Want to Save Money? Just Quit Church! Really?
Wonders shall never end!
It’s becoming tougher day by day as the world is showing us signs of the end times. People are out there trying to deceive others, providing unreasonable reasons and facts to back up their claims, and if one isn’t careful, they fall into the dungeon they have already dug. Beware of fake prophets [and not only them], but also those who disguise themselves as good people but have a different agenda. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
I was minding my business yesterday, scrolling through Twitter (X), and my eyes caught a headline: Stop going to church and you will save more.
Like, what does going to church or not have to do with saving? I already knew it would be such foolish words before opening it, but I just wanted to see for myself and then make a post.
The lady explained how going to church has made her broke, and she didn’t think she would ever go again. She even said that since she stopped going, she has been saving more than expected. Her reasons?
According to her, when you go to church, you start deliberating on the kind of hairstyles to rock every Sunday, the shoes to wear and outfits so you don’t keep wearing the same thing. She narrated how she had always worn a different outfit every Sunday and how she had spent everything on herself.
Who sent her business? That was my question. She goes to church to impress, and so, she was always concerned about what people would say about her outfits rather than her heart to God. It makes me ask: why do people go to church? Is it to impress or spend time with God?
This was how a guy tried to discourage me some weeks ago on how going to church isn’t necessary as long as you have your personal study time at home. This was someone who wanted to be in a relationship with me, and I quickly disengaged myself from such a man. I knew from the start that he wasn’t of the same faith as me.
My Sunday OutfitIf there’s anything I love about going to church every Sunday, it is that I go with my heart focused on God, whom I am going to worship and not anyone. This is why I tend not to let anything distract me, especially my phone, as I put it in DND mode until service has ended. I have always given my undivided attention to God in the temple, and this is because I wouldn’t want to attend Church without being blessed.
And here was a lady discouraging people that they should stop going to church so they could save more. When they don’t go to church, they won’t bother about buying new outfits every week, no new shoes or even changing hairstyles. I just laughed because it was such a silly reason.
Who do I need to impress? Who am I going to meet in Church if not for God? The Bible says we shouldn’t forsake the gathering of the brethren, and besides, attending church to hear the word of God strengthens our faith the more because we learn new things daily apart from our personal study time.
As a believer, you must surround yourself with other believers in Christ so you aren’t alone, especially when in the midst of those who are still in the world, and so you won’t be tempted to backslide. But not many people understand this.
Another reason she said not going to church would do is that there wouldn’t be paying of tithe.
It makes me ask again, does not going to church stop you from not paying tithes? There have been a lot of misconceptions about the payment of tithes. Just like this guy who wanted a relationship said to me, tithes are not necessary as long as you give alms to the needy outside, because giving the church tithes would make the pastors rich. He gave some instances where some pastors have bought new cars while members are struggling to feed themselves.
I ask, when you give tithes, is your mind focused on what the pastors will do with it or that you’ve obeyed God’s instructions? He couldn’t say anything about it. I explained to him that paying tithes is a commandment in the book of Malachi 3:10, and when we do that, we aren’t concerned about how the money is being spent, whether the pastors squander it or use it for something else. Ours is to obey God and wait for His blessings on us.
A lot of people find silly excuses not to pay tithes, and I don’t mind them. It’s none of my business because once I am obeying God and doing my part, what happens next isn’t my concern, and besides, it’s God I have business with and not the church. So, whether you stop going to church or not, not paying tithes is not something you can escape from, except you just decide to keep stealing from God.
Lastly, she said not going to church would make you save. At least if you aren’t buying new dresses, shoes and making new hairstyles every week, you will save more. Isn't it when you have a job that you will save? Who gave you the job? Is it not God? Even if you save, when you are faced with emergencies you cannot run away from, and you spend all you’ve saved, then she would understand that no one robs God and goes scot-free.
Let’s be cautious around individuals who spread misinformation and discourage others. As Christians, we must pay tithes and not miss going to church because we aren’t there to impress but to worship God, and that’s the whole duty of man unless God didn’t create you.
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It's obvious that lady only goes to church to impress and that's a really wrong mindset to serve God.
