Tithing

[danybug]

I have been thinking a lot about tithing recently. I heard something like, we do not sacrifice 10% for tithing, God enables us to live on 90% and it got me thinking about my family's tithing. We tithe what we can each week and it has not been a priority for us to make it 10% of our income. Just wondering about you other Christians.

[Rosie_0801]

Not Christian, but you and your husband pay tax, do you not? Not wanting to start another thread about socialist welfare programs, but that's where some of your taxes go. It may be mandatory and not necessarily well spent, but it still counts as a contribution.

 

Rosie

[OnTheBrink]

There's no NT directive to tithe 10% (which is redundant because "tithe" means one 10th), but in 2 Cor 9:7 it says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

 

So, give what is on your heart to give and do it cheerfully! :)

[Pamela H in Texas]

So, give what is on your heart to give and do it cheerfully!

 

Which is why I answered, "we do not tithe."

[wildflower]

We are self-employed in a seasonal business. We write one check a year, whatever we have around this time of the year that we can let go of. We also do lots of work around and for the church during the year-- things we see that need to be done, I organize many church functions & donate much of what I need to get the job done, etc., I have no idea what percentage we give financially, but we give what we have and give of ourselves.

Does that help any?

 

BTW- my husband is on our church council and he has never seen donations from our local government on the church budget as income.... but we do however donate our school building to the town to run a pre-school program, at a loss to our church's budget.... we also cooperatively run a homeless shelter from another local church- the only in the area, completely funded by each church, food is prepared and served by each church, saves the town tons of money each year. So much for us being a drain on the system.

[Tess in the Burbs]

we don't give 10% of our income. We give consistently though especially now that we are in a small church and the pastor is a good friend. :-) But the last large church we were in we were consistent the last year we were there.

 

But we also give of our time and give in other ways. We bring donations for different mission events. We paid for the church website and my dh does the site on his own time. We volunteer for things.

 

I agree that you should give cheerfully...and I feel the same about volunteering. Don't do it out of obligation...volunteer where you will want to be! It's still giving to God :-)

[Bess]

There's no NT directive to tithe 10% (which is redundant because "tithe" means one 10th), but in 2 Cor 9:7 it says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

 

So, give what is on your heart to give and do it cheerfully! :)

 

agreed!

[gardening momma]

Not Christian, but you and your husband pay tax, do you not? Not wanting to start another thread about socialist welfare programs, but that's where some of your taxes go. It may be mandatory and not necessarily well spent, but it still counts as a contribution.

Sorry, I'm confused. Taxes go to the government for lots of various things, but not to church. Not here, anyway. Do a portion of taxes go to churches in Australia?

[Garga]

We do the 10% tithe, but also give extra to missions, for the new building, and for guest speakers or special needs as they arise.

 

We believe strongly in supporting our church. We trust them that they're spending the money wisely to do all the good things churches are supposed to do. If we didn't trust that the church was using the money as God wants, we wouldn't go to that church!

Edited June 5, 2009 by Garga

[Hedgehogs4]

the word tithe means 10%, so you are just giving, not actually tithing if you are not giving 10% .

 

I believe it is a spiritual principle. our priest says that it is the minimum standard for christian giving, so we actually give beyond if we can. but at the very least, god requires 10% from us...we actually pay from our gross, not our net, because taxes DON'T count.

 

Matthew 22: 15-21

15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

21"Caesar's," they replied.

Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

 

Malachi 3:10 (New International Version)

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

 

 

this is the only verse in the bible where god actually invites us to test him. otherwise it says NOT to test him.

 

 

 

there was a time in my life when i thought i could not "afford" to tithe. i kept finding myself in the hole, financially--how could i? my mom actually challenged me on this, and i felt convicted, so i basically paid what i owed in tithe, leaving me with no paycheck for the following pay period. i can say honestly that immediately the problem was corrected and i never found myself in the hole again.

 

edited to add...i agree with those who mentioned the NT directive that each should give what he has purposed in his heart to give, not under compulsion...but i do not believe that the nt nullifies the ot. as i said, i believe it is a spiritual priciple, just as sabbath rest is...jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

Edited June 5, 2009 by Hedgehogs4

[Deana FL]

I have been thinking a lot about tithing recently. I heard something like, we do not sacrifice 10% for tithing, God enables us to live on 90% and it got me thinking about my family's tithing. We tithe what we can each week and it has not been a priority for us to make it 10% of our income. Just wondering about you other Christians.

 

Then you're not "tithing", rather you are giving "offerings". Since "tithe" means a tenth...you can't say, "I don't tithe 10%." :confused:

 

Jesus said that yes you should tithe in Matthew 23:23, but to not forget to show mercy and love while you're at it. Also, the book of Hebrews 7 talks about tithing...Abraham was the first to tithe to Melchizedek. Notice that this action took place *before* the law was given. And Jesus is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. So even though, NT Christians are not under OT law, the act of tithing is outside the law all together.

