Misconception about the Iglesia ni Cristo "Iglesia ni Cristo members are forced or compelled to give tithes or ten percent of their income to the Church"

"Tithing or giving 10% of income"

Misconception: 
THERE IS A PERSISTENT rumor among many people from other religions that Iglesia ni Cristo practice the giving of tithes or giving 10% of a member's income to the Church.  This allege practice of tithing is  perpetuated by Church detractors who persistently sow rumors about tithing in the Church as a means to dissuade other people from joining the Iglesia ni Cristo.  This, allege practice of tithing, is also due to a common perception among other people who are awestruck by the unceasing construction of beautiful and magnificent houses of worship or churches all over the Philippine archipelago and now in many places around the world. These people cannot believe that the Iglesia ni Cristo can fund this large scale church building projects with only the voluntary contributions of its members, the great majority of which are ordinary people and most them are considered poor in the society. Thus, they assume (accept without proof) that the Church is forcing or compelling its members to give tithes or 10% of their income so the Church can finance these massive church construction projects.

The Truth: 
THERE IS NO TRUTH to the allegation that Iglesia ni Cristo members  are forced, compelled, coerced, forced or manipulated to give ten percent of their income to the Church. Contrary to what some people say or believe, the Church do not practice the giving of tithes. Iglesia ni Cristo members give their offerings on a voluntary basis, out of their faith and understanding of the biblical teaching concerning religious offerings. Thus Iglesia ni Cristo members faithfully follow  God's commandment to His servants in the Christian Era that says:

Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not besad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.  (II Cor. 9:7, New Century Version, emphasis ours)

Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God. (Heb.   13:16, NCV)

Knowing  that  the  Lord  is pleased  by  fulfilling the above commandments,  members   of  Iglesia ni Cristo voluntarily and happily give their offerings. And it is through these voluntary offerings that the Church is able to finance the construction of  beautiful and magnificent houses of worship where they, the members themselves, happily congregate to worship the Lord God Almighty in utmost solemnity. Many people may not believe nor may not come to understand that this happens in the Iglesia ni Cristo, simply because in their own religious organizations, many of which, cannot even put up a decent place of worship, and many still use public places such as cinemas, auditoriums, grandstands even after many years of giving tithes or offerings to their church leaders.

AN OBSERVER of the Iglesia ni Cristo has this to say:

"How is it that the INC has so many palatial churches—and we see them all over the country, while ours. . . . . . . . . .   Perhaps, there is  something about the   INC,   ...  that we   are missing.   Could  it  be that their leaders and, more important, their members believe—and more than just believing, live out their faith?"   ―Joel L Bodegon, Elder, United Churches of Christ of the Philippines from the book, The Isaiah Paradigm: Recapturing the Role of the Laity, pp. 116-117 (emphasis ours)

Mr Bodegon's observation is correct. There is something in the Iglesia ni Cristo that is missing in other religious organization. The Iglesia ni Cristo leaders and members more than just believe―they live out their faith. Why? Because deep in their hearts, they believe they are in the true Church of Christ. They know and worship the "only true God―the Father in heaven, the Lord God Almighty―and His Son, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who will come again for the second time to bring home God's chosen people.

A TESTIMONY about tithing in the Iglesia ni Cristo by Michael Alexander Peter Adams, a British businessman, who is now a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo:

 "I deal a lot with Roman Catholics and  people of other  faiths in everyday life in business, and they often raise issues concerning the doctrines and practices of the Church of  Christ and most of their perceptions on these matters are just simply not true. For example,   there is  a persistent belief that we practice tithing,    whereas I know from the numerous sermons I've heard on the subject that God loves a cheerful giver and it is not a requirement to give a certain amount. Actually, the way in which the offering is handled the Church is very impressive. Great care is taken to record the members offerings and to ensure that these offerings are properly spent. If anybody doubts that, all you do is look at the number of chapels which are being built all the time, which, in my own rough estimation, have approximated two a week for the past forty years!   The construction of houses of worship and other buildings certainly requires money and this shows you right away  that even without having to delve into the details of the Church's books of accounts, the brethren's offering are being properly used."

Source: Excerpt from Convert story, April 2004, GOD'S MESSAGE, p.28 (emphasis ours)

According to Mr. Adams "the persistent belief that the Iglesia ni Cristo practice tithing is simply not true". What is true is "the great care that  is taken to record the member's offering and to ensure that these offerings are properly spent".   This is the basic reason why members do not hesitate to help the Church as much as they can because they clearly see what is being done and what is being accomplished for the glory of God.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS on tithing: 
Pictures of foreign Congregations houses of worship are shown in between.

On the giving of tithes

I ATTENDED A worship service in your church and noticed you are collecting monetary contributions, Are your members compelled to give ten percent of their earnings or wealth to the Church? Do you practice tithing?

