Creflo Dollar
July 6, 2022: Christianity Daily: Prosperity Gospel Preacher Creflo Dollar Admits Teachings On Tithing Are ‘Not Correct’
The Bible clearly states that tithing is an Old Testament principle required for every Israelite. It's the practice of giving a tenth of one's produce unto the Lord, which means giving it to the priests in the temple. These portions were meant to be a provision for the Levites, who are ministering to the Lord in the temple full-time.
The popular Bible passage used to teach tithing in churches, Malachi 3:8-12, states that men "rob" God by withholding their tithes and offerings.
This same passage includes a promise that if men bring their tithes into the "storehouse," they will be blessed beyond their capacity to receive. Furthermore, in this passage God made a promise to Israel that He will "rebuke the devourer" if they give their tithes.
Conversely, in the same passage it is stated that men are "cursed with a curse" for not giving their tithes. It also implies that God will not "rebuke the devourer" for those who withhold their tithes.
Dollar pointed out that the fear and guilt associated with the withholding of tithes have been used as a subject to keep church people giving to the church
"Religion is sustained by two factors, fear and guilt," Dollar said. And if it's one subject that the church has used for a long time to keep people in fear and guilt, it is that subject of tithing."
"And it has to be corrected and it's got to be corrected now," he continued.
The Bible clearly states that tithing is an Old Testament principle required for every Israelite. It's the practice of giving a tenth of one's produce unto the Lord, which means giving it to the priests in the temple. These portions were meant to be a provision for the Levites, who are ministering to the Lord in the temple full-time.
The popular Bible passage used to teach tithing in churches, Malachi 3:8-12, states that men "rob" God by withholding their tithes and offerings.
This same passage includes a promise that if men bring their tithes into the "storehouse," they will be blessed beyond their capacity to receive. Furthermore, in this passage God made a promise to Israel that He will "rebuke the devourer" if they give their tithes.
Conversely, in the same passage it is stated that men are "cursed with a curse" for not giving their tithes. It also implies that God will not "rebuke the devourer" for those who withhold their tithes.
Dollar pointed out that the fear and guilt associated with the withholding of tithes have been used as a subject to keep church people giving to the church
"Religion is sustained by two factors, fear and guilt," Dollar said. And if it's one subject that the church has used for a long time to keep people in fear and guilt, it is that subject of tithing."
"And it has to be corrected and it's got to be corrected now," he continued.
"But nothing that a person owns and devotes to the LORD—whether a human being or an animal or family land—may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. “No person devoted to destruction may be ransomed; they are to be put to death. A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD." -Leviticus 27:28-32
(NUM. 18:21)To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting
Deuteronomy 15:10
10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Proverbs 3:9-10
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
“For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore, you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, in what way shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, In what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation” (Malachi 3:6-9 NKJ).
Malachi 3:10-11
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.
