Tithing...can anyone explain to me how this isn't wrong?

Question

I was listening to my Sirius radio when a christian station that takes up the same number on my regular radio kicks in (as it usually does at the same location each day). On this channel, they were discussing tithes and how some find it hard to fit tithing into their budgets. This station was willing to help people by selling their listeners a budget tool that would allow them to rearrange their finances so they could fit tithing into their routine.

I was in shock when I heard this (as I am with many other things they say on this channel). I was surprised that not only are they trying to get people to give who obviously cannot afford it, but they are selling them the program to do it.

For those who believe in tithing, why is it so important to give that you have to go broke to do it? Is it wrong to shame people into giving when they don't have it to give? I understand that churches need money to operate, but why not let those who can afford it carry the load?

They're selling a program to poor people to get them to give. Every church I have ever gone to (and I've been to many) has stressed that you should give. Some say you should even give your last dollar because god has given you so much in return. It's not what *I* say...it's what they say! How is that right?!?

So all the christians on Y!A go to churches that don't stress tithing? I have never found such a church!!

Answer 1

I can't explain how it's wrong, because I whole-heartedly agree that it is. My grandmother, a devout Catholic, gave well beyond her means to the church, and when you would ask her about it she would tell you tell you of the good it did and how necessary it was. She would then sit down to a pile of bills and figure out how she was going to keep the lights on that month...crazy.

The priest of that parish, mind you, drove a Benz. I'm certainly not saying they're all like that, but it made her tithing an especially bitter pill, for us outsiders who had to watch this, to swallow.

Answer 2

Tithing is something that each person should be allowed to decide for themselves. No one should be shamed into it. Some programs on the radio and on tv are giving non-Christians the wrong idea about Christianity.

What you give to the Church is between you and God. He knows what you do, what you can afford and he will take care of anyone who is giving out of a love for Him.

The idea is that all we have is from God, and we should return a portion of that to Him. It's about the sacrifice, making that sacrifice out of love for God. He made such a great sacrifice for us, it's only a small thing to make one for Him.

Often, though, people don't give...not because they can't afford it but because they say..the church has enough money, or they want to keep their money to buy stuff. This type of attitude has launched the whole "shame into tithing" thing. But unfortunately, I do think it often hooks those who can't afford it.

But, as we all know (or should know) God will reward such a sacrifice...even those who can't afford it and give anyway...we'll receive a much greater reward in heaven then those who are rich and give nothing or very little.

Answer 3

The Saved,are" Givers,",Be it Time ,,Talent Or Finance,God has given You everything You Need,,He is Lord over Fiances
I am not telling you to give a certain Percent of Income,Matter
of Fact if you don"t give with a Willing Heart,You might as well keep your offering,To give because someone tells you to
is Wrong,I don"t care what His Title is.
You said it Well to Shame or Put Guilt Tripp on a Person to raise Finances is wrong, The Local Pastor can Lay the Need before the People,Should God Lay it on Your Heart to Give,You will enjoy Giving,It want be A Burden.This scripture
2 Cor. 9:7 is ,,Whatever you Give,do it with a Willing Heart,
When you look at what God Has given you,No one can stop you,,from Giving,You are acknowedgeing Jesus is Lord over
your Fiance/Joy comes

This is the other Group--Unrepenant Man--He is a" Taker",Will never Give anything,He is all Self,A Taker,He Doesn"t see the Hurting People all around Him,I call it Tunnel vision, Greed and Anger

Answer 4

Those of us that do tithe, do so out of obedience to God's word. It might surprise you to know that people that don't tithe are generally stingy with their time, their money and their love. 20% of the church members pay 80% of the bills, and 20% of the members do 80% of the work in the church, and that is a phenomenon that is nationwide in the US.
If one tithes (time, money, talents), God provides in ways that you can't even imagine!
AND...as for where the money goes when I give it, I could care less. What happens to the money once I put it in the plate is then between the Pastor and the Lord Jesus Christ. He will account for the use of the tithes, not me.

Answer 5

The concept of tithing is that we give back to God what is His. It's not for the minister. If we are good stewards of our finances (which we are called to be) we should be able to give back to Him without going broke. It's a concept/biblical command that people either accept or they do not.

