Prosperity Gospel Preacher Creflo Dollar Admits Tithing Teachings Were Wrong

Discover the truth about tithing and the Prosperity Gospel from a Christian author. Learn about giving generously and serving God, not money. Read more now.

For years, Prosperity Gospel preachers have been criticized for their teachings on tithing, which often pressure congregants to give large sums of money to their churches in hopes of receiving blessings and financial prosperity in return. However, one of the most prominent Prosperity Gospel preachers in the world, Creflo Dollar, recently admitted that his teachings on tithing were not correct.

In a sermon given on January 17, 2021, Dollar, who is the founder of World Changers Church International, acknowledged that he had been wrong in teaching his followers that they should give 10% of their income to the church as a requirement for receiving blessings from God.

"I want to apologize for a message that I taught about tithing and a new covenant," Dollar said. "I didn't understand the new covenant as well as I should have, and I'm sorry for that. I didn't teach it as accurately as I should have. That was just ignorance on my part."

Dollar went on to explain that while he still believes in the importance of giving, he no longer believes that tithing is a requirement for Christians under the new covenant. He cited verses from the New Testament, including 2 Corinthians 9:7, which states that believers should give "not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Dollar's admission is significant, as he is widely considered to be one of the most influential preachers in the Prosperity Gospel movement, which emphasizes the idea that God wants Christians to be wealthy and successful. The movement has been criticized for encouraging a "give to get" mentality that places undue pressure on congregants to give money to their churches.

While tithing is a common practice in many Christian churches, the concept of giving 10% of one's income to the church is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. Instead, the Bible encourages believers to give generously and sacrificially, as Jesus did.

As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the resources that God has given us, including our finances. Giving to the church and to those in need is an important part of our faith. However, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that our giving can earn us blessings or prosperity from God.

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth. He also warns against serving two masters, saying that we cannot serve both God and money. Our focus should be on serving God and living a life that honors Him, rather than on accumulating wealth or material possessions.

As Christians, we must also be discerning about the teachings of those who claim to speak for God. The Bible warns us to be on guard against false prophets and false teachings, which can lead us astray from the truth.

In conclusion, while Creflo Dollar's admission that his teachings on tithing were not correct is a step in the right direction, we must remain vigilant in our own understanding of what the Bible teaches about giving. We should give generously and sacrificially, but not with the expectation of receiving blessings or prosperity in return. Our focus should always be on serving God and living a life that honors Him.

FAQs:

1. Does the Bible require Christians to tithe?
No, the concept of tithing - giving 10% of one's income to the church - is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. However, the Bible does encourage believers to give generously and sacrificially.

2. What is the Prosperity Gospel?
The Prosperity Gospel is a movement within Christianity that emphasizes the idea that God wants Christians to be wealthy and successful. It is often criticized for encouraging a "give to get" mentality that places undue pressure on congregants to give money to their churches.

3. Should Christians give to their churches?
Yes, giving to the church is an important part of our faith. However, we must be careful not to think that our giving can earn us blessings or prosperity from God.

4. What does the Bible say about giving?
The Bible encourages believers to give generously and sacrificially, as Jesus did. We are called to be good stewards of the resources that God has given us, including our finances.

5. How can Christians discern false teachings?
The Bible warns us to be on guard against false prophets and false teachings, which can lead us astray from the truth. We should be discerning about the teachings of those who claim to speak for God and always measure their teachings against the truth of the Bible.