He took a moment to swallow the food in his mouth. “With so much hypocrisy in the church, no wonder so many are turned off to religion and want nothing to do with Christianity. It’s hard knowing who to trust or who is genuine anymore. No wonder some say Christians are the chief cause of the spread of atheism in the world. Is it true?”

  “I do not know if that is true or not,” the old man said, “but I do agree it’s high time for the church to get her House in order. Many who proclaim to be followers of Yeshua are doing a very poor job of showing it.

  “Just like sitting in an airplane does not make one a pilot and sitting in a bus does not make one a bus driver, sitting in a church does not automatically make one a Christian. Nor does standing behind a pulpit preaching each week. Many may call themselves preachers, but not all are true men of God.

  “Truth is, people attend church and profess faith in Yeshua for all sorts of reasons. Some do it to gain the acceptance of others, or to capture the heart of someone they like. Others go to church to further their business and political careers.

  “Others go to keep from being lonely. Going there gives them a sense of belonging. Many parents go to provide structure for their children, nothing more. These reasons do not make anyone a true child of God.”

  Eyeballing John, Enoch said, “It is only the repentant soul that God will accept, the heart that is broken, not the mouth that professes faith then defies it by their actions. Nor is it the head that is bowed remorsefully in church for all to see. Even Judas Iscariot showed remorse after betraying Messiah. But let me assure you, John, remorse and true repentance are two very different things.

  “Scripture is clear that the time will come and, in fact, is here when certain men and women whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among us. These false teachers have abandoned the faith and no longer put up with sound doctrine. They have changed the grace of God into a license for immorality, following deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

  “Since Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, it should come as no surprise that many of his servants do the same by disguising themselves as servants of righteousness. Tragically, so many churches are being inundated by these godless individuals whose consciences have been seared as with hot irons. Disguising themselves as apostles of Yeshua, they have turned away from the truth and say whatever their itching ears want to hear, greedily exploiting many with stories they have made up.”

  Enoch took a moment to put the last fork full of mashed potatoes in his mouth and swallowed. “The gospel they preach comes straight from the pits of hell. They are not serving God; they serve Satan.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more,” John said. Funnily enough, he wanted to shout, “Amen!”, but refrained.

  “But you see, John, this is precisely why Messiah never commanded us to imitate or follow any man, only Him. As you rightly said, with so many atrocities being committed by those proclaiming to represent God’s Kingdom, we must test everything we hear and compare it to the infallible Word of God, always holding on to what is good…

  “In the end, only those who dwell in the Scriptures and live their lives according to them can lead lives worthy of the Gospel, and be effective in discipling others.”

  Enoch paused and studied John’s face very closely. “All pretenders, the ones you alluded to, will have to answer to God someday for their great sin and deception. The judgment they receive for their vile actions will be rightly deserved.”

  John leaned back in his chair and stretched his hands above his head.

  Enoch knew he’d made his point, “Let me end this discussion by saying that even if an angel from Heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one the Apostle Paul preached, let him be accursed.”

  John flinched. The way his dinner guest said it caused chills to shoot up and down his spine. Who is this man?

  Seeing that her husband was unable to speak, Lydia said, “How’s apple pie a la mode sound?”

  Enoch grinned, “Sounds delightful!”

  14

  AFTER THE DISHES WERE washed, Matthew and Grace watched TV in the living room, leaving the adults alone so they could continue their discussion.

  Stirring whipped cream into his hot chocolate with a spoon—Enoch’s new favorite drink—he said to John, “Care to further elaborate on your overall disdain toward tithing?”

  John grimaced. “After many years of close observation, I’ve concluded that the main function of the church is to raise money. Everything else seems secondary at best, including helping those in need. Even before the sermon starts, they take up a collection. You know, sort of like prepaying for a presentation.”

  Enoch rested his hands in his lap. He wasn’t at all surprised to hear John saying this. “Second Corinthians chapter nine, verse seven states that each must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

  “In that light, John, it all comes down to one’s attitude toward giving, and knowing Who is in charge of their finances.”

  No doubt you have a very good attitude, Lydia thought, reflecting on how honored Enoch looked both times she saw him giving at her church. “Sorry for sounding insensitive,” she interjected, “but since we’re on the topic of tithing, I was wondering where you got the money you placed in the offering plate?”

  “People give us money on occasion at the park,” Enoch replied evenly, “which we use for food. Whatever is leftover at the end of the week, we give back to God. Not only that, some at the park who now have jobs set aside 10 percent of their earnings each week, which we give to the church on their behalf.”

  “That’s very noble of you, but wouldn’t it be better to keep it for a rainy day, as the expression goes? I’m sure God would understand in your case. Besides, why give money to those who treat you so badly?”

  “I didn’t give to your church, Lydia, but to Yahweh. He never fails to meet my daily needs, so why should I fail Him?”

