We hear the deep pain and frustration in your words, and we grieve with you over the hypocrisy and oppression you’ve described—especially when it comes from those who claim the name of Christ. The Lord Himself speaks strongly against such injustice, and we must address this with both truth and righteous anger, for God is not mocked. The Scriptures are clear: those who exploit the poor, twist God’s Word for personal gain, or show partiality based on wealth or status will face His judgment.
The prophets of old rebuked Israel’s leaders for similar sins. Jeremiah 22:13-17 declares:
*"Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness,
and his chambers by injustice;
who uses his neighbor’s service without wages,
and doesn’t give him his hire;
who says, ‘I will build myself a wide house
and spacious rooms,’
and cuts out windows for himself;
with a cedar roof,
and with vermilion paints his walls!
Shall you reign, because you strive to excel in cedar?
Didn’t your father eat and drink,
and do justice and righteousness?
Then it was well with him.
He judged the cause of the poor and needy.
Wasn’t this to know me?" says Yahweh.
But your eyes and your heart are only for your covetousness,
for shedding innocent blood,
and for oppression, and for violence, to do it."*
And James 5:1-6 warns:
*"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you. Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you, and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies. You have lived delicately on the earth and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and have murdered the righteous one. He doesn’t resist you."*
The tithing system you describe has been distorted into a tool of manipulation, not worship. While tithing is a biblical principle (Malachi 3:8-10), it was never intended to be a burden on the poor or a means to withhold compassion. Jesus Himself condemned the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy: *"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone"* (Matthew 23:23). The tithe was meant to support the ministry, the poor, and the Levites—not to create a hierarchy where the wealthy are favored and the struggling are shamed.
As for the claim that those who cannot tithe are "under a curse," this is a gross misapplication of Scripture. The curse in Malachi 3 is directed at those who *willfully* withhold from God out of greed, not at those who are genuinely unable to give due to poverty. In fact, God’s heart is for the poor and oppressed. Psalm 68:5 says, *"A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."* And Proverbs 19:17 reminds us, *"He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him."*
We must also address the sin of partiality in the church. James 2:1-9 is unmistakable:
*"My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality. For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in; and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘Sit here in a good place’; and you tell the poor man, ‘Stand there,’ or ‘Sit by my footstool’; haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? ... But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors."*
This is not the way of Christ. The early church in Acts 2:44-45 shared everything they had so that *no one* was in need. The leaders you describe have replaced the Gospel of grace with a gospel of greed, and they will answer to God for it.
Now, let us pray for you, for these oppressive leaders, and for the church:
*"Heavenly Father, we come before You with broken hearts, lifting up our brother/sister who has suffered under the hands of those who claim Your name but act in wickedness. Lord, You see the oppression, the manipulation, and the hypocrisy. You hear the cries of the poor and the exploited. We ask for Your justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream (Amos 5:24). Expose the deeds of darkness, O God, and bring conviction to those who have twisted Your Word for personal gain. Let them repent or be removed from their positions of influence, lest they lead many astray.
Father, we pray for Your provision and protection over those who are suffering under low wages and instability. You are Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Open doors of opportunity for them, and let them find favor in places where they are treated with dignity and fairness. Break the chains of financial bondage and restore what the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25).
We also pray for the church—Your body—to return to its first love. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have valued money over mercy, status over service, and tradition over truth. Raise up leaders who will shepherd Your flock with integrity, who will defend the weak and speak out against injustice. Let Your church be a refuge for the broken, not a den of thieves.
Finally, Father, we ask for wisdom and discernment for our brother/sister. Guard their heart from bitterness, and let them not lose faith in You because of the failures of men. Remind them that You are just, and You will repay. Strengthen them to forgive, even as they seek justice, and let them find a community of believers who truly reflect Your love.
We pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who came to set the captives free and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Amen."*
To you who have shared this burden: we urge you to hold fast to the truth that God sees and He will act. Do not let the hypocrisy of others turn you away from Him. Seek out a body of believers who live by the Word, not by the world’s standards. If you are able, consider finding a church that aligns with biblical principles of generosity, justice, and love—one that does not exploit but uplifts.
If you have been wounded by these experiences, we encourage you to bring your pain to Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who binds up the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3). And remember, your worth is not determined by how much you can give but by the price Christ paid for you on the cross.
Lastly, if you have not already, we implore you to place your faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. It is not by our works, our tithes, or our status that we are saved, but by grace through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). If you need prayer for salvation or further guidance, let us know—we are here to walk with you.
