THE EDITOR, Madam:
WITH REGARDS to your July 7 news item titled: 'Divine rites Paying the Church,' I would like to make the following observations:
First, it is commendable to note that some modern church leaders have finally admitted that tithing should be a voluntary and discretionary act, not something mandated by the local or denominational church. Twenty years ago, I made that point in an article published in a Montego Bay newspaper and consequently came under heavy fire from church leaders.
Gladly, today, the "Anne Marie and "Rev. Clarke" characters in your story are seemingly accepting this doctrine.
Secondly, your article erred in stating that Abraham paid tithes to God. The Genesis 14:20 record clearly states that Abraham tithed to Melchisedek, the mystical High Priest of Jerusalem.
The sole thesis of the Hebrews 7 text on tithing is that Melchisedek, when he received a tithe from Abraham, was accepting that tithe as a pre-figuring of Jesus Christ, the High Priest who is greater than Father Abraham and than all other earthly priests.
Thirdly, it is important to note that the first Biblical reference to tithing after Abraham tithed to Melchisedek, was a voluntary act by Jacob in Genesis 28:22.
It was much later, due to cultural development in Israel, that the practice of tithing was written into the rules and rituals of the Old Testament Israelites.
Even then, the rules about tithing were very carefully crafted to protect the poor and needy. Your story noted that "Anne Marie" was struggling financially, with no help from her child's father. That is exactly why the Bible purpose for tithes and offerings was that the more well-off could give some of their wealth to the church which in turn would distribute to the poor and needy.
Unfortunately, the modern practice is for fat cat pastors and preachers to get rich quick off the tithes and offerings of unwary and often gullible church members and other donors. This practice goes way back to the rise of the so-called Holy Roman Catholic Church. Its shamefulness was exposed during the days of indulgence but unfortunately the Reformation did not go far enough to end this unholy practice of scaring church folk into giving their wealth to fat cat church leaders.
Fourthly, both Old and New Testament have few passages about tithing, thus giving it less prominence than modern church leaders tend to do. The OT confines its mention of tithes to Genesis 14, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 2 Chronicles 31, Nehemiah, Amos 4, and the famous Malachi 3 passage quoted in your story.
The New Testament is even less interested in tithes, confining its references to Matthew 23, Luke 11 and 18, and Hebrews 7. Careful reading of these passages will show that New Testament saints were not commanded to tithe and Old Testament tithing was a special cultural practice instituted for Israel back then.
Fifthly, the tithe or tenth given to Old Testament priests were of corn, grain, goats, sheep, etc., not of money or whatever means of exchange was used back then. Granted, there is no Biblical injunction against tithing money, yet the emphasis on money by church leaders today is questionable. Furthermore, the priests themselves had to give back one-tenth of the tithe that they received into the service of God. There was also a rule that all tithes should cease in a certain year to give tithe payers a break!
Finally, Madam Editor, the New Testament teachings about giving to God are never concerned about tithes but instead focus on free will offerings. First and Second Corinthians are the chief passages on the subject. God loves a cheerful giver. The more one gives to God, the more one receives. Jesus taught this doctrine. Paul highlighted it and the Early Church practised it. The free will offerings of church people should be used to help all church members. That's the New Testament pattern.
There is nothing wrong with tithing but everything is wrong with telling people that the Bible mandates tithing.
That is false doctrine. The emphasis should be on the fact that tithing tends to make the giving of free will offerings a fair practice. Also, there is a blessing to be had by giving not just a tithe but also an offering on top of that to any church or entity that truly uses the funds or gifts to help the poor and needy as taught by Christ and other Bible teachers.
I am etc.,
REV. MERVIN STODDART
E-mail: INMerv@aol.com
Altamonte Springs
Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
