Jesus is Not Pleased

When a faithful churchgoer quietly places their envelope into the offering plate, few stop to wonder, "Is this what Jesus intended?" Yet, behind this simple act lies a stunning revelation: much of what modern churches teach about tithing and giving is not only unbiblical—it is the exact opposite of what Jesus and His disciples practiced. The journey to uncover this truth is uncomfortable, profound, and deeply necessary.

Numbers 18:21 “To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.”

My investigation began several years ago with the ancient Israelites, diving into the meticulously detailed instructions given directly by God regarding tithing. Using the Bible as my guide, I discovered that God explicitly commanded Israel to give a tenth of their produce and livestock to support the Levites—the tribe specifically designated for temple service and worship. Leviticus 27:30 makes it clear: "All the tithe of the land... is holy to the Lord." The Levites, who owned no land or inheritance, were sustained entirely by these tithes (Numbers 18:21). The system was precise, structured, and divinely ordained.

Leviticus 27:30 “Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.”

Offerings and sacrifices, too, were intricately prescribed. Whether burnt, grain, peace, sin, or guilt offerings, each had specific rules and purposes. These sacrifices weren't casual donations; they were deeply symbolic, vital for forgiveness, reconciliation, and communion with God. For centuries, Israelites faithfully brought these offerings to priests, ensuring continued harmony between God and His chosen people.

Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”

Then came Jesus, and with Him, everything changed. As I dove even deeper into the New Testament, the differences became stark. Jesus rarely spoke of tithing, and when He did, it was often to challenge rigid religious practices devoid of genuine compassion and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Instead, He emphasized radical generosity rooted in love. One memorable moment was the widow who placed two small copper coins into the temple treasury. Jesus praised her for giving all she had—not out of obligation, but from heartfelt sacrifice

Luke 21:1-4 “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, ‘Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.’”

After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, something remarkable happened. The early Christian church blossomed into a community of unprecedented generosity—not through enforced tithes, but through voluntary, Spirit-led sharing.

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

In Acts 4, believers joyfully shared their possessions, sold their lands, and ensured everyone’s needs were fully met. The Apostle Paul echoed this model, teaching believers to give generously, cheerfully, and freely from the heart, "not grudgingly or under compulsion.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Acts 4:32-35 “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”

With the destruction of Jerusalem’s temple in AD 70, the Old Covenant sacrificial system, along with its tithes and offerings, ceased entirely.

1 Corinthians 16:2 “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”

According to the Book of Hebrews, Christ Himself became the once-for-all offering, forever ending the requirement for temple sacrifices and the associated religious duties. Hebrews 10:10 clearly states, "We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Hebrews 10:10-14 “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”

So how, then, did the modern-day church become entangled again in enforced tithing, mandatory giving, and systems built on obligation rather than grace?

The answer emerged as I traced history forward, stumbling upon an unsettling truth. After Constantine legalized Christianity in the fourth century, the Roman church adopted structures eerily reminiscent of the very pagan religions from which they had supposedly turned away. Hierarchical leadership, enforced financial demands, and a system dependent on wealth accumulation became ingrained. Revelation explicitly warns early Christians against similar corruptions, citing Jezebel and the Nicolaitans—groups that merged pagan practices with Christian beliefs, fostering control, greed, and spiritual compromise.

Tragically, today’s mainstream churches, including many modern Protestant denominations, unknowingly perpetuate these ancient corruptions. Tithing is enforced through subtle manipulation or overt pressure, often linked to promises of blessing or threats of poverty. The truth is sobering: such a system directly opposes Jesus’ teachings and the liberating model set by the first-century church. It’s built not on generosity and love, but on fear, compulsion, and an allegiance to Mammon.

Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The Apostle Paul urged believers to break free from such worldly patterns, writing passionately in Romans 12:1-2: "Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." For Paul and the early apostles, true worship was a radically transformed life, fully surrendered to Christ—not forced donations or obligatory payments.

Matthew 16:24-25 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’”

If this stark reality seems unsettling, consider the consequences. Hebrews 10:29-31 warns of severe judgment for those who disregard Christ’s sacrifice and perpetuate empty religious rituals. Revelation chapters 2 and 3 depict Christ Himself rebuking churches that fail to repent from corruption, pride, and greed—warning that unrepentant churches risk losing their very spiritual life and authority.

Hebrews 10:29-31 “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Thankfully, there is a way out. Jesus Himself provided the roadmap back to biblical integrity: radical generosity, voluntary sharing, genuine compassion, and transparent community stewardship—just as the first-century church practiced.

Revelation 2:14-15 “But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who, in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.”

