Tithing question...?

Question

I know that God loves a cheerful giver, but I have issues with tithing knowing that I see the pastors driving nice cars, etc. with their salary. They are more well off than I am, as I am struggling in a single-income family of 5. I'm just trying to reconcile this. Any advice?

I just want to add that I do give love offerings and support missionaries, as well as donating to Gideon, etc.

I also give freely of my time and resources (meals, rides, teaching).

I'm not ungrateful, but I just struggle with the thought of paying for someone to have more things than me - not that I should even be thinking about my "things" at all!! It ALL belongs to God.

Answer 1

Check out you church's finances. Legitimate churches give their Pastors salaries and have budgets to run the church, evangelize, operate ministries etc. If your church operates so that the Pastor had free reign over the money and spends it on himself, then that is likely fraud and not a legitimate church. If you Pastor gets a salary, then your money is going towards all the expenses, not just to profit the Pastor and God tells us to support the ministry of our congregation. So you should consider whether you can tithe or whether you are not able to, but you should give regularly and proportionately to your income.

Answer 2

You are looking on the materialistic side instead of the spiritual side. God says to bring in our tithes into his storehouse so that his message can flourish. Giving your tithes warrants you to have food and the things you need (not want) then when you sow seed above your tithes you will receive blessings that you can not contain. these may not be in the form of money but happiness, health, and abundant living. Search the scriptures and see what God says about giving. Go to bible.com and search for tithing, giving etc. Another thing, does anyone tell you what to spend your salary on? Ministers get a salary from the church just like employees get their salaries. Some just flourish more than others. I do not have great means but I can tell you that tithing works, but you must have faith and give with a open willing heart. I can grant you that the pastors did not start off driving big cars etc. Through their faithfulness and giving they have flourished.

Answer 3

Tithing is not a new covenant requirement. However, wolves use tithing as a means of devouring a flock.

A tithe was the tenth of the increase of produce or livestock, and the person who had this increase used it in three ways, including using it themselves.

Tithes were NEVER assessed on wages.

Christ warned against false ministers who would deceive and devour people. Are you going to believe Christ, or assume it just can't happen to you?

The early church held all things in common because of the hardships they were enduring as the church began. So if you are under hardship, raising a family of 5 on one income, why isn't the church helping you?

I have answered this several times for others. Please look at my answers section and see what I have written on this topic to others.

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Answer 4

i think of that this could be an exceptionally reliable question. lots of individuals are very leary of tithing because of the fact there looks to be numerous misuse with money by ability of clergy. In my church and faith, we are taught to grant 10 %. I fairly am uncertain if that authentic determine is indexed interior the Bible, nonetheless. i think of that tithing is for at present and that all and sundry in touch interior the church ought to tithe. it rather is my information that tithing is meant to be a thank you to stitch into the church financially to assist with the operations of the church. yet, i like to examine my paycheck or any money that I get carry of as a blessing from God. i think that if it wasn't for God's goodness that i'd have no longer something, so I have not any concern in giving returned 10 % of the money that God gave to me. No i do no longer think of that we are cursed if we don't tithe.

Answer 5

You are absolutely right to be concerned. The scripture you quote is in 2 Corinthians 9:7 which before the "happy giver" part says, "Do what you have resolved in your heart." It does not say pad the pastors wallet.

Just an FYI - Tithing is no longer required. That was part a special covenant between God and the nation of Israel and this became obsolete when Christ died.

When Jesus was on earth he did not set himself up to be lavishly supported by others, in fact Matthew 8:20 says "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." Of the men who wanted to be separated and be treated lavishly, Jesus said, "They like the most prominent place at the evening table and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by men....But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the Heavenly One. " (Matthew 23:4-12)

There is one religion which exists strictly by voluntary donation. No one is paid a salary, what is earned by all is earned by their secular jobs. They are Jehovah's Witnesses and instead of giving men pomp and circumstance, they follow what the Bible says.

See http://www.watchtower.org/cgi-bin/lib/ProcessForm.pl

Answer 6

If the pastor or any other person that you give to is misusing the money, God will take care of it. You are giving to God, not to man. God will bless you with what you need. Maybe you do not need material items, but spiritual blessings and maybe you are more blessed than the pastor, because you understand and have compassion for those that do struggle financially. We can better pray for those when we understand their struggles.

Answer 7

When you place your tithes (which, by definition means "the tenth") in the receptacle, you give them to God, and church leaders are accountable to him to use funds received with godly responsibility. The purpose of tithes is to support the expenses of the church. I think the individual believer must assure himself that funds are used appropriately, not to enrich anyone, but to see that pastors have reasonable income proportionate to the service that they provide. If you are not comfortable with the way in which your leaders utilize church funds, find a church that you can trust. I have personally known pastors who have earned every cent they have received because they took their responsibility to God and to the church seriously -- and really led, comforted, and taught the people. I have no problem with these receiving a high salary and driving a nice car. I don't understand why people resent pastors and church leaders who actually serve their parishioners, and who earn a high income. I have no problem with that. I rarely hear complaints about the banker who practices usury or the insurance executive who receives large sums in premiums and refuses to pay when it is justified. And yet we go on paying our banking fees and interest and paying our insurance premiums. Why is that?
I understand your personal situation. I was a single mother, struggling to raise my child alone without child support, and yet God blessed me many times over because I paid my tithes, as he promised in Malachi chapter 3. I have never regretted the decision to tithe. God has been faithful to his word.

Answer 8

Tithing can be to a non-profit (I often give to St. Jude's childrens hospital amongst others), not just the 'local pastor'; the tithing is to God, not the 'local church'. Are they helping you currently?

Answer 9

Get away from a church like that. Get to a good non-denominational church that is a full gospel church.
Then you will see that your tithe goes to Gods work and not the pastors salary.
Problem is that in most churches the hierarchy dictates the pastors salary and the officers and elders of the church dont even tithe themselves, yet they have no problem spending yours foolishly.
When you tithe to the right church God see's that and will shower you with blessings that you will not have room enough to recieve them
Malchi 3:10

Answer 10

Find a charity that is close to your heart and tithe to them instead. It seems to me that a worthy organization like St Judes could use your money more than this pastor.

You can check out the % of each dollar that goes directly to various charities and how those charities rate overall at http://www.charitynavigator.org/