Thread: Churchome Megachurch Is Hit with Class-Action Lawsuit for Requiring Employees to Tithe

Originally Posted by Susan

I worked as a church secretary and I was not forced to give a tithe, (I did tithe on my own.) Personally, I wouldn't work for a church that forces a tithe, nor would I attend a church that had a rule like this. Faith goes both ways.

Yeah, I looked up scriptures on tithes in the OT and I couldn't find anything about collecting tithes by force, nor about punishments for failing to tithe (that were administred by human beings at least).

Originally Posted by Smitty

I've discovered the key to releasing God's blessings upon your finances is not following a "formula" (Tithe) to get what you need from God. The key is developing our relationship with Him, where we understand His NT covenant with us as His beloved children.
I've also discovered God's cycle of supernatural provision:
1. God will provide seed for you to sow.
2. God will supply your need.
3. God will multiply your seed.
The more you give to God and to the work of building the Kingdom of God, (world missions in my case) the more you will receive in return...the more you will be able to give...the more you will receive...until you live in a cycle of God's supernatural Provision in which there is a continual flow of God's blessing and provision in your life. As a result, you reap many times over and above what you plant as you sow in advancing the gospel throughout the earth.
Final note: If you are faithfully and willingly giving to God according to His plan...planting seeds...God's promise of blessings and prosperity belong to you, and there is no question...no doubt...you will reap His abundance. From this abundance, you have sufficient supply for your needs, and more to sow back into the kingdom of God.
I think Oral Roberts coined the statement "seed faith". There is much more involved in "giving" or sowing seed into God's work in the earth than just giving a tithe in the church offering bag every Sunday. Let me make this short, "I'm not against tithing" it's a good place to start in planting seed into Kingdom work. Lastly, I've lived by the giving principles listed above for years, and God has always provided for all my needs with more than enough left over to give and sow back into Kingdom work on a never-ending continual basis. PTL He is so good and faithful.

Good word but not really sure what this has to do with the matter at hand

I did work for as a part time church secretary for a short period of time. I was told it was a requirement of the job that I tithe. I did. I didn't see a problem with it. But within a few months I got a full time job for a big automotive parts supplier so it was a moot point with me. And by then I had seen enough of the "inside" of a church office that I started to distance myself from that church.

Originally Posted by Smitty

Maybe this short two-minute clip will help you see what I am talking about. Tithes and offerings are different. My giving outweighs the tithe. In other words, I give more to world missions than to

I am happy for you Smitty but I am still not sure what this has to do with the OP ...

Originally Posted by Colonel

Yeah, I looked up scriptures on tithes in the OT and I couldn't find anything about collecting tithes by force, nor about punishments for failing to tithe (that were administred by human beings at least).

The OP does state that the issue is one of legality, paying wages back to the employer as a condition of employment is illegal. Now maybe if the condition was that you must tithe somewhere, not necessarily to the employer it might be legal, that could fall under religious protections.

If something is illegal you cannot legally agree to do it, the agreement would be set aside by any court.

Originally Posted by John

The OP does state that the issue is one of legality, paying wages back to the employer as a condition of employment is illegal. Now maybe if the condition was that you must tithe somewhere, not necessarily to the employer it might be legal, that could fall under religious protections.

If something is illegal you cannot legally agree to do it, the agreement would be set aside by any court.

If they had merely substracted 10% from a "nominal salary" per default, then there would probably be less taxes involved ? Handing the employee the 10% so that he can pay taxes on it and then hand the full amount back, seems very impractical.

Originally Posted by Colonel

If they had merely substracted 10% from a "nominal salary" per default, then there would probably be less taxes involved ? Handing the employee the 10% so that he can pay taxes on it and then hand the full amount back, seems very impractical.

Yep, have to agree. I guess if they are getting dragged into court with a class action suit, more employees than the one mentioned they are probably a bit off the mark to begin with.

Ok, first my post is not about whether one should or should not tithe. Nor will I engage on that point.

But if their employees were informed of this policy (Just like a strict dress code) before being hired and agreed to it, then they were not forced. Leaving employment at any time was always their right.

However they are not classified as a business like Hobby Lobby but they do have hiring and firing rights. If they are in a 'Right to fire' state this will be an interesting case study.