Derick Manning
Berkeley, California, USA 

Editors Reply: 
The members of the Church of Christ give voluntary contributions during congregational worship services. However, contrary to what some people believe we do not practice the giving of tithes. Neither are we being forced to give our contributions.   We  give our offerings on a voluntary basis, out of our faith and understanding of the biblical teaching concerning religious offerings. The Apostle Paul teaches:

Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give. A person should not give if it makes him sad. And a person should not give if he thinks he is forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily." (II Cor. 9:7, Easy-to-Read Version)

This is the teaching that applies to the Christian era. God's people are not mandated to give a specific percentage of their earnings or a particular amount of their wealth. Each one should give according to what he has decided in heart. Hence, tithing is not practiced in the Church of Christ of Christ.

Furthermore; we give our offerings to please God. If we give grudgingly or sadly, He wouldn't be pleased because He wants us to give happily and willingly. Hence, offerings should be voluntary and not compulsory.

Source: PASUGO, July 2002, p.2

_____________________

	Locale Congregation of Forest Hills, New York, USA

______________

On forced tithing:

IS IT TRUE that Iglesia ni Cristo members are forced to tithe or give ten percent of their income?

Justino Tumbaga
Camarines Sur, Philippines

Editors Reply: 
There is no truth to the allegation that Iglesia ni Cristo members  are coerced, forced or manipulated to offer ten percent of their income. The Church follows God's commandment to His servants in the Christian Era that says:

"Let each one give as He has made up in his own mind and purposed in his heart not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion." (II Cor. 9:7, Amplified Bible)

Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo offer according to the dictates of their hearts. They joyfully give their offerings knowing that by fulfilling this commandment,  God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16).

Source: PASUGO, July 2000, p.2

________________________

	The Locale Congregation of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

____________________________

Not Tithing

IN   ONE OF YOUR ISSUES,   I Saw the pictures of some of   your "houses of worship" around the world. Objectively speaking, I have to admit that they are enormous    and    magnificent.    Some say, however, that your members  are forced to tithe or give ten percent of their income which is the reason why you can afford to build such edifices. Is it true?
Berna Sebastian
General Santos City, Philippines

Editor's reply: 
Although   there are many   religions that  practice tithing,   the   Church   of Christ is definite and firm in its stand that such  kind  of   monetary  contribution   is  not what God commands  for true Christians.

The truth is, members of the Church of Christ are taught to offer voluntarily according to what  their  hearts   have decided.  Even non-members who are studying   and  observing   this   Church could testify that Iglesia ni Cristo members are never coerced, forced, or manipulated to offer ten percent of their income. The Church   members   instead faithfully follow  God's commandment to His servants in the Christian Era that says:

"Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion ..." (II Cor. 9:7, The Amplified Bible)

Knowing   that   the  Lord    is pleased   by   fulfilling this   commandment   (Heb.   13:16),   members   of   this Church  voluntarily and   joyfully give their offerings. And it is through these voluntary offerings that the Church is able to do its holy functions like constructing edifices where  God   expects His people to worship Him:

"I intend to  build  a   great  temple, because our God is  greater than any other god.

 "I am  building a temple to honor the Lord my God.  It will be a holy where my people   and   I   will worship him ..." (II Chr. 2:5, 4, Today's English Version)

"Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.'"  (Isa. 56:7, New King James Version)

Source: GOD'S MESSAGE, January 2005, p.3-4

_____________________

	The Locale Congregation of Los Angeles, California, USA.

__________________

Thank-offerings are voluntary contributions:

I HAVE BEEN fascinated by the magnificent houses of worship built all over the country by the Iglesia by the Iglesia ni  Cristo. Considering the fact that majority of he lglesia ni Cristo members are poor, I am amazed at how your Church manages to finance the construction of such elegant structures.

A member of your Church said that the Church's finances were supported or shouldered by voluntary contributions. Does your Church set a quota on the contributions of its members? Aside the support from the support for the Church's construction  work, what other expenses are your offerings allotted for?

Henry Bunao
Manila, Philippines

Editor's reply:
The Church's expenses, including those for the construction of houses of worship (cf. II Chron. 24:12-14), the maintenance of these houses of worship, the sustenance of ministers and their families (cf.Gal. 6:5-6),  the propagation of the gospel through  print, radio and TV, and the assigning of ministers for foreign missions, are all supported by voluntary contributions. What are voluntary contributions? They are thank-offerings given freely based upon the dictates of one's heart (cf. II Cor. 9:7).

Guided by these biblical precept, the Church does not in any way dictate or set a quota on the thank-offerings or voluntary contributions of its members.

Source: PASUGO, Sept. 1995, p.3

______________________

	The Locale Congregation of Western Sydney, Australia

____________________