A Great Misunderstanding?

During the 1990s, I attended a Word of Faith church and grew to appreciate many preachers associated with that stream of ministry. Atlanta-based pastor Creflo Dollar wasn’t among my favorites, but I listened to him occasionally through various media platforms. Once I visited another church where he was the guest speaker and enjoyed his message. Creflo talked about how the use of certain words has changed. He pointed out that calling someone a dog used to be an insult. Now homies greet their buddies, “What’s up, dog?”

I was shocked when learning of Pastor Dollar’s recent recantation of tithing. My Facebook newsfeed has been full of reactions to that, both positive and negative. Previously, Creflo received flak for an aborted fundraising campaign to buy a better jet. Instead of prejudging him, I took the time to listen to his message, “The Great Misunderstanding.” One part I agreed with is that our giving should come from the heart and not out of fear of being cursed.


However, Creflo claimed tithing is “an Old Testament law” and “Paul didn’t mention the t-word.” That reminded me of how homosexuals justify their behavior by claiming Jesus didn’t say anything against same-sex relationships. The seventh chapter of Hebrews mentions tithing and is in the New Testament. Many Bible scholars attribute that book to the Apostle Paul. Also, Creflo said the percentage of a believer’s tithe should depend on their financial situation. That’s an erroneous statement. The word tithe means “one-tenth.”


Some of my friends claim they are blessed without tithing and are “led by the Lord” in their giving. I believe that’s possible if they regularly give over 10% of their pretax income. However, if their total giving amounts to less than 10%, then I doubt they are hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. It would also explain why they might feel uncomfortable hearing sermons on prosperity and despise believers who are generous with their finances.


Then some say “God owns 100%” because we are stewards of our earthly possessions. That could be a cop-out if these 100 percenters are not willing to sell everything they own and give to the poor like what Jesus asked of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:21. I’m not talking about just emptying your wallet during an offering but getting rid of ALL your stuff. One minister I’m aware of doing that was Lester Sumrall. On seven different occasions, Lester left behind everything he owned (except the clothes he was wearing) before traveling to his next destination.


I’ve been a faithful and willing tither for 31 years and have no regrets. Although I want to believe the best about Creflo Dollar, I’m less likely to listen to him again. I’m not branding the pastor a heretic, but his change of doctrine doesn’t change my belief in tithing like Carlton Pearson didn’t change my belief in hell.


“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” - Ephesians 4:14


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Halloween Ca
Read more