Money is power in this world, but Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world; so how do we live and make sense out of the tension between money, power, giving, and faith?
This is the 3rd in the series on Religion and the Pharisees.
The power of God is resident in the Holy Spirit. When He created the earth, God did it in collaboration with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ kingdom, everything happens through the Holy Spirit. Contrast that with the natural world where money is power. With enough money, you can do, get, or accomplish anything; therefore, what we do as believers in our own strength or by the power of money will be burnt up with the Earth (all of the natural) at the end of time. Only what we accomplish within the Kingdom of God in the power of the Holy Spirit (that which is spiritual) will be used to build the great (spiritual) temple which is being built, not with human hands, but with the righteous deeds of God’s faithful and surrendered followers.
It’s been said in some church settings that God is very concerned and interested in money and that’ why there are so many references to it in scripture. His concern with money and His many references to it is were aimed at warning His Body about its potential danger. The love of its power can infect your faith and weaken your dependence on the Holy Spirit. When He was asked about money, He said that money is for earthly kings, but in the (spiritual) Kingdom of God, it doesn’t exist (paraphrased). He further warned us not to build our “house” (life) on the accumulation of money or things because that is natural, not spiritual, and it will be lost.
It’s not easy to live in the tension between being spiritual and living in the natural world. Jesus had a money box and a treasurer (Judas) and that didn’t end well. Yet He overcame the intoxicating power of money and lived his life and got His provision “out” of the spiritual. Money was “incidental” in His life. His provision flowed out of His obedience to the Holy Spirit. He understood that everything had been stored up for Him in order to complete His ministry and destiny. His provision came through people who in their obedience to the Holy Spirit, provided a variety of things he needed. People opened their homes, gave their hospitality, a meal, a donkey, a loaf of bread, 5 fishes, and more as they were directed by the Holy Spirit. Giving and receiving is a spiritual obedience to the Holy Spirit. It’s not only money – in fact, in most cases it is our time, talent, or gifts we are asked to give because these are spiritual.
This is a different picture than the one that is taught and encouraged in organized religion. All the scriptures about giving are interpreted as being money. Money empowers an organization to do what they want. They can operate in the natural and avoid the spiritual, so there’s no need to surrender to the Holy Spirit.
Tithing has been taught in religion as the only law which has superseded the Cross. Some theologians say that because it existed before the Law, it applies even after Christ’s redeeming sacrifice on the cross. This is a pretty frail argument. The scriptures don’t say that we are free from “the Law”, they say we are free from “law”. That would mean ALL law, not just “the” Law.
I recently read an article about a Christian who tithed as a test, and how “God” blessed him. These stories are circulated with great enthusiasm throughout religion because it assures believers that tithing is the system through which God blesses His people. Giving (tithing) is a natural law which for unbelievers and believers alike, will work, if it is done in faith. It is built into the universe from its foundation as a natural law, but it is not part of the “new rules” of the Kingdom of God which Jesus was so excited to be bringing to His people.
Tithing is also taught as a spiritual discipline or practice that builds spiritual “muscle”. If you give in order to get using natural law, this does not encourage the Kingdom of God’s principle of giving out of love and surrender to the Holy Spirit. God looks on the heart. One is a natural (carnal) principle which will work in the natural, and has the appearance of being “righteous” but inside, the heart is unchanged, just like the Pharisees. They look good on the outside, but inside they are unclean. The Law (and organized religion) requires 10%; the Holy Spirit requires 100% (surrender).
Religion has “picked the pockets” of several generations of believers; more disturbing however, is how tithing has been perceived by those who are hungry for God – which is most people. We have all hung our heads in shame as some TV evangelist milked his audience like a farmer milks a cow; or as a beloved family member rejects Christ because of the monetary cost of being part of the “club selling salvation”. It’s an uphill battle to try and reassure unbelievers that the “church” and you are not part of the biggest pyramid scheme ever – especially when they see leaders misuse money.
The cost of running religious organizations (big buildings and budgets) has drained the resources of believers leaving a great deal of the real work of God undone. As one comedian insightfully said, “if the church needs money they come to you, and if you need money, they tell you to go to God”.
It’s also hard to explain seekers that organized religion (the thing that is most commonly believed to represent God) and the Body of Christ are two different things, and that there are tares and there are wheat, and that Jesus loves, gives, and demands nothing in return. God is a lover, not some hustler shaking down the ignorant and pathetically deceived who will fall for any fairy tale. Believers should be seen as wise, loving, and powerful and respected by not all, but many. That’s not happening and tithing is a big part of the problem. Tithing has empowered organized religion, and it has completely misrepresented Christ and His Kingdom. Millions of people’s spiritual lives have been lost by the true church because of it.
What would happen if there was no more tithing in the church? The organizations we call “church” would die; CEO pastors and celebrity ministers would have to serve part-time, thereby making room for others to develop their gifts. Billions of dollars of unnecessary assets (church buildings) and expenditures per year would disappear and the resources of the Body would go where the Spirit wants them to go. Negative publicity about Jesus Christ would end and the Body of Christ would “go”, instead of saying “come”. The job of making disciples would be left to the meek, weak, and unskilled, armed only with the Holy Spirit and it would be a wonderful thing for Christ to get His church back – all good!
To be Continued……
© Copyright 2014-15, Paul K. Weigel – All rights reserved.