Numbers 18:21 *I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting*
*THE EXTREMES* (a)
Nothing is wrong with tithing If done based on the principle and to fulfill the purposes for which it is meant for. The knowledge about the principle of tithing is the precursor to generous giving. So, If anyone decides to support the church with 10%, nothing is wrong with it.
However, the problem lies in the extremes some purveyors of prosperity gospel have presented to the people. Somehow, it appears to me that almost bible subjects can be taken to the extreme If one does not stay in the middle lane.
In fact, the crusade against tithing was birthed by obvious extremes that became visible to even unbelievers. There are people of other faiths even some believers who see all preachers as greedy because of certain things they have heard from the pulpit. These days of social media has revealed the shallowness of some preachers and their extremes. Some of the extremes on tithing include:
*EQUATING TITHE WITH SALVATION*
Salvation and our eventual glorification does not have anything to do with tithing. Salvation is purely by grace not a reward for tithing.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, *"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it*"( NLT).
Hebrews 12:14 says, *"Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord*".
It is absolutely wrong and extreme to make non-tithers feel they will not enter heaven. That is not explicitly or implicitly taught in scriptures. Guilt-tripping people to give is not the way of Christ.
Tithing as a principle is one of the ways we worship&honour God and support the local church or ministries involved in the Great Commission. If we leave it at that, we would be fine with God and men. No sane man will ask If the local church is to be supported or not. Every normal person knows that it takes good finance to run a ministry.
However, when taken beyond that, people will begin to ask questions. Today, people have access to the bible and materials that explains scriptures. Gone are the days when everything said by the Bishops was taken hook line and sinker.
Our worship of God will make sense if we stay where bible stays and say what the bible says. Going beyond that will set an alarm bell ringing in the hearts of the people. That is what we mean by staying balanced.
Father, give me a heart that worship you in Jesus name.