Is That Right? Some Tithers WITHOLDING Due to Economic Hardship
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 5:12AM 
Malachi 3:8 asks, “Will a man rob God” of tithes and offerings? According to Dr. Thomas Johnson, Sr., Senior Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ in Harlem, the answer to that question is yes. These tough economic times, according to him, have impacted congregants’ giving.
“We do see a difference in our tallies on Sunday when we count our tithes and our offerings. [We see] that there has been some decline," says Johnson, who pastors a black congregation.
Sadly, the recession has hit African American people harder than most. Although the overall national unemployment rate is improving, this is not so for blacks, facing a 15.8% jobless rate.
Because of this, some individuals have chosen not to give 10% of their income back to the church to support the ministry as the Bible mandates.
What are your thoughts?
Reader Comments (5)
I do believe it is very important to give back to God what he requires. When i receive a paycheck or even a financial seed that someone may blessed me with, I always set my tithes/offering into my savings account so I am sure I wont spend it, I use the remainder of the money to pay bills, put gas in my car, food etc. It is because of God that I am able to wake up every morning & go to work to receive a paycheck. So knowing that my father is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, The creator of all things I know through obedience to his Word he will make sure that my bills are taking care of.
With all that said I believe it is a heart condition when it comes to money. People see there money as there "own" money and do with it as they please and wonder why they are living paycheck to paycheck. Without giving back to the Lord what is rightfully his we allow the enemy complete acess to our money. God said in his Word he will do exceedingly and above what we could ever think. So it is important to decide who you will serve God or money. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." -Matthew 6:24
I agree with @Keyonna B! We have to give God what is HIS. No matter the circumstances, we have to be consistent in worshiping he Lord with the firstfruits.
I always give to the Lord of my money! It's our obligation. The Bible doesn't tell us to bring our tithes JUST when the weather is good. But this is a consistent practice we must carry out.
All the good things God has done for me! I wold be afraid not to give o my tithes and offerings. I don't want to be cursing my house by taking what seed belongs to God and investing it in myself. That's dangerous! We have to be obedient whether the economy is up or down! God commands it so. Help us Lord! Tithe and offering is not a game.
Give to God and He will bless you. Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure. When we hold onto our money, we close ourselves off from the blessings of having our seed be multiplied.