Imagine a church community today where no offering plate is passed under obligation; where needs are met freely, joyfully, and abundantly because believers choose to give, inspired by grace and led by the Holy Spirit. Imagine a church without debt, without coercion, and hidden financial agendas. This vision is not only possible; it's essential.

Revelation 2:20 “But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.”

Returning to biblical generosity begins with radical repentance—church leaders openly confessing the corruption and compromise of enforced tithing practices. It means dismantling old financial models rooted in pagan and worldly systems. Instead, churches can immediately adopt decentralized, transparent stewardship, where resources flow freely and abundantly, meeting real needs through Spirit-led discernment.

James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
Today, we stand at a crossroads. The choice is clear: continue a corrupted, compromised system honoring Mammon—or courageously embrace the radical, generous, and transformative model practiced by Jesus and the apostles. This biblical generosity rejects fear-based giving, embracing instead a passionate, Spirit-empowered love that gives all, just as Christ gave Himself.

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

The truth is now before us, clear and undeniable. The tithing system practiced in most modern churches isn’t biblical—it’s a borrowed pagan relic, toxic to true faith and discipleship. It’s time to acknowledge this openly, to repent sincerely, and to return to biblical stewardship rooted entirely in Christ’s radical love and generosity.

Romans 15:25-27 “But now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.”

The question now isn’t whether we can afford to change—it’s whether we can afford not to.

1 John 3:17-18 “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Rediscovering God's Heart for the Vulnerable

Standing amidst bustling crowds on a chilly evening in downtown Salt Lake City, imagine a familiar yet troubling scene: elderly men and women bundled in ragged clothing, hungry families huddled together, and the disabled quietly overlooked. The question gnawed at my conscience—where is the Church?

1 Peter 4:8-10 “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Driven by this question, I turned again to the pages of Scripture, embarking on an investigative journey through the ancient writings of the Bible. What I discovered is a vivid portrait of God’s unrelenting heart for society’s most vulnerable—widows, orphans, the disabled, the sick, the elderly—and a troubling realization: we, the modern church, have tragically drifted far from His clear command.

James 2:14-17 “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

In my exploration deep in the Old Testament, I discovered God’s original instructions to Israel. God repeatedly commanded His people not only to worship Him but to live out His compassion practically and visibly. Exodus 22:22-23 reveals the seriousness of God's heart: "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry." This wasn’t merely good advice; it was foundational law.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 further crystallized this ideal, instructing Israel to set aside a special tithe every third year explicitly for widows, orphans, strangers, and Levites who had no inheritance. God desired His nation to stand as a beacon of hope and provision, declaring through their actions His true character. The instructions were precise, detailed, and relentlessly compassionate. Yet this mandate went deeper than charity; it was a calling to justice, dignity, and righteousness for all nations to emulate.

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

When I transitioned into the New Testament, the intensity of the Father’s compassionate mandate only increased. Jesus Himself embodied radical generosity and compassion, embracing the rejected, marginalized, and broken. One vivid scene in Matthew 25 captures my heart profoundly, as Jesus describes the coming judgment—when He would distinguish true disciples from pretenders solely based on acts of compassionate generosity toward society’s forgotten. "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me," He said (Matthew 25:40). The standard was clear: love in action was not optional; it was essential evidence of genuine faith.

Matthew 25:40 "The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

The Apostles followed Jesus’ lead with similar urgency. The Apostle Paul emphasized passionately that believers were to bear one another’s burdens, ensuring no one was left in need (Galatians 6:2). He personally carried substantial financial offerings from Gentile churches back to Jerusalem, specifically to support impoverished believers struggling with famine and persecution). His message was consistent and clear—true Christian community actively meets practical needs, leaving no room for neglect.

Romans 15:25-27 “but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things."

James reinforced the message with blunt clarity: "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" (James 1:27).

1 John 3:17-18 “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Peter and John, likewise, urged believers toward practical love, radical generosity, and tangible compassion, making clear that caring for others was not just a commendable trait but an essential marker of discipleship.

1 Peter 4:8-10 “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Yet here I was, standing in the reality of our modern church—a church filled with multimillion-dollar buildings, elaborate ministries, and expansive budgets, yet strangely and tragically disconnected from the core biblical mandate. How, exactly, had we drifted so far?

2 Corinthians 8:20-21 “Taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

Historical investigation revealed the uncomfortable answer. Gradually, the church abandoned direct personal compassion and community responsibility, outsourcing charity to secular governments or impersonal institutions. Ministries became bureaucracies, generosity became obligatory tithes, and heartfelt compassion gave way to programs and policies. NO GRACE. The vulnerable were no longer seen as God’s precious children; instead, they became statistics, political issues, or inconveniences to be managed rather than loved.