 

I see it more as a standard to allow God access into my treasure (where your treasure is, there your heart is also). The tithe is a minimum, everything else is considered an offering. It's a percentage set by God through Abraham, when His promises were just being realized by mankind.

 

And look at the blessing of Abraham fulfilled! In Malachi, God says TRY ME in this and let me prove that I'll open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing that you can not contain!:)

[Jackie in NE]

I have been thinking a lot about tithing recently. I heard something like, we do not sacrifice 10% for tithing, God enables us to live on 90% and it got me thinking about my family's tithing. We tithe what we can each week and it has not been a priority for us to make it 10% of our income. Just wondering about you other Christians.

 

And I'm going to be redundant and say that "we tithe 10%" because I have found that the word "tithe" has been so miss-used, that it has come to mean "we give to our church".

 

So, we tithe 10% of our gross. We give some of that 10% to our local church, and the remainder to other Christian charities.

 

And frankly, sometimes it's hard. It is the first line in our budget, because if we leave it until the last line, there won't be anything left, and the tithing won't happen.

 

My brother, who is a very successful businessman, can't understand why we do this. He says "think of what you could do with that money"! And I just have to remain firm in my belief that much IS being done with that money.

 

Times are hard for us, financially. Thanks for posting this poll. It has helped me to remember why we do the hard things.

 

Jackie

[Lovedtodeath]

Not Christian, but you and your husband pay tax, do you not? Not wanting to start another thread about socialist welfare programs, but that's where some of your taxes go. It may be mandatory and not necessarily well spent, but it still counts as a contribution.

 

Rosie

 

Sorry, I'm confused. Taxes go to the government for lots of various things, but not to church. Not here, anyway. Do a portion of taxes go to churches in Australia?

 

I stopped reading replies here. In the Bible, the tithe was established at 10% for the nation of Israel. So, in my mind, it was a tax. They were not required to pay a separate tax and donate to the temple.

[Nestof3]

There's no NT directive to tithe 10% (which is redundant because "tithe" means one 10th), but in 2 Cor 9:7 it says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

 

So, give what is on your heart to give and do it cheerfully! :)

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

Oh, and since we house church, we have no staff to pay for and no "temple" to maintain. We give to other ministries and also give according to needs we see/that arise. We give things that are not money as well -- like our old van.

Edited June 5, 2009 by nestof3

[mom31257]

I put more than 10% because our total giving is more than 10%. We give 10% of our income to our church, but we give more to various ministries. Some are regular, but some are as needs arise.

 

We have been discussing if tithing is scriptural for today. We haven't had time to research it, but we do believe that God will want us to give according to how we've been blessed and 10% is a good rule of thumb no matter what. Our question is should the tithe all go to your local church, or areas you choose. We will probably have time to research it further this summer (dh teaches school).

[Jean in Newcastle]

There's no NT directive to tithe 10% (which is redundant because "tithe" means one 10th), but in 2 Cor 9:7 it says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

 

So, give what is on your heart to give and do it cheerfully! :)

 

:iagree:

[babysparkler]

We do the 10% tithe, but also give extra to missions, for the new building, and for guest speakers or special needs as they arise.

 

We believe strongly in supporting our church. We trust them that they're spending the money wisely to do all the good things churches are supposed to do. If we didn't trust that the church was using the money as God wants, we wouldn't go to that church!

 

Same here ;)

[OnTheBrink]

 

Jesus said that yes you should tithe in Matthew 23:23, but to not forget to show mercy and love while you're at it.

 

That passage doesn't command tithing at all. Jesus is pointing out to the Pharisees their hypocrisy.

 

Matthew 23:23

23"(A)Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

[Hedgehogs4]

That passage doesn't command tithing at all. Jesus is pointing out to the Pharisees their hypocrisy.

 

Matthew 23:23

23"(A)Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

 

:iagree:

[RegGuheert]

I have been thinking a lot about tithing recently. I heard something like, we do not sacrifice 10% for tithing, God enables us to live on 90% and it got me thinking about my family's tithing. We tithe what we can each week and it has not been a priority for us to make it 10% of our income. Just wondering about you other Christians.

To me, tithing is simply a matter of obedience. About 20 years ago, we decided to begin tithing, even though we did not feel that we could afford it. We felt that we should take this straightforward step in faith and see what happened. All I can say is "Wow!". We have been blessed in the area of finances ever since we started tithing. No longer is money a point of contention in our marriage! That was NOT the case before we started tithing.

 

There are still plenty of other areas where we still need to have faith and OBEY, but at least now we have a clear example of the blessings that come from obedience in the Word of God!

 

I encourage you to take this step of faith. My experience tells me that God will not forsake you.

