Church Membership and Tithing Won't Make You A Better Christian

Jesus Christ said this about his followers and the quality of their experience and of their love for him:

1. Why do you call me "Lord, Lord" and do not do what I say? (Luke 7:4)

2. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. ( Matthew 22:37-39)

3. He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. (John 8:47)

4. These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. (Mark 7:6-8)

Do you believe you will be cursed, that bad things will happen to you, if you do not give ten percent of your income to a church organization?

Is this belief consistent with the truth that Christians are kept by, for, and in Jesus Christ (Jude v.1)? Are you attempting to live under the Law that is outlined in the Old Testament prophecy of Malachi? Are you trying to lead or pressure others to live under the Law of Moses?

It's true all churches and other organizations need financial support. In the New Testament,  Paul gives guidelines for giving by Christians. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 is the standard for giving by Christ followers: 

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Do you live under the fear of not going to heaven if your name is not on a church membership list?  Are you attending a church service because your main focus at that gathering is social ( spouse seeking, etc.) or economic (promoting a product, service, or business opportunity you're involved with)?

Every Christ follower should affiliate and meet regularly with some type of fellowship--perhaps in a home or school building, perhaps in a traditional church building-- dedicated to worship, witness,  and work.

However, if you are "going to church" on Sundays, or any other day, because you are afraid of doing anything else or because you have a separate agenda, please consider where that thinking originated. It is not God's will that fear or greed or social status is your motivation for gathering with believers.

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back fron the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)