did not include those items. 84.     Why did Jesus tell His Jewish disciples to tithe garden spices and herbs? Answer: They were partially responsible for allowing the scribes and Pharisees to sit in Moses seat. 85.     In Matthew 8:4 why did Jesus command the Jews he healed to show themselves to the priests? Answer: The Law was still in full effect before Calvary. 86.     Why did Jesus NOT command the Gentiles he healed to show themselves to the priests? Answer: They were not under the Law. 87.     Did Jesus tell his Gentile disciples to tithe to the Temple system? Answer: No. It would not have been allowed. It was illegal. 88.     To whom does the word "you" refer in Matthew 23:23? Answer: The scribes and Pharisees. 89.     What three words in Matthew 23:23 describe its context? Answer: "of the law" 90.     Is Matthew 23:23 an Old Covenant command or a New Covenant command? Answer: Old Covenant before Calvary. 91.     Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler and Zaccheus to give their money to the poor instead of the Temple as tithes? Answer: Their wealth must not have been in land and animals inside Israel. Jesus was not breaking the law which required tithing. 92.     Do pastors today allow visiting evangelists to tell their congregation to "sell all that you have and give it to the poor"? Answer: Of course not. They do not tell their congregations to do this either. Again, it does not fit into their own change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. 93.     Why do not pastors today command their church members to tithe garden spices as Jesus commanded in Matthew 23:23? Answer: Again, it does not fit into their own change of God’s Word to suit their own needs. They have no consistent hermeneutic. 94.     According to Luke 22:20 when did the Old Covenant end and the New Covenant begin? Answer: The Old Covenant ended and the New Covenant began when Jesus shed His blood at Calvary. 95.     According to Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-35 did God command the disciples to share communally or did they make a freewill choice? Answer: There is no record that Cod commanded this. It is very possible that it was done in anticipation of Christ’s imminent return. 96.     According to Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-35 were the disciples tithing to church leaders or sharing everything equally? Answer: This is not an example of tithing. It is an example of sacrificial freewill giving at the extreme. It should not be preached as an example of tithing because everybody shared equally. 97.     According to Acts 2:46 did the early church withdraw itself from worship in the Temple? Answer: Not at all. Evidence is that they continued supporting the Temple. If they had stopped financially supporting the Temple, they would not have been allowed to use it. 98.     According to Acts 15:10 did Peter argue against putting the yoke of the law on Gentile Christians? Answer: Most definitely. 99.     According to Acts 15:19-20 did James agree with Peter? Answer: Most definitely. Yet most pastors today place their churches under the law of tithing while rejecting most of the law as irrelevant. 100.   According to Acts 20:29-35 was Paul self supporting most of the time? Answer: Yes. He even boasted about it. 101.   According to Acts 20:35 did Paul expect church elders to follow his example? Answer: Yes, but it was not a command. 102.   According to Acts 20:35 whom did Jesus tell to work and give to the weak? Answer: Church elders. This has been reversed by the modern church. 103.   According to Acts 21:20 were the Christian Jews in Jerusalem still "zealous of the law"? Answer: Yes, and this was 30 years after Calvary. The compromise of Acts 15 split the church and still required Jewish Christians to obey all of the Old Covenant Law. 104.   According to Acts 21:20 is it logical to conclude that the Christian Jews in Jerusalem were still paying tithes to the Temple system? Answer: Yes, otherwise they would not be “zealous of the law.” The Law required payment of tithes to the Levites and priests and not to gospel workers. 105.   According to 1 Corinthians 9:7-14 did the vocations of soldier, herdsman, farmer, mill-grinder, temple worker and gospel worker each operate under different principles of support? Answer: Yes. Each had its own principle. 106.   Comparing 1 Cor 9:13 with Numbers 18 and Leviticus, were temple workers supported from tithes, offerings, vows, freewill gifts, portions of sacrifices and many other sources? Answer: Yes. Far more than tithing. Levites only received the tithe while priests had many sources of income other than a tenth of the tithe. 107.   Comparing 1 Cor 9:13 with Numbers 18 and Leviticus, was tithing the only "thing of the temple"? Answer: Of course not, but this fact is ignored. 108.   Referring to 1 Cor 9:14 does even so ("in the same way") command gospel workers to be supported by every means of support used for temple workers? Answer: Of course not. The argument used by tithe-teachers is self-defeating. It proves too much. 109.   Referring to 1 Cor 9:14 does "even so" command gospel workers to be supported by 'gospel principles' of grace and faith "in the same manner" as the previous six vocations had been supports by their own principles? Answer: Yes. The principle refers to all vocations mentioned in verses 7 to 14. 110.   Referring to 1 Cor 9:14 is it dishonest to teach that 9:13 only referred to tithing? Does not the text teach too much and destroy the tithing argument? Answer: It is very dishonest. Paul knew that holy tithes were only for Levites and priests and could not come from Gentiles lands. Again, the text is self-defeating for tithe-teachers. It proves too much. 111.   