Taxes vs. Tithe

[Artos]

...and again Dale knocks it out of the park.

Hate to see people get caught up in legalistic concerns when they are not bound.

[JHarrell89]

I used to do 10% of what I bring home, but then my roommate told me about 10% before taxes. Now that i have heard it like that, I don't think I can go back.

[Limbwalker]

Pot meet kettle

And another. If you don't have anything to contribute, just move along. Thanks.

[SwampRabbit]

I'll weigh in on the "minister is the expert" part.

I agree with the fact that a minister should be knowledgeable in alot of stuff. More than me? maybe, maybe not. My priest went to seminary. He was challenged to study the word and the history. I hope that he can help provide context for me that I may or may not have. I am not necessarily going to adopt his viewpoints, but I want to have the conversation. I also know that he represents our church and I want him to be knowledgeable in what it is he/she is preaching. I expect them to study the Word like I do the research I do for my job. There is nothing wrong with having that expectation.

Maybe I skipped through the long drawn out conversation peice on my original replies and jumped to the punch... which is: giving is about you, more than it is about anything else. There is a good reason for this. Essentially, I don't think the Bible makes it cut and dry on the quantity of the gift in mathematical terms. I beleive there are excelent examples of "how" to give, but not the exact precise amount, etc. I think when you see people who say "pre-tax", it is more of a "how" not "how much." Pre-tax is a mindset. In doing so, because we have thought about it, want to ensure we are putting God first.

Now the percentage is a different story. There is, what I beleive by reading scripture, a "traditional" value and that it is 10% based on the laws God handed down to Moses to govern his people whom he led out of Egypt... that's right, I said "govern" them.

Now, like I said, 10% is a good "traditional" number. We all tend to fall back on tradition in light of other things, and in my opinion, 10% is tradition. Nothing wrong with that at all. But it's not set in stone. In fact, one might argue that this value was pretax AND post tax since there were no taxes levied... yet. Or, was the 10% the tax since the Levites were essentially the governing body since the law was written by God?

So, it brings me back to the punch of THIS reply. I think most ministers who answer in the "open ended - in your heart" manner are more spot on than one that will crack open the Bible, and without context tell you that it must be 10%.

[Limbwalker]

Not "caught up" or "worried about" the 10%. Just curious how others viewed it, is all.

The "10% of what?" has always been a curious question to me, and changes in the way offerings are taken where I attend have caused me to revisit the whole question of giving to the Church, not just the 10% part.

And by "revisit" I just mean think about it some more. Not that I'm questioning doing it.

[joey1656]

I cant comment because my newborn was in intensive care for 2 months and i cant give 10%, but if someone asked to see my w2 i would laugh in their face. The only people who need that info are the irs, my family, and Jesus.

[Pushbutton2]

Limbwalker,
I too am often frustrated by the do whats right follow your heart answer.
So I was conversing with our Youth Minister one day about some Bible verses and how hey apply to me.
He gave me that answer. I got irritated I up and walked out of his office.
He followed me. Wanting to know why. I told him that answer was a cop out and a sorry answer!!!!
I was agitated!!
He calmly asked me WHY? I told him I came seeking guidance and insight and you all but blow me off.
Again he calmly answered me this way.
Kyle I have no way of knowing exactly what God has laid on your heart or how God is dealing with you right now.
I have no way of knowing what God wants you to get or learn from those verses and why are still so prominent to you.
I will say that that since we are talking about them again you haven't learned what was being taught yet.
I don't know the lesson. Only God does. For me to tell you differently is heresy on my part.

That was not the conversation verbatim.

[drbonner]

I give out of obedience, not to be blessed.

How much and how its figured is between God and I.

best answer imo

[Limbwalker]

Pushbutton, thanks for understanding and your reply. Yes, I know, sometimes "follow your heart" actually IS the right answer. But not always. I'm sure there are plenty here that would tell me I'm dead wrong if I said my heart was telling me to donate all my money to Defenders of Wildlife because God loves animals too. ha, ha.

[Death from Above]

Jeremiah 17:


9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable — who can understand it?

[ballsie]

I thought we were just supposed to give the kids a dollar to throw in the plate on Easter, no?

[Artos]

I thought we were just supposed to give the kids a dollar to throw in the plate on Easter, no?

this would have been some great comic relief, but you forget the smiley face...I just love the holiday pew sitters that only show up on Christmas & Easter. Seems most are texting to other pew sitters across the way they haven't seen since last year.

[ballsie]

this would have been some great comic relief, but you forget the smiley face...I just love the holiday pew sitters that only show up on Christmas & Easter. Seems most are texting to other pew sitters across the way they haven't seen since last year.

Added the smiley! And I would definitely be classified as a holiday pew sitter. I only text during prayers the so nobody will see me.

[Limbwalker]

I thought we were just supposed to give the kids a dollar to throw in the plate on Easter, no?

LOL. No doubt you're Catholic. ha, ha.

[SPUD]

this would have been some great comic relief, but you forget the smiley face...I just love the holiday pew sitters that only show up on Christmas & Easter. Seems most are texting to other pew sitters across the way they haven't seen since last year.

We call em Lillies and Hollies or CEOs (christmas/easter only)