How to Resign, by Dr. Frank Chase, Jr.
Dear Pastor;
Grace, Mercy and Peace be unto you on this day of our Lord. Several weeks and months ago, you were informed of my theological shift from tithing to grace giving. After 30 years of tithing and pondering this matter in my heart and studying both camps who argue for and against tithing, I told you of my personal decision. Since that time, I have been buried in study about this topic and have concluded that the tithe teaching lacks scholarship and cannot be biblically proven in the New Covenant beyond a shadow of doubt. The tithe teachers in the body of Christ who force or mandate tithing would not withstand a cross-examination on a witness stand by a counsel of scholars, Elders and theologians who have studied to show themselves approved and rightly divided the Word of Truth.
Because of my position on this matter, I realize that it has created some conflict and probably more so to the bottom line of the church. Certainly, I am aware of that. But because of my conviction, study and the Holy Spirit, I can never return to tithing under the dispensation of Grace we now live in. Again, my thoughts and heart have changed because of revealed truth. The journey to find truth on this matter started 30 years ago. I must admit that I am overjoyed the Holy Spirit can and does teach you when you seek the truth from your heart. Because tithing is no longer my position, it is unethical for me to continue in ministry and leadership. Based on your teaching and position that leaders in your church must tithe, it is unethical for you to keep me in leadership. As I have told you in the past, if I become a hindrance to you or your church and the doctrines you set forth, I would withdraw myself from all functions and duties of leadership. As a result, I requested to be put on Sabbatical until we came to a conclusion of this matter. Over the ongoing weeks and months, I've come to the realization that an impenetrable impasse is blocking this matter from being solved.
Now after six months, I now realize through prayer and great trepidation that my time at XXX Church has come to an end because of forced tithing methods that are wanting. When I decided to change my theology on tithing, I did it with knowledge that I would be at odds with much of the Christian community who are simply ignorant of the biblical and secular history, the land, the language, and the literature of the Jewish Levites and Priests for whom tithing was established in the Old Testament financial system because they had no land inheritance in Canaan. When I disagreed with you, I did it in the spirit of the Berean Jews who, with great respect for Paul, did not accept Paul's message right away but choose to search the scriptures to see if what he said was true. Since I've been on sabbatical, I've searched the scriptures, read books, examined history on this tithing issue and have found that tithe teaching as propagandized in the Body of Christ today is categorically unscriptural and is tantamount to spiritual and financial extortion akin to mafia tactics. Since I do not agree with tithing, I cannot in good conscience continue to exist at XXX Church knowing that a major difference exists between you and I on this issue. After 30 thirty years of being deceived, here are my thoughts to the body of Christ.
My purpose for changing my mind goes to the core of a metateneo (The greek word for Repent) experience. In the spirit of the Jewish Rabbi/Student relationship, my shift also represents what most Jewish Rabbis taught their students and that is the practice of learning how to challenge, debate and argue well with their Rabbi on Torah issues. A student who never questions what their Rabbi says would not be considered an excellent student. In the spirit of my Jewish Savior Yeshua, I've entered this debate because this is how Jews studied and how teaching was done. By me offering my points and your offering your counter points over the bully pulpit, we will both learn more truth on this subject. As it stands today, you and I have come down on opposite sides of this argument. In my mind that is OK among theologians. As you continue to read, know that my thoughts on this issue are only directed at the doctrine of tithing and the lack of study by those who try to teach something they have never given serious study.
In all, this situation is not so strange. It reminds me of the incident in Acts 15: 36-41 when Barnabas and Paul came into sharp dispute over the reliability of John who is also called Mark. Because of the appearance of our sharp disagreement about grace giving in the New Covenant vs. mandatory tithing under the Law of Moses in the Old Covenant, it is proper etiquette that we part company like Paul and Banarbas for now in the interest of peace and as Hebrews 12:14-15 says: 14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. I know people will say, tithing was before the law, but make sure the people also know that Abraham was not commanded to give it, and what he tithed came from the spoils of war. Plus he was already made rich based on a promise God made to him not because God commanded him to tithe. There is no biblical record that Abraham tithed any of his personal wealth and the nail in the coffin is that the Bible records that he only tithed once and no other text records he ever tithed again. Using Abraham as proof text is somewhat weak to build a foundation of tithing for the New Covenant. I know people will say that tithing is an expression of devotion by sincere people but the fact remains, it is still a ceremonial law and an ordinance that was nailed to the Cross. Therefore tithing is low-realm, obsolete and defunct and the pontificators of tithing ultimately introduce weakness and confusion in the minds of believers.
