92-year-old Georgia woman kicked out of church for not tithing

wncn.com ^ | August 16, 2015, | WKRN Web Staff

[Morgana]

BAINBRIDGE, GA (WATE) – A 92-year-old woman is no longer allowed to worship at the church where she was a member for more than 50 years because she was not tithing.

Josephine King said that was the reason she was kicked out of Bainbridge’s First African Baptist Church.

Her family members said they hope the situation will bring change to churches across the nation.

“Josephine King is no longer considered a member of the First African Baptist Church of Bainbridge, Georgia,” read Gerald Simmons, as he skimmed over the letter addressed to his aunt.

The letter, signed by Senior Pastor Derrick Mike, stated that Ms. King “has shown non-support” towards the church in the areas of “constant and consistent financial and physical participation.”

“She was stunned. She was disappointed. She was shocked,” said Simmons.

He said Ms. King was considered sick and a shut-in for several months, which was the reason for her lack of attendance.

He also said his aunt had gone above and beyond in the past to financially support the church.

[editor-surveyor]

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She should be glad!

We have been called out of the churches by Yeshua. (the Harlot and her daughters)

She can now spend the time studying her Bible, and learn what the churches have been lying about. She might even make it to the wedding feast now.
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[editor-surveyor]

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>> “What are they going to do if she shows up Sunday? Throw her out?” <<

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As Rush always says, “Follow the Money!”

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[editor-surveyor]

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>> “He’s a dirty dog.” <<

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He’s a False Prophet.
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[imardmd1]

I don't think you understand the civil law on this. Generally, to avoid taxation as a charitable institution, it must be incorporated according to state law, and it must have a constitution with bylaws, identifying the qualifications for membership, for some kind of governing board of officers, and with a titular CEO.

To be a member with a voice in congregational business meetings and a right to vote on business issues the church constitution will have a section outlining participation in regular tithing as a rule of participation in how the church is run. This is not unchristian and it is not unethical or unholy.

Many churches have regular constituents who are not "members" according to the constitution but are contributing and participating as they see fit, and who are never excluded from fellowship if their behavior is not detrimental to the church and its operation.

[imardmd1]

From these comments it is clear that a lot of FR participants who don't themselves like to be judged are more than willing to jump to unwarrented conclusions and judgment on the religious motives of others.

In this regularly meeting local assembly of Christians, whether "First," or "African," or "Baptist," the resolution of the complaint is not within the purview of onlooking woldlings. It is solely between God, the 92-year-old constituent, and the government of her congregation. It is nobody else's business.

[imardmd1]

There’s a difference between “tithing” and “gifts.”

[Morgana]

If I’m understanding the article correctly it is saying she can no longer attend that church because she did not give them money.

If I’m missing something let me know.

I know a lot of churches seem to be “money hungry” these days, or so it seems.

[imardmd1]

Yes I know that is some Greek symbol but it just does not look right.<

It is Latin; letters for the phrase In Hoc Signo vinces.

[sparklite2]

I see IHS.
You see a dollar sign.
Pretty funny, if real.

[imardmd1]

Read the letter posted from the church to the lady. But in general, it is not one’s business to take up offenses that are not one’s own.

[imardmd1]

No, you’re wrong. God needs nothing from us. We are called to give from the heart, not a mandate from the pulpit.

It's really sad to see you take this stance ion the tithing issue

This approach may sound like music in the ears of those who want to claim they have faith, but are a bit light when the time comes to ante up, and are irked when the dealer tells them they've got to pay if they want to play. But it jangles in the ears of the committed Christian ((1 Cor. 13:1), for it is the mark of the religious blowhard.

Some in their naivete will come up with the Grace versus Law argument, forgetting that the ten per cent tithe rule was in play long before Jehovah instituted the Ten Commandments. Some four hundred years before Moses' time Abraham brought his sacrifice of the tithe to Melchizedek in worship, and from Him received the cup and the bread in token of Abraham's concrete faith.

But this was not new, for Abraham was just carrying on the practice conducted by Noah directly on surviving the flood, of taking of every beast and fowl for sacrifice to the LORD, a very great portion of the possessions over which he and his sons were stewards, making an altar, and in faithfulness sacrificing this portion of what remained "his."

However, even this tithing to the Lord was just a contimuum of God's righteous servants of offering the blood sacrifices instituted by God to make Adam and Eve's clothing, to hide their sin, and replicated by them continually out of Abel's flock in place of taking their lives as payment for their sin.

The people of faith have always regularly and gratefully returned unto God a significant portion of the resources He continues to supply for them, a sort of 'priming the pump,' so to speak. When Jesus spoke of rendering unto Caesar his share and of rendering unto God what belonged to Him, Jesus was talking of the tithe of one's increase, and that has not changed under the New Covenant (Note that Jesus did not use the word 'give').

