Pastor Judah Smith's megachurch called "Churchome" faces a class-action lawsuit for requiring staff to donate 10 percent of their wages back into the church.

The suit claims the church's policy violates two Washington state laws. The defendants named in the suit are Churchome, pastors Judah and Chelsea Smith, and CEO David Kroll. It was filed in King County Superior Court last week.

"Together, these Defendants have engaged in a systemic scheme of wage and hour abuse against their employees, including the requirement that all employees rebate ten percent of their gross earned wages back to Defendants in the form of tithes on a monthly basis or face actual or threatened pressure, discipline, or termination," the suit states.

The suit alleges Judah Smith confirmed employees were "fired because they were not tithing." The law firm that filed the suit claims it has recorded audio of the videoconference in which Smith said this.

"I'll be very honest: people have already been transitioned and moved on and fired because they were not tithing," Smith allegedly said in a videoconference with Churchome staff.

Smith allegedly said "tithing" is "more important than communion." He allegedly told employees to "sell their 'possessions and belongings' rather than fail to rebate ten percent of their paychecks back to Churchome," the suit reads.

One employee, the plaintiff, says she received a written reprimand for not giving 10 percent of her wages to the church.

"Your conduct regarding company policy on Tithing has not been met over a period of time and has created a pattern that is in direct violation of the referenced company policy," the reprimand reads. "It is my expectation that you get in rhythm with our company policy on tithing. While I understand the complexities of finances, this is an expectation for all Churchome employees and you need to correct this pattern immediately."

"Please note that continued incidents of this nature or a similar nature may result in additional, more serious disciplinary action, up to and including termination."

So, what does the Bible say about forced donations to a local church?

Never mind the husband and wife "lead pastor" combo, which should raise obvious grifter red flags. Also, never mind that women, such as Chelsea Smith, are not permitted to teach or exercise authority over men in the church (see 1 Timothy 2:12, for example).

Let's just focus on the issue of giving money to the church... This, in my opinion, is the mic-drop verse on this issue.

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver," 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV; emphasis mine).

It could not be more clear than that. It literally says church giving should not be "under compulsion." Period.

Let's take a look earlier in that same letter:

"We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints — and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. [...] But as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you — see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine."

2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 7-8 (ESV; emphasis mine)

First, this was an act of "generosity," which indicates it was not forced by leaders.

Second, they gave "according to their means." In other words, people gave as they were able to give.

Third, they gave beyond their means "of their own accord," which again indicates the church leaders did not force this. The Macedonians came up with the idea and agreed to do it. Paul even says this was "not as [the leaders] expected."

Lastly, Paul urges that the Corinthian believers follow the example of the Macedonians, but he clarifies that he says this "not as a command."

Not even Paul, a true capital-A Apostle, was willing to force these folks to donate 10% of their daily wages! So why does Judah Smith think he can?