According to 1 Cor 9:12, 15-19 did Paul accept tithes as a salary? Answer: Absolutely not. He usually did not even accept freewill offerings. As a highly educated rabbi, Paul had been taught that teaching God’s Word for pay was not the manner of rabbis. 112.   Comparing 1 Cor 9:14 with 9:12, 15-19 if Jesus commanded tithing to support gospel workers, was not Paul disobeying that command? Answer: Yes, but this fact is ignored by tithe-teachers. 113.   According to 2 Cor 3:10, how much glory does the OT have in comparison to the New Covenant?  Answer: Zero glory. 114.   Where is tithing repeated to the Church in New Covenant terms of grace and faith? Answer: Nowhere. And neither are gospel workers required to forfeit land inheritance rights and obey any of the tithing statute of Numbers 18. 115.   According to 1 Peter 2:9-10 has the OT priesthood been replaced by church leaders or by every believer? Answer: By every believer. And this should have enormous implications against New Covenant tithing. 116.   Referring to 1 Peter 2:9-10, how does the "priesthood of believers" affect tithing? Answer: Believers do not tithe to themselves, plus Old Covenant priests were never commanded to tithe. 117.   Were non-Levite OT prophets supported by tithes? Answer: Absolutely not. They were either self-supported or received freewill offerings. 118.   Were OT and NT Jewish synagogue rabbis supported by tithes? Answer: No. Never. And this should be important. The synagogue system using rabbis did not replace tithing to the Temple. 119.   Are NT pastors and elders supported similar to OT priests or prophets and rabbis? Answer: The comparison is better to OT prophets and rabbis. 120.   Is First Timothy 5:1-20 a discussion of discipline or pastoral salary? Answer: Discipline. 121.   According to First Timothy 5:8 are family essential needs more important than church support? Answer: Definitely. 122.   How can First Timothy 5:8 be true if the first 10% of income must be given to the church? Answer: Both cannot be true for the Church. 123.   Does "double honor" in First Timothy 5:17 refer to "double caution in discipline" or "double salary"? Answer: The context is discipline. 124.   According to First Timothy 6:6-11 should gospel workers expect to be better off financially than most? Answer: No. 125.   According to Hebrews 7:5, did the Law give the priests authority to receive tithes? Answer: Yes. 126a. Were the OT priests also kings? Answer: Not the HOLY Hebrew priests defined by the Law. 126b.  What does Hebrews 7:8 refer to? Answer: The priests who were still literally receiving tithes before A.D.70. 127.   According to Hebrews 7:11 and Psalm 110:4 was the Messiah to be a priest-king? Answer: Yes. 128.   According to Hebrews 7:11-12 did the prophecy that the Messiah would be a priest-king necessitate a change in the law? Answer: Yes. 129.   According to Hebrews, chapters 5 to 7, was OT Melchizedek qualified to be a priest under the Law? Answer: No. 130.   According to Hebrews 7:13-17 was Jesus qualified to be a priest under the Law? Answer: No. 131.   According to Hebrews 7:18 how was the Law which also commanded tithing in 7:5 "changed" in 7:12? Answer: It was disannulled, or abolished. It ended. It was not carried over into the New Covenant. 132.   According to Hebrews 7:12, 18, why was the Law which also commanded tithing to support the Levitical priesthood "annulled" or "set aside"? Answer: It was weak and not profitable. It had been replaced with better New Covenant principles of sacrificial giving. 133.   According to Hebrews 7:16-28 was the king-priesthood of Messiah to be based on eternal moral principles? Answer: Yes and those include sacrificial freewill giving which are written in the heart and conscience. 134.   Tithing existed in most nations long before Abraham's time and those nations also practiced idolatry, child sacrifices and temple prostitution. Does the fact that tithing existed before the Law make it an eternal moral principle? Answer: No. The HOLY tithe was only given later by special revelation to Old Covenant Israel. 135.   According to the entire book of Leviticus, how can tithing be retained as  a "holy" principle and almost everything else called "holy" and "most holy" in Leviticus be discarded? Answer: By using poor principles of interpretation. 136.   According to Hebrews 8:6-13 Christ's "more excellent ministry" replaced the Old Covenant on stones and paper with the New Covenant in the heart. Does a new-creation Christian know in the heart that he/she must give a ten per cent tithe to support the church? Answer: No. 137.   According to Second Corinthians 8 and 9, does a new-creation Christian know instinctively to give: freely, sacrificially, generously, joyfully, not of commandment, regularly and motivated love for God and love for lost souls? Answer: Yes. It is part of the new creation with the indwelling Holy Spirit. 138.   According to Second Corinthians 8:12-15, what is the "equality" principle of giving? Answer: Many give much more than 10% while some cannot give that much. Yet both give sacrificially.  The giving equals out. 139.   According to Second Corinthians 3:10-18 which principle of giving has the blessing of the Holy Spirit? Answer: Post Calvary New Covenant Holy Spirit blessed giving (and every other doctrine). 140.   Should most affluent Christians lower their standard of living in order to give more to promote the gospel? Answer: Yes.