Paying of Tithes 2

On November 18, 1978, 909 people killed themselves allegedly by drinking cyanide-laced grape-flavored Flavor Aid. The reason it is alleged that it was as to protest against the US government for "invading" their "paradise". Entering into common usage the term "They all drank the kool-aid". This means that people are manipulated in doing what they might not have done by psychological techniques. Like deception, peer pressure, terrorizing, etc. Jim Jones was a young dynamic charismatic leader of the People's Temple who was able to offer some hope. The story is sad has those people were offered what was seen as hope but in the long term was simple manipulation and stealing. Jim Jones began to face various allegations among which he said to have been diverting the income of cult members to his own personal use. Amid the these accusations, Jim Jones and hundreds of his followers emigrated to Guyana and set up an agricultural commune Jonestown. Away from the authorities in what is regarded as an underdeveloped country far way in a remote village. As leader Jim Jones confiscated passports and millions of dollars and manipulated his followers with threats of blackmail, beatings, rape, and probable death. 

This is a reminder why we should question everything. And the churches be open and transparent. Jim Jones too did "miracles" and "healed" cancer. Although he did take their money and their lives as well. The issue of paying tithes is a "God sent", that people read more, pray, research, and discuss and not take at face value what a pastor told them. Do like the Bereans ... "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11 - NIV) Ask why are we paying tithes? what do we use it for? I do not believe you should leave it to God, ask your pastor and check what he is doing with it. No one has the appointing or God's grace that he unaccountable to his flock. It is a man made barrier, that men not God put there. We all are men, and your pastor is not a superman but a humble vessel that is being used for God's glory. As of much as citizens of a country in every democracy it is our civil duty to hold our governments to account. As church members we MUST hold the church to account. Leaving him or her to God is delegating our duty as Christians and throwing out our responsibilities.  It will be better we left the church or not pay our tithes than for him or her to mismanage it, causing further damage to the flock and body of Christ and his message. The Bible said we should submit to our leaders and help them. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you". Hebrews 13:17 KJV
St Paul himself is a servant working for the glory of God. If we can query God why not our own pastors. I would even go a step further, as members we should request for the accounts of the church. As our pastors are our flock we owe the pastors duty of care and to be open about the church accounts. As power does corrupt ... and we have to be our brothers keeper

Read the Bible for yourself search for guidance and compare the word of God with his word. Pray for guidance and avoid individuals who are trying to manipulate you. Look at their words and their deeds. Look at the actions they way they speak and act. If a pastor is telling you to kill anyone for any reason then you should consider your membership in his church. If a pastor's wife left him for some of his indiscretions then consider your membership. If the head pastor is going around in diamond crusted suits and multi-million hummer cars. Look else where. If you see that the pastors has impregnated a married woman who is not his wife.

let those that have eyes look and see ..

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." 2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."  

2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" 1 John 4:1 NIV