Taxes vs. Tithe

[jer_james]

Here is my take ...

I believe you can ask questions of your heart (seems from your questioning) if you tithe the after tax amount.

If you were to tithe pre-tax, there would be no internal questioning of what is "right" in your mind.

I dont think either are wrong, I believe that you have made a great decision based on your belief and either way, you are golden

[WyoBull]

I don't particularly care for the tone of questions such as this, as they sound very accusatory to me.

I'm asking an honest question, if one believes that the 10% is what has been used as a "guideline," then 10% of WHAT?

WyoBull, your experience and my own are very similar.

Growing up Catholic, I've never been asked (that I can recall) to give a certain %, and frankly it doesn't even come up very often. But I do know that I can never recall a "second collection" the entire time I was growing up, and now we have one every single week. I have no idea how much I should be putting into the first collection, second collection, etc. So I'm just trying to figure it out with a little help from fine men and women here.

There have been some great responses so far. Keep them coming.

Limbwalker, we have more than one collection in some weeks as well. they are all for different causes like missionary work priests are doing in different countries, building schools on poor areas... and the list goes on. For us, we give to our local church first and then give to the other causes second at whatever we feel we can.
However, my wife teaches school at a private catholic school and I can tell you we spend a pretty fair portion of her paycheck on school supplies etc. that go right back into her school to teach the children in her class. I also consider that part of what we give to the church as well.
Because we, and you, and so many others on here give of our time talents etc. well beyond money in the collection basket, I just don't get hung up on a "%".

[Limbwalker]

Jesus said to give Ceasar what is his and give the Lord what is His. He didn't say to subtract what you had to give Ceasar from what you should be giving to the Lord since Ceasar is doing the Lord's work.

I understand that, but what would you say to someone who argues that their net, post-tax, is their "harvest?" I'm not sure I can disagree with that, since you can't harvest what you never see.

I'm not really struggling between two amounts. I'm just looking for a starting point, or maybe a goal that's actually based on something in scripture.

[curtintex]

My Dad told me years ago, "Son, you can't outgive God. Just try it." It's true, no matter what I give to God, it's nothing compared to what he gave to me.

I don't know why, but we just settled on a nice round number. That nice round number happens to be more than 10% of our gross. I also try to help those in need whenever I can. Again....you can't outgive God.

[fishingsetx]

This is one of the many reason I chose to worship in the privacy of my own home! The tone of some of these posts just reaffirm my reasons. What I give or don't give and what I do or don't do is between god and I! You should give what you see fit and can afford whether that be in time, materials, labor, devotion or money and give it where you see a need, not where someone else tells you that you should! That is between you and god not you and the preacher, church, neighbor, deacon, treasurer or anyone else. If someone has a problem with what you give, they need to reevaluate their priorities!

I can't help but think, when I see these multi million dollar churches with preachers driving $200k cars, that all those tithes could have been put to much more productive use! That is none of my business though and will be between them and god. I just feel my donation/tithes would be better used elsewhere.

[JackFlash]

My Dad told me years ago, "Son, you can't outgive God. Just try it." It's true, no matter what I give to God, it's nothing compared to what he gave to me.

I don't know why, but we just settled on a nice round number. That nice round number happens to be more than 10% of our gross. I also try to help those in need whenever I can. Again....you can't outgive God.

also this. God will do more for you with your 90% than you can do with 100%.

[Terrychester]

My Dad told me years ago, "Son, you can't outgive God. Just try it." It's true, no matter what I give to God, it's nothing compared to what he gave to me.

I don't know why, but we just settled on a nice round number. That nice round number happens to be more than 10% of our gross. I also try to help those in need whenever I can. Again....you can't outgive God.

I believe this is why CHRIST said in the New Testement that what ever amount we give should be given cheerfully. Not with a grudge because you have to, but cheerfully because we WANT to give back to HIS work.......

[Curtis32]

The way I understand the scripture and how I feel God speaks to me is, I take the 10% right off the top, first thing. Get it out of the way and everything else to deal with in life is so much easier.

Also interesting that this came up. My wife and I cashed in some bonds before Christmas to pay some bills. I took a little more than 10% to that and gave it to my church. As we were walking out a lady came in that was in need of some help and wanted to talk to the pastor. We directed her to his office and left. We got in the car and prayed a bit. It just felt kind of like the Lord was showing me how fast what I give can be used. This last week we had our dryer go out and needed a new one. Over the weekend I got a tip from some of my hunters that was the biggest I have ever received in my life. More than enough to pay for a new dryer with a 10 year warranty. And I had enough to still tithe out of that tip.

I wasnt giving as much as I felt I should last year. I'm planning on changing that this year.

[Death from Above]

Is Tithing Bibical?
by Dallas Theological Seminary on January 2, 2015 in Articles

We asked Dr. Glenn Kreider, professor of Theological Studies, what he teaches his students about tithing, and whether it’s biblical.

“I tell them that tithing is biblical like polygamy, slavery, and animal sacrifices are biblical. These concepts are included in the Bible. But they are all part of another covenant, one replaced by the New Covenant in the work of Christ.

“I tell my students that the tithes were a means of providing for Israel’s governmental costs, similar to taxes for us today, as well as for their religious services. Thus, providing for ministry costs is still our responsibility. On this subject, the New Testament teaches generous giving and loving your neighbor as yourself. For some, a tithe seems impossible. For others, a tithe is pocket change.

“I tell my students to give generously, regularly, systematically, and that this should include both their local church and other ministries they choose to support.”

[Limbwalker]

give it where you see a need, not where someone else tells you that you should!

But some would argue that it's not "someone else" telling you, but in fact God telling you 10%. That's where the figure comes from - straight from scripture, right?

Great story BTW Curtis. Thanks for sharing that.

[Limbwalker]

And honestly guys, I know what scripture says, and what pastors say on the topic.

I want to know what YOU say. Just reading scripture or a sermon obviously hasn't helped me to this point. If it had, I wouldn't have posed the question here. I did because I know there are a lot of guys on here like myself that have an endless amount of bills to pay, and a few expensive hobbies, but still feel drawn to the Lord and want to give back.

John

[Death from Above]

And honestly guys, I know what scripture says, and what pastors say on the topic.

I want to know what YOU say. Just reading scripture or a sermon obviously hasn't helped me to this point. If it had, I wouldn't have posed the question here. I did because I know there are a lot of guys on here like myself that have an endless amount of bills to pay, and a few expensive hobbies, but still feel drawn to the Lord and want to give back.

John

Anyone that does not mimic Scripture in their answer is off base. IF you know what Scripture says then follow that...

[flywise]

And honestly guys, I know what scripture says, and what pastors say on the topic.

I want to know what YOU say. Just reading scripture or a sermon obviously hasn't helped me to this point. If it had, I wouldn't have posed the question here. I did because I know there are a lot of guys on here like myself that have an endless amount of bills to pay, and a few expensive hobbies, but still feel drawn to the Lord and want to give back.

John

Trust in him with the first 10% and the money for the bills and hobbies will be available.
Lots of folks say " if I tithe that 10% I'm going to be short on the rest of it"
And a whole lot of folks tithed their last dime and will proclaim money for their NEEDS came to them out of the blue.

[Traildust]

Sounds like you're trying to figure out how much to right off on your taxes

[hound dog]

I am a firm believer and follower, tithing is right up there with food. It's part of who we are and what we believe in, but its hard to see one of our local churches that purchased a big house on the Arroyo for "Retreats" knowing that the pasture is a big duck hunter and fisherman. Convieniently keeping his airboat there and using it other than Godly purpose. being said, you can minister anywhere, as long as you spread the word.