Yesu Mulungi - African Christian Perspectives

WHY TITHING IS SUCH A STUBBORN ROOT TO BE UPROOTED IN THE HEARTS OF MANY AFRICAN CHURCH DOCTRINE
Arthur Owiti | Posted January 13, 2009  

This is in response to George Kizito‘s article response to Pastor’s Ssenfuma's book, "The Law and Grace". I first of all thank God for the sharp discernment given in the article; especially on the bibles the believers were carrying…it is commendable. A passion for truth is a sign of the true prophetic or testimony in these last days.

Tithing teaching is much steeped in the church today in Africa because IT PROMISES PHYSICAL BLESSINGS AND WELL BEING TO THE BELIEVER HERE ON EARTH.

For this reason, many believers will attack you and call you rebellious if you say that a Christian should not tithe. Some see that because God has said we should test Him, it is not an error to tithe in the dispensation of grace because all scripture is God breathed. Africa is the home of financial strain which affects every aspect of life so one earnestly desires to have financial stability so as to live the desired Western life of no stress.

The tithing doctrine is also essential for church growth numbers, since it provides a comfy home for non-believers. Many non believers attend church because the tithing doctrine accommodates them---Give to God and he will keep you well is what is promised to the condemned soul instead of Believe in Jesus Christ.

Thus tithing is not only misused to make people desire THE VISIBLE AND PHYSICAL THINGS OF THIS WORLD but as an ASSURANCE OF SALVATION/SIGN OF PLEASING GOD. Yet we are implored in Colossians, to seek things above not below. Moreover our faith is more precious than gold, the most valuable physical good of the world.

Jesus Christ promised blessings in Matthew 5, but not of the here and now and of this world because his kingdom is not of this world. This is where the Laodicean Christians missed the point; their physical goods were a sign of being right with God and blessing. Jesus’ response to them was that they were nowhere being right or blessed or rich...why? He wants us to be blessed spiritually so as to inherit all things when this kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our God and of his Christ. So tithing is being misused to feed the greed of people and keep the shepherds in deception.

This is one stands in awe of what is happening economically globally. Today’s Tithing/’Plant a seed’ teaching‘s lord is money/economy. Now that it is crumbling, at least these exalted, misused ‘Plant a seed’ doctrine and false teachings will also be shaken.

This evident in Kenya where some church members have been questioned as a whole as to why their tithing as dropped in the past year by the attached clergy of an affluent church in the capital Nairobi in some churches are now frustrated economically and are all of a sudden holding accountable church leaders for misused church funds for building projects and other things. They see the leaders driving ‘new number plates’ as they are forced to use ‘public (transportation) means’ due to financial strain…seems like the windows of heaven were selective this time.

But seriously, this is leading to a lot of wrangles for leadership posts and rejection of certain clergy known for poor development record and praise for a hardworking clergy—one who uses the funds well.

As the economy suffers, truth will prevail to sanctify us from the abusing of the things of God such as tithing which are shadows of things to come and not for the here and now .God bless you in this 2009.

Arthur Owiti