Ready For a SHOCK?
Does Your Pastor Teach this?
A New Testament Command From the Apostles to the Pastors, Elders, Prophets, Teachers, and all those who assemble as the church
It is clearly stated under the LAW of the OT, the Levites had a COMMAND to take tithes of their brethren:
Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren
Reading what Paul said were NEW TESTAMENT commands in 2Thes3:
4) And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command.
6) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.
(no distinction between the clergy and laity is given)
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; (notice the "we". apostle Paul, Timothy, Silvanus are to be imitated. not the mega church pastor or the "disorderly" , "brethren". Prepare to see what "disorderly means!)
8) neither did we eat bread for nought at any man`s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:
(notice the *we* did not eat for free at the hand of the church, but WORKED night and day not to burden them! Quite a contrast to the burden put on people sitting in a pew to "give", "tithe", and contribute to what the clergy puts forth as a "vision" for the church.)
9) not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
(Notice they WORKED as an example for them... uh pastors, elders, bishops included...)
10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.
(yes, it is true, there is a New Testament COMMAND to WORK, but if they don't work, the non-working brothers are not to eat..?)
11) For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies.
(some walk disorderly?? you must be joking? in the church, some not working?
Hello pastors? nothing about tithing reminders here...)
12) Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
(I think we got some church payroll problems here for "them that are such" ...)
Let's see, tithing was a command for the Levites under the Old Law, but work is commanded under the New Covenant and no exceptions are made for a pastor, deacon, bishop, elder, overseer, prophet, teacher... No pastor has a command to receive tithes. The apostles never once commanded tithing.
Also note Paul/Timothy, Silvanus said not a word about tithes or salary here, but instead commands them to work. This is consistent with what he said in Acts 20 to the "bishops" and "elders":
31) Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
32) And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
33) I coveted no man`s silver, or gold, or apparel. (nor tithes, nor a salary)
34) Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(Paul worked as an example to the BISHOPS and ELDERS. Elders were pastors, teachers, prophets, evangelists given the oversight of the church to protect it from the wolves who would devour the substance of God's sheep.)
35) In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Yes, it is shocking to realize the ministry was to work and help the weak, not take or extort from them in the name of tithing, "faithful giving to their ministry, or the reasoning used by the justifiers of profiting from the Sunday collection plate. Where is the scripture teaching the Sunday plate for the benefit of the church?
-or where is the church called a "storehouse" in your Bible?
The apostles who forsook their nets and physical jobs to attend to the ministry of the Word and prayer were as Peter who said "silver and gold have I none..." as they walked in the footsteps of Jesus. Think about this next time you sit in a church and the offering plate comes by and you are given the little envelope to fill out.
As shown in multiple scriptures in regard to imitate their example by imitating the disciples in their ministry and in regard to
1. 2nd Thessalonians 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2 . 2nd Thessalonians 3:9 not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
3. Hebrews 13:7 Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.
4. 3rd John 1:11 Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
5 Acts 20:35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Sadly, we live in a time where the scripture is laid aside in order to imitate what is taught in Bible College or by a Name Brand ministry. The professional minister is receiving their "blessing" by extorting tithes and offerings as they seek to fund and maintain the personal kingdom they manage commonly known as a church.
They are imitating those before them who have learned to profit from the weekly collection rather than truly trusting God and obeying the commands given by Paul as he "commanded" the church and leadership to work in order to help support the weak and needy.
What does your pastor teach?
