|
Post by Bro. Dan on Jul 29, 2013 15:13:27 GMT -6
Many churches have a certain time each year when they will have a push to get their members to tithe their income. I've been involved with several churches that did so. Of course, the pastor always has a few people to stand before the congregation and tell amazing stories of how God has blessed them because of tithing.
At one church that I belonged to, it was that time of year, and the pastor kept asking for people who would be willing to give a testimony. For three or four weeks, he would remind the church that he was still looking for people to give a testimony...
Well, I finally approached him and said that I would give a short testimony of a couple of things that God had done for us. He said, "Oh, that's great! Tell me what you'd be telling the church."
I said, "Well, my air conditioner on my car has been broken for several months, and a guy that I work with fixed it without charging me anything. Also, we needed a new cable for our computer, and my boss at work gave me one for free."
My pastor looked at me and said, "Weeeeeeell, I was wanting testimonies that were more amazing than that."
I thought, "Hmmm...isn't this one of the things that tithing pastors preach...that God will supply your needs if you tithe? Didn't I just give testimony of that?"
But no...tithing pastors want testimonies of...
I GOT A $20 AN HOUR RAISE BECAUSE I TITHED! I WAS HEALED OF STAGE 4 CANCER BECAUSE I TITHED! I WAS GIVEN A PROMOTION AT WORK BECAUSE I TITHED! I WAS GIVEN A BRAND NEW CAR BECAUSE I TITHED!
...that way, they can instill a false hope in the rest of the church in order to get others to tithe. A simple "God took care of some of my needs" wasn't good enough!
|
|
|
Post by Standing Firm in Christ on Jul 29, 2013 18:55:25 GMT -6
It is amazing how pastors and spiritual leaders will "field" testimonies in some Churches before they are even given to the general congregation.
A testimony is not just our words, but also our walk before Christ and others. Sadly, many pastors force testimonies that are too much like that of the Pharisee in Luke 18: "I fast," "I tithe," "I'm not like that man in the ghetto."
They may not be like that other person, but like the Pharisee, their pride makes them much worse.
Excellent post, Brother Dan!!
|
|