Reno Omokri, a Nigerian writer and social commentator, provoked a lot of debate when he questioned the biblical justification and necessity of tithing in a contentious post on his verified Facebook account, particularly for non-Jewish Christians.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Omokri’s post begins with a stark assertion: “God Does NOT Deal With Billionaires or Anybody Else Who Does Not Tithe!” He argues that God has not commanded Gentiles—non-Jewish people—to pay tithes and that this practice is a misapplication of biblical teachings often used by pastors to exert control over their congregations.
Referencing Acts 15:19-20, Omokri highlights that the early Christian leaders provided only four directives to Gentile converts: abstain from food sacrificed to idols, avoid sexual immorality, refrain from eating the meat of strangled animals, and avoid blood. These, he claims, are the only requirements given by the direct successors of Jesus.
Omokri further emphasizes that tithing was originally an agricultural tax imposed on the tribes of Israel to support the Levitical priests who had no land inheritance. He points out that Jesus, referred to in his Hebrew name Yeshua, did not collect tithes, and when he mentioned tithing, it was strictly in the context of agricultural produce, as seen in Matthew 23:23.
Citing Deuteronomy 14:24-26, Omokri underscores that tithes in ancient Israel could be converted to money only to purchase food and drink for consumption in the presence of God. He argues that this biblical context does not support the modern practice of monetary tithing.
Omokri also addresses the example of Abraham, who tithed only once from military plunder and not from his regular income or agricultural produce, as highlighted in Hebrews 7:4.
Moreover, Omokri challenges pastors who justify tithing using Old Testament laws, questioning why they do not also endorse other Old Testament practices such as polygamy or slavery, which are mentioned in the same scriptures.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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