Tithing - Questions

[TWTCommish]

How does tithing work on complex levels? For example: I made a lump sum of cash awhile ago, and gave 10% to the church - 10% of what it will be after I pay taxes on it later, though. Was that wrong? Should I make up for it?

Also: should I keep paying tithe, or is the idea simply 10% of whatever I earn? IE: if I don't make anymore money, I am not doing wrong by abstaining.

I must say, though: I feel as if tithing has helped my business and work, and I feel obligated to it. One of the reasons I have strength to pull me through doubts about Jesus is that I never seem to think of money I tithe as lost money - not even a little really, as much as I can remember. I don't feel nervous about giving it away to the church - that's one area where I don't really have much doubt.

Any feedback on my questions would be appreciated. And hey: feel free to post your thoughts and processes on tithing! :)

[TWTCommish]

To quote the immortal Ben Stein...

"Anyone? Anyone?" :D

[In_His_Shadow]

Chris,

My understanding of tithing is it is suppose to be done on your gross amount prior to taxes.

I don't know about tithing without income. I know that we are to tithe on all our income. After that I think you give as the Lord prompts you to give.

And remember that tithing isn't always about money. You can tithe 10% of your time, food, clothes etc. I actually think for those that have money it is easier for them to tithe the money without tithing anything else. So where is the giving of ourselves in that?

I mean that sometimes I think it is easier for people to just give money without giving of theirselves.

CJ

[jamesglewisf]

A tithe is 10% of the gross--before taxes or anything else. You have to be careful about getting too legalistic about the tithe. My understanding is that in the Old Testament there were two tithes a year plus one every three years. That means that they gave 10+10+10/3=23%.
TITHE

From all this we gather (1) that one-tenth of the whole produce of the soil was to be assigned for the maintenance of the Levites; (2) that out of this the Levites were to dedicate a tenth to God for the use of the high priest; (3) that a tithe, in all probability a second tithe, was to be applied to festival purposes; and (4) that in every third year either this festival tithe or a third tenth was to be eaten in company with the poor and the Levites. (from New Unger's Bible Dictionary)
(originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (C) 1988.)
I have heard this from other sources also, most notably Tom Nelson of Denton Bible.

[jamesglewisf]

What else do we know from Scripture about giving? In addition to tithes, there was something known as the "freewill offering." This was where the Jews gave whatever their hearts desired. You can read more about them in:

Leviticus 22:21, 23
Leviticus 23:28
Numbers 29:39
Deuteronomy 12:6, 17
2 Chronicles 31:14
Ezra 3:5
Ezra 7:16
Ezra 8:28
Psalm 119:108

[jamesglewisf]

I personally believe that the tithe does not apply to believers today. There is no commandment in the New Testament to tithe. We are told to give and to give generously. If we are supposed to still be tithing, then it is at least 20%, probably 23% that we should be giving.

TITHE

In the New Testament the words tithe and tithing appear only eight times <Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Heb. 7:5-6,8-9>. All of these passages refer to Old Testament usage and to current Jewish practice. Nowhere does the New Testament expressly command Christians to tithe. However, as believers we are to be generous in sharing our material possessions with the poor and for the support of Christian ministry. Christ Himself is our model in giving. Giving is to be voluntary, willing, cheerful, and given in the light of our accountability to God. Giving should be systematic and by no means limited to a tithe of our incomes. We recognize that all we have is from God. We are called to be faithful stewards of all our possessions <Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor. 9:3-14; 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8--9>.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Once again, Tom Nelson, the pastor of Denton Bible (nothing to do with Thomas Nelson Publishers) agrees.

How much should we give? How much did Christ give? We are to give out of a cheerful heart in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

All that said, what do my wife and I give? About 20%. We started at 10% and slowly worked up to where we are now. Each time we get a raise, we increase our giving. Is this a guideline for anyone else? Nope. Give whatever your heart desires.

So if you believe that the tithe does apply to us today, then you need to give between 20 and 23 percent, depending upon how you read the Old Testament. Otherwise, give whatever your heart desires.

[dreuby]

I agree with tithing, and I've found that when I tithe God makes sure that I don't go short. It is difficult when you have a limited amount of resources - you think "Must get shoes for the kids / pay the rent / get school stuff" but when we put God first, He repays us many times over.

Tithing isn't just money - if you belong to a church or fellowship, you can give time or expertise as well. I consider the things I do for my church part of my tithe.

[Swimmers]

All I know about this issue is what I learn about in History class! I know that people back in the centuries hated the church for the tithe that they took from the people!

[PsalmReader's Mom]

I simply believe that you can't outgive God. If you give all that you feel in your heart you should, it is always returned to you in blessings, many times over. I don't think of it as a "rule", nor do I think it belongs strictly to my church. To me, it is a very small but important part of what I owe to God.

I have to mention my daughter, PsalmReader, here. She started tithing at an early age, but did she ever take it to another level. She is bold in her tithing. If she ever truly feels that God has placed a need on her heart, she is courageous in her giving.

Of course I'm very proud of PR, but my point is . . . God always provides for PR and her family. Whenever there is a need, it is met. I have witnessed this over and over with faithful tithers.

[PsalmReader]

Wow, thanks Mom. I wouldn't have given myself such a glowing report.

I do stand beside God providing though. We don't have much, but we try to be faithful with what we have. God is faithful and provides much more than we can ask or dream. :)