I just watched a sermon at a church’s web site, and have been frantically searching for the Biblical basis for what the pastor preached on tithing and prayer.
To emphasize the point, the reading was taken from Malachi chapters 1 and 3.
Anyhow, one point that the pastor made about how men can have their prayers answered was that they need to present gifts to their wives (which is one form of honoring one’s wife).
Excuse me, but what?
Seriously, I have never read or heard of this particular condition that applies specifically to men if we want our prayers answered. No, I don’t think he was joking.
So if anyone knows about this, please do point it out to me.
By the way, there are other “interesting” things he mentioned, like how Jesus said to the people that they can go ahead and tear down the temple and he will rebuild it in three days.
Yet he doesn’t mention that Jesus Christ was talking about Himself, not the physical temple building for that will be destroyed by the Roman empire 70 years later.
So what was the sermon about, you ask?
I can sum it all up in two words — prosperity gospel. The underlying theme of the entire sermon, in my opinion, was just this: Give more to the church and God shall bless you with prosperity!
If you wish to listen to the sermon, click here (skip past the songs and start at the part where a couple were giving their testimony).
Don’t get me wrong, I totally agree with tithing and giving generously, but this is about the most misguided and twisted sermon I have heard in a long time.
And I’d like to warn brothers and sisters attending this church week after week to beware of the messages that the church is teaching. The leader is not teaching you anything about your salvation nor learning to love God more, nor living a life worthy of Christ.
Your Christian walk with God is more than just tithing and being blessed with prosperity! Doesn’t Jesus Christ say that where our treasures are, there our hearts will be? Therefore, lay upon heaven our treasures, not on earth!
Do not simply listen to sermons without questioning, for many are in our midst today who shall lead astray because they hearken not unto God, but to their own greed, and vanity and desires of their hearts. We are to be alert and watch, lest the devil deceive!
I pray God that you learn to discern, and test what you read and listen against the Word of God, for the days are come when men shall speak lovely words and twist the Word of God and deceive many who are not strongly entrenched in the Word.
Photo Credit: GR Digital Kid.
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After splurting S$47mln on their Jurong West Church bldg I have stopped listening to what they have to say for a long time. This was the final straw.
I almost got the SHOCK OF MY LIFE when I heard, “…that faith must be backed up by something… it bound (<=if I never hear the two words wrongly) to be backed up by our tithes and offerings… otherwise it is empty faith” Now where the hell did that pastor get this idea from!?!?
I may be with FCBC on a more regular basis now, and possibly considered as one of the mega-modern congregation but NEVER ONCE any pastors or elders ever preach it that way. The most and basic fundamental of a Christian’s life is to live by the Bible, was the way to the doors of His Kingdom. Just two weeks ago the same issue was discussed between my fellow brothers and our spiritual guiding father, what is the first and foremost step to accept God, or Christ in our life? The answer for all of us was crisp clear - that is to change the way we used to live our life and conduct ourselves in adherence to His Words. Even a recent weekend event I attended, everything was about speaking to God, listening for God’s voice and nothing about money.
I don’t know if anyone watched the movie Constantine (starring keanu Reeves) but after watching the movie myself, I always feel it’s the best movie ever to demonstrate that nobody can step into His Kingdom, unless things are done by His Words. Not even if one is using devilish powers to banish demons to hell.
Knowing such preachings is bad enough. Listening and watching him up there blabbling makes my blood boil!
perhaps you want to tell me what is the correct way of being a christian? If you were saying that “beware of the messages that the church is teaching. The leader is not teaching you anything about your salvation nor learning to love God more, nor living a life worthy of Christ.”
Maybe you were misguided. The church is on its way to another building fund project.
Maybe you want to guide me what to do?
I think you’re jealous, i think you’re shallow.
Dear Fearful:
I cannot tell you what the correct way of being a Christian is, only God can. And our Lord Jesus has taught — to love God with all our hearts, minds and souls, and the second is to love thy neighbor as thyself.
The strength of a church and how blessed or faithful it is is not always to be found in how, in the words of the pastor in the video, iconic the church building is. Nor do people recognize Christians by how well-off and therefore blessed they are as alluded to.