Let me make myself perfectly clear. If a person of their free will decides to give a percentage of their income then of course that is their decision based on Grace and not out of fear of a curse ripped from a text and given new meaning. But as soon as giving is called a tithe that's mandated, forced, or becomes a requirement based on Malachi chapter three or Matthew chapter 23 or some other dubious implied command from the Bible, it represents poor hermeneutics and sloppy exegesis. Tithe teachers who hold Malachi 3 to the heads of God's people like a 357 magnum and pull the trigger with a curse upon them have committed the greatest betrayal of GRACE and the work of Christ on the cross that almost rivals Judas' betrayal of Christ with a kiss. Of everything I've witnessed over thirty years, no one has ever been able to explain why there are ghettos and inner cities still full of generations of tithers who remain one paycheck away from the soup kitchen. Ok, I get it, the answer has always been, they did not put their seed in the right place. Saying we've been blessed by tithing does not make it true Biblically. We are blessed because of the New Covenant Principles of giving, not paying tithes. None of the epistles or letters written by the Apostles instructed or exhorted New Covenant believers to tithe, not as a law, a principle or even as a voluntary practice.
In the Old Testament tithing is compulsory and does not translate to grace giving under the New Covenant. The tithe teachers throughout history have taught tithing on a weak foundation of proof text or proof texting methodology. By definition and the verses, I've heard used to extract tithes from people using slick fund raising techniques over my 30 years do not understand that, "a proof text is a verse or short passage from the Bible used by someone as part of his/her proof for a doctrinal belief he wishes to substantiate to others. However, since verses and passages may rely extensively on the context in which they appear for correct interpretation, pulling these verses out their context and having them stand alone in "proof" can at times be very misleading. In addition, a set of such proof texts can completely ignore other passages which, if added to the mix, might well lead to an entire different conclusion. Someone who relies strongly only on a list of proof texts in order to make a doctrinal argument may have a very weak case for his argument. Noting that a religious teacher relies heavily on proof texting is viewed in theological circles as very negative in evaluation." For example, after my examination Malachi 3:10 and reading the whole book in its context, the infamous verse used by many to support their tithing position fail to realize this book is not talking to or suggesting any Gentile or New Covenant believer to tithe but it speaks only to certain Israelites in the promised land. Even if tithing was actually commanded in the New Covenant (Which it is not), how can anyone teach 10 percent and not teach the other 20 percent outlined under the law. I bet no leader in Today's church would demand 30 percent of people's income and then ask for a free will offering to boot. In fact, if we follow this logic, to obey any part of the law and not do all of it, you are guilty and accountable for all it. For tithe teachers to prove a doctrinal point, proof text methodology is essential because it allows them to ignore the context of the whole book or chapter.
According to the Jewish Mishnah and the Tulmad writers, tithes were always defined as everything eatable (food), and everything that was stored up or that grew out of the earth. In the Old Testament money was not a titheable commodity only crops, produce and cattle. For 1600 years after the tithe was established it remained a food item up to Mat 23:23 of Jesus' time. And upon careful examination, the Pharisees extended the tithe of the Mosaic Law in the Tulmad to include spices of anise, cumin, and mint, which was never a part of the original Law of Moses or the first five books of the Bible.
Biblical History and secular history on this subject is replete with examples of the tithing wars among Christian leaders that have raged over the centuries. In history, even Martin Luther Stood for salvation by grace and not confessing to a priest. We hail him for his stand, but we pass over, ignore and fail to declare the whole counsel about the man's tithing beliefs and that he preached against tithing way back in a sermon on August 27, 1525? The title was How Christians Should Regard Moses. Here's are some excerpts from Dr. Kelly's book on what Luther said about Law and Grace which can be found on the internet, "The law of Moses binds only the Jews not the Gentiles. Here the Law of Moses has it place. It is no longer binding on us because it was given only to the people of Israel. And Israel accepted this law for itself and its descendants, while the Gentiles were excluded. Moses has nothing to do with us. Well will not regard him as our lawgiver--unless he agrees with both the New Testament and the natural law. For not one little period in Moses pertains to us. But the other commandments of Moses which are by nature, the Gentiles do not hold. Nor do these pertain to Gentiles, such as the TITHE and others equally fine which I wish we had done."
