THE DEBATE ABOUT TITHE (Part I)
By
Rev. Prof. John O. Enyinnaya
INTRODUCTION
A debate about tithing has raged in Nigeria's media for quite some time. Several people have canvassed positions that painted a negative view of the tithe and tithers. A pastor made a mistake by claiming that a person who does not pay tithe will not go to heaven (a claim he has retracted). Many antagonists of the tithe swung to the other side of the pendulum, tending to suggest that anyone who practices tithing is not a New Testament Christian.
Some people criticize the practice of tithing because they believe it is an Old Testament injunction not sustained in the New Testament. These have argued their positions by presenting the matter in the context of the debate about law and grace. However, most antagonists criticize tithing on considerations other than biblical or theological reasons.
Following the discussions, one observes that the key factors motivating the debate have nothing to do with what the Bible teaches. I intend to address the issue of tithing in three parts. Whereas it is essential to enquire about the biblical teachings about the tithe (I shall address that in part two), I wish to unmask the non-theological motivations behind the debate. In part three, I will try to enunciate the significance of the tithe and its place in the Christian’s discharge of their stewardship responsibilities towards God and his kingdom work.
REACTION AGAINST "COMMERCIAL" TENDENCIES OF SOME PASTORS
Many people I have heard criticizing the practice of tithing have not hidden their angst with pastors who, they claim, their teachings about tithing are motivated by the desire to enrich themselves. They argue that pastors profit through tithing at the expense of their poor members. Thus, the tithe of poor members ends up financing the lavish lifestyles of these pastors. While it is true that some pastors are guilty of unorthodox teachings and practices and even unconscionable extravagance, this is only true of a negligible, tiny minority of “pastors”.
Most Christians in Nigeria belong to the established churches whose members know that the money they give to their churches does not go to their pastor. In the established churches, the tithe is given to the church. The pastor only receives a salary based on these churches' approved standards and policies. So, no pastor of these churches can be accused of enriching himself with members’ tithe. I also know some of the newly founded churches that operate a similar system of transparency and accountability. For the members and pastors of such churches, therefore, the accusation that pastors unlawfully profit from members’ financial support for their churches clearly does not apply.
TENDENCY TOWARDS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
The debate about the tithe has taken the shape of political correctness. It is no longer fashionable to speak in favour of the tithe. It is trendier to criticize the practice of tithing, so many people join the bandwagon. It is not strange these days to hear a pastor criticizing the practice of tithing and claiming that they no longer collect offerings in their churches as if that is an achievement. Such positioning comes from the needless desire to gain the crowd's applause and be seen to belong.
THE ALLURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS
Closely related to the above is the desire of many people to join whatever is trending on social media. The social media has become a powerful influence on people’s opinions and beliefs. A perceptive observer will notice that many things that trend on social media are not products of critical and rigorous thinking. The social media frenzy resulting in the criticism of tithing and all kinds of giving to the church is one such trend lacking in rigorous thought and reflection.
CONCLUSION
The ongoing debate about tithe has been largely unsolicited because tithers are not complaining about tithing. It is mainly non-tithers that are emotionally invested in criticizing the practice and trolling anyone who speaks in favour of it, akin to taking paracetamol for another person’s headache. A person with any experience of giving to the Lord and receiving the blessings thereof will have no time for idle arguments that do not hold water.
By
Rev. Prof. John O. Enyinnaya
INTRODUCTION
A debate about tithing has raged in Nigeria's media for quite some time. Several people have canvassed positions that painted a negative view of the tithe and tithers. A pastor made a mistake by claiming that a person who does not pay tithe will not go to heaven (a claim he has retracted). Many antagonists of the tithe swung to the other side of the pendulum, tending to suggest that anyone who practices tithing is not a New Testament Christian.
Some people criticize the practice of tithing because they believe it is an Old Testament injunction not sustained in the New Testament. These have argued their positions by presenting the matter in the context of the debate about law and grace. However, most antagonists criticize tithing on considerations other than biblical or theological reasons.
Following the discussions, one observes that the key factors motivating the debate have nothing to do with what the Bible teaches. I intend to address the issue of tithing in three parts. Whereas it is essential to enquire about the biblical teachings about the tithe (I shall address that in part two), I wish to unmask the non-theological motivations behind the debate. In part three, I will try to enunciate the significance of the tithe and its place in the Christian’s discharge of their stewardship responsibilities towards God and his kingdom work.
REACTION AGAINST "COMMERCIAL" TENDENCIES OF SOME PASTORS
Many people I have heard criticizing the practice of tithing have not hidden their angst with pastors who, they claim, their teachings about tithing are motivated by the desire to enrich themselves. They argue that pastors profit through tithing at the expense of their poor members. Thus, the tithe of poor members ends up financing the lavish lifestyles of these pastors. While it is true that some pastors are guilty of unorthodox teachings and practices and even unconscionable extravagance, this is only true of a negligible, tiny minority of “pastors”.
