Should 10% tithing be based upon my gross income or net income after taxes and other deductions?

Question

I'd been paying on my gross but I'm trying to figure out how to pay less tithing. My federal tax rate was 35% last year! I attend a nice church but the tithing fee is just killing me.

Answer 1

I belive it is gross. Just remeber fire and brimstone :-)

Answer 2

PLEASE READ THIS (Preacher's don't teach this to often)

NOT A SET ABOUT , you pay to the church......

The biblical system of tithing has been a point of controversy among Christians for years. Its opponents claim it is part of the Old Covenant, and thus, it was instituted solely for the support of the Levitical priesthood. They often acknowledge that the principle of giving to support the ministry is still valid, but say God does not command paying a set percentage of one's income. Yet this ignores clear passages throughout the Bible.

From Genesis to Revelation, tithing is the only financial system God endorses. He shows that blessings accrue to those who faithfully tithe of the increase God has bestowed upon them. Through the tithing system, God provides for the preaching of the gospel and the feeding of the flock (Matthew 28:19-20). In so doing, faithful tithing expresses love toward God and love toward neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).


We are not under that law anymore, you give to the church what you can, there not a law on amount.

It want hurt you to give the 10 percent, but don't feel guilty if at time you just cant....

It is my understanding that the 10 percent was done away with and you gave what you can to the church..

Some that have more money then other, should probably give more then 10, some that on food stamps and wel fare should give alittle less then 10 percent..

Also the 10 perscent suppose to go to the widow ect...Why don't preacher and ministers sitll do this? Just because we have social securty, don't mean you no suppose to support the windows?

Answer 3

Tithing is not Old Testament Law, as we see Cain and Able giving first fruits to God, which was prior to the Law being given to Moses. So, it is appropriate for the New Testament Church to continue the practice of tithing.

The simple answer to your specific question is in 2 Corinthians 9:7, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." Anything else borders on legalism.

The Bible says to give 10% of your first fruits. What are the "first fruits". Most would say it is before anything else is paid, pay your tithe. Tithe should be "off the top." However, I would say that the question itself is already self-defeating, in that if there is a "Gross" and a "Net", someone else has already recieved the "First Fruits."

You see, in a legalistic view, the State (government) gets your first fruits, otherwise this would not even be a question.

So, don't make it a legalistic issue. Ask God what he would have you do. It may start out as 1% and grow to 50%. Obedience is always better than sacrifice. Consistency is better than inconsitency. $25 per month is better than $100 every once in a while.

Surrender your finances to God, ask Him what He would have you do, purpose in your heart your plan, and God will richly bless you for it.

Answer 4

Tithing is not a fee, it is a sign that everything that we have ultimately belongs to God. Ultimately, this is a decision that you have to make for yourself.

Personally, my wife and I tithe from our net income because we don't make a lot of money. Our tithe is a part of our budget, and it is something that we strive to give more on, but we are not set at a fixed percentage.

A friend of mine does tithe pre-tax. He says that he hates thinking that the government is getting first dibs on his money, and not the Church.

Answer 5

OK maybe everyone already said this but God doesn't care what you give just why you give (and if you give "with a cheerful heart"). So if your feeling like your tithe is just a "fee" then you probably shouldn't give and if your church is guilting you into it (I'm not saying they are) then you should probably find a new church. And one more side note: your not bound by the 10% thing that's the old testament it's still a good % but your not bound by it.

Answer 6

My personal belief is that it is from gross income. If you are wrorried about taxes, remember, it's tax-deductible!

And if your income is too high and the tithe is too much, I'm sure that God can arrange for you to make less money so that your tithe would go down... if that's what you really want...

Answer 7

I have to say, the law of reciprocity can be trusted and is fool proof! Before my husband and I tithed, we were struggling, and I mean bad!!!
The Lord put it on our hearts to start tithing (not our church) and our finances turned around instantly!!!
As for us, we tithe 10% of everything that comes into our home, even say, 10% from a garage sale, things like that.

Answer 8

the answer is gross income. The bible is clear that though we may lead good lives one area we rountinely rob God is in our tithes. God also knows your heart AND KNOWS THE MOTIVE BEHIND YOUR GIVING. read Malachi chapter six. the promises in this chapter far outweigh the price. This is the only place where we are given permission to test God. He tells us that He will open the doors of Heaven with our provision. I have tested this many times when the money just was not there to make my thithe. I gave anyway. I HAVE YET TO NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE LEAN TIMES WHEN I HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL IN MY TITHE. Try it.

Answer 9

gross income, right off the top before you pay anything else...you should be giving with a cheerful heart though, if you can't you shouldn't bother tithing, God knows what's in your heart, you can't hide it from Him, so only give if that's what you truly want to do...give 10% of your time or talent instead until you can feel good about the amount of money you give

Answer 10

I'll bet the guy in charge of the church lives better than you. Think about that when you figure your tithing.

Answer 11

Don't be so legalistic. You actually don't ever see any of the tax money, so I would take it from the net. However, I give what I can afford after my family's needs, which is unfortunately less than 10%.