Robert Schuller is one of the pioneers of tele-evangelism and the "nondenominational" family-owned mega-church tradition. In 1955 Schuller founded the Garden Grove Community Church and built the magnificent all-glass Crystal Cathedral in Southern California that is familiar to people all over the world who watch the television programme "Hour of Power." Schuller's ministry and his prosperity gospel of positive thinking ran into serious trouble when, in October 2010, the church laid off workers, sold part of its property and filed for bankruptcy, leading many observers to say, "Physician, heal thyself." The story of Robert Schuller is important because, following his teachings and example, many well-meaning young men and women have left the mainline churches to join and even found their own churches chasing the dream of material success. Where does gospel end and greed begin? In these new-style ministries and churches, there is only one general commandment that everyone must observe, and that is the law of tithing. Irrespective of one's financial situation or disposition, their gospel is that a tenth of the monthly earnings of every member must be given over to the church as a necessary condition for receiving God's blessings. To support this teaching, they quote Old Testament Bible passages. In today's second reading from 2 Thessalonians, Paul presents himself as an example to Christians, particularly in his policy of working for his own upkeep and not depending on support from others. This is a big challenge to all who preach the gospel of Jesus Christ today. Before we fall into the self-deception of the gospel of greed, we must ask ourselves, "Did St. Paul take tithes?" What about Jesus himself, did he insist that his hearers pay tithes? The answer to these questions is no. Let us listen again to what Paul says in the reading: For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. (2 Thess 3:7-9) From this we can isolate three principles on the question of people supporting their preachers. (1) Preachers are entitled to their people's support. As Paul explains, the reason he did not let the people support him was, "not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate" (verse 9). In another passage, Paul tells us that "the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:14). Yes, people should support their preachers. (2) Preachers are free not to exercise their right to the people's support. This is especially so when insisting on the right to the people's support would constitute a burden to the people and an obstacle to their acceptance of the gospel. This is the reason why Paul relinquished his right to the people's support, "so that we might not burden any of you" (verse 8). When paying of tithes and other virtually obligatory contributions become a burden on the people, then the time has come to discontinue them. (3) Giving should be encouraged but not demanded. Virtue stands in the middle. The people of God have a moral obligation to support the work of God when they are in the position to do so. At the same time we must beware of religious extortion. Jesus condemned the scribes "who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers" (Mark 12:40). There are many such preachers going around today. People flock to them because they preach what people love to hear and avoid the bitter truth. May God deliver us from such preachers, through Christ, our Lord.