Part 3: The Abuse of Tithing
In
the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
With the
establishment of the Levitical Code regulating tithing we also see corruption
and abuse of tithing. The Temple was the place where they took tithes
(Deuteronomy 12: 5-12). Meanwhile a penalty of twenty percent of the tithe was
exacted from those who sold their tithes and refused to use the money to pay
for a substitute (Leviticus 27:31). Also, the Hebrew people were required to make
a declaration of honesty before the Lord (Deuteronomy 26:13-15).
Therefore, the
greatest act of abuse of tithing was seen in the law that allowed
substitutions. If a Hebrew lived to far from the Temple to take his tithes he
could sell them and use the money to buy substitutes at the Temple.
(Deuteronomy 14: 24-26). Nevertheless, this permit led to gross abuses by the
Priests. Thus we see the leaders (Priests/Ministers) manipulating a situation
that was already in a state of corruption.
The contemporary
Preachers continue this abuse and have turned the Houses of God into places of
commerce and banking. Thus all fund-raising days should be banned and properly
noted as Blasphemy.
This includes the Ungodly Pastors
Anniversaries, Men’s Day, Women's Day, Ushers Day, Youth Day and all other Days
used to raise money for the Church. These Day's of celebration glorify Man and
Money and not God. WHERE DID ALL OF THESE FUND- RAISING DAYS COME FROM? THERE
IS NO SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE THAT SUPPORTS THE ON-GOING FUND-RAISING. DO THE
PREACHERS OF TODAY ABIDE BY THE BIBLE OR THE LAWS OF THE UNGODLY? Does the
contemporary Black Church have more fund-raising Days than the merchants who
thrive on every Holiday noted on the calendar?
The New Testament
offers several scriptures that record the abuse of tithing at the Temple. Jesus
Christ reacts to this abuse and renders very important scripture lessons for us
to live by. The first clearing of the Temple by Jesus occurs in John 2: 13-16.
To understand the scripture lesson noted in John 2: 13-16 we must reflect back
on the scripture in the Old Testament that relate to offering substitutes at
the temple. We previously noted this scripture in Deuteronomy 14: 24-26. So as
we use the scripture in Deuteronomy as a scriptural base we can understand the
contents of the scripture noted in John 2: 13-16.
John 2:13. "And
the Jews Passover was at hand and Jesus went up to Jerusalem”.
2: 14 "And found
in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves and the changers of
money sitting”.
The Passover was a
yearly celebration at the Temple in Jerusalem. All Jewish males were expected
to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at that time (see Deuteronomy 16:16). The
week of Passover commemorated the freeing of the Jews from slavery in Egypt
(Exodus 12: 1-13).
The Temple was
located in Jerusalem which was the religious and political capital of
Palestine. Jerusalem was also the place where they expected the Messiah to
arrive. Jerusalem was also the place where Jewish families from all over the
world traveled to during the Passover. As the people came to worship at the
Temple the area was always crowded. Thus, thousands of people crowded the
Temple Courtyards during the Passover.
The area became even
more crowded with the booths set up by the money changers and merchants. These
booths set up in the Court of Gentiles were allegedly for the convenience of
the worshipers and as a way to make money for the up-keep of the Temple.
However in the process the religious leaders did not seem to care that the
merchants made it difficult for the people to worship.
The record shows that
two offerings or tributes caused abuse. (All of these were related to
substitutions). The Temple tax had to be paid in local currency. Therefore,
people from other places had to have their money changed. The people that
changed the money often charged high rates. The people were also required to
make a sacrifice for sin. Due to the long journey to Jerusalem many people
could not bring animals to make this offering. Also many animals were rejected
because of imperfections. Thus, animal merchants were also evident in the court
yard of the Temple.
Many of these
merchants were greedy and dishonest. Meanwhile, they made a mockery out of
God's house of worship. Jesus was very angry at those who used God's house of
worship to make a profit. Here we see a valuable lesson in standing against
those who mis-use the houses of worship for profit making. Christians have a
right and responsibility to be angry about injustice and sin. However, being
angry over simple and personal matters is wrong. Jesus used tactics to rid the
Temple of money-changers that can be described as violence. However Jesus has
authority not granted to man in the flesh. Thus, we should never try to claim
the authority of Jesus.
Further scripture
reference regarding the second clearing and cleansing of the Temple are noted
in Mark 12: 19, Luke 19: 45-48. Also in the Old Testament we see Isaiah 56:7
quoted by Jesus when he chased the money changers out of the Temple as noted in
Mark 11: 17. In the 7th Chapter of Jeremiah God speaks to Jeremiah concerning
the people indulging in false worship. In verse 11 we see:
“Is this house, which
is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have
seen it, saith the Lord”.
Again we see Jesus
using these words when he cleared the Temple (Mark 11: 17, Luke 19: 46). These
scriptures applied to the evil in the Temple during the time of Jeremiah. It
also applied to the evil during the time of Jesus. We also note that this
scripture applies to the houses of God today. Throughout the year the church is
a consistent place of various fund-raising activities. However, we come to
bring up for review the rationale for these activities. Also we seek to note the
Biblical references that note how tithes and offerings are to be used. Also for
your thought and mediation can a Crooked Low-Down Preacher be compared to a
Drug Dealing Low-Life who robs the people of life and promotes their death?
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net