Pastor says "If you don't tithe, don't pray, because God doesn't hear you" Biblical?

Question

I know I'll get a lot of non-Christians giving me their "opinion," but I am really looking for some serious answers here.

The reason that I ask is because we have been tithing, but on a one earner income (I'm a SAHM) and with two little ones we have been struggling a bit. We have given up all our "luxuries" and budget our money pretty well, and the only thing I can see that can help us get out of debt is by reducing our tithes for a few months.

Answer 1

Your Pastor is wrong! the law of ten percent is not valid in our time because we were living in Christ's law. Let me prove it to you:

And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

Hebrews 7:5

Only sons of Levi can receive tithes or ten percent

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Hebrews 7:12
King James Version

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The priesthood has been change and also the law is changed

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.

The Acts 13:39

Some of the Laws of Moses is not applicable in this time. For example, the law of giving ten percent of their earnings as tithes. The law had been change since the time of Jesus Christ

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The law in the present time is this:

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

II Corinthians 9:7

God loves a cheerful giver.

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Your Pastor is like a Dog

Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

Isaiah 56:11
King James Version

a very greedy dog

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And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

II Peter 2:3

They pretend that they are true. to make merchandise of you

Answer 2

You really should give into your local church, but tithing is an old testament law, not a new testament requirement. In actualiy, if you have trusted your life to Christ, that should include everything you own. Not that you should give all you have away, but be in prayer and allow God to show you where you should sow into the kingdom of God and how much. As far as what your pastor said, Well, I think I'd find a new church, because what he said isn't true. God doesn't want your money, He wants your faith and love. The pastor wants your money. But, as I said before, it is a good thing to sow into the Kingdom, but there are many ways. Not just a check to the church.

ADDED MUCH LATER***
As I said before, be in prayer about what God wants you to do. Truly, I have found that on the months when I don't tithe, I actually have a harder time making ends meet. But, nevertheless, there are many ways to tithe. You don't have to just tithe money. Find little ways to bless those that you know are struggling even more than you. Maybe take some baked goods to a local nursing home. Or find out where the local breadline is and volunteer some of your time. When you give of yourself out of your own need, you can be sure that God will also bless you, not always monetarily, but in many ways. May God Bless You Immensely.

Answer 3

Not true. Tithing is not commanded in the New Testament. It's great to give to the Lord's work and even above the tithe if possible. The church expenses, pastor, and missionaries need to be supported, but to suggest that people who are unable to do it will not have their prayers heard is a lie. Find another church.

P.S. Romans 13:8 Owe no man anything . . . (pay off the debt)

Answer 4

Are you a member of Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas? I only use Bacon Heights because they are close and I know them. You may choose to apply this to your church, or virtually every church in America and around the world

BACON HEIGHTS bastardizes the Bible and manipulates their followers into believing that the Levitical “tithe” is still in effect. They also teach, in contrast to the Bible, that the “church” is a building and an institution rather than the fact that the “church” is God’s elect children. Here is their faith statement on tithing: “A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. At Bacon Heights we practice giving for the support of Christ's Body (the church), as God commands. We recognize that giving 10 per cent of our income is the minimum Biblical standard of giving.” While the paid Pastors refuse to be held to the law of the Levites by living the life of a Levite, or by proving their Levitical tribe affiliation from the documents stored in the Jewish temple, they still require the people to “tithe” in order that they can receive salaries. If you are not a “tither”, you can not be a deacon or in any authoritative position at BHBC.

CULTS CONFUSE AND MANIPULATE THEIR FOLLOWERS BY HAVING ONE “LAW” WHICH APPLIES TO THE “REGULAR PEOPLE”, WHILE THE AUTHORITIES APPLY DIFFERENT STANDARDS TO THEMSELVES

I expect this is what is happening to you. Run Forrest, and don't look back.