People tell apart Christians from others by the way we live our lives and conduct ourselves, for Christ Jesus says that we are the salt and light of the world.
Trust me, I am not jealous at all. What should I be jealous of? I have an abundance of love, faith, peace and fellowship in my life in Christ Jesus. These are the important things to me.
Furthermore, I don’t think the personal attack on me that I am shallow is warranted. If you’d like to address the issue that I brought up, you are most welcome to do so. I don’t think launching a personal attack is the best manner in putting forward your point on this issue.
Shalom Aleichem.
Hmm, XZ, I didn’t know that the wife is still quite popular in the mainstream music industry! Then again I don’t care much for entertainment ‘news’.
Maybe I am old-fashioned, but I don’t think any pastor’s wife should be doing that if you read 1 Timothy 3.
God bless!
Dear Ed:
I think you heard right. Actually, to be honest, I listened to the entire sermon not once, but twice just to make sure that I wasn’t going to take things out of context. I am genuinely concerned about how the youths there are absorbing and learning every word that is being taught because one of my wife’s cousins is there too.
Mind you, I am not saying that the church is bad overall; they do contribute to society through holding blood donation drives and other events. Moreover it is not for me to judge, but God.
However, I felt the need to warn against false teachings and teachings that aren’t Biblical.
I’m sure the disciples tithed. They were all martyred, though. What’s the deal? You are either blessed with abundant worldly riches or you are tortured and killed? I don’t get it. Should I be worried that I’m not rich and haven’t been put into prison for my faith?
This is just sick. Are people in poor countries not faithful? Is that why they are poor? I wonder how many of the people on stage would remain faithful if they went through trials like Job did…
I am quite sure all Christians of the early days tithed. The question is, what did God intend the tithes for all along? And what is the point of God to bless anyone abundantly with worldly riches and then let him hoard those money or contribute those money to build a monument which He will wash away when He returns in glory?
Then look again at Malachi 3, the part about ‘robbing God’ in specific and remember the context and figure out why was the LORD upset? And I can perfectly understand why sicarii decided to write his piece.
Dear Casey:
Points to ponder, indeed, brother. It does bring into question if by that measure, poorer churches are therefore poor in spirit, of which I am quite sure that many of them aren’t, but are yet stronger in faith and their trust in God.
Greetings in the Name of the Lord most High!
this is so funny especially in this dayand age when the kingdom of God is at hand, we still have people or preachers manipulating the word of God for whatever reasons they have,
I did not listen to the message but I know that there is no way you would saying something that is not true so I ll comment based on the post here.
(Anyhow, one point that the pastor made about how men can have their prayers answered was that they need to present gifts to their wives (which is one form of honoring one’s wife).
i have never heard anything like that though am not claiming to be a Bible scholar and like you I still want to know where it is in the Bible
the part of misquoting what Jesus said, you already pointed that out.
“As for the case of tithing” no one can dispute the fact that tithing is as important as fasting and prayer for a Christian but, you must do it according to the word of God. but today you have pastors abusing the instrument for which GOD BLESSES HIS people.
what I will tell you is the Spirit of God is one and when the Holy Spirit instructs your heart you definitely know that God has instructed and taught you. don’t also forget that only God knows those who truly serve Him in Spirit and in truth and He will Judge with Fire , so anybody that wants to worship their church auditorium or their pastors should go ahead bearing in my that none of these shall save them on the last day but only Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith.
don’t be angry people react differntly just keep saying what you feel in a Godly way.
Godbless
Greetings ChannelofHealing:
Right after this post I went to do some research on tithing and there are some that write that tithing is part of the Old Laws. Suffice to say I’ve yet to read more into the entire subject but it is quite interesting!
If you’d like you can read it at the link below too, and it also has a commentary on Malachi 3:
http://411tithesofferings.411-cashflow.com/TithingDuringLaw.html
I shall heed your advice about not getting angry.
God bless, and Shalom Aleichem.
