Is a tithe calculated before tax or after tax?

Question

My wife and I believe in giving 10% of what we "reap from the fields" to charity in the form of a tithe. However, I am not sure if we should be calculating the tithe before we calculate our taxes or afterwords. However, I am sure that there is some religious authority who has probably answered this question somewhere. Anyone know?

Answer 1

In God's sight, the tithe is before taxes. To do it after taxes are taken out, is to put the government before God.

Answer 2

It is my opinion that tithing is not prescribed as something Christians now can practice in the same sense it was given to Israel under a theocratic rule. Also, it was part of the Old Covenant which does not fit into the New Covenant (Luke 5:37-39). You do not pour new wine into old wineskins. Tithing was part of the old way of doing things not required in the new.
Tithing was not just the amount of 10% in the Old Testament. There was a tithe every third year and also if farming was your source of income then you were to leave the edges of your fields unharvested, so that the poor could still eat. So, that would obviously be more than 10%. Tithing also functioned to support the priests' work and other activities that we normally see governmental bodies carrying out in modern times.

As far as the gross or net question, it is interesting that in America an employee never has control of their gross income because tax money is withheld by the federal government out of each pay period. So, you never have the money you earned in its' entirety before taxes because the "tax" is withheld from you. The funny thing is that tax payments are to be voluntary! Aside from that point, when you file your tax return you only get a portion of that withheld money back. That does not factor into account taxes one might pay all of the time by the state, city, sales tax, gasoline tax, water tax, phone bill tax etc.
It is my conclusion that you never really receive your "gross income" so how can you tithe based upon it? The best solution seems to be that people who work for the gospel can make their income from the gospel based upon 1 Corinthians 9:14. This could be something churches undertake to continue their ministry but it should be voluntary, not under compulsion.

Answer 3

If one read Acts chapter 5, you will read a story about a couple that sold some property and they with held proceeds from the sale for their own gain. They both died because they lied to the Holy Spirit. Give what you promise and ask God for direction.

The Bible simply states to give tithe and offerings and the tithe is 10% of what you have made, or grown etc.

I would say do not give any money to any church for they are corrupt, continue in giving to the widow’s and the poor, for there is always someone in more need than we are. And there are many in need even ourselves at times.

Peace and Grace
David

Answer 4

Before

Answer 5

If G-d is first, then it would before taxes ... not after the government gets their part.

Tithe. One tenth of a person's income presented as an offering to G-d. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20) and Jacob vowed to give tithes in accordance with God's blessings (Gen. 28:20-22) In N.T. times, the Pharisees were scrupulous tithers (Matt. 23:23). Jesus encouraged generosity and promised to bless sacrificial giving (Luke 6:38). Paul endorsed the principle of proportionate giving (1 Cor 16:2).

Stewardship: Wise and responsible use of one's G-d's given resources. Christian stewardship is based on God's ownership of all things (Gen.1:1; Ps. 24:1-2) and man's assigned dominion of God's creation ( Gen 1:26; 2:15) Good stewardship involves faithfulness in use of one's time (Eph, 5:16),
talents (2 Tim. 1:6; 2:15), and money (Mal. 3:10).

Lesson: Make G-d First in life.

So, you choose ...

Answer 6

My question for you is this: Do you want to be blessed on your before tax tithe or your after tax tithe?

My wife and I started tithing on our gross income about 5 years ago, and have never regretted it. That would be my suggestion.

God bless!

Answer 7

Have you ever done an in-depth study about tithing? It's very interesting to learn the practice's history!

Religion---How Should It Be Financed? :
- Giving Until It Hurts
- Giving That Brings Joy
- - - Tithing and the Law
- - - Christian Giving
- - - "As He Has Resolved In His Own Heart
- - - Voluntary GIving Today
- - - Did the Early Church Fathers Teach Tithing?
http://watchtower.org/e/20021201/article_01.htm

Answer 8

Just remember; God doesn't need our help. We have nothing He wants except love. The tithe really ought to be 10% of ALL your assets, including those things that could be sold to make money: give also 10% of their value. No matter what you give, give selflessly and joyfully.

You will be blessed.

Answer 9

a church will probably tell you before taxes so they can make more money. in sweeden i think it was they had taxes of 90 percent at one time and complete socialistic country. now if the taxes are 90 percent then you give 10 percent, you will die of starvation and become naked. what if the taxes are 100 percent and the governement provide just enough food and clothing for you to survive.

i don't give tithe to church because i like to do volunteer work and help people out instead. like supporting missionairies. like stopping to help people who are broken down. if you do go to church i think it's good to pay some to the church so they can keep running.

Answer 10

I pay tithe first, and the amount is way less than the taxes.