Yes, salvation from the penalty and power of sin through the freely obtained Grace of God is without price to us, but not without cost to God. However, to us the cost of service as His bondslaves is, though not too burdensome, it is not free. And He is expecting us to plow His investment into our lives not just merely in self-serving projects, but also into His dedicated full-time servants and in the evangelistic projects of the local church.

Not to do so is a lack at least of mature faith, and many times a sign even of a lack of saving faith, of not having trust in the LORD to continue His supply no matter how much we return to Him.

As an example, Robert G. Letourneau in faith committed not ten percent of his income to the LORD and ninety percent to his own interests, but reversed this to give the LORD ninety per cent of his profits and only retain ten per cent for himself. As such, his business was obscenely profitable, and his contributions funded evangelistic efforts throughout the US and the world, with the Glory going to our God.

Your opinion here is too simple to be counted when the chips are down and the hands are shown. If you are truly a follower of Christ, you are not our own, nor is your property. It is a part of God's estate upon the earth, and you are the steward, not the owner, of it.

If you haven't read the parables of the faithful and unfaithful stewards in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19"12-20, you should do so, for there you will see what happens to the stewards who do not support God's projects, who decline to return enough back to the LORD to draw blood, so to speak, and thus do not sacrifice to His Name among men.

The concept of stewardship has its origin in the Old Testament, and the believer will be held to account of his/her management of what God puts him/her in charge of. Therefore, it comes under attack by the Enemy who prods a human in his/her carnal nature to not only squander what God has put in our care, but to keep for oneself by stealing that portion which God wants us to return to Him for His work, as a test of our honesty as a steward.

Furthermore, what you return to Him as a tithe is not a gift. It is merely returning to Him what He claims as His own. Your free-will gifts only begin after the matter of the tithe is satisfied, and the local assembly of Christians where you are a member is the place to fork it over.

To fail to tithe is an accumulative sin: the longer you leave the amount due God to build up, the more you will owe. Actually.

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[trebb]

Your point is correct - it was the local priest but his actions were enough to sour a 12-year-old’s view of the Church.

[trebb]

Well, I’m glad you mentioned that the priest was a drunk. No sober priest would ever have said anything resembling that.

I'm sure most wouldn't - some that pop up in the news don't follow doctrine either. When they take such actions, it can mess with the "young and impressionable" as I was at the time and have lasting effects.

[thackney]

To fail to tithe is an accumulative sin: the longer you leave the amount due God to build up, the more you will owe.

May I have the biblical reference for that idea?

[MaxMax]

So the Pastor watches everything that goes into the plate, and by whom?

Priorities.

[ctdonath2]

To fail to tithe is an accumulative sin: the longer you leave the amount due God to build up, the more you will owe.

If accepting your premise, then what of those who gave much more than 10% for most of their lives? The lead article indicates the lady had contributed a great deal, but the organization threw her out when they didn't like the answer to "so what have you done for us _lately_?". Should your reasoning translate to God owing the prolific giver?

Sometimes just showing up is all someone can manage. Don't throw them out on a technicality. "God loves a cheerful giver." "Judge not, lest you be judged." "She gave all she had."

[spacejunkie2001]

so you think it’s a good idea, not under law, to have a church FORCE tithing????

[MaxMax]

OMGosh, a legal contract to remove somebody from a Church for not Tithing?
There's a few passages in the Bible this moneymaker needs to read. Disgusting.

I bet the Pastor drives an Escalade with 30" gold rims.

[imardmd1]

Sure, if you want to stay a member, and participate in business meetings, and vote on congregational issues, like who the deacons are to be, and if the pastor is to be replaced, and whether we will support a missionary who is out on deputation for support, etc.

My gun club costs $75 per year, has an initiation fee, charges for training classes, has a charge for special shooting events to pay for them, etc. We have a Silhouette shoot on one night a week open to the public, but it costs $2 to shoot in this event, and you have to know and obey club safety rules, and have a member responsible to oversee your range behavior.

What's the problem?

You can always come to my church and worship with us, if you conduct yourself accordingly, and we never charge for giving you all the information and encouragement you need to enter the Kingdom of Heaven by faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, by committing your trust in Him. Baptism is totally free, but if you then want to become a member, the church needs and expects your support in tithing, your gifts, and regular attendance.

You don't like that? well, come anyway, but don't cause disagreement through gossipping or openly finding fault with the pastor or other true members.

Same for my gun club.

[imardmd1]

It's called the Judgment Seat of Christ, where one's works are judged regarding rewards for things done in this time in this body. You're free to do as you want now, but the bottom line comes later. Not tithing from this week's paycheck is not forgotten when the next week's paycheck comes around. But God does have a time payment for catching up on past dues when you begin to realize that's His desire, and you begin to comply.

I'll let you take the first swipe at finding a doctrine or a correctly interpreted passage that proves this teaching wrong.

As I said, in Christianity, salvation is free, but service to Christ involves sacrifice. Part of it is helping bear the costs of evangelism and of the full-time gospel workers based on the earnings of those in the secular world of emploument or business. It is not cheap.