Churches, Money and Misconceptions (Catlady Bible Study # 1)

 It is a sad fact that 99.99% of all churches are driven by their nee / greed for money. It does not matter which denomination you are with, they all spend a fair portion of their message begging for money or preaching about tithing. However, none of them grasp the true meaning of tithing or how a church should cover its cost of operations. This drive for money also drives away many people who are turned off by the constant begging for money, instead of focusing on the message they are supposed to deliver.

Matthew 6:24

“No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

 

Mammon in the Bible is MONEY.

 

 

 

We also see every church preaching about the importance of tithing, but what IS tithing?

 

Unfortunately, churches have turned away from the true meaning of the purpose of tithing.....

 

Some describe it this way...

 

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-is-a-tithe-meaning-and-importance-of-tithing-in-the-bible.html

 

The Old Testament tells us God’s people followed the law of tithing. To accomplish this commandment, Church members give one-tenth of their income to the Lord through His Church. These funds are used to grow the Church and promote the truth of the Lord throughout the world.  

Notice how the word "income" is used. In this example they refer to MONEY.

The Old Testament NEVER refers to tithing as money - EVER.

 

The tithe was a means to support those who lived and worked in the temple, those who held no lands to grow crops or tend to herds of animals. 

 

KJV Dictionary Definition: tithe

tithe

TITHE, n. The tenth part of any thing; but appropriately, the tenth part of the increase annually arising from the profits of land and stock, allotted to the clergy for their support. Tithes are personal, predial, or mixed; personal, when accruing from labor, art, trade and navigation; predial, when issuing from the earth, as hay, wood and fruit; and mixed, when accruing from beasts, which are fed from the ground.

 

Notice it speaks of a form of physical labor, but in no way does it mention MONEY.

 

In the Old Testament to tithe meant to bring a portion of the crops, a portion of the sheep, a portion of ANYTHING made by hand or with physical labor to the temple. 

 

Why then, or when did the church translate this into money / cash?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe

 

The Old Testament is very clear as to what tithing is and what it is to be used for.

 

"This mandatory tithe was distributed locally "within thy gates" (Deuteronomy 14:28) to support the Levites and assist the poor."

 

Tithing is NOT meant to pay electric bills with, it is not meant to pay musicians with, it is not meant to decorate the church with or any other frivolous thing. Tithing is meant to support the priests / preachers and assist the poor - within the gates. When it says within the gates it means the entire city inside the gates of that city.

This is how the antichrist has deceived the church, the very elect who are led astray by false teachings. The church treats those who do not tithe very poorly because they feel entitled to this amount from every person who walks through their doors. But this is not what is taught in the Bible.

In the New Testament, tithing is dealt with quite differently. Jesus taught that you give what you are able to, even if that amount is not the prescribed tenth from the Old Testament.

https://www.wordsoflife.co.uk/bible-studies/study-10-the-widow-when-she-gave-all-that-she-had/

3. THE THIRD LESSON IS THAT HE SEES AND COUNTS AS PRECIOUS THE SMALL GIFTS GIVEN BY THOSE WHO ARE QUITE POOR.

In verse 42 we are told that “”a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins worth only a fraction of a penny.”” The actual monetary value of her gift was very small indeed –- so small that we may well imagine the crowds probably did not even notice her gift. However, she received great praise from the lips of the Lord Himself. How gracious was His word of commendation! Many thought her gift was too small to count, but Jesus saw it as the greatest offering that had been given that day. Her gift teaches us that there are no excuses for not giving. We may say that our income is too small or that the church does not really need our money; but what a blessing would come to the Lord’’s work everywhere if we would first set aside that which belongs to Him –- which after all is His due! –- look up 2 Corinthians 8:5.

 

 

Bu this time the church had already corrupted the meaning of tithing into money rather than fruits of labor. The widow put all that she had as a GIFT and the Lord said her gift was more precious than that of a wealthy man, why? Because she gave everything to the Lord, keeping nothing for herself. 

It is when we realize that we have nothing without the Lord that we see what is due Him. 

Proud people will boast of their deeds. Brag and demand some kind of praise from other people. Have you ever noticed in churches certain plaques, or recognition of contributions? Some print it in the Sunday handouts. There is no place in the Bible where it says for the church to do this. It is actually against what is written in the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

King James Version (KJV)

 

 I Corinthians 10:31

King James Bible
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

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Where does it say to give thanks to any MAN? It doesn't. This is yet another way the church has corrupting the meaning of giving thanks or receiving gifts.

 

When we realize that the antichrist already has possession of the brick and mortar churches, then we can see how the antichirst has been here all along, doing exactly what the Bible said he would do - deceive the very elect.

The antichrist has been with us since the beginning of time and has sought to turn the true message of Christ into Babble......

I will leave this study on that note and encourage you to research the word Babble for the next study!!!