Answer 5

That is very wrong teaching. Tithing is not NT teaching. Jesus tithed but only because while he lived he had to comply with the old testament. At his death all of the old testament prophecies concerning Jesus were fulfiled. Old testament laws done away with.
You have stepped into a very powerful point of contention.
If a pastor is so strong about tithing how does he feel about the sabbath. How about all of the rest of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy?
Keep placing questions here.
I am going to go through my notes for future reference for you and anyone else seeking a little more.

Answer 6

Well, not exactly. This guy I know who is a Christian NEVER pays his Tithes and he is FILTHY RICH..so i don't think so..

But I think TITHES doesn't necessarily mean paying money to THE CHURCH, but more-so not being selfish enough to keep your money to yourself. To me, tithes is good doings..whether it be giving money to the poor, bringing food to a homeless shelter, giving clothes to salvation army, helping someone to the best of your ability..being SELF-LESS. I think that is PAYING your tithes..

I feel that God will NEVER ignore his people! Remember during the last days of Jesus's death and even during his days of preaching..how many deceived him..how many wanted to kill him..how many hated him..STILL, at the end of the day..he prayed for the salvation..

THIS saying "if you don't pay tithes, don't pray.." reminds me of when I forget who, but its the GOOD SAMARITAN story where just because he wasn't suppose to WORK on the sabbath..he left a man knowing he would die! Jesus questioned this man, appalled by his belief..that the sabbath day was more important than a man's soul!

You see what I mean, Jesus Questioned..so you have all right to question. Jesus came down and broke all the laws THOUGHT to be correct! He sat with the sinner..NOT the saints..and got ridiculed by it!

Question my darling..follow what Jesus did..and QUESTION..don't FOLLOW what you'r pastor says/does..for who is he but a mere human who misinterpets..misunderstands..and sins just like the rest of us!

**EDIT**

Your story also reminds me of the Good Samaritan story..
the so called law..is NOT a law..just a PRACTICE..that can be stopped for a moment!
which is more important to you? "tithing the way THE PASTOR(who is probably living quite comfortable) wants you to..or Giving your children a Better life/ Getting out of debt?

Is this pastor going to give you money to come out of debt..or will you have to help yourself? Read the Good Samaritan story..you will know what to do..:)

Answer 7

Your pastor doesn't know what he is talking about. I come from a long line of christians; my father is an elder of a church and I have 3 uncles and my grandfather was a minister, some of my cousins have also followed suit. Tythe is a necessary thing but it is between you and God. God is not going to puposefully ignore you because you don't pay. He has everthing, why would he need our money? The tythe we give is to help the church pay for the expenses. Tything does not define us a Christians. Pray as much as you can, especially for your misguided pastor. And if you are financially able to tythe, it's good to do so. If not, God will understand or provide you a way to do so.

Answer 8

Tithing is giving back to God what is already His. In the old Testament..Deut. 14:29 ... in order that the Lord your God, may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. Numbers 27:28...Every proscribed thing is most Holy to the Lord. As for praying, first you have to be a child of God " born again" and second God hears your prayers and He answers them according to His perfect will. He will answer your prayers in such a way that in the end He and only He recieves the glory. Yes, thats biblical.

Answer 9

Wow, someone actually still says that? And a "pastor" no less? I'm presuming this person is Protestant? (If he was Catholic you would have said priest or Father) That kind of behavior was what the Protestants were protesting!

Wikipedia has a pretty detailed article on the Biblical references to tithing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe

Answer 10

i am a Non-Christian.

and i will answer this with a simple set of questions.

Does an all powerful GOD need your money?

Does God have a Coin slot in his chest so that people in heaven can Pay him when they need advise?

Would your God refuse to help a poor person for lack of money?

Deos your God operate on a strict, "Payment for Reward" plan?

if you answered all of these questions with a NO, then your Pastor is wrong. If these questions offend you then your Pastor should offend you. if these questions go against the very core of your beliefs, then your pastor is wrong.

i will allow you to decide.