Today we’re diving into a topic that stirs a lot of debates within the Christian community: tithes and offerings. Let’s explore why there’s so much noise around these practices and how we can shift our focus to living fulfilled lives based on Biblical principles and practical knowledge.
Understanding Value and Wealth Creation
- Scriptural Misinterpretations:
- Many Christians quote scriptures like “the cattle on a thousand hills belong to God” and “the silver and the gold belong to God.” While these are true, they often don’t translate to modern-day realities. For instance, oil in Nigeria belongs to God and the federal government, but how much control or benefit do the local communities actually derive from it? Similarly, having gold or silver in your region doesn’t automatically result in wealth unless you know how to leverage and increase its value.
- Historical Perspective on Wealth:
- My grandfather’s wealth transitioned through different mediums of exchange from cowries to pounds. This evolution teaches us that business and wealth are about exchanging value. Today, the global currency might be the dollar, which is no longer backed by gold but is a medium of value exchange. Understanding this principle is crucial for modern-day wealth creation.
- Practical Application of Biblical Principles:
- Scriptures like Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus,” need to be understood in context. Wealth is created through value exchange. Give services, products, results, and ideas that people are willing to pay for, and you will see abundance. It’s not just about quoting scriptures but understanding and applying the principles behind them.
The Controversy Around Tithes and Offerings
- Unproductivity in Churches:
- The main reason there’s so much quarrel over tithes and offerings is due to the unproductivity of church members. Churches that do not emphasize productivity often place undue stress on tithes and offerings. In contrast, churches and individuals who are productive see tithing as the minimum they can give.
- Examples of Generosity:
- There are instances where individuals give significantly without being coerced. For example, some people donate millions to political campaigns or build properties and donate them to churches. These acts come from a place of abundance and understanding of value creation, not from a scarcity mindset.
- Levels of Productivity:
- High levels of productivity lead to generous giving. Churches that operate at higher levels of productivity don’t need to emphasize tithes and offerings as much. They thrive on the value created and the generosity that follows. For instance, a young man who sold 24 containers worth 25 million each built a five-floor building and gave one flat to the church as a tithe. This level of giving comes naturally from his productivity and success.
- Wealth Creation in Modern Times:
- If we understand and apply the principles of wealth creation, tithes and offerings will not be contentious issues. We can live beyond the basic requirements and give generously from a place of abundance.
Conclusion
The noise around tithes and offerings stems from a lack of productivity and understanding of value creation within the church. By focusing on becoming productive and creating value, we can move beyond the basic requirements of tithing and live in abundance.
I remain your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki. Let’s strive to understand and apply Biblical principles to live fulfilled and prosperous lives. God bless you.
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