Well said, Handy.The worst abuse I've ever come across was the church that operated the day care that I worked at for 12+ years. The director of the day care was (had to be) a member of that church and get this...they actually took 10% of her wages out of her check automatically as a deduction from her take home.
...
Quite frankly, the only churches I've ever known to even speak of "tithes" have been churches that have huge "overheads": fancy church buildings, snazzy "curb appeal" landscaping, yes, even water fountains, and a pastoral staff that net large incomes. ...
But, pastors who harp on "tithes" yet drive around in Cadillacs when there are congregants in dire financial distress leave a very bad taste in my mouth.
I also believe that it is only reasonable for those who receive spiritual things to be willing to offer physical support. The trade of pizza for the mana from heaven is nothing short of the best deal I've ever heard of (almost).
2 There was one church though... I listened to the sermon about 'giving pacts' and 'generational curses' where the extremely wealthy pastor said that the poor members of his congregation were robbing GOD if they didn't give a minimum 10% tithe of their foodstamps to him. Seriously. Can such guilt trips be tolerated? Apparently they can. But not by God. His is the final say.
~Sparrow