Tithe – A Minimum Rent Paid To God?
The World Mission Society Church of God has been criticized online and in various legal complaints, about the amount of money it expects from its members. In a recent YouTube video, a former member explained in detail, how much money she was pressured to donate monthly to the organization. It is uncertain what the WMSCOG does with all of the money it receives in donations from its members. For example, according to the WMSCOG in New Jersey, they received $7,542,639.00 in tithes and offerings in 2012. If you are a current or former member, you will surely be aware that members are expected to pay for most of the expenses that the WMSCOG listed on the financial statements they submitted to the Court. Further analysis of the WMSCOG’s financial statements is available here.
Salvation Is Not A Free Gift From God in the WMSCOG
In stark contrast with Ephesians 2:8, one of the core beliefs of the World Mission Society Church of God, is that tithing is required for salvation. In his book titled My Sheep Listen to My Voice, WMSCOG head pastor Joo Cheol Kim writes:
Tithe is a minimum rent to be paid to God in this world.
The key word here is “minimum“. Members are also expected to make “free will offerings” in addition to other types of donations. Parents are also expected to tithe on behalf of their children.
Is The World Mission Society Church Of God The Only Religious Group That Teaches That Tithing Is Required For Salvation?
High pressure groups such as the Seventh Day Adventists, Latter Day Saints (Mormons), the Pentacostal Holiness Church, and the Unification Church (Moonies) require tithing from their members. The WMSCOG has been compared to the Unification Church because of their shared belief in a “god the mother” and South Korean origin.
According to an article on a WMSCOG blog (thetruewmscog.com) operated by Missionary Victor Lozada,
…there are absolutely no similarities in the teachings of the World Mission Society Church of God and the Unification Church.
Yet, a closer look at the literature from both organizations reveals that the World Mission Society Church of God and the Unification Church have nearly identical teachings regarding tithing.
My Sheep Listen To My Voice
The Way of the Spiritual Leader
| “He [God] only wants us to be saved. God has given us the law of tithe so that we may always put our hope in heaven.” p. 291 | “People who are responsible for the establishment of the heavenly kingdom should never violate the condition of tithing.” Chapter 2, Section 4 Life of Tithing Part 1 |
| “Tithe is a minimum rent to be paid to God in this world.” p. 297 | “Tithing is a duty, a heavenly duty.“ Chapter 2, Section 4 Life of Tithing Part 1 |
| “God has commanded us to offer a tenth of all that we earn, so that we may serve only God and not belong to the devil who has power over this world.” p. 299 | “As Unification Church members, in leading a life of attendance to God and True Parents, tithing is absolutely essential. If you consider all money as your own, Satan will invade.” Chapter 2, Section 4 Life of Tithing Part 1 |
| “Tithing is a law established according to God’s providence to make us obey His word and lead us to salvation.“ p. 305 | “The person who tithes will never perish.” Chapter 2, Section 4 Life of Tithing Part 1 |
| “Judging from this, tithing must be a law which guarantees God’s great blessings.” p. 303 | As days go by, his storage room will be filled with more material possessions and blessings.” Chapter 2, Section 4 Life of Tithing Part 1 |