Most Christians in Nigeria belong to the established churches whose members know that the money they give to their churches does not go to their pastor. In the established churches, the tithe is given to the church. The pastor only receives a salary based on these churches' approved standards and policies. So, no pastor of these churches can be accused of enriching himself with members’ tithe. I also know some of the newly founded churches that operate a similar system of transparency and accountability. For the members and pastors of such churches, therefore, the accusation that pastors unlawfully profit from members’ financial support for their churches clearly does not apply.
TENDENCY TOWARDS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
The debate about the tithe has taken the shape of political correctness. It is no longer fashionable to speak in favour of the tithe. It is trendier to criticize the practice of tithing, so many people join the bandwagon. It is not strange these days to hear a pastor criticizing the practice of tithing and claiming that they no longer collect offerings in their churches as if that is an achievement. Such positioning comes from the needless desire to gain the crowd's applause and be seen to belong.
THE ALLURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS
Closely related to the above is the desire of many people to join whatever is trending on social media. The social media has become a powerful influence on people’s opinions and beliefs. A perceptive observer will notice that many things that trend on social media are not products of critical and rigorous thinking. The social media frenzy resulting in the criticism of tithing and all kinds of giving to the church is one such trend lacking in rigorous thought and reflection.
CONCLUSION
The ongoing debate about tithe has been largely unsolicited because tithers are not complaining about tithing. It is mainly non-tithers that are emotionally invested in criticizing the practice and trolling anyone who speaks in favour of it, akin to taking paracetamol for another person’s headache. A person with any experience of giving to the Lord and receiving the blessings thereof will have no time for idle arguments that do not hold water.
THE DEBATE ABOUT TITHE (Part I)
By
Rev. Prof. John O. Enyinnaya
INTRODUCTION
A debate about tithing has raged in Nigeria's media for quite some time. Several people have canvassed positions that painted a negative view of the tithe and tithers. A pastor made a mistake by claiming that a person who does not pay tithe will not go to heaven (a claim he has retracted). Many antagonists of the tithe swung to the other side of the pendulum, tending to suggest that anyone who practices tithing is not a New Testament Christian.
Some people criticize the practice of tithing because they believe it is an Old Testament injunction not sustained in the New Testament. These have argued their positions by presenting the matter in the context of the debate about law and grace. However, most antagonists criticize tithing on considerations other than biblical or theological reasons.
Following the discussions, one observes that the key factors motivating the debate have nothing to do with what the Bible teaches. I intend to address the issue of tithing in three parts. Whereas it is essential to enquire about the biblical teachings about the tithe (I shall address that in part two), I wish to unmask the non-theological motivations behind the debate. In part three, I will try to enunciate the significance of the tithe and its place in the Christian’s discharge of their stewardship responsibilities towards God and his kingdom work.
REACTION AGAINST "COMMERCIAL" TENDENCIES OF SOME PASTORS
Many people I have heard criticizing the practice of tithing have not hidden their angst with pastors who, they claim, their teachings about tithing are motivated by the desire to enrich themselves. They argue that pastors profit through tithing at the expense of their poor members. Thus, the tithe of poor members ends up financing the lavish lifestyles of these pastors. While it is true that some pastors are guilty of unorthodox teachings and practices and even unconscionable extravagance, this is only true of a negligible, tiny minority of “pastors”.
Most Christians in Nigeria belong to the established churches whose members know that the money they give to their churches does not go to their pastor. In the established churches, the tithe is given to the church. The pastor only receives a salary based on these churches' approved standards and policies. So, no pastor of these churches can be accused of enriching himself with members’ tithe. I also know some of the newly founded churches that operate a similar system of transparency and accountability. For the members and pastors of such churches, therefore, the accusation that pastors unlawfully profit from members’ financial support for their churches clearly does not apply.
TENDENCY TOWARDS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
The debate about the tithe has taken the shape of political correctness. It is no longer fashionable to speak in favour of the tithe. It is trendier to criticize the practice of tithing, so many people join the bandwagon. It is not strange these days to hear a pastor criticizing the practice of tithing and claiming that they no longer collect offerings in their churches as if that is an achievement. Such positioning comes from the needless desire to gain the crowd's applause and be seen to belong.
THE ALLURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS
Closely related to the above is the desire of many people to join whatever is trending on social media. The social media has become a powerful influence on people’s opinions and beliefs. A perceptive observer will notice that many things that trend on social media are not products of critical and rigorous thinking. The social media frenzy resulting in the criticism of tithing and all kinds of giving to the church is one such trend lacking in rigorous thought and reflection.
CONCLUSION
The ongoing debate about tithe has been largely unsolicited because tithers are not complaining about tithing. It is mainly non-tithers that are emotionally invested in criticizing the practice and trolling anyone who speaks in favour of it, akin to taking paracetamol for another person’s headache. A person with any experience of giving to the Lord and receiving the blessings thereof will have no time for idle arguments that do not hold water.
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