Johann Tetzel was the 16th-century marketing mastermind whose financial funny business helped build St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. He came up with a heartless but effective scheme: selling forgiveness to the guilt-ridden masses. Under this twisted plan, priests would issue "indulgences"—coupons that cancelled divine punishment—to those who generously gave to the cause.
It worked like a charm. Tetzel raised tons of cash with his famous ditty, "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs." But he also raised the ire of a few uncompromising men whose righteous voices ignited a firestorm we now know as the Protestant Reformation. Today, some nationally known charismatic leaders are peddling their spiritual covering in exchange for tithes and offerings, and I'm hoping I'll hear another righteous outcry—and it needs to come soon.
Thanks to mass media and modern technology, big-name bishops and apostles are now becoming the "personal pastors" of anyone eager to grow in ministry whether they know them or not. All it takes is a "covenant seed" to get things rolling.
Predictably, the amount of the donation sets the level of the spiritual connection and determines its benefits. For smaller offerings, mere partnership is created. But as the dollar amounts rise, all the perks of covenant and covering are tossed in: greater open doors, bigger churches, increased anointing and even spiritual "sonship." And there's no need for time-consuming personal contact; all it takes is an Internet connection and a valid credit card.
Tetzel would be proud, but I don't think God is. Getting multitudes of ministers you've never met tithing up to you in exchange for a piece of your mantle may be one of the most lucrative schemes ever, but it's not in the Bible.
Whether it is sincere leaders struggling to find the right way to structure ministry relationships, or charlatans looking for another cheap trick to exploit the naive, many are turning to Scripture to validate their claim to a cut of your cash. Here's what they teach:
How we got here
It's worth noting that these teachings are linked to the shepherding and discipleship movement of the '70s and '80s. While a few good people survived it, the movement was widely condemned for its systemic abuses and the endless tragedies it created. While tainted teaching is nothing new, the "tithing up" doctrine may well be the fallout of a values crisis in the church today. It's time to ask ourselves some questions:
Are we missing the mark when it comes to adequately honoring and supporting apostolic ministries? Too many good ones are under-funded and looking for quick answers. Have we failed to care for them?
Are we holding each other accountable in areas of ethics, morals and doctrine? When someone gets off track, are we strong enough to confront them in love? Do we appreciate how valuable it is to be connected with spiritual parents, sons and daughters? When we fail to value one another, some may be tempted to sell themselves cheaply.
It may be that our lack of passionate values has become a perfect storm that generates wave after wave of weird trends and wild errors. If that is true, the forecast won't improve until we clean up our act, tighten up our theology and raise up a new standard.
Many of us saw this coming. Despite all the blessings of the emerging apostolic movement, some excesses were bound to crop up.
Ten years ago, I wrote about my belief in the importance of spiritual fathering as an aspect of apostolic ministry. I believed then, as I do today, in the vital need for caring leaders who will cover and relate to their sons and daughters in the ministry. I also warned of the ethical dangers that mixing money and apostolic authority could pose. I cautioned against holy hierarchies, and called for greater humility and integrity in leaders.
Thankfully, I'm not the only one who has championed these issues. Most of us already know better. We understand that if anything is discrediting the gospel today, it's the way some abuse their spiritual authority for the sake of personal gain.
Whether it's a priest molesting a penitent, an archbishop committing adultery, or a big-name ministry selling its name to a neophyte, the world we're supposed to be winning to Jesus is too shocked by our morals to embrace our message. Our hair-brained schemes are driving people away from Christ, and we'd better clean up our act before God does it for us.
Tightening our Theology
Corruption spreads through bad theology, so let's look carefully at these issues. Is it valid, for example, to assert that the Levitical system is a blueprint for supporting leaders today?
It's true that a tenth of an Israelite's income supported the Levites. But remember: Levites were barred from earning a living, owning land and receiving inheritances (see Num. 18:21-24). A tenth of that income went to the high priest, but it wasn't called a tithe, but a heave offering (see vv. 26-30, KJV). And it's not likely that the priest lavished this resource on himself, since God warned against profaning (i.e. abusing or prostituting) the tithe under penalty of death (see v. 32).
Those who teach "tithing up" as a dogma follow their theology selectively. You won't see them playing by the rest of the Levitical rules, like not owning property or inheriting wealth. Instead of insisting that God expects good sons to tithe to their fathers, they should consider Paul's judgment that a true father would never aspire to be dependent on his son (see 2 Cor. 12:14-15).
The truth is, God didn't design the Levirate system to finance New Testament ministry, and He certainly didn't intend it to be misused as a method for multilevel ministers getting rich at the top of Pentecostal pyramids.