You did agree that since the New Covenant standards are higher than the Old Covenant and if you ever accepted grace giving, the minimum standard would be ten percent at the start. In the final analysis, I would have to reject that as incorrect because after Calvary there is no biblical text to support any exact percentage as at starting point in the New Testament. The principle of interpreting New Covenant Giving starting at ten percent sounds good, but it is pure assumption. The New Covenant is filled with "free-will giving principles only. Because of that, giving could range from 0 to 100 percent based on what a person has, not what a person does not have; not under compulsion or reluctantly but by ability and by the Holy Spirit's prompting.
After thirty years of tithing, my heart aches at the carnage of mixed messages the tithe teaching Community has left behind and the many shattered lives and new converts who will be damaged by this grace less teaching in the future.
As I continue in search for truth, I submit this resignation with no malice because I know that tithe teachers need forgiveness too for they know not what they do. For we all are in need of the Grace of God when disputes arise.
Shalom,
Dr. Frank Chase Jr
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Praise the Lord, AMEN.
We tithed 24 years and left our church as you did. I was shocked after asking the Lord to show me the truth about tithing. When I realized there was not even one single verse teaching the church or the saints to tithe, i thought I was going crazy! But the more I prayed and studied the Word of God, the clearer it became. Praise the Lord Jesus! We're free and we love to give and meet needs.
GRACE to you in Christ.
rory moore from preparehisway.com and I would be glad to give you a copy of our book for FREE.
The Tithe That Binds
I am blessed Dr. Chase that you have studied and concluded the same thing I did 5 years ago. I also had been a tither and under that doctrine for about 30 years. With great reservation, I having been forced to honestly study the issue, I finally rejected it, having observed abuses and stumbling blocks set up by our pastor under whom we had spent 16 years serving the Lord.
Well, not to get into that story here, we moved on and have been with our current church for the last 5 years. Here too, the pastor teaches tithing and I have hoped to have some influence with this church on the issue.
Without anticipating it, yesterday I reached a zenith when I countered him in our live online service with the truth about tithing. He was teaching tithing strongly in his series "The Blessed Life" in Online Church, the ministry of LifeChurch.TV. Well, needless to say, after challenging the doctrine I was banned out of the Online Church chat for opposing the teaching and countering the pastor's statements openly. I was banned for 72 hours if not permanently.
I am (or was) a volunteer online Life Group leader known in small part to the ministry. To me, It was necessary to speak up and counter this false teaching openly, and though I'm only a volunteer, it does carry an emotional cost to defend the truth. You paid a deeper price and that I'm sure was difficult for you.
Thank you for standing up. It is a great service to the Lord, defending the truth of the word of God, and an encouragement to the rest of us.
By the way, I heard about you through Dr. Russell Kelly this morning. We are both members of a Yahoo study group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tithing-Study/
Bless you,
Randy Phillips
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
Hi,
Received an email recommending your article, I totally agree with you!!!
Your article addresses much of the conflict - emotional and personal, experienced when I was CWB (churching while black). Not that skin tone has much of anything to do with tithing; it was my experience between black and mostly black congregations.
It wasn't until I was mistreated, told I wasn't trusting GOD and becoming aware that I was in situations that warranted my being controlled if I wanted to be a part of the Christian experience (even where my marriage could have been impacted) that I began to question and study what I now have a better understanding of concerning the tithe.
I experienced a great deal of suffering at the hands of those who said they had the truth, taught what they said was the truth and caused hardship for those who didn't accept the truth as they taught and believed.
When I came into the knowledge of the real truth where I could accept it, I was still very much weighted down, which wasn't good for me dealing with health and disability issues. It took the Holy Spirit to bring me to my senses and to a point where I finally started coming out of the cloud of confusion over who or what was right, and if I was actually right. No one should have to go through this. It really impacted my health, but I had to move in GOD's timing for a sense of relief, even though I was still carrying some weight. With time and prayer I've done much better through the years, yet still finding myself in a position to have to stand the ground GOD has given me to be free in HIM.