 

Blessings,

 

Reg

[Liza Q]

We tithe (as in 10%) to our church. We will also give to different ministries/organizations, but these amounts fluctuate. We are glad to have a minimum amount set for us as it is a simple way of being sure that we do not put ourselves first. If we waited to see what we were led to give I fear that we would give very little!

 

2 Cor 9:7

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

 

We believe that our method fulfills this verse.

 

Matthew 23:23

23"(A)Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

 

So, we focus on the *weightier provisions* without neglecting the tithe.

 

Romans 6: 14

....we are not under law but under grace.

 

And we do not see this as a law to obey but a means of grace.

[Deana FL]

Matthew 23:23

23"(A)Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

 

So, we focus on the *weightier provisions* without neglecting the tithe.

 

Romans 6: 14

....we are not under law but under grace.

 

And we do not see this as a law to obey but a means of grace.

 

 

"without neglecting the others" Jesus is saying we should still tithe, but to do it with justice, mercy and faith.

 

Thank you for clarifying this for me Liza...;)

[tadbhoward]

We give 10% because we believe it is what God requires of us, (dh and myself). There have been times when we felt God has asked more of us and times when He has asked less, monetarily speaking. Usually it goes to our church, though there have been times God has led us to give elsewhere. Just like our relationship with Him, this area seems to be very personable to us.

[3lilreds in NC]

We give a little bit more than tithing. We started out with tithing, but dh's income has actually decreased over the last few years, and we're trying to give the same amount. I know the NT does not say to tithe, but dh needs that guideline, if you KWIM - he does better with absolutes.

 

I like to think we give it cheerfully, and I can also tell you that it's becoming more and more sacrificial. It was sacrificial to start with, but then we got used to it. Now that things are more expensive and money doesn't stretch as far, we're really starting to feel it again. Our pastor just talked to the church about that so he should be very, very pleased with us. :lol:

[danybug]

Thanks for all of the wonderful responses!

 

I grew up with my parents never discussing tithing with us and so it was not really ingrained in me. We always give something each week and I am happy to do so.

 

My point was just that we have not truly made the decision to make it the correct proportion of our income, and I wondered how many of you do. It is wonderful to hear how the Spirit works through our fellow Christians and how it will inspire others

[Peek a Boo]

we're in the middle of a study on tithing right now.....

 

Scripture shows a distinction between tithes and offerings and sacrifices.

People were offering sacrifices to God long before the Law.

The widow that gave her last coin? an offering, not part of the tithe.

Of course Christ would uphold the tithe to the Pharisees: they were still under the Law [as was He].

 

One thing you can't fault the Law on is being vague: The Law was VERY CLEAR on who was to tithe. Jesus would not have tithed. Neither would Saul [Paul]. Only agricultural products/crops were tithed. If you only had 9 sheep, you didn't tithe. Is there a verse I'm missing that tells everyone to tithe?

 

http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing1.htm

The tithe, while noted as belonging to God, had one distinct purpose, and that was originally to care for Aaron and the Levite priests who were given no inheritance from God. [Numbers 18: 21-26]

 

As Christians, we have been officially adopted into His family with full inheritance, so where is the need for the tithe anymore? Even w/ a full inheritance and no need to tithe, there is still a command to give everything we have to help those around us. Or as a gal in NY mentioned: "If you could direct me to the temple and Levitical Priests, I'd be happy to tithe." --under the law, you couldn't just tithe to anyone, anywhere. Even changing your tithe of agricultural products/ crops into CASH had a fee, so tithing itself would have been robbing God if you didn't include the additional fee.

 

For the meaning of the word specifically used in Mal. 3:10, this is what it says in the Hebrew Lexicon about that word: “used of men tempting God, i.e. of unbelievers.”

 

So in this verse --spoken directly to the PRIESTS!-- He is basically calling the PRIESTS unbelievers! That's a pretty strong accusation. it sounds even more as if that specific verse is speaking to the Priests' faith [which is what was causing the holding back of the tithe] more than the tithe [of the tithe] itself. Not to mention that reading thru all of malachi, tithing wouldn't be enough -- the Priests had basically deserted God, just as a man leaving the wife of his youth [Mal. chapter 1]. It seems to be this desertion of faith that is distressing God, not just the tithes.

 

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

 

The Malachi verse was directed to the Levitical Priests because of their unbelief, which is evident from the rest of the book. They were called to test God because they had stopped believing in God. If you want to respond to God's "test" in that verse, then you would need to give ten percent of the ten percent that others tithed to you: The tithe mentioned in that verse is the tithe of the tithe that the Levitical Priests were to give.

 

i do believe that many are called to tithe --that's a great rule of thumb and an excellent place to start. Scripture is clear that what God rewards is not the act of tithing, but the faith and belief that spur it. It's also a prudent way to be a good steward of the resources with which God has blessed us. Christ Himself is High Priest, and we are Priests in Christ [1 Pet 2:5;9].