Real apostles were supported by the freewill offerings of those that sent them (see Phil. 4:16-18) and those they ministered to (see Gal. 6:6). While they had every right to live from the gospel and have their needs met by those they served (see 1 Cor. 9:4-15), they never placed a charge on their ministry.
In fact, they repeatedly condemned such schemes (see Titus 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 15; Jude 1:11). And when that kind of integrity wasn't enough to quiet their critics, leaders like Paul gladly provided for their own needs rather than cast a shadow on the gospel (see Acts 20:33-35; 1 Cor. 9:12).
Early believers did not pay the apostles by laying money at their feet. They gave this way during a financial crisis when some believers had nothing while others had plenty. They did it to care for their needy brothers and sisters, not to line the pockets of the apostles.
As for Abraham tithing to Melchizedek, it's true that it happened on one occasion. But there's no evidence that Abraham saw Melchizedek as a mentor, and Melchizedek certainly never required a tithe or suggested that any benefit would come for offering it. The message of Melchizedek doesn't call us to honor men, but Christ Himself—a greater Priest who put an end to the Levitical system and its regulations (see Heb. 7:2-7, 11-12).
A New Standard
Jesus never taught anyone to tithe to Him, and neither did the apostles. What He required was that we truly honor our fathers and mothers (see Matt. 15:3-7). It's not enough for us to cry out against the Johann Tetzels of our day—we need to raise up a new standard of love and honor in our own lives that will trump their superficial shams.
If we want to do that, it will take much more than a "monthly seed". Here are three ways we can show our love to those who have helped form our spiritual lives:
1. Acknowledge who they are to you (see Heb. 13:7,17). Honoring begins when we recognize the value of those whom God has sent to us. Where would we have been without them? Let's find ways to affirm their vital place in our lives. Let's be grateful for their contributions to our success and show our appreciation often (see Prov. 23:22).
2. Follow their lead (see 1 Cor. 11:1). Remember the lessons they have taught, the values they have imparted and the standards they've upheld. One of the greatest ways to honor our mentors is to fulfill their expectations of excellence and fruitfulness. If their investment in us produces a return for the kingdom, their labor will not have been in vain.
3. Consider their needs, and be generous (see Phil. 2:25; James 2:16). There are too many who have never had proper honor from those they serve, and it's tragic. How can we neglect those who have spent their lives pouring into us? A true son or daughter would never skip out on such a debt (see 1 Tim. 5:8).
Is it wrong to tithe to your spiritual parent? I know many who do it with a pure heart. Personally, I'm keen to do more than that to honor my spiritual father. Our church provides him with a full salary for life. I'm reluctant to identify such support as a tithe, because I believe the tithe belongs to the Lord and should be brought to the local church. But setting aside any meaningful portion of our resources to bless those who nurture us in the Lord is an act of love in the highest order.
Systems rooted in manipulation, greed or fear are incapable of honoring anyone, least of all the Lord. But when real love and sincere gratitude finds a tangible expression, it is always honoring to the Father.
So what makes authentic spiritual parenting?
Relationships should be real. We shouldn't have to say this, but let's leave no room for doubt: Having a spiritual father or mother is about an exchange of life, not money. It requires personal contact, close communication, and a true commitment of time, prayer and support (see 1 Thess. 2:8).
Money should not be the emphasis. A desire to get rich is a sure sign of a misguided ministry (see 1 Tim. 6:7-19). Paul warned against teachers who cloaked their covetousness by twisting Scripture for personal gain (see 1 Thess. 2:6-9). If there's too much talk about money, take yours and run.
Support should be voluntary. It's essential to honor those who minister to us, (see Phil. 4:10, 14-17) but such honor should simply be taught, never forced (see 1 Cor. 9:18). Misusing one's spiritual authority to make money is closer to prostitution than true parenting. If the issue is pressed, something is wrong.
Integrity should be obvious. Paul denounced as unethical those who peddled their ministry, overcharged for their services and used God's Word as a way to profit (see 2 Cor. 2:17). Connecting with affluent ministries without knowing their character is risky business.
Maturity should be the goal. A loving spiritual parent will celebrate our transitions from spiritual adolescence to adulthood, not undermine them. It feels great to be in a relationship that cheers you on. Don't settle for one that selfishly holds you back.
David Cannistraci is the senior pastor of GateWay City Church in San Jose, California. He travels internationally as a speaker and wrote Apostles and the Emerging Apostolic Movement and God's Vision for Your Church and is a frequent contributor to Charisma magazine. For a more information, go to www.davidcannistraci.org.
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