Tithing: a salvation issue?

[SiblingRevelry]

Is the (non)payment of tithing a salvation issue?

I went to a church yesterday and heard a message that pulled out all the stops on how if one did not pay tithing or wasn't up to date on tithing, then that person wouldn't go to be with Jesus and was in fact hellbound. Of course, mixed in there we got to hear about how God has miraculously provided for this particular ministry, how God would make millionaires out of some people there who paid tithing, and how God had a plan to grow this particular church to 1000 strong in two more years (currently has 134 members). Oh yeah, and the pastor is entitled to all the tithing.

I really disagree with this line of preaching. It didn't strike me as being very edifying to Jesus (and in fact, outside of the singing and the praying, Jesus wasn't mentioned at all). Granted, I am not naive enough to think that money grows on trees or that people shouldn't support churches with their donations, but this just seemed egregious. He was very clear that there were some people in attendance who were not (in his mind) up to date on their tithing and he was By God going to hammer them into getting out their checkbooks and paying their tithing even before they paid their bills.

I guess I was also taken aback by the fact that this church is paying $7,100/month for a space in a strip center that is distinguished only by its proximity to the state university, and not by much of anything else.

It was not an awfully edifying experience to me, but I've been out of Apostolic circles for a very long time and maybe I'm just not used to that kind of preaching and I'm still being naive.

[SDG]

Salvific tithing is extrabiblical.

[Michael The Disciple]

Such preaching is pitiful indeed. If tithing is for the Christian how much more the keeping of the Sabbath. And what about the rest of the same Mosaic Covenant?

Its just one more error that holds people back from Oneness Churches.

[seguidordejesus]

Besides the fact that the message was absurd...why on earth are they paying that much for a space in a strip mall!!!???

[SDG]

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

Besides the fact that the message was absurd...why on earth are they paying that much for a space in a strip mall!!!???

Poor stewardship and disregard for the sweat & toil required to make those tithes possible?

[Neck]

Not a salvational issue.

[SiblingRevelry]

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

Besides the fact that the message was absurd...why on earth are they paying that much for a space in a strip mall!!!???

No idea...as I said, the only thing to recommend this spot is its (relative) nearness to the state university. I could go into a lot more detail about the merits and demerits of this property (in a previous life I worked in commercial real estate lending), but I will refrain.

[mfblume]

Tithing is often preached in association with a curse for those who do not pay it. But Tithing was done under law in association with a curse. Gal 3 speaks about the curse of the law being taken upon Christ for us. So tithing is not salvational. To say God will curse someone who does not pay tithes is disregarding the curse that Christ became for us. It replaces Christ and His cross with tithing!

[SiblingRevelry]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Tithing is often preached in association with a curse for those who do not pay it. But Tithing was done under law in association with a curse. Gal 3 speaks about the curse of the law being taken upon Christ for us. So tithing is not salvational. To say God will curse someone who does not pay tithes is disregarding the curse that Christ became for us. It replaces Christ and His cross with tithing!

Thank you for saying this! This is exactly why I was so very uneasy with this pastor's line of preaching.

[winklebottom]

We have a lot of unemployed stay at home Mom's etc. in our church. I have always felt they should be tithing their time or something. Am I being mean or what?? What say you all? Is "first fruits" and tithing always money??