About the tithing though, there are a lot more truth to it than saying Christians must pay tithes. 🙂
More truth? I would like to know more. Let's talk on WhatsApp, right?
Alright, later when I'm done.
Alright, let me answer it here because of @goldenproject, and this would be long, but it is worth it, trust me.
For the issue with tithes, it is a commandment given by God to Moses in the Old Testament. This was because in those days, and after God delivered the people of Israel, He needed some people to serve as intermediaries between Him and the children of Israel, so He appointed the Levites, who are the priests. Everyone got their inheritances, but for the Levites, their inheritance was that every firstfruits and one-tenth (tithes) of their produce must be given to them as a reward for their works and services in the temple according to God.
References to this are found in these scriptures and I would love us to take out time to read, too: Numbers 18 vs 21, 26, Proverbs 3 vs 9-10, 2 Chronicles 31 vs 4-5, Deuterenomy 12 vs 5-6, Genesis 14 vs 19-20, 28 vs 20-22, Nehemiah 10 vs 35-37, Leviticus 27 vs 30-34 (this part mentioned it again as a command from God) this was because these levites weren't working apart from being in the temple as commanded by God, so, they eat from these tithes from the children.
The book of Malachi 3 vs 8-12 emphasised that we rob God when we do not pay our tithes. Today, the Levites are the pastors, priests and shepherds God has called into ministry, especially in full-time ministry. Our tithes, which are a commandment, serve as their inheritance and remember the Bible says workers must be paid their wages, right?
One would think that was in the Old Testament, right? And that was in the past before the New Testament came, you would say. Now, read Romans 3 vs 21-31 where Apostle Peter was trying to counter their argument that since Christ has come to die for our sins, these laws should be abolished. But he said no. Why? Our faith doesn't nullify the laws given to Moses by God, but we are expected to uphold them.
Finally, Jesus also confirmed this in Matthew 5 vs 17 that He didn't come to destroy the laws but to fulfil them, and that is where we have the part of giving generously, which includes paying tithes. There is no place in the Bible that says payment of tithes is not mandatory. It is a commandment from God Himself, which Jesus also confirmed that we must uphold them, and the book of James 4 vs 17 says that when we know what is right and we do not do them, we are guilty of sin.
I hope you understand this, and I implore us to keep studying our Bible so we aren't deceived by what the culture or religious rituals say because the scripture warns us to test every spirit by consulting the word of God, too. We don't believe everything we are told outside, and how do we know the truth and wrong when we don't study the Bible ourselves?
It is when we do not read the Bible to know these laws that we assume some things aren't mandated and not a sin, just as @goldenproject said, which is not true.
Thank you for your time. I would be here to answer more questions if there are 😊
Good morning, Princess.
Sorry I'm only replying now, got too busy until I slept off. I appreciate your well explained points about tithes, I actually expected these points so yeah, you sure know verses to back up what you believe is right but let me come in from here.
You know that what we believe will work for us does work for us right? Because I hear people say they have been experiencing God's blessings because they pay their tithes. Does that mean others are not being blessed by God? Even idol worshippers are blessed if they know the importance of giving. But that's by the way.
Tithe is a commandment from God as stated in Leviticus 27:30-34 which you mentioned too, did you see who God commanded? The Israelites! Yes, we are descendants of Israelites but we are definitely not the Israelites but a royal priesthood 1 Peter 2:9 bought at a price (Christ's blood) 1 Peter 1:18-19. I'm sure you've read in all the verses it was mentioned that God said, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him".
The Israelites were not Christians as they had to do sacrifices to cleanse them from their sins unlike us today who Christ have died for and we only need to go through Him to be forgiven (we are to be Christ-likes). If you want to pay tithes like the Israelites did according to God's commandment, why aren't you doing animal sacrifices and keeping sabbath days holy like they did too? Now, you'll say because Christ have taken those away. And you don't think Christ didn't take the law of tithing too? James 2:10 said you're guilty if you offend in one law and do others.