  Closing his eyes, from memory, Enoch recited Matthew chapter six, verses nineteen through twenty-one, “‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’”

  John protested more, “With all due respect, I’m sure whatever amount you gave wouldn’t be considered a ‘treasure’ by anyone’s standard.”

  “Fair point you make. But are you familiar with the story of the poor widow Yeshua spoke of who gave everything she had?”

  John pulled at his chin with two fingers, searching his memory.

  Lydia saved him, “Two coins, right?”

  “Precisely, Lydia. Yeshua watched as many rich people put in large sums that day. But the poor widow gave all she had. Yeshua told His disciples that she put in more than all those who contributed to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in everything she had to live on.”

  “Doesn’t that further my point?” John said. “I mean, it sounds cruel and even heartless to take everything from someone who has nothing.”

  “Yahweh only requires ten percent. That should be the bare minimum. The money goes toward meeting the needs of the church and advancing the Great Commission. And for that, Jehovah Jireh promises to meet all your needs. He makes it clear in Proverbs three, verses nine and ten, ‘Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.’ Did you notice this relates to food and drink, and not luxury vehicles and mansions?”

  “Yeah, but taking everything from those who already have nothing? Sounds like legal extortion to me. In your case, perhaps you should purchase food with what little you have.”

  “I assure you, John, no one extorted me. Nothing was taken from me, only given. It’s not the amount one gives but that he gives that matters most to Yahweh. When it comes to tithing, there are three types of givers in the Body of Christ. Those who give horizontally. Those who give inwardly. And those who give vertically.

  “Those who give horizontally represent the stingiest, most tightfisted group, if you will. They are also the most skeptical givers in the church. They always wonder where their money will go and who will benefit from it. I like to call them the ‘checks and balances’ givers.

  “Their mindset is more steadied on the fact that we live in a society full of complete distrust, where giving demands constant monitoring. Instead of realizing it’s all God’s anyway, their approach to giving is more worldly than anything else, because it completely nullifies giving for the sole sake of giving. Hence, the negative mindset and constant skepticism.

  “Those who give inwardly are often generous but for all the wrong reasons. With many strings attached to their tithing, these people are the most self-centered givers. Their chief motivation is ‘What’s in it for me’?

  “Many come from the kinds of churches we discussed earlier. This unholy way of giving is fueled by one of the most misunderstood passages in the written pages of God’s Holy Word.

  “In John fourteen, verse fourteen Yeshua states, ‘You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.’ Though it is true that Messiah said if we ask for anything in His name, it will be given, many fail to realize this powerful declaration is only true if it lines up with God’s perfect will for their lives.

  “John fifteen, verses seven and eight confirms this. Yeshua said, ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’

  “Instead of teaching those to whom they will most certainly be accountable about giving for the sole privilege of honoring God, many who call themselves servants of the Most High—pastors, priests, ministers, evangelists, rabbis, apostles and bishops—have successfully brainwashed countless multitudes into this self-centered way of tithing, by promising a constant flow of physical and material blessings in return for sowing so generously into their ministries.

  “The end result is that many from these congregations give with the full expectation that God must honor His part of the deal, by giving them the desires of their hearts. Most are too caught up in the glitz and glamour of this fallen world to even know that the things for which they pray would do more harm than good if Yahweh ever granted such outlandish requests.

  “I use the word ‘grant’ because so many prayer requests offered up these days more resemble a child’s wish list at Christmastime than anything else. Instead of trusting that the all-knowing sovereign Creator of the universe already knows exactly what they need, many perceive Him as a genie in a bottle, lying in wait, ready to grant every material wish their greedy hearts desire. They fail to realize God’s greatest blessings have nothing to do with material things.”

  John crossed his right leg over his left and relaxed all the more. This is getting interesting!

  Enoch shook his head. “The God I serve is not some subservient invisible genie waiting to grant every last wish of those belonging to Him. If He were, nothing good would come from it. Could you imagine what would happen if Yahweh granted the wildest wishes of everyone praying to Him, simply because they asked for it in Jesus’ name?

  “Would it be wise, for instance, John, for God to grant heroin to a drug addict, simply because he gave at church then earnestly asked for the drug in Jesus’ name? Or whiskey to an alcoholic? Or money to someone who had a serious gambling addiction?”

  “Of course not.”

  “If Matthew asked you for a loaded shotgun so he could go outside and play with his friends, would you allow such an outrageous request?”

  “No chance!”

  “As your child’s guardian, it would be foolish to even consider something so dangerous, right?”

  John and Lydia both nodded yes.

  “Despite how many times Matthew pleaded with you to finally give in, the answer would remain unchanged, right?”

  “That goes without saying,” John said.