 

i reject that if a Christian feels compelled to tithe that they are placing themselves under the law --there are numerous OT laws that simply tend to make sense for some people/situations.

 

In the NT, we have examples of Christians going BEYOND a tithe and selling EVERYTHING to give to the church. Acts 4:32-35

 

And yes, even Moses tithed as an example, but it was a one-time tithe on the spoils, not an ongoing contribution on his gross.

 

a Jewish take on tithing-

http://www.askelm.com/tithing/thi003.htm

[someone correct me if that info is faulty.]

Edited June 5, 2009 by Peek a Boo

[Peek a Boo]

I stopped reading replies here. In the Bible, the tithe was established at 10% for the nation of Israel. So, in my mind, it was a tax. They were not required to pay a separate tax and donate to the temple.

 

But it was a very specific tax for a very specific purpose. Our gvt is neither a Levitical Priesthood nor is it taking on the iniquities and sins of God's people. :)

[Lovedtodeath]

But it was a very specific tax for a very specific purpose. Our gvt is neither a Levitical Priesthood nor is it taking on the iniquities and sins of God's people. :)

Point taken. But it still stands that giving 10% to your church does not fulfill the original purpose of tithing, and in addition Christians are under no law to tithe.

 

see Acts 15:18-29

[Lisa in the UP of MI]

I'm actually not sure what percentage we give. DH may or may not have figured it out. We give to our church every week, sponsor a child, and sometimes will give to random places asking for money. We did the same when dh was in grad school (he made very little money as a TA, then an RA), though we gave less money to the chuch and were not able to give to as money other places. I still don't know how things worked out so well money-wise while dh was in school.

[Peek a Boo]

Point taken. But it still stands that giving 10% to your church does not fulfill the original purpose of tithing, and in addition Christians are under no law to tithe.

 

see Acts 15:18-29

 

I agree. In fact, see the jewish article i linked above [at the bottom] about it being a sin to try to tithe as commanded in the OT.

Edited June 5, 2009 by Peek a Boo

[Rosy]

I'm one who believes we can't afford NOT to tithe--and we lived by that principle even when we were a family of 4 living on $10/hr. God has NEVER failed to provide for us, even when we missed our tithe by a week or two...though I have found that if we forget for a few weeks or if things just seem too tight, things are a lot tougher financially. I really do believe that God's blessing is on us in a different way when we give as we're called to give--not that He doesn't bless us otherwise, but in our family things go a lot better when we're walking in obedience in this area.

 

I do recognize that the NT standard is to give cheerfully whatever God calls us to give...I do think 10% is a good rule of thumb though (just like taking Sundays off is a good rule of thumb), even though it's not "required". This is confirmed for me every year at our church's business meeting--I want to see our pastors paid well and our church able to fund the ministries God has put on our heart.

 

I don't judge anyone who is convicted to give differently, but I really am grateful for what God has done in our lives through our following Him in this way.

[Peek a Boo]

I'm one who believes we can't afford NOT to tithe--and we lived by that principle even when we were a family of 4 living on $10/hr. God has NEVER failed to provide for us, even when we missed our tithe by a week or two...though I have found that if we forget for a few weeks or if things just seem too tight, things are a lot tougher financially. I really do believe that God's blessing is on us in a different way when we give as we're called to give--not that He doesn't bless us otherwise, but in our family things go a lot better when we're walking in obedience in this area.

 

I do recognize that the NT standard is to give cheerfully whatever God calls us to give...I do think 10% is a good rule of thumb though (just like taking Sundays off is a good rule of thumb), even though it's not "required". This is confirmed for me every year at our church's business meeting--I want to see our pastors paid well and our church able to fund the ministries God has put on our heart.

 

I don't judge anyone who is convicted to give differently, but I really am grateful for what God has done in our lives through our following Him in this way.

 

...and as a family that has never purposefully tithed, we have been amazed at God's provisions when we act in faith too :)

[MomLovesClassics]

I have a question. Please do not misunderstand to think that I am attempting to hurt anyone's feelings. This is only hearsay or gossip.

There is a church that my husband worked on, it was rumored that those who attend the church were affluent and it was expected that they donate. So it appears it was one of those you can afford to come here or you can't. Then I heard that some specifically write checks, to keep records, so they can deduct from their taxes.

I am confused, because it never occurred to me to deduct church donations. We always just use the standard deduction.

Maybe I am dumb or old fashioned or something, but I feel if I am giving it needs to come from my heart without bookkeeping involved, there is no need prove or to show anything to anyone, no matter what chairity. It makes me sad that some only donate for tax purposes.

