Paying of Tithes

Daddy Freeze (Ifedayo Olarinde) is a Nigerian radio host, presenter, and an OAP (On Air Personality). He started what may be described as a mini religious reformation in Nigeria. As the printing press had a profound effect on spreading the message of Martin Luther. The internet and social media, as well as the radio waves spread is spreading his message in the deeply religious Nigeria. His message seems to have strike a cord among many. I personally might have not given it much thought and I have tried to pay it has often as possible when working. This might be due to the fact that my church is being as transparent as possible I have seen the effect of my contributions to people world wide as we have a section in our church which brings us mission report. During the mission report it shows how the church money is building schools, hospitals, etc in various regions of the globe.There is also an audit report and financial statement after each financial year, this is presented to the church and available online and given to members. Also none of pastors go around in flashy cars or even owes a private jet, and when they travel they go economy. They see it has a calling rather than a way to make money. Also my church is conservative and wearing of jewelry is not encouraged. Any ostentatious flaunting of wealth is frown upon.

Nigerians are deeply religious and their pastors are one of the richest in the world. They have mega churches and some are guarded by well armed security men. Some have private jets, luxury cars and houses. A far cry from Jesus message of love, grace, hope, poverty and humility, forsaking earthly riches to a greater richness (1 Timothy 6:9). To which these rich pastors have given various interpretations of the text Mark 10:25 (In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God) .They have reinterpreted the size of "an eye of a needle" to relatively increase it and decrease the sizes of a camel to fix it. They have also said that Jesus, was not speaking literally but using a saying common to the area and used often during that era, which just does means that it will not be impossible but just slightly discomforting.

Daddy Freeze said that the paying of tithes is an old testament concept and it was referring to agricultural produce (Mal 3:6-12). Although the book of Malachi was written about 100 years after the return of exile from Babylon of the Jews and the prophet Malachi was disappointed about what he saw. Malachi was angry about what he saw in the state of Israel and related it to their behavior and it was more about what he saw about the people neglecting God laws, the temple, their wives, and how they are not keeping to their covenant with God. There is a belief that Malachi was only specifically referring to the people of his time in this instance and it will be wrong to use it in a wider content.But others will argue since “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16), we cannot select and choose.

Daddy Freeze also believes that if a church is collecting offerings and there is a child who is a member of the same church and not going to school due to lack of funds despite his or her church having a university or school, collection as at that point can be regarded as a fraud. He is also against the latest "Hallelujah Challenge", a 30 day service, where people joined via the internet to a live service. Afterwards, people started giving "unverifiable testimonies" via posts but he believes that they are biased. As most of them are anonymous and cannot be verified but he knows of a lot of big shots in the church who were arrested, died or had an unfortunate incident befall them during the period. But this was not reported. A whole church, "House on the Rock", Abuja, was burnt down during the period. Nothing was reported, hence because people were given only positive information and shielded from the negative information, he believe that their decision were flawed. A form of cognitive bias, due to their disported perception, they form their own "subjective social reality”. He is against Pastors living the "Fab" life at the expense of their church, members. He called the pastors and their excesses to order. There is also the sexual indiscretions of the men of God.

But the issue of the paying of tithe being not spiritual is not a new thing, there are people who have been fighting the general beliefs about paying tithes. Some of the issues are

• if you do not pay your tithe you will be under a curse. 
• if you do not pay your tithe you are actually stealing from God. 
• if you do not pay your tithe your cannot have a close relationship with God. 
• And people should pay their tithe first before any other thing. 
• Also the tithe should come from 10% of the net pay.

Other sites have been preaching against it tithe giving claiming that Israel was a theocracy and in today's world it is an equivalent to paying our government it's income tax. But what is new that it is a Nigerian OAP, coming against tithe paying in our religious sensitive environment.

Daddy Freeze has launched a campaign #freethesheeple with the catch phrase "Pay tithe to the needy; not the greedy". He also against the church preaching the prosperity theology and he is against preachers using unqualified miracles. That there is a description or format in the book of Deuteronomy (Deut 14:22 - 29), how the people should pay tithe. That on one day people should set aside one tenth of their produce for the whole year. If the distance is too far it was said that one could sell the produce. Then use the money to buy cattle, sheep, beer or anything they desire wish and eat the food to praise the Lord and not to forget the Levites as they don't have an inheritance in the Land. Daddy Freeze wants to take the money from the churches and put it back in the hands of the people. As long as they keep building churches and do not encourage businesses to grow or build school he believes he will continue talking.

As said Martin Luther actions lead to the reformation about 500 years ago as a result of corruption and practices, especially the selling of indulgences by among others was Johann Tetzel. It was alleged that Tetzel's catch phrase was "as soon as a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from Purgatory springs". Since the leaders of areas in Germany were taxed by the Roman Catholic church. As at a time the church owned up to one-third of all the land in Europe. These leaders could only gain, economically, by breaking away from the Roman church and establishing a German church under their own control, which would then not be able to tax them as the Roman church did as King Henry VIII in England. However, as Martin Luther's Sola Fide (justification by faith alone), he debated before the German Emperor in Worms that man was saved by faith alone and not by works. Hence, people got rid of all the services, got rid of statues in the church, and the notion that the bread and wine used for the Lord supper were not the actual blood and flesh of Jesus Christ by represent it, among others.

Unfortunately Martin Luther's doctrine of spiritual freedom in Christ would lead to religious justification for social and political upheaval. As he believed that priest, bishops, the pope and the clergy were a man made hierarchy with no biblical basis. People were motivated for the first time, the whole Bible was available in their own languages and not only Latin. Now, everybody could read it and see for themselves, that it was simple and straightforward. But that bible verses were and are still taken out of content. The genie was out of the bottle, the word of God had gone "viral" due to the printing press. People would interpret this as their being no need of social rulers and this would lead to the peasant revolt (1524- 1526). He had to "back track", and no longer supported the ideal that congregations should elect their own ministers and that kings and rulers are put there by God. And freedom he was fighting for, was referring  to a spiritual one and not of a physical world. He that said that the rulers or anyone else should "smite, slay, and stab, secretly or openly" the rebels "as when one must kill a mad dog".

Daddy Freeze believes  that he is doing the church a favor as in this world of information and easy accessibility to information. The things that was once accepted will no longer be accepted. They need to read the bible more and revise the way in which they will present their gospel to the new age. Because the educated youth will definitely ask questions. And the verses 1 Chronicles 16:22, Psalm 105:15; "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!", will be interpreted in their proper content. But as Martin Luther's "Sona Fide" he may have to present his message in a format that it would not cause a revolution or a peasant war as when the genie is out of bottle it is longer under your control.