Tithing Question?

Question

If a family has no health insurance should they pay tithes before health insurance? Before Rent? What if said family lives from paycheck to paycheck? What if they have a sick child? Should they take the money they could use for health insurance to pay tithes and hope for the best with thier child? This is a serious question, I would appreciate serious biblical answers.

Answer 1

From the standpoint of a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

When Joseph Smith was in Far West, the Church was experiencing a lot of turmoil. Because of this, he didn't have much time to eek out a living. When he went to the elders in Far West for assistance, they refused him. Despite this, he continued on in the labors of the Church.

Every evening, he would gather his family to the dinner table, which would be set, despite the fact that they had no food. Joseph would then give a blessing on the non-food, and ask God to inspire someone to bring them food. They would then wait patiently until someone would arrive. Interestingly, the person would arrive rather embarrased, thinking that Joseph didn't need the extra food they had prepared, but they thought they would give it to Joseph, anyway. He would then gather his family and bless the food, and bless the people and their future generations that they would not go hungry (since then, none of those families have been in a position where they have gone hungry).

My personal opinion is this: give the tithes, keep the commandments, and have faith. After all, Christ has promised, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you." (John 14:18) But, If you are still worried, follow the council in James 1:5-6. It's a promise, too. And, in my personal experience, it works if you lack anything, not only wisdom.

Answer 2

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were give 10% of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle / Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites of the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere assigns a certain percentage of income to set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Christian church has essentially taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. Although the New Testament does not identify a specific amount or percentage to give, it does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. They should give as they are able, “in keeping with his income.” Sometimes that means giving more than a tithe, sometime that may mean giving less than a tithe. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Each and every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom as to whether to participate in tithing and/or for how much he or she should give (James 1:5). “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Answer 3

i imagine that that's an truly solid question. a lot of folk are very leary of tithing because there appears to be like a lot of misuse with funds via clergy. In my church and faith, we are taught to furnish 10 %. I fairly am no longer certain if that proper determine is indexed contained in the Bible, although. i imagine that tithing is for correct this second and that any one in touch contained in the church could tithe. it really is my information that tithing is meant to be a fashion to stitch into the church financially to assist with the operations of the church. yet, i favor to seem at my paycheck or any funds that I receive as a blessing from God. i think that if it wasn't for God's goodness that i could have no longer something, so I really haven't any project in giving back 10 % of the money that God gave to me. No i don't think of that we are cursed if we do not tithe.

Answer 4

A person, no matter how poor or how deep in debt, will always find they have enough money to pay the bills and buy the groceries once their tithes are paid. At least we always have. In fact, if we don't pay tithes, something happens during the week that costs us the same amount as our tithes or more.

Answer 5

This principle of tithing is, I believe, indeed something which all Christians should do, but I would like to make a comment here on your question.

Firstly we live in an age of grace not law, the reason we tithe is not because it is a command from God it is because we want to from our heart...

Looking at the examples you give, if you give your tithe and in doing so neglect a sick child you are like the pharisees of old who tithed even the very herbs they had, yet criticised Jesus for healing someone on the sabbath, trying to follow rules but missing the whole spirit behind it in the first place.

I do not believe for one minute that God would want you or me to follow a rule in this way, actually you may be giving more to God when at times you give to someone who is in need rather than an established church or ministry...

Having said that I also believe that as we tithe to God, God honours those who honour Him and from personal experience He can seem and does intervene in many situations. Understand I am not saying we buy God's favour, rather as we honour God from our heart then God will honour us.

Just my thoughts...

JB

Answer 6

Well technically tithing is obsolete. Tithes were instituted by the Jews to support the Levites. The Levites were descendants of Levi, one of the sons of Jacob who was also called Israel. The Levi descendants were all teachers of the Law, Priests if you will (Moses was from Levi). The Levi priests had no "side jobs" if you will and thus the other families of Israel were to pay 10% to support the Levites. Now the support of the ministers is largely optional because many ministers do have side jobs and such.

Answer 7

Giving to God first is important but God is not a tyrant. If one really wants to tithe and the desire is from the heart God will give you a way to tithe that fits the spirit of the act. For example, I have a very limited income. I felt terrible because I could not tithe. God told me to volunteer to clean at the church and He would honor it as tithe. I wouldn't suggest everyone just decide that's how they pay tithe but it does show how God will honor a request from the heart.

Answer 8

If they have faith, they do not need health insurance since they know that only God cures. All they have to do is pray.
The Church needs the money because the legal fees of all the pedophile priests law suits are skyrocketing and many Diocese are bankrupt. So tithe and pray dear...

Answer 9

I truly believe in the blessings of tithing. I also believe that God helps those who help themselves. My family has gone through very difficult financial times (my son's medical bills were over $750,000 before he even turned one year old) but we always managed to pay our tithing and I think that we were blessed for it. I think that each person/family should pray and let the Spirit guide them. We all have to make difficult choices in life and no person has the right to judge the choices of others.

Answer 10

Read the book, "Fields of Gold: Giving What You Can't Keep, to Inherit What You Can't Lose, Generous Giving Ser." Author: Stanley, Andy

It changed my whole perspective on tithing....remember that everthing on this earth is given to us, including money. It all belongs to God, you are just the steward of some of those resources during your life on earth. Remember that all of life is a test of your faith, How you handle God's money reflects where you place him in your priorities.

Who do you think knows how to manage money and resources better, you or the creator of the universe.....