[StephinAL]

My opinion is one based on questions I have about tithing. I am weary of hearing about how tithing leads to blessing and have even been told by a minister that if you don't tithe you will go to hell because you are a theif. It seems to me that if you are going to tithe according to the OT, then you should tithe occording to the OT and it is way more complicated than just giving your 10% from what I have read. What about this passage in DT?

 

Deuteronomy 14:22-27:

22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.

23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always.

24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away),

25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose.

26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.

27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

 

 

I haven't heard anyone telling us to keep our tithe to buy whatever we like and eating in the presence of the Lord and rejoicing. About the Abraham issue, he didn't actually give anything that belonged to him, they were spoils of war.

 

I thought this site was interesting: http://www.tithingtoday.com/index.htm but make no claims about it.

[Bess]

we're in the middle of a study on tithing right now.....

 

Scripture shows a distinction between tithes and offerings and sacrifices.

People were offering sacrifices to God long before the Law.

The widow that gave her last coin? an offering, not part of the tithe.

Of course Christ would uphold the tithe to the Pharisees: they were still under the Law [as was He].

 

One thing you can't fault the Law on is being vague: The Law was VERY CLEAR on who was to tithe. Jesus would not have tithed. Neither would Saul [Paul]. Only agricultural products/crops were tithed. If you only had 9 sheep, you didn't tithe. Is there a verse I'm missing that tells everyone to tithe?

 

http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing1.htm

The tithe, while noted as belonging to God, had one distinct purpose, and that was originally to care for Aaron and the Levite priests who were given no inheritance from God. [Numbers 18: 21-26]

 

As Christians, we have been officially adopted into His family with full inheritance, so where is the need for the tithe anymore? Even w/ a full inheritance and no need to tithe, there is still a command to give everything we have to help those around us. Or as a gal in NY mentioned: "If you could direct me to the temple and Levitical Priests, I'd be happy to tithe." --under the law, you couldn't just tithe to anyone, anywhere. Even changing your tithe of agricultural products/ crops into CASH had a fee, so tithing itself would have been robbing God if you didn't include the additional fee.

 

For the meaning of the word specifically used in Mal. 3:10, this is what it says in the Hebrew Lexicon about that word: “used of men tempting God, i.e. of unbelievers.â€

 

So in this verse --spoken directly to the PRIESTS!-- He is basically calling the PRIESTS unbelievers! That's a pretty strong accusation. it sounds even more as if that specific verse is speaking to the Priests' faith [which is what was causing the holding back of the tithe] more than the tithe [of the tithe] itself. Not to mention that reading thru all of malachi, tithing wouldn't be enough -- the Priests had basically deserted God, just as a man leaving the wife of his youth [Mal. chapter 1]. It seems to be this desertion of faith that is distressing God, not just the tithes.

 

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

 

The Malachi verse was directed to the Levitical Priests because of their unbelief, which is evident from the rest of the book. They were called to test God because they had stopped believing in God. If you want to respond to God's "test" in that verse, then you would need to give ten percent of the ten percent that others tithed to you: The tithe mentioned in that verse is the tithe of the tithe that the Levitical Priests were to give.

 

i do believe that many are called to tithe --that's a great rule of thumb and an excellent place to start. Scripture is clear that what God rewards is not the act of tithing, but the faith and belief that spur it. It's also a prudent way to be a good steward of the resources with which God has blessed us. Christ Himself is High Priest, and we are Priests in Christ [1 Pet 2:5;9].

 

i reject that if a Christian feels compelled to tithe that they are placing themselves under the law --there are numerous OT laws that simply tend to make sense for some people/situations.

 

In the NT, we have examples of Christians going BEYOND a tithe and selling EVERYTHING to give to the church. Acts 4:32-35

 

And yes, even Moses tithed as an example, but it was a one-time tithe on the spoils, not an ongoing contribution on his gross.

 

a Jewish take on tithing-

http://www.askelm.com/tithing/thi003.htm

[someone correct me if that info is faulty.]

 

:iagree:

[RegGuheert]

Then I heard that some specifically write checks, to keep records, so they can deduct from their taxes.

I am confused, because it never occurred to me to deduct church donations. We always just use the standard deduction.

I do this. Our giving, by itself, is more than the standard deduction. Also, IRS Form 1040 Schedule A is pretty clear to have a separate line for "Gifts by cash or check. If you made any gift of $250 or more, see instructions". (Any cash gift over $250.00 is apparently a red flag for a possible audit.) As such, I make a point to always make charitable gifts in the form of a check.

 

Assuming a marginal tax rate of around 42% (for both Federal and State), any money that we give beyond the standard deduction amount effectively gets multiplied by a factor of 1.7. If you consider that we also have other significant deductions (state taxes), then even more of our charitable giving gets multiplied by this factor. To me it is simply a matter being a good steward of what God has provided as well as giving unto Caesar what is Caesar's AND NO MORE! ;)

[bearnpurple]

Some decisions need to be made due to convictions on our heart that God has placed on us and some are in the Bible. Have you went to your pastor to ask for the verses and commandments so that you can make a Biblical decision?

