92-year-old Georgia woman was kicked out of her church after more than 50 years as a member because she didn’t give enough money.
Josephine King received a letter from Bainbridge’s First African Baptist Church informing her that she was “no longer considered a member” because she had failed to maintain “constant and consistent financial and physical participation,”reported WALB-TV.
Relatives said King had been ill for several months and was essentially a shut-in, which explained her poor attendance and failure to tithe.
A nephew said King was stunned and disappointed by the letter, which was signed by Senior Pastor Derrick Mike.
“You have to have money to make these churches run, but it’s not about money,” said her nephew, Gerald Simmons. “It’s about God. You have to put God first.”
Simmons said his aunt isn’t the first church member who was removed for not tithing.
A Florida church sent a $1,000 collection notice to a single mother who failed to tithe in a similar case that attracted national attention.
“You shouldn’t chase the individuals down,” Simmons said. “You shouldn’t do that. If that’s the case, you’re money hungry.”