Today’s modern assemblies largely reflect the structures of corporate America, not the first-century community Christ envisioned. MAMMON CREPT IN, ISN’T IT OBVIOUS? We often prioritize buildings, salaries, elaborate events, and performance-driven success over the direct biblical command to generously care for the vulnerable. Somehow, Mammon and convenience quietly replaced genuine compassion and self-giving love, leaving a trail of spiritual neglect behind.

Acts 20:35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

The consequences of our failure are stark. Communities remain fractured; social needs go unmet; and the witness of the true Church of Jesus Christ—His body, His Bride—has become tragically compromised, barely distinguishable from the surrounding culture. TIME TO REMOVE THE NICOLAITANS and BURN DOWN THE LAODICEA STENCH.

However, my investigative journey wasn’t about despair; it’s about reclaiming the Word of God and following KING Jesus. The solution is as immediate as it is simple. It's found in returning swiftly, decisively, and humbly to the radical, compassionate Christianity modeled by Jesus and His first-century followers–by Grace.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

True biblical generosity means dismantling impersonal institutions and re-embracing communal responsibility. Practically, it looks like churches immediately re-channel their resources to meet local needs: directly aiding single mothers, adopting orphans into loving families, caring tenderly for elderly neighbors, actively assisting the disabled, and compassionately visiting the sick. It means becoming deeply involved in our local communities, personally ensuring no one remains forgotten, overlooked, or ignored.

Such transformation won’t happen through passive charity or obligatory giving—it requires radical repentance, public confession, and a deliberate return to genuine, self-giving love. This love demands that we die to our selfish ambitions and comforts, embracing instead the cross of daily sacrifice. Romans 12:1-2 beautifully articulates this vision: offering our lives fully to God as "a living and holy sacrifice" is our true act of worship, transforming our thinking and aligning our hearts fully with His.

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

The urgency of this call cannot be overstated. If we fail to repent and embrace this biblical vision, our witness risks becoming utterly meaningless. James warned plainly that faith without compassionate action is dead (James 2:14-17). Jesus Himself made it clear: our eternal accountability rests heavily on how we practically and personally care for the vulnerable among us.

The good news, however, is breathtaking. The moment we respond to this truth, something beautiful emerges. THE KING ARRIVES. Communities become vibrant, families are restored, hope is revived, and the glory of Christ is unmistakably revealed. Our actions speak powerfully, telling the world who Jesus truly is.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”

Standing here today, observing once again the streets of Salt Lake City, the question shifts from "Where is the Church?" to a compelling invitation: "Will we finally become the Church Christ envisioned?"

The choice is ours to make, today.

Stolen Name, Lost Witness: How Utah’s Christian Churches Can Reclaim the Glory of Christ

Imagine standing quietly near Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City, watching thousands of earnest people streaming in and out of buildings prominently branded with the name of "Jesus Christ." Yet, behind this familiar façade lay a troubling reality: the name of Christ—precious, holy, unmatched—has become entangled in confusion and controversy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has for generations employed Christ’s name in a manner that raises profound spiritual and legal questions. You ask, “Where is the wider Christian community? Why has Utah’s non-LDS Christian churches remained largely silent?”

As I began asking these uncomfortable questions, I was quickly reminded of my decades of experience watching an intricate web of silence and passive complicity. Carnal-led churches, particularly in Utah, have largely failed to lovingly yet boldly confront the LDS Church’s misuse of the name of Jesus Christ. Instead of courageously addressing fundamental doctrinal differences, many non-LDS Christian churches have opted for polite silence, fearful of conflict or offense, quietly allowing a false representation of Christ’s teachings to flourish virtually unchallenged. THE KING IS NOT HAPPY, LUKEWARM LAODICEA. WAKE UP!

This timidity carries enormous spiritual consequences. For decades, the LDS Church has wielded Christ’s name while propagating doctrines deeply contrary to the historical and biblical Jesus. As their membership expanded, so did confusion about the true message and identity of Christ. Tragically, the silence and apathy of local Christian communities inadvertently lent credibility to these distortions.

My personal investigation reveals that the American church, especially non-LDS Christian churches in Utah, must urgently reevaluate our approach. The modern American church’s failure largely stems from fear-driven complacency and cultural compromise rather than Spirit-led compassion and conviction. Instead of actively clarifying Christ’s identity, boldly loving our neighbors, and modeling vibrant faith free of manipulation or coercion, many churches remain quietly cloistered within our comfortable enclaves and echo chambers. IT IS DISGUSTING. The devastating result is that the LDS leadership continues to operate unchallenged, exploiting Christ’s name without meaningful accountability. PEOPLE DIE AND GO TO HELL.

But how can this dynamic change? How can the local church in Utah lovingly yet powerfully confront this crisis?

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