In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, - Genesis 4: 3 (ESV)
What word is missing? The word "some." Which is why Pastor White used the GNT and not a more mainstream translation. Beware shady translations that are not used often and more importantly, paraphrases such as "The Message." Such is a favorite of the young gun pastors who care less about biblical accuracy as they do their hairstyle. The Bible is God speaking to us beloved and when you substantively change what was actually said, it is no longer God speaking but rather man. We see from the ESV that there was no conspiracy of time involved with Cain's offering. In the course of time. Why was there a course of time? Because it takes time to grow a garden and reap a harvest! Abel was no different:
and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, - Genesis 4: 4 (ESV)
Abel ALSO brought. The writer here is drawing no distinction in the manner or time frame of the offering. But to Pastor White, the usage of the word "some", which does not appear in any acceptable translation, indicates that Cain had distributors, employees and rent. It also indicates to Pastor White that he filled his own pantry and barns with plenty and then "tipped" God with his leftovers. Now however, Pastor White goes for the kill by turning this on the listeners. He starts by claiming he loves them BUT 70% of the people sitting there today have the heart of Cain. Where does he get that number? Obviously that is the percentage of non-tithers at Fellowship Church. Pastor White goes on to say that 70% of the congregants make their decisions like Cain. You get paid and first pay your mortgage, pay your electric, go out to eat...
Did you notice the disgusting trick he just pulled? He lumps in a personal decision of recreation, such as going out to dinner, with keeping your lights on and making sure you are not evicted or foreclosed upon! In fact White claims that God says when we get paid, before we pay the mortgage, before we pay the light bill, before we do anything, we are to bring the first 10% to Him. The first 10% according to Pastor White, tips the scales of God's favor unto us.
Beloved this is absolute garbage. It is vile and disgusting. I know I have written several pieces on this but I still see so many people in bondage to the tithing lie. Who basically think that God has offered a quid pro quo. If you tithe ten percent than He is required to supernaturally bless you. The most abused chapter in the entire Bible is Malachi Chapter Three. But the new wave of money grubbing pastors are becoming more clever. They are going into other portions of Scriptures which have absolutely nothing to do with money or tithing and reading into the text what they want it to say instead of what God wanted to say. Because that is what this message from Brad White and Ed Young was. It was not what sayeth the Lord. It was what sayeth Brad White. New Testament giving is summed up well for us, with no ambiguity:
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2Corinthians 9: 6-7 (ESV)
We must decide within our own heart, in communion with the Holy Spirit within us, what we will give and give it cheerfully; knowing that we are bound by the universal principle of sowing and reaping. Tithing was an agricultural system set up for ancient Israel so the Levites would always have food. It was never money nor intended to be about money. When Jesus died, tithing was nailed to the cross. Giving however was not. People read things like this and wrongly assume I am against giving. Not at all. I am for giving more than 10%. If you are in a true church, that preaches the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ so people can be brought to penitent faith - we should give mightily and cheerfully to that kingdom work. I think 10% lets us off the hook actually and sells God short. If however, you find yourselves in a church unlike what I just described then you should not give a dime. If you are in a church that preaches prosperity, greasy grace, or any number of the popular heresies of the day you need to run as fast as you can.