 

This is what I have learned over the last 10 years.......

 

There is a difference between an "offering" which is the "giving of yourself" and "tithing". Tithe is the FIRST 10% of your earnings....then you may give an "offering". My experience, just like above, was phenonmenal! I always have the money I need and then usually extra. I may not always have extra "offering" but I do my tithing. Just like the widow woman who gave her last coins, she went home to a "full" house! Like her, I do not consider it a sacrifice.....sacrifice is which you "suffer" for something. If we give to God, he will not let us suffer. God does love a "cheerful giver" but that is not in money alone. Doing work at the church is not your tithe----that should be because you want to be a "cheerful giver" and help God's ministry. As far as the NT vs. OT directives, are we supposed to study to know the Word which is "rightly divided". We know what applies to us and what applied to the Jews during those times.

 

Again - I would seek guidance from the man who is asking for the tithe.....GOD.

[Tree House Academy]

This has come up for me for a long time now. We have never been able to give 10% of our income. However, I go to church (sometimes) and dh does not go at all (or VERY rarely). This makes it hard for us to agree on what should be given and to where. My dh feels that giving to others is very important because to give a tithe to a certain church helps just that specific church and their missions. There may be other ways we want to use our income to glorify the Lord and when He lays it on our hearts to give, we do. And not just to church...to others in need as well. This may be "wrong" but it is the way we feel.

[johnandtinagilbert]

we're in the middle of a study on tithing right now.....

 

Scripture shows a distinction between tithes and offerings and sacrifices.

People were offering sacrifices to God long before the Law.

The widow that gave her last coin? an offering, not part of the tithe.

Of course Christ would uphold the tithe to the Pharisees: they were still under the Law [as was He].

 

One thing you can't fault the Law on is being vague: The Law was VERY CLEAR on who was to tithe. Jesus would not have tithed. Neither would Saul [Paul]. Only agricultural products/crops were tithed. If you only had 9 sheep, you didn't tithe. Is there a verse I'm missing that tells everyone to tithe?

 

http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing1.htm

The tithe, while noted as belonging to God, had one distinct purpose, and that was originally to care for Aaron and the Levite priests who were given no inheritance from God. [Numbers 18: 21-26]

 

As Christians, we have been officially adopted into His family with full inheritance, so where is the need for the tithe anymore? Even w/ a full inheritance and no need to tithe, there is still a command to give everything we have to help those around us. Or as a gal in NY mentioned: "If you could direct me to the temple and Levitical Priests, I'd be happy to tithe." --under the law, you couldn't just tithe to anyone, anywhere. Even changing your tithe of agricultural products/ crops into CASH had a fee, so tithing itself would have been robbing God if you didn't include the additional fee.

 

For the meaning of the word specifically used in Mal. 3:10, this is what it says in the Hebrew Lexicon about that word: “used of men tempting God, i.e. of unbelievers.â€

 

So in this verse --spoken directly to the PRIESTS!-- He is basically calling the PRIESTS unbelievers! That's a pretty strong accusation. it sounds even more as if that specific verse is speaking to the Priests' faith [which is what was causing the holding back of the tithe] more than the tithe [of the tithe] itself. Not to mention that reading thru all of malachi, tithing wouldn't be enough -- the Priests had basically deserted God, just as a man leaving the wife of his youth [Mal. chapter 1]. It seems to be this desertion of faith that is distressing God, not just the tithes.

 

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

 

The Malachi verse was directed to the Levitical Priests because of their unbelief, which is evident from the rest of the book. They were called to test God because they had stopped believing in God. If you want to respond to God's "test" in that verse, then you would need to give ten percent of the ten percent that others tithed to you: The tithe mentioned in that verse is the tithe of the tithe that the Levitical Priests were to give.

 

i do believe that many are called to tithe --that's a great rule of thumb and an excellent place to start. Scripture is clear that what God rewards is not the act of tithing, but the faith and belief that spur it. It's also a prudent way to be a good steward of the resources with which God has blessed us. Christ Himself is High Priest, and we are Priests in Christ [1 Pet 2:5;9].

 

i reject that if a Christian feels compelled to tithe that they are placing themselves under the law --there are numerous OT laws that simply tend to make sense for some people/situations.

 

In the NT, we have examples of Christians going BEYOND a tithe and selling EVERYTHING to give to the church. Acts 4:32-35

 

And yes, even Moses tithed as an example, but it was a one-time tithe on the spoils, not an ongoing contribution on his gross.

 

a Jewish take on tithing-

http://www.askelm.com/tithing/thi003.htm

[someone correct me if that info is faulty.]

