I have been around churches for a long time. Do you know what the most frequently asked question about tithing is? "Do I have to tithe on the net or on the gross?" Translation: "How little can I give and not get God mad at me?" The implied question is: "How much of my stuff can I keep and not get in trouble?" This is like going to your mom on Mother's Day and saying, "Mom, what's the least amount of money I can spend on your present without severing our relationship?"
2007-10-11 07:53:10 · 10 answers · asked by I Love Jesus 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My dear woman;
God did not ordain that you should tithe to a church. If your church teaches you to tithe, they are deceiving you.
Tithing is an old covenant requirement; not a new covenant requirement. Only wolves in sheep's clothing use this deception against people.
And of what you tithe, not one dime goes to God. It goes to the minister(s). They are not God.
Read the Scriptures. Tithes were assessed on the increase of one's produce and livestock ONLY. No one was ever commanded to pay tithes of their wages, EVER. This would have been a burden to those who earned a living through wages.
The apostle Paul used the example of not muzzling the ox that treads out the grain as justification for the ministry being supported by the church, and not tithing. If he and the early church were teaching tithing and demanding tithes, he would have used that for his justification.
But most importantly, even though Paul said he had that right to be supported by the churches, he refused their support! Could he do that if they were required to tithe? He intimated that it was the false teachers that demanded pay.
I cannot emphasize to you strongly enough that this is a perversion of the Word of God for them to tell you that you have to tithe, and using this guilt trip methodology to do so, as you relate here.
Get away from them, and study on your own. Get away from their influence in order to clear your head. My guess is they have deceived you about a great many things.
Please contact me.
Another thought. Tell them you are not going to pay tithes for awhile, and see what they say. Are they compassionate and understanding, or do they respond with threats that bad things will happen to you, or threaten to kick you out?
Know them by their fruits.....
.
2007-10-11 08:17:01 · answer #1 · answered by Hogie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my estimation I would say to give, 'if you can', 10% of your net income...You may have made gross $1,000 but after taxes you netted $750 lets say. God doesn't expect you to give 10% of $1k if you don't have it...He's asking 10% of what you have been given. And the 10% isn't cut in stone, but it's a guide, some give more and some give less and some always manage to forget their checkbook...God is looking at the heart...You can't outgive Him...But remember, what you reap you also sew. If you have a generous heart and use your gifts to bless others, you also will be blessed. If you choose to give little, then you will be blessed little... As far as your home church goes, if you are a member then I would say your tithes should go there. You can give a gift to the church you are visiting that's above and beyond your tithes. Once you give up your membership in the old church and become a member of the new, then you give your tithes to the new church. But remember, it all goes to the work of the Lord no matter where you give it. Giving money to the homeless is fine, at least to a homeless organization that helps to feed and clothe them. I don't recommend giving money to those on the street, so many will use it for drugs and alcohol. But, you can't do that with your tithe money...Tithe's are specifically to be given to the church, all else is 'gifts' above and beyond the tithes...God will bless both...I hope this helps!
2016-05-21 22:34:40 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you read Colossians 2: 9-18, it states, So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days, or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths, read also Galatians 2: 20, Romans 7:15. Tithing was under the law and you are not under the law any more, you are under grace by way of Jesus Christ so you don't have to do it anymore, Jesus said you received free give free.
2007-10-11 08:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't tithe on either, I tithe what the Holy Spirit leads me to which is usually more than 10% of my gross. I am not wealthy by any means, but the more I give, the more I receive. The less I give, the more I seem to lack!
2007-10-11 08:00:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's an intersting thought. I've always thought that those who ask simply would like to know the "rules" and what is expected of them. I think it is supposed to be a personal decision. My view is that I still receive benefits from my witholdings (at least, hopefully) and they are therefore increase and should be included in tithing. Not everyone shares that perspective.
2007-10-11 08:03:32 · answer #5 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't struggle you are to give a tenth of your gross before taxes, God wants the first fruits, when you pay tithes out of the net it is what is left over after taxes. God doesn't want what is left he wants what is first. When we pray and ask God to bless us with something, he does, and he blesses us with the BEST, so I give him my BEST.
2007-10-11 08:58:54 · answer #6 · answered by pookster4262 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all about the heart and attitude. Romans 12:1 says that we are to sacrifice ourselves, this is our spiritual act of worship.
Anything that is materialistic in value we should be willing to part with for the greater good. Philippians 3:7 reads that anything that is gain should be counted as loss.
Everything is rubbish compared to knowing Christ!
2007-10-11 07:57:43 · answer #7 · answered by itchy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not think that is what the question is saying I think it is a sincere question. I personally believe that you are to give from your net unless you have a set amount of offering that you give and can take it out before taxes or taken out.
2007-10-11 08:00:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont your realize your not giving money to your deity your giving money to that big building so they can pay the electricity and the water bill and so forth. God isnt getting a dime!
But your clergy is! After all the bills are paid he gets the rest!
Blessings,
Aviana
2007-10-11 08:10:40 · answer #9 · answered by aviana_snowwolfe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's all about obedience something that has been lost in America- a tenth is off of your gross income that first 10th of what you earned.
2007-10-11 07:59:40 · answer #10 · answered by he>i 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