Like what everyone has put forth, the argument is of little neccessity especially when the rebuttal contains nothing of His Words except personal aggression.
If tithes and offerings are the only way to prove our faith in God, that would have easily warrant more than half of the bible invalid. No longer do we need to understand forgiveness, no longer do we need to redeem our sins and even no longer do we need to lead a righteous life. The way to His Kingdom is as easy as buying a one-way ticket - irregardless of what you have done. Is it really so…?
Tithing is surely important, but to encompass the road to His Kingdom solely by tithing and offerings is way out of the gospel, as to what I understood all these years. I agree with XZ, the eventual question will be what these tithing are supposedly meant for.
I have notified my fellow brothers and spiritual father in my own church. We will be opening up this issue as a discussion this coming Friday. It’s not my job to change the beliefs of the followers in that church, but it is definitely my responsibility to present a controversial issue/preaching to aid the education of my fellow comrades and myself in differentiating the context of how we should obey His Words.
I need some clarification.
Are you guys telling me that the “lady” in the music video is the wife of the pastor?
Please, tell me it ain’t so…
I also agree with tithing…God loves a cheerful giver, however I think it is dangerous area to give to God to get back from Him. Prosperity is not always in the form of money. We have been blessed with things that mean so much more.
Comparing God to a pie or Pizza! Very Disturbing!!
Shalom
Jimmy> Yes. She is. Just do a search for the terms Geisha and Ho Yeow Sun on Google.
What a coincidence! Today my church concluded the Sunday School bible study on the Book of Malachi
What I learned today is the REAL meaning of one tenth offering. Given the agriculture economy during the early years, the one tenth tithing instruction are meant for the 11 tribes of Israel to eat suffice food for the Levites because they do not inherit any land in Israel.
God loves a cheerful giver. In today context, we can go one arguing is the 1/10 tithe from me is after the TAX or before? Is it abundance after paying my bills and family daily needs? What if after paying for my daily needs, I am left with very little money?
We can go on arguing and debating on this BUT what God wants from us is tithing with a cheerful heart; giving the Lord what rightfully belongs to him. God NEVER need our money. We are after all just mere keepers of earthly wealth.
I tithed according to my means. Placed the best looking dollar note in my wallet into the offering bag. The Lord opened his floodgate of blessings on me everyday - He made me a joyful person everyday because He lives in my heart.
xizor2000
Thank you for the clarification. It is indeed as you stated. I am truly disturbed.
Even if the church is attempting to reach young-post-moderns, I struggle with her actions and lyrics in the video. I cannot synthesize the video with the lifestyle of a godly wife and lady.
I don’t recall reading anything about the husband giving the wife a gift in order for their prayers to be answered - but the Bible does say this…
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
It says to give honor so your prayers are heard - not gifts. You don’t have to buy your wife off.
Now back up - notice the word “Likewise” - this applies to the husband as well
1 Peter 3:1-6 1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Also read Ephesians 5:28-33. Nothing in there about gifts. It speaks of love and respect - not gifts. I didn’t watch that sermon because I don’t want to give audience to a wolf and I don’t have the patience!
Glad you caught that Isaiah - keep ‘testing’ everything!!!
Dear AO:
Thank you for visiting my blog and for sharing.
I was shocked too at the mention of the pizza and pie. I always believe that one should not take the name of God lightly, and certainly not in vain!
God bless!
Fart:
There are never coincidences, only God-led events.
With respect to Malachi, I believe God was admonishing the priests of Israel rather than the people. The priesthood is responsible for all the sacrifices to God, and only they can bring sacrifices unto God.
God bless!
LOL, Carol, indeed we don’t have to buy our wives off to get prayers answered! I was really puzzled by why the pastor would say that and he mentioned that it was from God’s word, and that’s why I was searching for it.
You know, I think the Bible has the best advice on marriage ever, because nobody else can be such an expert on the subject except God who ordained it!
As much as possible, I try to live up to that standard set in the Book of Ephesians concerning the relationship between a husband and his wife.
God bless, and Shalom!
