Excommunication is a Biblical practice for disciplining the backslidden.  Adultery, murder, homosexuality and idolatry are all listed as sins that if unrepented of warrant excommunication.  It is to be used to awaken the sinner to the gravity of their sin and turn them back to the Lord.  The tithe preaching church often uses the big stick of excommunication to correct the non-tither.  This kind of makes sense.  If non-tithing is a sin comparable to adultery then hey lets make these greedy non-tithers pay.  Consider the news story...

Wheelchair-Bound Woman Kicked Out Of Church

A 65-year-old wheelchair-bound woman with congestive heart failure was kicked out of her church because she was not paying her tithe, NBC 4 reported. Loretta Davis told NBC 4's Mike Bowersock she was shocked when she received a letter saying she was no longer considered a member of her church, The Living Word Tabernacle. Davis made an agreement with the church that she would give 10 percent of her income.  Then she became ill and stopped making payments, so the church revoked her membership. "Since Jan. 5, I've been in the hospital 15 times," Davis said.  "I've suffered with cellulites since I've had the open heart (surgery)." Davis is no longer paying the church $60 per month from her $592 per month Social Security check, Bowersock reported. "I have my tithes that I was supposed to pay, but I have not paid them since this has went on," Davis said. "In the time of (Davis') need, they should be caring, supporting, asking what she needs -- help her if she needed help," said Teresa Meeks, who is Davis' daughter.  "I was so hurt on what they did to her." The church moved out of its building in Waverly earlier this year and Davis' dismissal has become the talk of the town, Bowersock reported. In a letter to the editor of the local paper, the former pastor said it is true that Davis lost her membership for not paying her tithes. In the same letter, he said Davis was not kicked out of the church for not paying her tithes. The Rev. Paul McClurg, who started the church, said Davis is still welcome to attend church but is not allowed to be a member. The issue upset Davis' 83-year-old mother so much that she quit the church. The members have been holding services in a Lion's Club hall while waiting to build a new church.  There are at least two former members who will not be attending with them."

This was a newstory in Columbus, Ohio last summer (2006) but it is not such a rare event.  After questioning the tithe doctrine at Hydesville Community Church the following letter was sent to me from all the pastors and elders.  It is a letter saying I am in the snare of the devil, held captive by the devil saying that I am perverted, sinning and self-condemned.

See Letter

Hydesville

Community Church

Dear Kirk Cesaretti,

            We are aware of your concerns about certain issues regarding tithing and missions (specifically Indonesia) at Hydesville Community Church.  These issues have been considered by both our pastoral staff and elders.  As you know, our church believes that in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; and in all things, love.  At this time, we believe your concerns do not warrant any change in our church policy or positions.

            As a church body, we are called to be concerned for the spiritual health of all persons.  Therefore, our hope is first that Christ reigns on the throne of all of our hearts.  Secondly, that you find a congregation that you can join and through which you can throw yourself into His ministry.  We understand that God does not call all Christians to join this congregation.  Therefore, we prayerfully trust God will lead you to His desired place where you will serve, fellowship and be discipled.

            We consider this matter now closed.  Additionally, we have asked our pastoral staff not to entertain any further dialogue or correspondence, as their time and energy needs to be focused in other areas of ministry.  Hence, any future letter correspondence to the pastors will be automatically destroyed and all emails will be deleted and unanswered.

            Three scriptures seem pertinent in this case: 1Timothy 5:19 says “do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”

            2Timothy 2:24-26 says “The Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

            Titus 3:9-11 says, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.  Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.”

            Hebrews 13:17 “Obey you leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls; as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

            If you can put these issues behind you and come under our leadership, we would love to have you as part of our fellowship.

Respectfully,

Robin Childs Elder Board Chairman

Senior Pastor Mike Delamarian                                    Don Becker Elder

Associate Pastor Jeff Beltz                                            Ryan Fray Elder

Youth Pastor Dave Bescanceney                                  Scott Neitzke Elder

This letter arrived after many attempts to try to change the Hydesville Community Church tithing doctrine and questioning the use of missionary funds sending the senior pastor Mike Delamarian and his family on an Indonesia surfing trip.  Perhaps you think this is strange.  I did.

A few comments regarding the circumstances of the letter... I had never been spoken to by most of the elders.  They didn't know me and had never talked to me.  I was never warned that this was coming.  It was a complete surprise.  The verses that are cited were never explained as to how they applied to me.  After receiving the letter I called each of the elders.  One said he would call me and never did.  I called him a month later and he hung up on me.  One was argumentative, un-listening and haughty.  Scott responded with a letter that was tactful and gracious.  He is a neighbor, our daughters (his and mine) are friends and he has been sympathetic to the offensiveness of the tithe doctrine.  I am sympathetic that it is easy to get stuck in an unchangeable group of hand picked leaders that go with the flow.  I know that God changes people, He changed me and He is not done yet.  He is the transformer of lives and in His transforming grace we have hope.  I wrote a letter of appeal and sent it to each of the unpaid elders, one half of the board, it went into the black hole of silence.   

Conclusion

The scriptures clearly teach that Christians are not under the tithe law any longer.  Questioning the use of church funds for personal hobbies and tropical island trips seems an appropriate concern.  No, when you touch the sacred cow of the tithe and its misuse you will be shunned.  It is a taboo subject that will bite those who are courageous enough to question it openly.