I feel the need to say a few things upfront about this writing. First I realize that this writing might be met with some opposition. However my goal isn’t and never has been popularity. My mission is to share my understanding of truth as it is revealed to me for the purpose of liberty for all. If I wanted to be popular I would be preaching somewhere or hosting seminars or even paying for my blog and facebook to reach a larger audience. Secondly my writings are not a commentary on all organizations or churches. But as they say, if the shoe fits, wear it. My writings are about my experiences and perhaps yours. Decide for yourselves.
Yesterday I had a revelation. It’s not the first time I was made aware of the impact this particular lie I believed had on my life, but in context it was made abundantly clear. I felt compelled to share.
While at a outdoor concert my husband turned to me with tears gleaming in his eyes grabbed my hand and said “I am so grateful that we have the opportunity do things like this now.” In that moment because we’ve shared 33 years together there was just a knowing. Knowing how far we’ve come, knowing what we’ve been through and knowing the liberty that we share together. I began to think about all the years. The good and bad. Some people believe that you don’t appreciate the good without the bad. I’m not sure about that but I do know that nearly 10 years were stolen. That’s what this writing is about. The stolen years. Some people believe when something is stolen from a christian it’s the devil. I’ll let you decide.
For nearly 10 years my husband and I faithfully attended church. Every Sunday, every Wednesday. When the church grew we attended several services on Sunday which actually means all day. That was the expectation, the standard. Additionally we gave tithes and offering. We gave 10% of our gross income plus offering weekly.
Now before any of you decide to send me reminder comments I know that I preached about the tithe and offerings. So, thank you but I don’t need your reminders. Lol But, remember I told you that I share my understanding of truth as it revealed to me. I believed what I preached to you and I practiced what I preached to you. Just as I am doing now. I am sharing truth as it has been revealed me.
As I sit here now I can recall scriptures used in instruction of the tithe and offerings. Let me just say that people did tithe to maintain the livelihood of the priest as recorded in the Old testament and it wasn’t money. However, if the bible was understood to be the history book that it is and the written revelation of Jesus Christ as shared by men the practice of tithing would have stopped. Offerings would be as they should be a freewill offering given when and to whomever chosen. The practice and indoctrination about tithing continues inaccurately using the Old Testament only dollars are given to men and women to maintain organizations and personal households.
When I consider all the years when there was no time because we were always at church and then to I realized we didn’t have the money to do the things that we wanted because we were giving it to a man. All the while believing we were giving it to God. For God. Now, it’s beyond laughable it’s disgusting. Disgusting to think my understanding of God was so distorted. To believe that God needs anything from me. He needs absolutely nothing from me, not praise, not obedience and not money. Man needs those things. Not God. But hear me clearly it wasn’t just about the man standing in the pulpit. It was about the man “in” me. The self righteousness man that presumed that I would or could earn God’s favor by my deeds. That through my giving God would ...then bless me. That God would rebuke the devour from my door because He sees my giving. OMG! The lies...the distortion of truth.
While the whole time my husband worked long hours doing hard physical work to give it to a man that supposedly spent his time praying and laboring to hear from God to give us a word 2 times a week. I can NOT explain to you how absolutely vile this perversion is to me. I am feeling physically ill as I am exposing it. The one day off that he had each week that was typically spent doing something for the church ministry. (men’s house/car wash) Wow! The great distortion that I believed and millions continue to believe while struggling to make ends meet however remaining faithful in their tithes and offerings so that God would help. When I consider the sacrifice expected, no commanded in the name of God that was made and how many will never recover those earning years let alone the time. What God would treat His people this way?
All the while a man using our hard earned money was living in a million dollar house, driving the newest car, wearing the best clothes, rolex, traveling the world “preaching” saving the lost, etc.. having no job but to watch over our souls. Really?
I want to take the mystique out of revelation. Because although we say we believe God when it comes down to it we don’t. So my revelation continued when we got home much later I turned on the t.v. and began to watch the Housewives of Potomac. Two women were bantering about husbands and money. One woman said to the other divorced mother of 3, well at least my husband earned his money, you live off the the alimony your husband (a pastor of mega church) gives you that he gets from tithe and offerings from people in his church. Now, every word stated was true. True as in fact checkable! The money from these tithing God believing people is sustaining the lavish lifestyle of his ex-wife and of course his new lifestyle without question and without consideration. Obviously they too have been indoctrinated by the same lies I believed and preached at one time.
I hear you. Adoria, are you saying that you had revelation watching the “housewives?” Yep! I sure am. God said, that He would led us and guide us in all truth. I’ve learned to believe Him. I saw a woman make an obviously true statement to anyone that can see. It’s really that simple. The truth was revealed, i.e. revelation. In my past to my detriment I couldn’t see the obvious. I only hope that you can NO that you will see the obvious truth. Or at least you will consider it.
We continued giving but in a very different manner. It is completely based upon ability, desire and need. If we have the ability and the desire when we see a need we give. Or just because we want too. Our giving now is joyous. It is truly a blessing. However, God has given us the greatest gift, He has given us truth and liberty! We are free!
