In other words, is it ok to do evil that good may come of it? Why not see what the Bible says? (NOTE-NOT trying to be harsh, these are the exact words of the Bible) Romans 3:8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

You must be joking. You really think that God will be so tickled at the windfall from your increased offerings that He'll just sort of forget where it came from? In a practical sense, if you stole the money, "lied to gain money", God doesn't see it as your money to get credit for giving. He won't be impressed with whatever you do. You can't compensate for sin with God. You can ask for His forgiveness, and have confidence in His grace, but you can't offset sin with charitable acts and good behavior. Your pastor may think you're the greatest. The church board of directors may name the church library after you, or even a new church building. Perhaps another structure like the little concrete enclosure where the dumpster hides, or even the parking lot would be more appropriate, but it's not my call. The choir might sing your praises from now until judgment day. So what? Your tithe is meaningless in God's eyes if the money doesn't legally and/or morally belong to you in the first place. Enjoy the applause while you're living this life, because nothing based on lies will carry over into the next one. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To wfbrad, Bob and Glenn - I sincerely appreciate your input and the good ratings, so thank you. Bob and Glenn, I would like to respectfully say, or write, that many believers, like you guys, honestly and sincerely believe God's forgiveness requires action from the one hoping to be forgiven. Others, however, like me, believe God's forgiveness comes from His grace - God's unmerited, undeserved favor and kindness to imperfect humanity. I personally can't see a human action, or lack of it, like failure to return stolen money, as a deal breaker that voids or overrides God's forgiveness. Just my take on things, not making a challenge or trying to shove my belief in your face. Seemed fair to present both points of view, since faith/works is always such an interesting and lively issue.

Josh and Jodie are absolutely right in their answers. Also remember, forgiveness is not for sale. God gives forgiveness to the truly repentant sinner who asks for it, FREE. Giving extra tithe is in no way going to help without repentance and confession. As Glenn says in the above comment, you would have to give the money back and fully confess to the person(s) you stole it from. Lying to obtain money is, in fact, stealing. God cares nothing for money anyway, He already owns it and everything else, too. The tithe is important not for the amount, but for the heart attitude of the giver. He wants your honor and worship in obedience, not in cash. You have to WANT to give it, not because you feel guilty, but so that there be meat in His house.

Does this question remind anybody else about the practise of selling indulgences, which was one of the flashpoints of the Protestant Reformation? Although, to be fair, the question as phrased does not include any member of the clergy or the hierarchy of any church condoning or even knowing about the supposed transaction. As has been said, the Judeo-Christian God does not make deals. Forgiveness is not a business arrangement facilitated by the exchange of money; repentance is the only way to make amends for sins. In this hypothetical case, I see 2 sins being committed, lying and theft (the theft being accomplished by misrepresenting a product for sale, perhaps).

No, lying in of itself to gain anything is sinful because it's deception. The only way to fix what you've done wrong is to first accept Jesus as your Saviour, if you haven't already done so, then if you have already accepted Jesus as your Saviour, then you need to ask Jesus to forgive you for lying. The mere act of trying to compensate for wrong-doing doesn't cleanse you from the sin--only Jesus' blood and accepting Him as your Saviour (which I have done) will cleanse you from your sin, which in this case, would be lying to gain money. Bottom line: You can't erase sin by simply doing something right the next time. Only asking for God's forgiveness and accepting Jesus as your Saviour will erase the sin. Then, after He's forgiven you for the sin, then you should try better next time by doing the right thing. I hope this helps to answer your question!