my guess is that a lot of folks will their all their assets to the church as they've been convinced that giving to the church will lead them into heaven.
forget the fact that the meek inherit the earth, not heaven. that's another issue. that and the hellfire fallacy that isn't to be found in the bible anywhere.
regarding tithing, it no longer applies. even if it did, money was NEVER part of the tithe.
while most tithe collectors prefer to keep their members in the dark, the truth is that money system existed way back when. there were silver smiths, gold smiths, metal smiths, traders, etc.
none of which were required to tithe according to the tithing law!
not then, not now - assuming the law was still in force (it isn't - old covenant for israel only).
there is a way to give directly to god - and most church organizations prefer to you don't know this, either (it means less money under their control).
mat 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
no mention of paying for salvation by enriching a church organization here. there are other scriptures about supporting someone proclaiming god's truth, but they are elsewhere and not equated to giving DIRECTLY to jesus.
taking care of the needy is god's #1, #2 and #3 priority. |
