TED CRUZ AND THE TITHE
According to personal tax returns released during his 2012 Senate bid, Senator Ted Cruz contributed less than 1% of his income to charity between 2006 and 2010 - a far cry from the 10% most evangelical leaders believe the Bible demands.
Brad Sherman, a pastor at Solid Rock Christian Church in Coralville, Iowa, sat down with Cruz and his wife last July. He described the meeting as "cordial" but did not endorse Cruz. He said he didn't know at the time about Cruz's record of tithing, but once he found out he felt his decision had been validated.
"Character matters," Sherman said. "And tithing is one of the big issues that points to a person's character. The Bible has a lot to say about how we handle money. You know, you can't serve God and mammon… I wouldn't judge a candidate's salvation based on that, but I would certainly judge their priorities."
Since Cruz's surge to first place in Iowa, Sherman has spoken with a number of the candidate's Christian supporters, and he said they are often shocked to find out about his tithing history. "I think it’s an issue a lot of evangelicals who are supporting him are unaware of," Sherman said.
"I've never heard the tithing question broached in the context of the election. I wish it were a bigger issue," said Frank Page, the former head of the Southern Baptist Convention. "I think what [a candidate] does in regards to their possessions indicates their caring for people and sensitivity to the commands and dictates of the Lord. But unfortunately, those who do tithe are in the distinct minority, and because of that most people don't bring it up."
McKay Koppins reported in his book, The Wilderness, some who worked closely with Cruz earlier in his career have been puzzled by his recent transformation into a culture warrior. | "He was never particularly religious as far as I knew," said one aide who worked for him in the Texas solicitor general's office. "I’m not even sure he went to church."
the reality of the situation
I might be wrong, but it seems if one and one's family is considered the face of God then they should be ready to open all aspects of their Christian life to perusal.
I couldn’t give less of a damn whether or not he tithes.
I am more concerned with the campaign being turned into a jihad.
I don’t claim my tithe on my tax returns... In my mind I’m not giving my first fruits to God by doing that. I’m letting the government pay Him for me...
I would imagine this is likely the case with Senator Cruz as well.
I am not a Cruz supporter, he is a phoney, but this bit about his tithing or not tithing is typical mammon serving christianity. The Tithe Teaching is a lie! Tithing ended with the Levite Priesthood and Christians are instructed to give not tithe. The Hebrew people under the Mosaic Law were instructed to tithe, 10% of yearling livestock and crops, they could not tithe money... IT IS IN THE BIBLE IF PEOPLE WOULD JUST READ IT !! Deuteronomy 14:22-29
These leaders who have little to no faith depend on the tithe for their pay checks, and comfortable living. They preach, “DON’T ROB GOD!” but it is them robbing God to pay themselves because they don’t have the faith to live by faith. Mammon is in the church!
Let each one determine in his own heart what to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
If you want to give 10% to your church, or Pastor, or a ministry, or missionary, go ahead but don’t live under a law that no longer exists in the kingdom of God. Give 10%...give 20%...give 50%...give 90% whatever you determine in your heart.
Oh???
Where's the data that those leaders think the bible DEMANDS it?
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses."
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. "Brothers," he said, "listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 "'After this I will return
and rebuild David's fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things'
18 things known from long ago.
19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. [34] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.