What is a spiritual covering? Most Mega Churches have little branches of churches all over the US and the world. They request that these little Churches tithe 10% of all that they have received to them. They state that they are a spiritual covering over them.
What is a spiritual covering? Is this biblical? Also... when I was new in the faith a couple of years ago this evangelist said he was spiritual father and that he was there for me if I needed anything. I know he meant well but what does all this mean? :wavey: :thumbs:
What is a spiritual covering? Most Mega Churches have little branches of churches
Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by TaliOrlando, Mar 4, 2008.
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It sounds as though this particular group has very little regard for NT authority. The NT shows no organization above the individual congregation level (Phil 1:1). Even when congregations recieved help from one another, the receipt of that help didi not bring the "helpee" under the authority of the "helper".
Additionally, requiring a tithe is without NT authority, either from an individual, or a "little branch church". Sounds like a money grab to me.
And as far as someone being a spiritual "father", Paul called Timothy his son a few times.
1Co 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
1Ti 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
2Ti 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Ti 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
He did it with Onesimus, too.
Phm 1:10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
And Peter referred to Mark as his son.
1Pe 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
There is precedence for it, I guess. At least the concept of spiritual fatherhood, but we are not to call anyone "father" in a spiritual sense.
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. -
In other words, the megachurch becomes a new denomination.
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If the Apostle Paul did not see himself as being a covering over anybody, I doubt there is anybody qualified today to do it.
II Cor. 1: 24 "Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand."
Paul made it very clear to the Corinthians, a church looking for men to follow, that they were in error. No man is a covering for any other man.
I Cor. 11:3 "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." -
In adition, this "spiritual covering" buisness serves no purpose other than to keep christians in bondage to a particular individual, church, or organisation.
The christians spiritual "covering" is Jesus Christ.
God bless,
Mike -
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>Tithing does not apply to christians and has no part in christian giving.
Then you routinely give more than 10% of your gross income to your local church?
I have NEVER heard anyone who tithes as a minimum complain about missing the money. It is mostly the cheap legalists who freeload who complain. -
Billwald,
Only those mistakenly putting Gods people under the tithing requirement do such things.
As Sgt Fury correctly noted....it becomes nothing more than a money power grab from the pulpit.
Mike -
On another note, Freewill giving is more difficult then tithe. Why? Well, what if the Holy Spirit tells you to give 50% of your check one week and not necessarily to a church but to a brother in need.... just an example. God works in mysterious ways and he is awesome. Jesus came to raise the bar!!! Tithing is easy... all you need is a calculator. God is awesome!!! Praise him!!! -
How do we know that it's not the flesh?
I'm not slighting the scenario you are envisioning, but it's just that I hear people speak of the Spirit telling them to do this and that.
I'll like to know how they can discern the Spirit's guidance for sure. -