It’s really one thing for a pastor to teach about giving. Some churches still believe in tithing one’s income while others don’t. There’s the teaching of joyful giving in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 9:7). If one goes with the Old Testament law, tithing has been more than just a tenth of one’s income. It was giving a tenth that also included one’s livestock and crops. In the New Testament, we hardly consider a church member who gives 10% of his inventory to the church a tithe. Instead, it was treated as a donation. It seems that giving 10% has become the basic standard when one starts giving to God. However, it can be easily abused such as misquoting Malachi 3:10-11 in order to make a quick buck.
What’s even worse is that we’ve got pastors who blackmail members to give tithes and offerings. I’ve seen complaints against a certain Nemuel Letada of Calvary Baptist Church in Dasmarinas, Philippines. It was also uncovered that the late Jack Hyles was fond of blackmail. The late Alberto R. Rivera Sr. was also greedy for gain. It’s not surprising that we’ve got pastors who’re guilty of blackmailing members, even publicly, to assert their power and dominance. That’s not very biblical now, isn’t it? These pastors humiliate people in public if these people don’t give enough tithes and offerings. Some people can be intimidated into giving love offerings and faith promises. This is very not biblical, especially in dealing with erring brethren. I will be quoting from the KJV since some of these blackmailing pastors are KJV Only.
The first principle in Matthew 18:15-17 tells us how pastors should deal with church discipline:
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (KJV)
If a member hasn’t been giving more than the tithes or failed to deliver as promised, a pastor must professionally and privately confront such people. Maybe, figure out if they have financial difficulties or remind them properly. Such people might be reminded to avoid making promises they can’t keep. Peter confronted both Ananias and Sapphira because they lied about their promised offering. The same could go for pastors who have people who have failed to fulfill their commitments about tithes, offerings, and faith promises.
A pastor who starts humiliating members in public is really a Diotrephes. 3 John 1:8-10 warns of that kind of behavior of rogue pastors:
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (KJV)
These pastors who blackmail tend to also have arrogant behavior. This also makes people give out of fear rather than love. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says:
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (KJV)
Did those blackmailing pastors read that? Every giving whether it’d be 10% of one’s income (tithe) or higher should be done not grudgingly or out of necessity. What’s the use of giving tithes and offerings if it’s not done in the spirit of obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 where Samuel rebuked Saul so hard because of a lack of obedience. Cain’s offering in Genesis 4 was rejected. God requires giving out of a willing and glad heart. The law demands and grace gives the power to give in to that demand willingly. Romans 3:31 says that the law is therefore fulfilled by faith. Any works without faith are as dead as faith without works.
It’s because 1 Timothy 3:1-7 also warns that pastors need to be above reproach. Pastors who are greedy for gain and warmongering aren’t also fit for office. Some pastors who blackmail others are also guilty of adultery. Jack Hyles himself had an affair with the church secretary. Later, several members of the Hyles churches have been guilty of sexual immorality. I guess the blackmailing is because the pastor lives a very high-maintenance lifestyle. People who are materialistic tend to steal just to support their materialism.
Sure, it can be good to keep church members accountable by filling up promise slips. However, pastors who start to extort money should be dismissed. People should be taught to give lovingly or that before they fill in the promise slips, they should be dictated by their conscience or told not to make promises that they can’t keep. People should lovingly fill in the slips, not coerced by the pastor, and pastors should professionally and lovingly confront members who made failed promises. Pastors guilty of blackmailing tithes and offerings need to be charged criminally since it’s already a form of robbery.
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