Warning! (Luke 12:1-3) Fear God and not man
This practice of leveraging Scripture to coerce financial giving fundamentally misrepresents biblical teaching and distorts the gospel. Scripture unequivocally condemns the commercialization of God’s Word and the corruption of sacred ordinances for material gain.
First, the divine feasts of the Lord were prophetic shadows pointing to Christ’s perfect sacrifice, not opportunities for financial exploitation (Colossians 2:16–17). These holy convocations—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles—foreshadowed Christ as the Lamb and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan (Exodus 12:3–6; Leviticus 23; John 1:29). To recast these sacred days as a mandate for monetary offerings not only undercuts their spiritual significance but replaces the Lamb of God with the “dollar” as the object of worship (Hebrews 10:1–10).
Secondly, the New Testament distinctly warns against the misuse of giving as a tool for manipulation or condemnation. Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 9:7 is clear: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Giving is to be voluntary, joyful, and rooted in grace—not compelled or twisted into a spiritual test.
The current practice of instructing congregants to “ask God how much to give” and then insinuating judgment or shame if the offering falls short is a profound perversion. This method places the believer in a false dilemma, pitting their heart and wallet against their relationship with Christ. It weaponizes conscience, creating guilt and spiritual intimidation as if one has broken a solemn vow to God (Malachi 3:8–10). Yet the Bible never frames giving as a compulsory contract with God where failure equates to spiritual failure.
Many within this congregation are silently suffering under the weight of a financial yoke that is not of Christ, but of man. The repeated demands for money and time—year after year—have produced spiritual exhaustion and a sense of bondage. This is not the yoke that Christ promised would be “easy” and “light” (Matthew 11:28–30), but rather the burden of religious compulsion. Some are reportedly giving 20–30% of their monthly income under the guise of “Diecmo,” in addition to other offerings. Even more troubling, past accounts suggest that members were instructed to tithe from government assistance—such as EBT and food benefits. This practice is not only unbiblical, but potentially illegal, and reveals a deep departure from the heart of God’s justice and mercy.
Moreover, it has been reported that the individual serving as the treasurer of the church is personally receiving a house paid for by church funds. This is not the establishment of a treasury, but the misappropriation of resources under the name of church function. Such use of offerings—diverted from serving the congregation or aiding the needy—is a clear violation of biblical stewardship. Scripture presents financial resources as a means to care for the body of Christ and to advance the mission of the gospel, not to benefit individuals in leadership positions (Acts 4:32–35; 1 Timothy 3:3–5). This misuse of funds breaches the sacred trust committed to church leaders and contradicts the example of sacrificial service demonstrated by Christ.
Jesus Himself warned against hypocritical displays of piety and extortion in religious giving: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God” (Matthew 23:23). True giving flows from love and faith, not obligation or fear.
Finally, the entire gospel is grounded on the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, not on the manipulation of human funds (Romans 3:24–25). To transform offerings into a transactional “test” erodes the heart of grace, replacing the Lamb of God with a false god of money.
In summary, the misuse of Scripture to pressure believers into financial giving—especially by making them “ask God” and then shaming them for insufficient offerings—and the subsequent diversion of these funds for self-serving ends is a dangerous twisting of biblical truth. It undermines the gospel, distorts the sacred feasts that reveal Christ’s redemptive work, and pits the believer’s heart and wallet against their Lord, fostering spiritual bondage rather than freedom.
Woe unto the pastor who misleads the flock of God—for the Lord sees, and He will require it at his hands (Jeremiah 23:1–2; Ezekiel 34:2–10; James 3:1).
First, the divine feasts of the Lord were prophetic shadows pointing to Christ’s perfect sacrifice, not opportunities for financial exploitation (Colossians 2:16–17). These holy convocations—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles—foreshadowed Christ as the Lamb and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan (Exodus 12:3–6; Leviticus 23; John 1:29). To recast these sacred days as a mandate for monetary offerings not only undercuts their spiritual significance but replaces the Lamb of God with the “dollar” as the object of worship (Hebrews 10:1–10).
Secondly, the New Testament distinctly warns against the misuse of giving as a tool for manipulation or condemnation. Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 9:7 is clear: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Giving is to be voluntary, joyful, and rooted in grace—not compelled or twisted into a spiritual test.
The current practice of instructing congregants to “ask God how much to give” and then insinuating judgment or shame if the offering falls short is a profound perversion. This method places the believer in a false dilemma, pitting their heart and wallet against their relationship with Christ. It weaponizes conscience, creating guilt and spiritual intimidation as if one has broken a solemn vow to God (Malachi 3:8–10). Yet the Bible never frames giving as a compulsory contract with God where failure equates to spiritual failure.
Many within this congregation are silently suffering under the weight of a financial yoke that is not of Christ, but of man. The repeated demands for money and time—year after year—have produced spiritual exhaustion and a sense of bondage. This is not the yoke that Christ promised would be “easy” and “light” (Matthew 11:28–30), but rather the burden of religious compulsion. Some are reportedly giving 20–30% of their monthly income under the guise of “Diecmo,” in addition to other offerings. Even more troubling, past accounts suggest that members were instructed to tithe from government assistance—such as EBT and food benefits. This practice is not only unbiblical, but potentially illegal, and reveals a deep departure from the heart of God’s justice and mercy.
Moreover, it has been reported that the individual serving as the treasurer of the church is personally receiving a house paid for by church funds. This is not the establishment of a treasury, but the misappropriation of resources under the name of church function. Such use of offerings—diverted from serving the congregation or aiding the needy—is a clear violation of biblical stewardship. Scripture presents financial resources as a means to care for the body of Christ and to advance the mission of the gospel, not to benefit individuals in leadership positions (Acts 4:32–35; 1 Timothy 3:3–5). This misuse of funds breaches the sacred trust committed to church leaders and contradicts the example of sacrificial service demonstrated by Christ.
Jesus Himself warned against hypocritical displays of piety and extortion in religious giving: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God” (Matthew 23:23). True giving flows from love and faith, not obligation or fear.
Finally, the entire gospel is grounded on the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, not on the manipulation of human funds (Romans 3:24–25). To transform offerings into a transactional “test” erodes the heart of grace, replacing the Lamb of God with a false god of money.
In summary, the misuse of Scripture to pressure believers into financial giving—especially by making them “ask God” and then shaming them for insufficient offerings—and the subsequent diversion of these funds for self-serving ends is a dangerous twisting of biblical truth. It undermines the gospel, distorts the sacred feasts that reveal Christ’s redemptive work, and pits the believer’s heart and wallet against their Lord, fostering spiritual bondage rather than freedom.
Woe unto the pastor who misleads the flock of God—for the Lord sees, and He will require it at his hands (Jeremiah 23:1–2; Ezekiel 34:2–10; James 3:1).
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