Tithing Rewards Both Spiritual and Financial

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/14/AR2006041401737.html
This article has left me speechless. I'm truly blown away by the writer's description of tithing. "Tithing, an ancient practice described in the Bible..." Um, WHAT? An ancient practice? No, tithing is NOT an ancient practice. Let's describe it just a little bit better. Tithing was a commandment from the Old Testament (Genesis 14:20, Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:26, Deuteronomy 14:22, and more) and the New Testament (Matthew 23:23, Luke 18:12, and more), and for us Mormons, the Doctrine and Covenants also includes it (D&C 64:23, D&C 85:3, D&C 97:12, D&C 119:4, and more). Only once in this 3 page article about tithing, does the writer mention the Bible, which just makes me cringe. And yet, it didn't quoe a scripture actually about tithing.

I think it is wonderful that so many churches in PG County do practice tithing. What I find nearly disgusting is that this is how it is described. "Many African American ministers believe the custom is so strong among their congregations because of the historic role of the church in social and political activism and because of generations of family tradition."

And worse yet is this new term "prosperity ministry" used to describe the blessings of tithing. "What we are seeing is more giving, but I wouldn't attribute it only to people adhering to the principle of tithing," said the Rev. Bucas Sterling, pastor of Kettering Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro. "There is also an increase in what is called 'prosperity ministry,' the approach that says the intention of God is for all of his children to be financially well off. Materialism is being promoted, in a way. The whole idea is that God wants them to have money."

Wow, I really missed something in Sunday School and all that Bible reading in seminary. When did God start promoting materialism?? I feel sorry for all those monks who for thousands of years have been actually following what is taught in the Bible and not attempting to gain worldly possessions. I do admit I've never quite understood some of these new churches that have billboards praising the teachings of their ministers, and not the teachings of Christ. But this one really takes the cake. A church that is promoting materialism as a reason to pay tithing.

I guess the Bible was right. The day has come where the teachings of man have corrupted the teachings of Christ beyond recognition. Personally, I think that should have been the news article.

Leviticus 27:30- And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD.
(please note how it doesn't mention anything about materialism in there!)