REFUTING CREFLO DOLLAR
HIS FALSE TEACHINGS ON TITHING
By: Victor T. Stephens
"People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up."
~ George R.R. Martin
WAS TITHING WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING?
Let's take a look at Romans 15:4.
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15:4)
Creflo Dollar cites Romans 15:4 to justify tithing under the new covenant. Since the old covenant embraced tithing, then the act of tithing should be practiced by believers today. Was that the context of Paul’s statement in Romans 15:4? Would Paul agree with this assessment? Did Paul teach tithing to the new covenant church? The answer is "no" to these three questions. Mr. Dollar routinely quotes verses that fit his agenda while completely neglecting their usage and context.
To interpret Romans 15:4 in its proper context, we must first read Romans 14. In chapter 14, Paul spoke about the requirement for patience between strong believers and weak believers regarding "doubtful things." Those who were weak believed they were forbidden from eating meat, drinking wine, and regarding some days as being more important than others. Conversely, those who were strong believed they could eat anything, seeing as nothing was considered unclean. They could drink wine and believed all days were equally important. Paul wished for both strong and weak believers to maintain mutual acceptance for one another. He advised weak believers to desist from judging a stronger believer because he didn’t abstain from eating specific foods, or from drinking wine, or observing certain days. Similarly, Paul does not desire stronger believers to destroy the faith of a weaker believer by permitting the use of their liberties to become a stumbling block, or hindrance, to the faith of those whom Jesus has saved.
Paul continues in Romans 15:1-2, saying, "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification." In verse three, he demonstrates the core of his point by alluding to the pattern of Christ by saying, "For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me." Verse four says, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Here, Paul was persuading his audience not to disregard the things that were written in the Old Testament because it taught the strong to learn patience in coping with their weak brothers... assuring them that they would be comforted in abstaining from their liberties for the benefit of others.
For example, when Abram and Lot divided the land between them (Gen. 13), Abram, who was the elder one, should have had the first pick. However, sacrificing his right, he surrendered that choice to Lot. Thus, Lot chose first… picking the verdant and most beautiful plains of Jordan.
There are more stories in the Old Testament where the stronger sacrificed their rights for the benefit of the weaker. If we read these stories, we will become more skilled at being patient in dealing with our weaker brothers and sisters.
Now, there is an immense supply of insight to be obtained from the Old Testament. But, in keeping with the theme of our discussion, the point is this: While we can appreciate and afford instruction where it is needed for assistance, this does not mean believers today are bound by the ceremonial and judicial laws of the old covenant. Let’s consider a few passages from the Old Testament.
"One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD." (Deut. 23:2)
"For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him." (Lev. 20:9)
"They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in their flesh." (Lev. 21:5)
"If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear." (Deut. 21:18-21)
Yes, the Old Testament is for our learning, but do we adhere to the laws stated here? Obviously, we do not! Thus, why is tithing exclusionary? Under the old covenant Mosaic Law, the nation of Israel was required to obey the entire law, not just the ones they consented to or that were to their personal benefit (Deut. 6:25).
Let's consider Hebrews 7:12. It says:
"For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law." (Heb. 7:12)
The Levitical Priesthood was abrogated and replaced by the body of Christ (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10). Thus, tithing was rendered invalid.
Now, let’s presume that tithing is valid today. Does that mean Christians should receive tithes (since they are the new priesthood)? Moreover, if Christians should pay tithes to Jesus, then why wasn’t Jesus' ministry supported by tithes (Luke 8:1-3)? Undoubtedly, these questions demonstrate the error upheld by Creflo Dollar and other tithing proponents.
Let's momentarily presuppose that Creflo Dollar’s use of Romans 15:4 is a legitimate point for the endorsement of tithing in today’s age of Grace. If there is to be some consistency with Scripture, then it is only proper to adhere to the requirements, guidelines, and patterns of the law of tithing. With that said, let’s now contrast biblical tithing with Creflo Dollar’s version of tithing. Is there a parallel?
1. According to Creflo Dollar: The tithe consists of money.
According to the Bible: The tithe consists of fruit, grain, herd, and flock (Lev. 27:30-34). There are many passages of scripture throughout the Bible that illustrate the use of money as a means of financial transactions. For example, people dedicated to the Lord could be redeemed for money (Lev. 27:2-7). Abraham purchased land with money (Gen. 23:15-16). The temple tax was paid with money (Exodus 30:12-16; Matt. 17:24-27). In spite of the fact that there are numerous accounts of the use of money in the Bible, there are no indications from Scripture that suggest any deviations of the tithe to include money. Thus, Creflo Dollar and other tithing proponents are guilty of adding to God’s Word.
"Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:6)
2. According to Creflo Dollar: The tithe is used to pay his wages, pay administrative costs, maintain the "Temple" (Church Building), etc.
According to the Bible: The purpose of the biblical tithe was not to pay salaries, erect and maintain buildings, etc. Throughout the old covenant law, the purpose of tithing was to fairly compensate an equitable supply of food to the Levites, strangers, widows, and orphans in the land of Israel at certain times and occasions during a seven-year cycle (Num. 18:24; Deut. 14:28-29; 26:12-13). The Old Testament temple was supported by generous freewill offerings and the temple tax (Exodus 30:12-16; Ezra 1:4). This tax was a half shekel, which was equal to two days' wages. During the time of Nehemiah, the temple tax was paid yearly and was equal to one-third of a shekel (Neh.10:32). These taxes were paid by every man 20 years of age and older.
3. According to Creflo Dollar: The tithe should be brought to the storehouse, which is the church.
According to the Bible: Under the old covenant, the storehouse was located in the temple. Under the new covenant, the temple no longer exists but has been replaced by the body of each believer (Matt. 26:61; 27:40).
4. According to Creflo Dollar: We should never eat (spend) our tithe.
According to the Bible: During years one and two, and years four and five of a seven-year tithing cycle, each tribe in Israel traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the "Feast of Ingathering," aka "Feast of Tabernacles." In an atmosphere of worship and celebration, the tithe was consumed by the Israelites and the local Levites who accompanied them to the festivities. (Deut. 12:5-7,12, 7-18; 14:22-27)
5. According to Creflo Dollar: We should pay monetary tithes each time we get paid (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).
According to The Bible: As aforementioned, the tithe consisted of fruit, grain, herd, and flock (Lev. 27:30-34). During years three and six of a seven-year tithing cycle, the tithe was stored locally and given to the Levites, the stranger, the fatherless, and widows who lived within each tribal community (Deut. 14:28-29; 26:12-13). Contrary to popular opinion, it was only during the third and sixth years that the tithe was fully payable. Deuteronomy 26:12-13 states:
"When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levites, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the Lord your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them." (Deut. 26:12-13, emphasis mine)
Since Creflo Dollar and other tithing advocates allege that monetary tithing is valid today, do they teach their congregations to tithe every three years? Of course not!
As we see, there are striking disparities between Creflo Dollar's version of tithing and the methods of tithing in ancient Israel. There are additional distinctions, but for the sake of brevity, I will stop here.
It should now be unmistakable that Mr. Dollar's application of Romans 15:4 in the context of validating tithing for new covenant believers is without a biblical basis. This is just another example of Mr. Dollar's methods of vigilantly selecting specific scripture references to utilize and twist to his financial advantage.
Next: Was Tithing Commanded Prior to the Mosaic Law?
