When I emailed my pastor I used that Scripture along with the Scripture that says Israel is God's chosen people. His response? "Even God's people need to be held accountable". I want to go absolutely berserk.
You see, personally I could never contribute a dime to a Church with that attitude. I just couldn't support that thinking.
Yes we are suppose to tithe, but we also carry the responsibility of what that money goes for. Does it go to enable the Church to help the poor, or does it help them buy property, gas stations, etc?
I use to belong to a church that became so big, so rich, but can't find the time to baptize anyone. And if you can finally reach the person that is suppose to handle that, you find that baptisms happen in a kiddy pool in the parking lot. After a long search that was my last attempt at finding a home church.