Tithing vs Donating to charitable causes?

Question

I know there has been a lot of previous discussions on tithing, mostly saying to give generously and that tithing 10% is considered an Old Testament tradition. My issue is my husband and I are saving as much money as we can before he gets out of the military. Would we be considered greedy for not donating any/much money this next year? I've really felt complelled lately to donate money and thought the answer may be tithing...he has never liked the idea of tithing and after research today I'm not sure I'm very keen on the thought either.

I feel God blesses us very much and we should give something back to at least a good cause that His people are leading. Does anyone know some worthy causes/charities? Could donating my time take the place of donating money?

Thank you for your help.

Answer 1

You should be supporting God's Kingdom work in a local congregation to which you are connected. You can support that work with your time, talents, and treasure. Here's how the Apostle Paul wrote about New Testament giving.

2 Corinthians 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

You can still listen to most of a recent series that aired on the radio across this nation that will give you excellent insights into the Biblical principles associated with giving. You would have to start at the bottom of the page to hear them in order.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Enduring_Truth/archives.asp

Conclusion of: Giving God's Way -- Part 2
7/23/2007 - Monday Understanding how we should prioritize and support God's kingdom through giving; seven principles for becoming an excellent giver; how God blesses generous givers (based on Matthew 6:19-24 and other passages)
Series: Giving God's Way

Answer 2

Just giving is good anytime, it IS probably the only thing that separates the saints from the sinners! But, if you are Christian, why not find a wonderful Christian charity that does awesome good to whomever is in need like: Samaritan's Purse or Operation Blessing who both send food, medicine, doctors, clothing the needy, etc. like down in Peru after this devastating earthquake; or like the immediate and continued help and support of providing food and shelter (temporary and permanent) for the victims of hurricane Katrina in the Gulf.
You don't have to tithe to a "church/denomination", but can tithe to a Christian organization. Never forget the great world-wide giver of so much care and help: The Salvation Army. Tithing is giving 10% to God's care and work and it's out of your control! God isn't trying to GET your money, He's trying to BLESS your 90% that you control.
Read Hebrews 7: 2 thru 8.., and I see this as explaining that Abraham paid tithes (before the LAW was given) to Melchisedec.. and this priest blessed Abraham and as in verse 6 that had the promises already.. and verse 7; the less (Abraham) is blessed of the better (Melchisedec.. the High Priest). This High Priest was appointed by God Himself (a forerunner and representation of Jesus Christ) and has no record of death; and the scripture witnesses that he lives. He received tithes; verse 8 says that the Jewish priesthood received tithes and they are NOT the permanent priesthood according to God, only a "copy" of the REAL, because they DIE in the natural and they blessed the people, but couldn't BE the ultimate BLESSER, because they are not truly "the better". The REAL "better" is Jesus, Himself! See? and when we tithe NOW..., (NOT AN OLD TESTAMENT LAW, but an "all-time" God-law), we tithe unto JESUS, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1) and it is witnessed that HE LIVES!
Tithing is NOT an Old Testament or MOSIACAL LAW rule. It IS God's law of money management for God's people. We dare NOT take what is God's! Ask Adam and Eve what happens when you touch that which is designated as belonging to God.

Answer 3

I stopped tithing about three years ago. I donate to charities now, but now I end up donating about 3-4% of my income rather than 10% like I used to.

Two charities I've donated to recently are 1) the Sexual Violence Center in Minnesota, and even though I don't live anywhere close to there, I think their mission of helping abused people is really cool. And, 2) the Fred Rogers center, because Mister Rogers was such a good influence on my life and the life of others when he was alive.

I think that donating your time sounds like a great idea, and especially if your husband isn't excited about tithing, then it's not worth it to argue about, especially when you can do a bunch of good stuff that you both agree on.

Answer 4

My husband and I tithe weekly to our church and give to charity as well when we can. Since we started faithfully doing this last year, we have not gone without anything we have needed. We were even able to take a fantastic Disney vacation in May, and we don't use credit. Do you have to tithe? Absolutely not. But, technically, all that we have was given to us by God, so why should we hoard it for ourselves or our future? God looks at our hearts and knows our true motives. He knows if we are depending on Him or on other things, like money. My suggestion to you would be to pray about what God wants you to give and to start with a weekly amount (or however often you get paid if you'd like). Watch and see how He blesses you with enough by offering that amount in faith. Then, you can decide if you should give more. If you truly seek Him and what He wants for you, then you will know what to do.

Answer 5

Just give any amount to remove someone's misery ... let the left hand never know what the right hand gives. Give without any expectations. This is the key - NO expectations.Give freely within your means ... percentages do not matter.
Any donation given to a needy person or a genuine organisation creates good karma and comes back to you when you need help the most. It is like a deposit into a bank of "good deeds".

Answer 6

In the Bible, God wants people to give sacrificially to him, whether in tithe or offerings, but at the same time this has to be part of a relationship with him, part of worship, or offering our lives in service, part of being a living sacrifice (Romans 12).

God does not accept giving that is not prompted by love (see 1Cor 13). The prophets frequently criticise people who give offerings and fast and pray and do religious activities but who then neglect widows and orphans and strangers and treat others unkindly. We must worship God in spirit and in truth.

I suggest you search an online bible for "tithe" and see what the Bible says about it and how it should be used. That will give you good ideas on how to use that money in a spiritual and loving way.

As for time, God asks for one seventh of our time, on the holy Sabbath day. 100% or our money and 100% of our time are given by God and belong to God, but he asks us to set aside a portion of it for him in a special way. This helps us grow in our faith and in our relationship with Him, and helps his work go forward in the world.

As for good causes, an example might be a charity that looks after those the bible calls the "fatherless" - children who have no parents to care for them. There are many such charities. Or you could give to a charity that provides aid to famine or disaster areas, or which helps AIDS orphans or former child soldiers in Africa, or rescuing prostitutes in Cambodia, or helping to clear landmines so villagers stop losing limbs.

Answer 7

Well I convinced myself that when you donate money to charities, dishonest people only steal it from the good and honest ones to whom you have your money, and that worked as a really good rationalization for not donating anything. But when it comes down to it, it really is just a rationalization.
Anyways, how about donating time instead of money?

Answer 8

If your husband is in the military you are giving enough already.
If you isist....go buy a few nice toys at Christmas time and donate them to Toys for Tots. Maybe that will make you feel better.

Answer 9

There is one charity in particular that I think is really terrific, it's called World Vision. For $30 a month you can "adopt" a child, or a family, that is in need. I have found it very fulfilling, and they send you "progress" reports on how your people are doing. It's really lovely.

God loves you and remember, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. It's not like He "needs" our money.

Answer 10

Most Charities do not give back....I believe you should continue to tithe because God does.