Feedback Letters to Delusion Resistance regarding our stance on Tithing.

Thank you for your stand on tithing. Your articles were among many that I read, including one book, "The Lie of the Tithe". It is good to read through as many articles as possible because even though the main ideas are repeated, everyone has some different special insights that really hit home. The following is (in part) how I finally came to understand why tithing cannot be right.

First, I became disabled some 10 years ago after having worked many years. While nearly all of my large family claims to be Redeemed, not one of them offered me a dime, or food or anything. My supposed best friend never offered any help either--but then she is not Redeemed. She would say she would pray for me--James 2:15-19KJV. How did they think I was going to eat and live without an income? In fact, some of them criticized my inexpensive Christmas gifts to them! I was forced into government housing and food stamps for me and my daughter. While they all lived well (some even lavishly) and tithed, I was left to fend for myself. This taught me that many people who claim to know Christ, don't-- (Matt.7:21; Matt. 25:32-46). It also taught me that He didn't need their help to keep me going--PRAISE THE LORD!!! (And believe it or not, I did tithe during this time--I thought things might get worse if I didn't.) As a result of some sisters buying expensive gifts for their picks and cheaper gifts, if any, for the others, I came to realize that the holiday is all about money and favoritism and everything hurtful. Surely Christ is not in that--which led me to study---and I learned that Christmas is a pagan holiday, as well as Easter, et al. It was hard, but I did learn a lot.

It wasn't until more recently that I learned just how much tithing was wrong. We (I'm married now) took a boy into our home for almost a year, who belongs to a friend who's husband was not providing for the family (5 children in all--they lost two homes and she and two of the children ended up with her married brother, and the other two children went with a sister, and a friend). I personally talked to our (Indep. Baptist) pastor about us accepting any help anyone wanted to give. I mean they have bridal and baby showers at the church, they take up collections for the pastor, assist pastor and youth pastor and their wives when it is their birthdays. They sent the assist pastor and wife to Israel costing about $5,000. They take up money and items to make baskets for the missionaries..... We were not looking for a million dollars. We actually had the nerve to think that they would want the opportunity to give glory to God by helping us out (regular attending members who tithed regularly) so that we could help out a sister in Christ. Boy were we chagrined! The pastor announced on a Wed. night that we were taking a child into our home (etc.) and that if anyone wanted to help, to let us know. We never received even a word of encouragement much less anything tangible. Every week we brought that child to church, along with ours, and not one person ever said or did anything--including the pastor who could have done something if he really wanted to. (I think we were on the weekly prayer list.) So, consequently, we stopped paying our tithe! At first I thought it was wrong (after all the years of brainwashing). Finally I sent the money to my daughter who needed it for college--remembering how much in need I was and knowing I am an infidel if I don't help my own family (I Tim. 5:8). Now, we are diligently trying to pay off some bills.

Which brings me to the last reason why we have seen the light on tithing. We have suffered financially through no fault of our own. When we married, his ex wife suddenly wanted to get custody of the child she abandoned, when she abandoned the marriage several years prior. We were forced to obtain attorneys because she was lying, trying to get us in trouble--it's a long story, but suffice it to say she is literally psycho--extremely evil troublemaker. So even though we had to borrow money to pay the three attorneys, we continued to tithe. Consequently, here it is years later, and after a couple of other misfortunes (that most people eventually run into--not to mention that I am disabled) we are still paying on those debts. Debts that would definitely have been wiped out by now if we had not tithed. The Bible also speaks against being in debt. So we have learned that tithing does not fix financial problems, it only makes them worse, and the is debt even drawn out longer and more costly (interest) than it ever had to be. We made conscious decisions to live in a modest home with modest vehicles (now only one) so that we would have more money to give people (after we paid our tithes--still thinking that tithing was right). We like helping others, but I suppose that God wants us to be out of debt before helping others as much as we would like to. Our cups are NOT running over like they all promised (--we never gave to Benny Hinn or any of those charlatans on TV.) All we can do now is ask God to forgive us and to restore that which the locusts have eaten (if that isn't too much out of context!) Joel 2:25.

We are in a period of transition, I guess you could say. We don't appreciate being lied to and really don't appreciate the fact that most churches including ours do not help their own members in need--those in more need than we ever were (except maybe a few picks). Therefore, we are not sure where we should attend--there are no TRUE New Testament Churches in our area. Truly we live in an age of apostasy! Sometimes I think we should just "put in our time" on Sunday morn. (where we are members) and be polite, but know that they are all phonies and don't mix with them and just come on home to a nice meal! At least they have the right music and use the KJV.

So, in conclusion, while I would NEVER say (or think) that we have not been blessed by God--because we surely have been blessed, I can say that for an average family, tithing can put a strain on your finances that God never intended, which in turn can put a strain on the marriage--that God never intended. Matthew 19:6 "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" that includes the pastor/church who wants to extract tithes to your family's hurt. The religious community condemns the lottery because rent, etc. is not paid for spending it on the lottery. What is the difference in families spending money on the lottery to the family's hurt and paying tithes to the family's hurt??? One promises you the chance of millions, the other promises your cup will run over. You know, we serve a common sense God. It is only COMMON SENSE to only give what you can--how is it that otherwise intelligent thinking people can be fooled?!? I guess it is the same way Christians are being fooled into New Age/Holistic/Alternative medicine and diets. We had to separate from a small church that was into reflexology, Health-food diets, not getting their children vaccinated, etc. That sent me into an in-depth year study on New Age Healthcare where I learned that my disability may have come about through the use of herbs/vitamins/minerals, etc. If you are not aware of this evil, please let me know and I can send you some websites to look at. Every Christian should BEWARE of New Age Healthcare!!!

Thanks again for your stand on tithing. Name withheld by request