My heart has ached for years from the abuse experienced from those who desire to cut one off because of not tithing and the fact that so many have been taught to do this and many more are still being taught that they will not be blessed if they are not tithing. The devil has cornered many well meaning Christians so much that many haven't realized that GOD is our 24/7 Father and has never allowed any of us to go any space of time or at any time in space without being blessed.
Malachi, Chapter 2: The priests were told their outcome if they didn't glorify GOD and that their blessings would be cursed.
Malachi, Chapter 3, GOD is still talking to the priests.
Many in the Body of Christ have flipped the script saying nothing about what the priests were told in Malachi 2 and went straight to Malachi 3 teaching the people that Malachi 3 was addressing the people and getting folks money.
What's going on from the pulpit to the pew? Things that make ya go uhmmm.....
Please don't get me wrong, local congregations have bills that need to be paid, but many are hurt because they don't see the financial blessings and the million dollar homes and high life styles of many in the administration of the Body of Christ. Many may not seek have a desire for homes in the millions, but need to be able to understand why they haven't benefitted like many others when they have paid what they were taught to believe is required. People have and are being told that they should pay the amount required by GOD and it's up to GOD to decide how they will be blessed. It puts one in a position to wonder what's so wrong with them that GOD wouldn't blessed them as He had blessed the others with those huge homes and fancy cars. It makes those who have struggled to pay 10% wonder, many leaving other bills unpaid, when their plane will land or their ship will float on in, or at least be able to get a ride on the extra vehicles owned by those in the administration of the local congregations.
Some church folks are sleeping with each other from the pulpit to the pew, fornication or adultery, abusing children or others, paying tithes so they will be blessed and the one's not living like this - naturally or through salvation, trying to live right are not going to be blessed because they don't pay 10%?
Several years ago my spouse attended a seminar dealing with some financial stuff which had nothing whatsoever to do with church or religion in any way. He said the speaker told those in attendance to give away 10%, it didn't matter if it was their church, a charity, a family member or anyone else, just give away 10%; this was supposed to be a way to get more income.
I said, "Wow!, a secular situation recommending giving away 10% income to anyone or any place to produce more income and the church says give 10% to church or you will not be blessed. AMAZING! People are being kicked out of religious buildings left and right because of not paying tithes, but no body bothers the atheists or other non believers, but then again, they might find themselves in court, because “us” other Christians have taken the beating free of charge.
Years of pain and confusion made ne a better person, a better Christian and mouth piece in the body of Christ as many Christians who have no problem cursing other Christians concerning what they do and do not place in the envelope and plate fight to be free of curses in other areas of life.
It's really interesting that many in the Body of Christ are speaking curses instead of life to people who are not tithing, but paying tithes and doing so much spiritual warfare, fighting the devil, fighting demons. What is wrong with this picture? And after all of the fighting their status in the Body of Christ is no different than the one not fighting, tithing or not even attending a place of worship. Yes, I went there; so many join congregations and leave because they are mistreated and looked down upon by the Christian tithers or didn't see a difference between sitting in a Sunday service or sitting it out in the world.
Can somebody please tell me who it is that's actually better off in this situation?
The devil has done his job of using Christians to beat up on other Christians like myself who do not allow themselves to be controlled, and yet it's so funny that the people mistreating and beating up on Christians about their pocket or purse offerings are not the atheists, not Jehovah’s Witnesses, not those who are uncertain about GOD or Jesus, not those who occasionally go to a place of worship, not those who normally show up in church on the first Sunday in the new year, Resurrection Sunday, or Mother's Day! It's so many of those who say they are Christians, say they know the truth and are very sure, never considering that it's not their calling to beat up on other Christians or anyone else and they haven't considered that it was church folks that Jesus turned the tables on when the money was being changed and Jesus turned the place out!!!
I respect your decision to part ways for the sake of peace, you’re not the only one to make this tough and challenging decision, and you are not alone ever because nothing can separate you from the love of GOD!
GOD bless and keep you forever!!!
Dr Chase
This was a great read. I have maintained that this new concoction(which steals the word 'tithe' and is pasted upon it) is just a natural fruit of a deeper, more malicious teaching - the entire clergy/lay system. If interested in examining some of the issues under this "tithe" teaching, that give the groundwork for its rise, I have several articles you may find of interest. One is "The Necessity of Spiritual Independence and the Bible."