:iagree:When I first became a Christian I heard a lot of Prosperity Gospel, so I decided to deeply study tithe. I came to the same conclusions you have. Since that time, I can't tell anyone a percentage of money (b/c I honestly have no idea), but I can say that we give food, time, labor, clothes, furniture, rides, babysitting, etc. as something beyond a tithe, but as a lifestyle, the lifestyle we understand Christianity to be. This has afforded us our every need through the faithfulness of God Almighty. So while I have heard the stories about faithful (cash) givers, and am rejoicing in God's faithfulness toward their families, I can also rejoice that we give with a right heart, whatever that gift is, and have always seen God bless our family too.

[Penelope]

I think we are called to give 10%, but I do not believe all of it has to go to our home church. Ideally, we give a portion to our church, and a portion to other charities that we feel are doing God's work.

 

Frankly, such a huge portion of our church's budget goes to things like maintenance, education materials, air conditioning. We also go to a larger church and I believe they waste money in many areas, for things that are "nice to have" for parishioners but I'd prefer more go to missions or the needy instead. So DH and I count some of our tithe toward other organizations.

[Peek a Boo]

This is what I have learned over the last 10 years.......

 

There is a difference between an "offering" which is the "giving of yourself" and "tithing". Tithe is the FIRST 10% of your earnings....then you may give an "offering".

 

actually, the tithe was the tenth portion, not the first. :)

 

"All the tithe of the herd or flock, whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord" (Lev 27:32)

http://www.askelm.com/tithing/thi006.htm

{more about who did NOT tithe in the OT}

 

firstfruits were different from tithes and offerings.

There was the offering of "firstfruits", which was a little offering taken from among the earliest of one’s ripening crops. This offering was not in the form of money but in the form of crops. It was a required offering, but the amount of "firstfuits" brought to God was never specified. The people had some discretion as to the amount.

http://www.isaiah58.com/TITHES.HTM {{this one supports tithes, but offers little OT scripture to fully explain tithing as God established it.}}

 

first fruits, and offerings, and tithes:

Nehemiah 10:35-39

And we made ordinances to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the Lord; to bring the firstborn of our sons and our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks, to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God; to bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, the new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities. And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse.

http://churchtithesandofferings.com/

 

There were at least 2 types of tithes --some read three.

 

also note: that according to OT law, the temple was operated on a ONE percent tithe: a tenth of the tithe. the rest was kept in various cities. Why can't our churches today do that?

 

I absolutely agree that we should seek God's counsel --He provided quite a bit about the purpose of the tithe, who was to tithe, and several examples of it, but very few actually read those scriptures for themselves. Most tend to add to it.

 

...I can't tell anyone a percentage of money (b/c I honestly have no idea), but I can say that we give food, time, labor, clothes, furniture, rides, babysitting, etc. as something beyond a tithe, but as a lifestyle, the lifestyle we understand Christianity to be. This has afforded us our every need through the faithfulness of God Almighty. So while I have heard the stories about faithful (cash) givers, and am rejoicing in God's faithfulness toward their families, I can also rejoice that we give with a right heart, whatever that gift is, and have always seen God bless our family too.

:iagree:

 

again: there is NOTHING wrong w/ a family that is called to tithe, but as soon as you start pointing to the Law to support such a conviction, you point to something that God has said a LOT about, so it would behoove one to know OT tithing law inside and out.

[Ginevra]

How timely. I almost posted this same question a few days ago.

 

Our pastor just brought up this most undesirable of sermon topics ;) last week. We give a determined amount every week, but it is about 5% of our salaried income. I have wanted to give 10% at least, but as dh is the earner, I defer to what he is comfortable with.

 

After church, we talked about it in the car a little bit and dh said that maybe we should "run the numbers". I was excited because I have wanted to be at at least 10% for years. But, unfortunately, after I actually did "run the numbers" and spent hours working on a hypothetical revised budget, dh went cold on the idea. :glare: I said, "Couldn't we just up our weekly amount a little bit?" He said, "Let's just keep it how it is right now. You don't see the work horizon that I do. It's on my shoulders if we can't take a paycheck next week." (He is a small business owner.) So, we are still at 5%-ish.

 

Oh, and I should say, the pastor does not believe that there is a NT directive to give 10%, just that we should give cheerfully. But I still think 10% is an appropriate goal. I don't think much of giving an amount that can be "easily" done. In other words, I don't think there is anything special about giving 5% if that amount is "comfort money". It's not really any skin off our nose. No particular effort. If it were 10%, it would be something we would have to do more consciously. That amount would require more care not to bust the budget in other areas (can you say "bookstore"?), so that we can still give God off the top.

 

Anyway, I can't supercede my husband. If I get any "personal" money paid to me, I will give at least 10% of it. But from his salary, I can't give more than he wishes.

[Ruthie]

I, too, give as my dh wishes and what makes him comfortable. I would give more, but I understand my dh's POV.