Why go the hard way when Christ have given us a better way? Did we ever see an example of Christ and his apostles paying tithes? No! Why? Jesus Christ is the High priest and we are His Priesthood. Heb 8:1-2, 6. Who did the Israelites pay tithes to? Priests and today, Christians are priests... Do you pay the tithes to yourself then? What did the Israelites pay as tithes? First fruits of land produce, even those who had only money had to change it to land produce before they gave it as tithes (are you doing same with your tithe payments?)
Yes, tithes were a command by God to the Israelites but that was before Christ came to fulfill the law and give us a better covenant that is accessible by every human and not just to the house of Israel like God did. Heb 8:6-7. Going back to actually do the laws before Christ instead of learning of how God dealt with people before, is simply implying that you don't think Christ's commandments are perfect.
Christ died for you, do what He commands and that way, you're obeying God. But if you follow the Israelites to pay tithe today, how is your righteousness superceding theirs? If you want to pay tithes, do it right and you'll see it's harder than just putting money in an envelope. But christ gave a better command on how to give - 1 Cor 16:1-2. That money gathered can be used to care for the church if we know how important it is to give. Giving generally calls for more blessings, it's not because you pay tithes that isn't even meant for you, Christian to pay.
Read the whole of Heb 8 for a better understanding of why the law has been fulfilled and you should focus on Christ's commandments as his follower.
Any question is welcomed! 🙂
Wow. I appreciate this, Merit. I also want to believe that we all know what the word of God says. One thing we should understand is that none of God's laws or words have been removed or added to them. We are still part of the lineage of the Israelites, and because Christ came to replace many things with His blood, it doesn't mean all laws were erased. Many things that happened cannot be recorded in the Bible, as there are other events that happened, and if it would be written, we wouldn't have enough book to contain everything. But how do we know if the disciples paid tithes or not? Meanwhile, those who were called to preach the gospels as part of their full-time ministry, including Apostle Peter and others, are part of those who we must reward for their works, too. Read Romans and you will understand that they weren't supposed to do any work but to be rewarded for preaching the gospel, which Peter confirmed, too.
But as you say, what we beleive in works for us, and you say even the idol worshippers are being blessed without paying tithes. I don't dispute that, but remember God didn't stop anyone from being blessed, but some blessings aren't from God, and the Bible says even these people, their wealth would be eaten by foreigners. So, I believe, everyone would do what they want to.
If you want to pay tithe, why not pay it as the Israelites did then? Tithes today isn't done as God instructed, why fault in it if you want to do it?
Christ have given a better way for us to give and assist those working in the house of God but so many still don't want it but go back to how God dealt with the people of old because of personal gains, nothing else.
Yes, not all blessings are from God but there is always a return for every action taken whether good or bad, the same for giving.
I appreciate the valid points both of you have made on this topic of tithing @princessbusayo & @merit.ahama looking at what the old testament said about tithe, is was a direct instruction and commandments from God and that was how the Levites were able to survive since they had no inheritance however, looking at the new testament everything changed and Jesus became the High priest and that made all those who believe in him to be considered as high priest too according to what 1 Peter 2:9 "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people."
That by the way...what happened after Jesus Christ died and sacrificed himself, the apostles didn't not emphasis tithe as a law because there's no record of that in the bible and that is the instructions that we are following now as believers or as Christians but the apostles teached on how to be generous In our giving, give cheerfully and freely according to 2 Corinthians 9:7 which says that... "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. So according to this verse, giving is no longer a command or compulsory, it has become a matter of personal conviction and if we go back to 1 Corinthians 9:14 it says that "In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." Here is we read to understand and get the interpretation right, pastors, evangelist and the rest of the titles are to be supported by the members of their congregation and those who are benefiting from their ministry and there is nothing like 10 percent here again. The percent was for the old testament.
