There’s a pastor who may regret stealing church money. Alfast Bareh, the chowkidar was arrested and charged with embezzling church funds. He pastored the 10,000-member Mawkhar Presbyterian Church in India. He allegedly has pocketed approximately $675,000 in tithes and offerings since 2013.

It appears young church members were a driving force behind Bareh’s arrest. They had given tithes and offerings with the intent of helping the poor. They were outraged when they found out their pastor used church funds to promote his business. Because of the pastor’s criminal behavior, they demanded justice.

Here’s the issue I pose in today’s podcast:

Were the young members wrong for seeking justice outside the church and allowing the “world’s” legal system to get involved in church business?

Let’s talk about it.

Table of Contents

• Listen to Podcast
• A Church Divided
• A God of Justice
• God’s Desire for Israel
• Robbery Is Personal for God
• A Lesson for the Christian Church
• A Higher Standard for the Church
• Break Free From the Tithe Deception

Listen to Podcast

PLEASE NOTE: The following is an edited, summarized version of The Tithing Hoax podcast

A Church Divided

The young church members pushed for justice. The pastor stole money, so they had no problem with Bareh’s arrest. But everyone in the church didn’t hold this view.

The elders were ready to forgive and forget. Protecting the church’s reputation was their priority. They believed it was better to deal with church business inside the church.

The young members rejected that notion. They wanted justice, not church politics.

So who’s right?

The young people who sought justice outside the church? Or the elders who wanted to keep the “world” out of church affairs?

Here’s my position, according to the Bible.

A God of Justice

The young people are justified in seeking justice. Church leaders must face penalties for stealing tithes, offerings, and donations. The Bible provides guidance for dealing with theft.

First, let’s look at the nature and character of God. Go to Isaiah 61:8.

8 For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

King James Version

The LORD loves judgment. Some translations use the word justice in place of judgment. God loves judgment (justice) and hates robbery, which includes stealing tithes and offerings.

God’s Desire for Israel

The Bible also reveals God’s desire for the children of Israel. Exodus introduces His covenant with ancient Israel. He gave them the first ten commandments, which included “Thou shalt not steal (Exodus 20:15).”

What does this tell us?

It tells us that stealing was a significant issue with the Most High. Because it’s among the first ten commandments, it’s behavior the Lord never wanted Israel to practice.

Robbery Is Personal for God

The Bible reveals another interesting point about theft. Scripture says that Israelites robbing one another is the equivalent of stealing from God. Look at Leviticus 6:2.

Leviticus 6:2

2 “If a person sins and commits a trespass against the Lord by lying[a] to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about [b]a pledge, or about a robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor,

New King James Version

When an Israelite sinned against his fellow Israelite, it was the same as committing an offense against God. That’s deep when you think about it.

A Lesson for the Christian Church

There was price Israelites had to pay for committing robbery. There was no “forgive and forget.” They had to return stolen items plus some. Look at Leviticus 6:4-6

Leviticus 6:4-6

4 then it shall be, because he has sinned and is guilty, that he shall [c]restore what he has stolen, or the thing which he has extorted, or what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or the lost thing which he found, 5 or all that about which he has sworn falsely. He shall restore its full value, add one-fifth more to it, and give it to whomever it belongs, on the day of his trespass offering. 6 And he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord, a ram without blemish from the flock, with your [d]valuation, as a trespass offering, to the priest.

New King James Version

The Bible speaks against thievery and supports the restoration of stolen items. The Lord’s covenant relationship with ancient Israel provides a point of reference for the Christian church.

A Higher Standard for the Church

The church’s young members had every right to seek justice. There was nothing wrong with them for rejecting a “forget and forget” attitude toward the pastor stealing church money.

Here’s what they said in the article:

“Because we are a church, we have to be more accountable than secular institutions.” The young members added, “just because the fraud happened in church does not mean that everything should be forgive and forget.”

Here’s the bottom line.

Don’t overlook misconduct among church leadership.

What are your thoughts?

If a church leader does something illegal, should the church deal with it in-house or seek justice outside its four walls?

Let me know what you think.

Break Free From the Tithe Deception

Discover the truth about tithes the church doesn’t want you to know. Go here.

SOURCE: Pastor arrested for Church Fraud