Do you think donating 10% of your annual earning to the church you go to every Sunday is too much?

Question

I think Christians expecting members of their churches to donate 10% of their annual eaqrnings is an outrage!
People should whatever they want, not 10% of their annual earnings!

Answer 1

The obligation to tithe (i.e., to give 10 percent of one’s gross income) was binding only on the Jews. Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic law (Matt. 5:17), so even Jews are no longer bound by it. But this doesn’t mean we’re not obligated to support the Church-we are-but there is no longer a specific percentage required.

Scripture provides insight on how Christians should give:
On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper. (1 Cor. 16:2)

The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:6-7)
There is no mandatory requirement to give a specific amount of money or percentage of our income. We should each decide for ourselves how much to give and then do so in the true spirit of giving a gift.

Answer 2

I have two points to make. First, you are incorrect to assume that the tithe doesn't go towards anything but enriching the pastor of the church. This might be the case for some churches, but those churches are corrupt, and the church members who give do not realize this. When they give, they give out of a true spirit of wanting to serve the Lord. You can blame the pastors for any discrepancies, not the parishioners. But still, this type of thing happens in a minority of churches, although those pastors do have a lot of publicity. I know for a fact that my pastors live quite modestly. They give a detailed accounting of where all our money goes. I have no problem with them earning a decent salary. They are very educated and good at what they do, and are spreading God's word. As for the rest of they money it all goes to God's work. One time, in fact, it was the middle of winter, and our church was holding coat drive. It was right after Christmas because that is the time of year when charitable donations are at their lowest. At the service, they asked those who didn't bring an extra coat to consider literally donating the coat off their back. I'd say about 1/2 the people in attendance did this. You should be aware that this church is in midtown Manhattan. People weren't walking to their cars in the parking lot and driving home in a heated car; they were exposing themselves for a significant period of time. I had bought a couple coats to donate, but frankly those people made a bigger sacrifice than I did. Lots of those people probably tithe, too. Were they not thinking of Jesus? Second, it is rather presumptuous of you to assume that people who tithe do not give to other charities. Perhaps somebody passing by your bucket had just that week written a $500 check to the Salvation Army, or had dropped a bunch of toys off at Toys for Tots? Would you still condemn them as you have? Even if they didn't, I don't think you should question the giving spirit of people who donate 10% of their income to a cause they believe in. That's a heck of a lot more than most people do. In short, just because people don't drop a quarter in the Salvation Army till doesn't mean they aren't thinking of Jesus.

Answer 3

Yes, especially if it is figured on your gross income rather than your net. Think about it: 10 people with an average income would be enough to give a TAX-FREE income to the church equivalent to their average income. But there are more likely to be 100 or 200 or more people in the church. So the church gets 10 or 20 times what your own family gets, tax-free.

For larger churches, the proportion is even greater. Imagine a cathedral, and how much money pours in even if the donations were not 10% of income.

As I understand it, Mormons tithe quite faithfully. Have you even been to Salt Lake City? Do you know what the budget must be of an organization that has many thousands, perhaps as many as a million members, all tithing? It boggles the mind.

Answer 4

The OT speaks of tithing the "tenth part of your increase" meaning ten percent is all that's required. The Scripture says that God loves a cheerful giver, one who does so for the joy of helping further the church's ministries. How could we as a whole (Christianity) be mean enough to give less when God gave us the ability to go and earn it in the first place?

Answer 5

The 10% tithe is scriptural. In the Old Testament, one/tenth of all earnings, cattle, grain, whatever went to the house of the Lord.

I do not think it too much. You can split your tithe; instead of giving 10% of earnings, give 5% and donate 5% of your time in ministry.

Answer 6

If you want that money to do some actual good there are much better options. Go out and buy a bunch of groceries, cook up a big meal, enough to feed numerous people, and haul it down to your local homeless shelter. Stick around and serve it to the people that need fed. Do it as often as you can afford to.
Having direct contact with the people in need is good for both you and them. They are so grateful and when they have the opportunity to put a face on where this charity is coming from it actually benefits their own outlook and may aid them in lifting themselves out of their situations.
Give your money where it does the most direct good.

Answer 7

Churches request 10% of you income because that is the guideline set by OT standards. I personally feel like 10% isn't all that much, and plan to do that as soon as I graduate college and get a job. Until then, I will pay for college. It isn't forced tithing unless they hold a gun to you or put a direct debit on your bank account. In either of those cases, you should report the authorities of the church to the authorities of the law.

Answer 8

Church of Christ has no paid preacher, We share the duties of giving communion, teaching lessons and praying during fellowship, we meet in a school, no bills. All our money collected goes to charity.

Next, 10% is old testament it was to support the Levite priests. We no longer have levite priests. We are now commanded to give back, but we are to give with our hearts. No set amount. Demanding 10% is extortion.

I know people who have been billed for back tithing in the LDS Church.

Answer 9

I cannot afford not to.

When I 'tithe' 10 % I get more back then I tithe, it doesn't make sense, but it happens.

My Pay has gone up, I seem to have more money now then before I did when I didn't tithe , This will sound illogical to you I know, But there it is, I cannot explain it, but there it is.

Answer 10

This is a first -- I am in complete agreement with CJ. The 10% "tithe" is legalistic. Those who give freely and cheefully of what they have are often more generous (or sacrificial) than that arbitrary figure. But even the widow's mite is pleasing to God.