 

As we have gotten older, EVERY single church we have attended or considered, money drives the church. It's sickening and something we have not yet reconciled. The people who give the most get the most pastoral care and most consideration. If one of them talk about leaving, the whole church is in an upheaval. If someone who does not give alot of money leaves, there is barely a stir. The ones who give the most money get lots of attention and lots of glory and lots of say and their opinion matters. For the one who doesn't give enough, well, they get the opposite.

 

Are we the only ones who see this? Has anyone here experienced the same thing? We do give to other things, but it is hard to give to church. I really couldn't care less about renovating the bathrooms, or expanding parking spaces, or more classrooms, KWIM? My dh is at the point where he does NOT want to give alot to church cause he then feels like, he knows their true colors in how they treat him/us. Are we the only ones?

Ruthie

[Peek a Boo]

... He said, "Let's just keep it how it is right now. You don't see the work horizon that I do. It's on my shoulders if we can't take a paycheck next week." (He is a small business owner.) So, we are still at 5%-ish. .....

I don't think there is anything special about giving 5% if that amount is "comfort money". It's not really any skin off our nose. No particular effort.

 

 

The effort isn't just in the giving, it's in the providing:

 

1 Timothy 5:8

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

 

It is great to see men taking this seriously.

[Peek a Boo]

The people who give the most get the most pastoral care and most consideration. .... For the one who doesn't give enough, well, they get the opposite.

 

Are we the only ones who see this? Has anyone here experienced the same thing?

 

kind of.

I literally BEGGED the pastor and a few other elders at the church several times to help before I filed for divorce. basically got swept under the rug cuz we're NOT MEMBERS and --I quote-- "didn't have an elder assigned to us."

:glare:

[Ginevra]

The effort isn't just in the giving, it's in the providing:

 

1 Timothy 5:8

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

 

It is great to see men taking this seriously.

 

Well, yes, he is a good provider and is very level-headed with money. I do love that about him. The thing is, if we were giving 10%, it would not mean we couldn't eat or that our electric bill would lapse. KWIM? It would mean I would have to say, "Do I really need *these* shoes? I already have sandals, I just don't have a brown pair."

 

Giving 5% doesn't pinch us anywhere.

[Alice]

As we have gotten older, EVERY single church we have attended or considered, money drives the church. It's sickening and something we have not yet reconciled. The people who give the most get the most pastoral care and most consideration. If one of them talk about leaving, the whole church is in an upheaval. If someone who does not give alot of money leaves, there is barely a stir. The ones who give the most money get lots of attention and lots of glory and lots of say and their opinion matters. For the one who doesn't give enough, well, they get the opposite.

 

Are we the only ones who see this? Has anyone here experienced the same thing? We do give to other things, but it is hard to give to church. I really couldn't care less about renovating the bathrooms, or expanding parking spaces, or more classrooms, KWIM? My dh is at the point where he does NOT want to give alot to church cause he then feels like, he knows their true colors in how they treat him/us. Are we the only ones?

Ruthie

 

I can't imagine this. Do people really know who gives and how much at the churches you've been to? At our church I have no idea who tithes and who doesn't and who gives what. Our pastor has never preached on tithing specifically that I can think of. He does emphasize giving your time and efforts. But even that is stressed that you give what you are able...if you are able to pray at home for a particular church project than that's what you do. Everyone is valued, everyone is necessary.

 

I don't even know if the pastor knows who gives and how much. I know dh who was an elder never had that info. The only person in our church who would is the financial secretary and she's very discrete.

 

I'm really sorry you've had the opposite experience.

[Ruthie]

I'm really sorry you've had the opposite experience.

 

Thanks:grouphug:. I'm sorry, too.

 

It is like this and the pastors do know. It is shame. I realize in the end church is a business and needs to get money (I know about trusting God to provide, but nonetheless). But still.

 

Thanks for listening,

Ruthie

[Ruthie]

kind of.

I literally BEGGED the pastor and a few other elders at the church several times to help before I filed for divorce. basically got swept under the rug cuz we're NOT MEMBERS and --I quote-- "didn't have an elder assigned to us."

:glare:

 

That is pathetic. That is the nature of church. I just ask God to not let me get that way :grouphug:

[RegGuheert]

As we have gotten older, EVERY single church we have attended or considered, money drives the church.

I see this, too, Ruthie. In several churches we have attended, the worship of money seems to have come about when the church decided to take on a large debt as a part of their first building project. As the building project expands, more and more of the worship time gets devoted to the discussion of money. At one of our past churches where I was an elder, our pastor told us that in many churches and christian trade magazines, families are referred to as "giving units".

 

We are fortunate to now be in a buildingless church that does not plan on building in the future. The ministry is focused on PEOPLE. It's a very nice place to worship!