No, people should not be shamed into giving. The reasons should be outlined and then, it's up to each of us individually to decide what our level of giving is to be. We can give less than 10%, we can tithe/10% or we can give above that. It is always a choice. Yes, we are encouraged to give at least 10% net.

If you can not afford to tithe, then that needs to be addressed. Most people can afford it, but we waste on so much unneccessary stuff that we are stuck in debt and have no other resources. My church preaches good financial stewardship. That means 1)get your debt cleared. Pay off credit card bills. 2)get your credit in order. Find out what's on your report and get it right. 3)consider home ownership. Own something that appreciates in value. Basically, get yourself financially stable so you can give back to God some of what He has blessed you with. You can't do that if you are too busy paying American Express & MasterCard.

Answer 6

as i read your post i thought the same thing. that if they could decide to buy the budget tool, they could just as well tithe that amount instead.

your right. God does not expect you to give beyond what you have. 2corinthians 8:12

every church goer should come to church having previously decided how much they are going to give.. and should never give on a spur of the moment their last dollar just because the preacher says to do it. 2 corinthians 9:7

as i understand tithing.. you start by giving what you have.
Jesus noted the woman who gave all that she had, two mites (perhaps equal to 2 pennies) was greater than the portion of money that others gave out of their abundance. - mark 12:41-44

you start by giving according to your budget. believing that God will increase your budget. and the goal is to be able to tithe according to your increase. 2 corinthians 9:7-11

Answer 7

Tithing- is a biblical command found in Malachi (last book of the Old Testament). I tithe, I pay a college school bill (by myself, no help from parents), my car insurance and bought my own car (again no help from my parents) I work a part time job- and yet I still tithe. God promises blessings to those who obey His commandments. If you ever want God to meet a financial need, don't expect Him to give if you are not willing to give yourself.

I cannot count the times that I have given to God and He has given it back to me- multiplied over. I got back more than I gave. God doesn't need my money. God owns everything, he made everything. Tithing is a way to keep us open and flexible. It gives us a chance to exercise our faith. Besides, how does being greedy help anyone? Tithing is just another way to allow God to bless me.

Besides- God has given me everything I have, everything I need- I do not deserve anything I own. He gave it all, 100% to me why can't I give Him 10% back?

About the radio station- I wouldn't buy a program to help me tithe. Just put Christ first, Give Him the first 10% and the rest just seems to fall into place, by His Grace.

Hope this was a help!

Answer 8

Tithing is a law of sacrifice given to man, so he may learn sacrifice.

Buying a program to help pay tithe is a little overkill the purpose of tithe.

The law of tithe clearly say a tenth of your increase, so if you have no increase, you need not tithe.
The law require much from the giver, yet, the promise rto the giver are great too.
From my experience and others that I know, those who pay tithe with a willing heart, always have sufficient for their needs, and are able to manage their finance very well.

It all comes down to is, it takes faith to pay tithe, not money, and it is about managing your life.

Last word: I would not buy that tithe paying program either, I can manage my finance through prayer and faith.

Answer 9

No one says to tithe til you are broke. You give what you can to support your church and pastor or priest. Tithing comes from the heart and is not necessarily money. There are many ways to tithe to your church. I just include tithing (money) into my monthly expenses and pay it once a month. And then I tithe different ways thru out the rest of the month.. Such as helping out at church, helping a homeless shelter ,giving things to those less fortunate

Answer 10

In the bible it talks about tithing and tithing is more symbolic of giving things up to God. But giving things up to God is a choice and not required. Tithing should not be required by a church. But the participants of the church should donate tithes because usually when you belong to a church you put a lot of energy into keeping the church going, and it is a way to help the church pay bills and continue to be open to help people. But it should be by volunteering. And sometimes my church uses the first 'collection' and gives it to charities. But in actual response to your question, Jesus talks a lot about tithing and says that one should give a portion of there earnings to those who bring them the word of good and help them become closer, but what you give isn't as important as that you give. A poor beggar woman who earns $10 one day and gives $3 gives a lot more than a rich man who give $10,000. It shows a dedication to God and symbolizes your faith in God