Why does God need 15% of what I make?

Question

This question inspired by Captain Kirks question in the movie

"What does God need with a Starship?"

Why does God need 15% of what I make the the form of tithe?

- Abraham never tithed on his own personal property or livestock.
- Jacob wouldn't tithe until God blessed him first.
- Only Levite priests could collect tithes, and there are no Levite priests today.
- Only food products from the land were tithable.
- Money was never a titheable commodity.
- Christian converts were never asked to tithe anything to the Church.
- Tithing in the Church first appears centuries after completion of the Bible.

Great it's 10%. Big Deal Question still stands?

Answer 1

Because he's got a lot of expensive houses and cars to buy for his ministers

Answer 2

God doesn't need 15%. He needs 0%. But he wants 100% from you. Lemme explain:

The tithe is a show of your gratitude. In the old testament, the Jews regulated this to be 10%. They also gave offerings, which is even more than the 10% on top.

God uses the tithe to maintain and get the Church/Community to grow. If you don't know where your money goes, ask your church. If they can't tell you, consider another church. (By law, they have to, it's technically still your money.)

In Christianity, 10% is just a convinient amount for maintaining the church and it's ministries. But God really wants "your heart, your soul, your strength", pretty much all of you. Ofcourse, God doesn't expect you to just give everything up to the church or something. It's safer to live life fully, participate as much as you can in ministry, and give your tithe.

umm... I'm rambling. *sigh*

Answer 3

First, a "tithe" is 10%, not 15%. Today we are NOT commanded to "tithe," per se, but we are commanded to give. Many Christians in the early church sold EVERYTHING they owned at laid it at the apostle's feet. Christians have just looked to the Old Testament and said that 10% was what was required then, so it is probably a good amount today. What you give God is between you and Him, and no one else has any right to demand a certain number. However, don't delude yourself into believing that God does not require you to give part of your income, for He does. Read 2 Corinthians 9, 1 Corinthians 16, and many other verses.

Now, as to what does God need with that money... HE doesn't. That money should go to the needs of the church, the needy, those doing the Lord's work, etc. When I've fallen on hard times and couldn't pay my bills or put money on the table, the church has provided a way for me to get through it. When I have devoted my life to doing nothing but working for God, the church provided an income. When I decided to go to Russia to tell people there about Jesus, the church payed my way. When a man I knew died suddenly, leaving his wife with 3 kids, and 1 on the way, the church gave her the equivalent of 3 years salary, and helped her get on her feet. Did you know that churches did more to help Katrina refugees than the U.S. Government and United Way combined?

Finally, you are missing the point. It is not that HE needs the money, it is that you need to trust Him that you DON'T need the money. God doesn't want you to just SAY you trust Him, He wants you to put your money where your mouth is!

Answer 4

God doesn't. But the church you go to DOES. They need the money to pay the rent, pay the salary, etc. On the other hand, a 'tithe' is, by definition, 10%, not 15%. AND, that was only under the levitical law... and even THEN, you just gave them 10% of what you produced, once every year. So take it however you want to.

Answer 5

God doesn't see one red dime of anything contributed to religion.

Organized religion, like any non-profit organization, has an organization to maintain. They need to pay the mortgage on the church, pay for a new roof, electric bill, etc. - say nothing of the clergy housing and food. They want money so that they can help out the poor and educate children and be there when member families are in crisis.

In short, the church and the congregation maintain their own organization - the church gets money from the congregation (much like club dues or insurance money) and in return provides services. If the services are free, there must be contributions to make them happen.

A lot like government and taxes, huh? Except with religion, If you don't like tithing, you don't need to use their services.

Answer 6

First of all, God doesn't need anything from us! He has everything! Christian give tithe, 10% of our earnings and not 15% like you said, as our thanksgiving to God for everything we got, because we believe that all we got is from Him. Also we gave tithe to support the ministry of the church.

Answer 7

Someone's skimming 5% off from the top! LOL.

As far as the tithe [10%] it was designed under Mosaic laws for the twelve tribes... wherein all but one tribe --the priestly tribe of Levites-- were allowed to own property and livestock, out of which each member, family, tribe was expected to give one-tenth of their harvests and new offsprings to give to the Levites, who in turn offered them as their contribution for burnt offerings [from which the Levites were allowed to extract 10% for their own use and/or food].

This practice was done away with under the new dispensation [or New Testament] when the Messiah preached His public Ministry and was asked about tithing, to which He responded that one should "give from one's heart" for the benefit of the congregation...

Or, if all else fails, it's for the repairs of the Starship. LOL.

Peace be with you!

Answer 8

God does not NEED anything you have you tithe to support your church but you don't have to its your choice you could always find something to do with your money in the name of God , help a child or donate to disaster relief either way do something productive for yourself and others around you it never hurts anyone to give to those less fortunate than yourself don't be greedy greed gets you into hell

Answer 9

God doesn't but when you are sitting in a pew in the winter or summer who paid the heating and electric bills?

People tip a waitress 20% on the OFF chance that they'll come back.

New testament (I like the old testament sightings) story of Christ outside
the temple where the money box was by the door. The old woman puts in
a coin and the Pharisee a bag of money and Christ points out the hypocracy
of the pharisee giving a seemingly large bag and making sure everyone sees him when he can afford much more while the old woman with one coin
has given all her money.

Answer 10

it's 10 %
you are thinking of leaving a tip.. that is 15% ! LOL!!!!!

and Abraham did tithe, he gave his tithes to Melchizedek.

Answer 11

God does not need the money. Your church is the one taking it for itself in order to increase its power and influence (and for your priest/pastor to live well). If in doubt, take a look at all the wealth the Vatican has accumulated during centuries.