Taxes vs. Tithe

[SaltwaterSlick]

Deer99, I'm sorry you misunderstood what I was asking.

For reference, here was my original question:



When I said "folks" what I meant was the members here. I was asking how the members here would answer the question. And a few did. Most however wanted to answer it for me, or offer me advice on how to answer it myself, which isn't what I asked.

So no, I wasn't asking anyone to decide for me, or even offer me advice - although it seems I got plenty of that. No, I was really just curious about the 10% and what that was derived from, particularly as it pertained to taxes.

It was probably a flawed concept however, since as some have pointed out, we can deduct what we give to the Church pre-tax, so there is no conflict. Once I realized/remembered that, I pretty well figured out what I was going to do.

But the answers and "advice" have sure been educational and at times, entertaining!

John

Well John, I too must apologize to you as I suppose with all my long winded advice, I probably didn't answer you question very well either.
HAD I UNDERSTOOD your real question, I'd have answered it very easily... It's nunya bidness. That's between me an' tha Lord. He clearly tells us to be private with our giving even to the illustration of "do not let the one hand know what the other is doing"... So I'm done following this thread and trying to contribute to something that was misguided to begin with.
Out...

[jer_james]

I have stopped giving to my Church and now only give to the local community/charity.

I was raised in this Church and saw it grow from 250 members when I started to 10,000 and 4 campuses now. I graduated from the Church HS and am close with the Pastors amd their Family.

I think there's a place for the good ol building fund and expansion and all, I just felt that I wanted a more direct path to helping out around my community. I stay as close to 10% as I can from what I make before taxes (Im salaried).

Some have said I'm selfish and that I should give straight to the Church, but I feel great doing what I've done. I also have an issue with translations and different interpretations from different people that all say they have came from the same place.

[BowSlayer]

I misunderstood the intent of the question also. I thought you were trying to figure out what you should do. Usually when someone is just "curious" what others do they will tell others what they do themselves. Looking back you didn't answer your own question with what do YOU do. I'm not saying you should, I'm not going to answer it either. It's nobody's business what I do/give. My wife actually makes fun of how secretive I am about giving. I don't believe anyone should know what you give but you and God. To me if you give $100 to Church and then tell people you gave $100 to Church you would have been better off giving nothing in the first place. Same with volunteer work or any other thing you give. Anyway, I know that's not what you asked either so I'm out. My apologies for derailing your thread.

[Limbwalker]

Actually, I did answer my own question several pages ago.

Salt, I learned a lot from your comments. I thought my original question was pretty clear, but as usual, not everyone goes back to see what the original question was when they join a thread.

You're right. It probably was a flawed question and I can see why you would think that based on your responses, which made a lot of sense to me. So again, I'm glad you contributed.

For those who reached out to "save" this misguided sinner, I do thank you for trying, even though I never really asked for it.

John

[TimH]

So I guess I should have expected so many to quote scripture and remind us all that it's "10 %" yada, yada, yada. But that still doesn't answer my question. So let's just do multiple choice...

A) 10% pre-tax (gross income)
B) 10% post-tax (net income)
C) 10%, allowing for taxes that go to the poor to account for a portion of it.

And please don't tell me "A" if you're not doing it yourself. Thanks.

Since the Old Covenent Tithe system is no longer in effect in the New Covenent in which we live today, then neither A, B, or C can be answered Biblically. Instead, use 2 Corinthians 9:8 as your guide.

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

Heard this from a great teacher and I think it is spot on! --> "What is God’s pattern for giving under the New Covenant? The pattern is Jesus Christ Himself (2 Cor. 8:9). He walked as a living sacrifice in total dependency on the Father (Phil. 2:5-8). What are we to do? The very same thing (2 Cor. 8:5; Romans 12:1-2). So then our giving of money is to be a natural overflow of God’s love in service to others as we are controlled by His Spirit. Can that be 10% of everything we make? Certainly, and perhaps more or less as God works in our hearts individually. That is the freedom we have in Christ."

[MacHazelwood]

i'm not a very religious person compared to most.. but in my opinion i dont think "sindy" is going to get punished by god because she only gave 5% unlike "sally" who gave 10%. i believe he would be happy either way as long as you give what you can. weather its 5% or 50%. he does not judge you on the "percent" that you give to a church.

[Artos]

Funny that you still think I'm searching for something.

well...you certainly seem to fishing for what others are doing. I would call that searching.

[TimH]

i'm not a very religious person compared to most.. but in my opinion i dont think "sindy" is going to get punished by god because she only gave 5% unlike "sally" who gave 10%. i believe he would be happy either way as long as you give what you can. weather its 5% or 50%. he does not judge you on the "percent" that you give to a church.

I agree.