  Enoch pressed on, “How can those praying to Yahweh for all sorts of material things know those things aren’t viewed by Him as loaded shotguns which, if received, would do great harm to them and potentially to others? How do they know the big house or fancy car they think they desperately need and constantly pray for, isn’t seen by God as heroin to a drug addict or whiskey to an alcoholic?”

  “You make a very good point.” John felt like he was back in college under the tutelage of some well-renowned professor. All that was missing was a pad of paper and pen to take notes. At least that’s how it was when he was still in college before the dawn of the internet revolution.

  “In this ‘prosperity-driven’ society which has ensnared so many churchgoers, it’s easy to see why you think the church is all about money, John. It’s gotten so bad that some so-called pastors have become so blinded to the truth, they even instruct their followers not to pray, ‘Thy will be done,’ when praying to God, because it displays a watered-down faith, which ultimately limits Yahweh’s power in their lives.

  Enoch sighed. “Imagine that? Whether they do it knowingly or unknowingly, they end up praying, ‘My will be done’, instead of ‘Thy will.’ Talk about arrogance and self-centeredness!

  “If praying, ‘Thy will be done’ displays a lack of faith in any way, that would make Yeshua guilty of being weak Himself. After all, that was Messiah’s prayer shortly before being crucified on a cross two thousand years ago. Our Savior could have had legions of angels, each legion representing six-thousand, come to His immediate rescue.

  “But knowing what needed to be done, He humbly prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’

  “Talk about selflessness! Talk about love! It is foolish for any fair-minded believer to expect God to grant their every-last wish like a bunch of spoiled children in a candy store, simply because they give at church and ask for it all in Jesus’ name.

  “I wonder if those teaching such nonsense realize what would happen to their churches if God acquiesced to their self-absorbed prayer requests and blessed each member with great riches.”

  John leaned up further in his seat, anxious to hear what the old man would say next.

  “No doubt many changes would occur.” Enoch steadied his gaze on John. “Perhaps ten percent would continue walking down God’s righteous path. But what about the rest? Suddenly debt free, many would take extended vacations, not only geographically, but also from their Heavenly Father.

  “Having so much money at their disposal might even serve to turn part time habits into full blown addictions. Much like the prodigal son, many would fall into great sin as a result of suddenly being ‘blessed’ with financial riches. The ultimate casualty would be that the church would eventually collapse. Truth is, Yahweh always answers prayer, but oftentimes the answer is no. And for good reason.”

  Enoch shook his head, “Those who propagate this unbiblical type of giving grossly misrepresent Yahweh’s sacred worship for their own personal gain, and rightly provoke God to anger.

  “Conversely, many who sit under their leadership are just as guilty themselves, for wanting the same things their leaders possess in great quantities. These worldly carnal desires of the heart do not please God and have nothing at all to do with the true Christian walk.”

  John and Lydia shook their heads in astonishment. Lydia said, “How can Christians read the very same Bible, yet see things so differently?”

  “It’s easy for anyone to obtain knowledge of the mysteries of the Gospel, Lydia. All they have to do is open God’s Word and read it. The problem for so many is that they are constantly learning but never arriving at the Truth. They end up sounding like solid believers, even quoting Scripture after Scripture, but that doesn’t make anyone a true child of God. The blessing is not only in the knowing, but also in the doing.”

  Enoch placed his empty cup on the coffee table. “Which leads me to the third group of givers, those who give vertically. By far, they are the most blessed of God. To them, giving back to Yahweh is more of a pleasure than a command. The moment money comes into their hands their first thought is to set aside at least ten percent for God.

  “I guess you could say they get as excited about serving Yahweh with their finances as many do singing songs to Him. While it’s true vertical givers also pray for material things, huge mansions, luxury airplanes and great riches never come to mind.

  “Mindful that God’s greatest blessings are not monetary or material in nature, what they ask for most is for more wisdom to know God’s will for their lives, for more of His peace that surpasses all understanding when storm clouds appear, and for more of the fullness of His joy whenever they do kind things for others.”

  “What if their funds end up being misused?” John asked studiously, trying one last time to punch a hole in Enoch’s defenses.

  “It is never good when money that was intended for Yahweh is misused by some. Sure, it stings at first, but vertical givers ultimately focus more on the fact that God will still bless their faithfulness and obedience to Him, while holding all who misappropriate what rightly belongs to Him accountable for it.”

  “I see. What about those who don’t tithe?”

  “According to Malachi three, verses eight and nine, they are robbing God, plain and simple. Read it for yourself sometime, John.”

  Enoch sighed, “I’m afraid this is happening with greater frequency these days. A true measuring stick of just how far the church has fallen is that only a tiny fraction of young adult Christians tithe regularly to the churches in which they are members.

  “Aside from the entitlement mindset many youngsters now possess, I believe the other reason they do not tithe regularly, if at all, is that their churchgoing parents no longer tithe regularly. The trickle-down effect has been nothing short of disastrous…

 

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