Hi Sicarii,
Sometimes, I find the verses in the Bible to deep to understand. Are there any online/DVD resources that can help to explain a particular verse in the Bible?
Thanks,
ckhm
Hi ckhm
Understanding the bible in depth is really very difficult
What is most important before u starting reading the verses is PRAY.
Pray to the Lord that he speaks to you when u study His word.
I would suggest you might like to acquire “life application” bible - bible with commentary on the topics and backstory explaination of the period, social culture and customs during the time the chapter is written. It will help u understand better. It did for me. I pray it does for you =)
Yep. Sad stuff. And sadder still that this is becoming more and more a norm. My work involves my travelling a lot around New Zealand, and I’ve heard sermons like this more than I would like to have, in ALL KINDS of churches around the country.
The most prominent in mind was when the preacher showed off his tiger print underwear to make some kind of point, (can’t remember exactly what it was, but I think it was to show how we are God’s favourites, just like the underpants were his favourites!), and then got his very glamourous looking wife to prance around the stage in her $25000 fur coat - because when we give to God, this is the kind of thing He gives us - apparantly!
Alas, the call to be like the Bereans is now more important than ever.
I believe in tithing in offerings and I believe it should be freewill. In other words I give not expecting to receive anything of God in return. I give to honor and help the work of the kingdom. That Pastor was not teaching anything biblical - it is a gross misuse of scripture for personal gain. God has given us everything we need and will never fail us because He is a perfect Father. God will not withhold his blessing based on my merit. He blesses us according to His grace and love not our works. My favorite scripture in the bible is 2 Peter 1:3″According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” Not riches and fame “glory and honor” big difference.
Daniel
http://www.apostolicmessenger.wordpress.com
hi ckhm:
As far as I know there aren’t many resources that do that. However, what you can do if you come across some verses that you are not sure of is to read the same verses from another translation of the Bible. One way to do that is to look it up at biblegateway.com.
Like Fart mentioned, the most important thing to note is that before you read the Bible, pray and ask God for wisdom. The Bible isn’t too difficult to comprehend on the whole — God doesn’t make His Word difficult to understand but to speak to us in as simple terms as possible.
One other thing you can do is to join a Bible study group at a church where you are given guidance on the Bible by an elder Christian. Elder doesn’t mean older in terms of age, but in terms of that person’s maturity under faith and how long he or she has been teaching.
I hope this helps.
God bless!
hi there Shirley,
Welcome, and it’s good to see you here again!
Tiger print underwear and $25,000 fur coat, wow! That’s really going too far. The sad thing is that more people flock to these kind of sermons than to those that teach following the commandments of God.
But at the same time it doesn’t surprise me because God has already told us that in the last days man shall give heed to their itchy ears and hear only what they want to hear.
God bless!
hi there Daniel:
Welcome to my blog and thank you for sharing!
I totally agree with you on what you said about God’s blessings, yet today people treat God as some investment firm that promises big returns, no thanks to these messages.
Just been to your blog, brother. You’re doing a great job for the Lord, and I especially like the article “Who Created Evil?”. I have read it somewhere before, but it’s great to be reminded.
God bless!
According to the website, the pastor has a Doctor of Theology. I would say, he might have skipped his exegesis, hermenuetics and systematic theology classes.
Dear Jimmy:
It looks like you are still in shock over this episode, brother, lol!
God bless!
I am, but I will not bore you with the details. Let’s just say, “Been there, done that, got a t-shirt and a tattoo of the Prayer Tower on my left cheek.”
Dear Jimmy:
You aren’t boring me, and I’d love to read what you have to say about the “been there” part.
Sicarii ,
I’ll be more than glad to talk about it. Why don’t you and I set up an interview,
“Sicarii interviews an average rural, conservative/emergent, post-charismatic, general contracting, beekeeping, home school teaching, whiskey sipping, family loving, megachurch cursing, questioning pastor who is in exile in Granville County, NC. We could really stir the pudd’in
hiya Jimmy:
You know what? I might just take you up on that!
Let me work some questions out for you and let’s stir the pudd’in!
God bless, and Shabbat Shalom!