This is why we need to read and understand the bible so well and we should not be brainwashed by what they say because they giving of tithe was an old covenant command or instruction to the children of Israel. Now that we are in Christ, old things have passed away, this has made giving to be something that comes from out mind, another love, generosity all those things I mentioned earlier and it is no longer a obligation but if some still decides to be giving his 10 percent or even increase it, all well and good nothing do the person...but to say it is a binding commandments for we the believers of today is far beyond what the holy book tells us...I think this was even my first response to you Busayo untill I saw that you guys want to go and discuss it on WhatsApp
Well said, tithing is not a commandment for those who say they are followers of Christ. Give freely and generously, blessings of God are still for you. Tithing is simply doing what Christ has come to make easy for you but you're refusing to go the easy way. So many tithe for their personal gain because if it's for what God commanded, they are not doing it right and God also commanded we listen to what His son tells us, Christ tells us to give freely and generously. Tithing is not free (10% concept).
Nice point, Dave.
That is it, Kim Lee Merit. Christ already cane to set us free from bondages and he has given us the liberty to give out of love. We give tithe oo we no give ooo at the end of the day, what good look at is our heart, don't know if you can recall those people in the bible who were giving and a poor man who gave all he has...can't remember the story well, at the end of the day God blessed that man more because he gave from his heart not that he gave 10%
At the end of the day, it’s about generosity and supporting His work, not about percentages.
In as much as I don't want to talk about this, those members who are giving and the church use the money to set up schools that even the church members cannot afford to pay...see let me be going
Exactly! We gained freedom, a better love and a better covenant with Christ dying for us. Giving freely is what God wants now, let's focus on that and not on what He commanded the Israelites to do.
That story was about a woman who gave all she had from her heart, while others were thinking they were giving the best because they were paying their 10% from the abundance they had. 😅
Yeah...that is true, I remember the story line just a bit
No no no
You guys should talk everything here please
By their fruits you shall know them. She's now complaining because her market of "impressing people" didn't sell well. I'd advise her to restrategise and add more swag to it, hopefully she'll catch one brother soon.
Nonsense and ingredients. 🤣
!BBH
Hahaha, don't mind her. 😅
going to church should never be about impressing people but about focusing on God. If someone feels broke from attending, then the issue is with their priorities, not with church itself.
Exactly. You are very right. So sad, that is what many people now go to church for, to impress and oppress.
About this, if we look at it back and front, that lady said that to get engagement of her X post, because that is what they do now.
And about giving of tithe, is it mandatory? No, I don't think it's by force. You give if you want to, no one is forcing anyone to and I don't even think it's a sin. Though everyone has their own perspective about this.
But there are things we shouldn't do all because we want to draw engagement, and doing so, it is affecting others. Everything is now seen as a joke online, and we need to be careful, too. I just explained the tithes part.
Also, when it comes to the word of God, everyone's perspective doesn't matter, but God's perspective. That's the pattern of God and must be followed for all Christians even though it's not for everyone because God gave us freedom to choose but if you want life, you choose the right path.
she became broke because her village followers are draining her finances.😂 she doesn't have a genuine reason for going to church. she's just going to church to impress, not to worship God.
We have many people who fall into that first lady category, some go to church to impress others, or should I say show off,, while some care about what others think about them...
As for tithe, the only way Tithe count is by giving it in the church not by any other random act of kindness outside the church, yes, the pastors spend it but then it is the main reason for it, He who works for God must also enjoy or do they want the pastor to die of hunger... I am a tithe giver and God has done a lot of marvelous work in my life.
Thank you, Burl. I appreciate your answer. Truly, we shouldn’t be bothered about our tithes being a means for the pastor to eat from; it’s their reward and that’s not a problem.
I never thought of paying tithe some years ago until my big sister explained to me about it. I tried it and today, I never regretted it. God has been blessing me since then.
Yeah, I didn't regret paying it either and have been paying it since 2016...
When you make the child and servant of God happy, God will be pleased with you and bless you more.
Not everyone believes in paying Tithe, and that is also fine... We are a product of what we believe in.
Yes, that’s very true. Thank you.
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STOPI value money most but I also know that in every cases money does not matter. If she is so much concern about money then why do she need a good outfit. She could buy cheap outfit to save money. Again I think she should not have any children also as to raising a child, it cost a lot. I think my last example is enough.
I saw that thing and I was angry. The lady is clearly not going to church for any reason other than pleasing people. She wants to impress. It annoyed me to no end how she had the audacity to say such bull. Wonders shall never end.