Any temporary losses we incur by yielding to God's truths ... do not include abandonment by God.
Dr. Chase
Thank you for sharing your testimony.
In January of 2008 I was asked to teach a Sunday School Class in finances. Since my background was in accounting and taxation, I was a natural for this subject. I had heard pros and cons of tithing but had never spent the time to really study the topic.
When I started my studies, I was shocked at what I was finding. I thought I must be reading something wrong. I could hardly believe that what I was finding contradicted every single teaching I had heard in church regarding the tithe.
Needless to say, once I approached the pastor with what I had learned, I was banned from teaching at that church. I left that church a short time later.
I was quite disturbed when a pastor at another church I have attended admitted to me that he knows tithing ended at the cross, but that he must teach tithing as being required because people just don't want to give. To me that seems to be the ultimate lack of faith that God would take care of His church.
My book, titled TITHING TODAY (www.tithingbook.info) approaches the topic of tithing a little different than any other book I have read. Being a retired accountant and tax auditor, I have included a section explaining the difference between income and assets. I prove by definition, not interpretation, that God's command to tithe was NEVER on anything man made or earned.
It is our duty, as born-again believers, to expose this false teaching.
May God Bless You Always.
Gary Arnold
Certified Money and Finance Minister
Hi,
You said, "it does carry an emotional cost to defend the truth."
Yes, it does, but the truth will make you free and our GOD doesn't lie!!!
Hi,
You said, "Any temporary losses we incur by yielding to God's truths ... do not include abandonment by God."
Very well said. This is so true, praise the LORD!!!
Thanks you for comments and I hope my article begins the process of putting the body of chrit back on track. I thought I was a loner on this issue and thank your for sharing.
Randy,
You have no idea how difficult this decision was, but to here from people of like minds has encouaraged my heart to the full. Thank You for sharing your comments. I pray the article will be used by others as formate to resign from tithing.
Jayhnez,
I read your comments with great interest. Thank you for your encouraging words. I really needed to hear that there are others who have taken the steps I have. This decision was a tough one but with God's help I made it. Now I know there are other believers out there trying to help the body of Christ embrace new testament grace giving. My heart feel good about what has happened and I look forward sharing with others Chritains still trapped in fear that they can be free to give and not cursed to give.
Gary,
Thank you so much for your kind words. My wife is an accountant and she tithed all her life. Could you imagine when I told her I did believe in tithing. But needless to say, she came to accept it and now we no longer have a church home either. But thanks to God for showing us the truth. May my article help others and give them strength to resign from tithing.
Hello Robin,
Thank you for responding to "How to Resign." I pray this resignation helps other people write their own letters and be free from tithing to embrace grace giving. I hope this writing finds its way into many people's lives to help them study to show themselves approved by God.
I completely agree with the fact that tithing was for the children of Israel and not the body of Christ. I am deeply saddened knowing that so many believers have been intentionally deceived and ignorantly taught that God commanded the body of Christ to give a tithe of their salary to support the church, based on Malachi. I have talked to several people who are misinformed and believe they are walking in divine revelation. It took me a while to accept the truth about the tithing lie. Once I began to study this subject "honestly" and in context, I was freed of the bondage of the tithing lie. Thank God for the New Covenant and being under Grace.
CE
Friend please tell others I saw your post on tithing and stewardship blog I left a comment for you there. You were brave my friend please tell others of your new freedom in Jesus.
Money tithing makes entitled people who expect 10% of another Christian priest in Jesus salary. How can money tithe systems not found in the Old or new testement make people willing to suffer Like Jeusus. If the leader is entitled and comfortable how can he teach others effectivly to suffer an deny themselves for Jesus. When we follow money tithe people would it not be hard to avoid becoming comfortable and entitled? Jesus wants the opposites the greatest should be the least.
Please read my comment there if you have time. Be encuraged friend and tell others.
Praise the Lord Dr. Chase!
You are not alone.
I after teaching and serving faithfully in my church for five years, I had to leave when they changed the Sunday School material to teach tithing. I will be praying for you.
Thanks will for your kind words and prayers.
Also, check out my book, False Roads To Manhood on www.falseroadstomanhood.com.