What counts as income for tithing purposes?

Question

In this modern age, deciding what is and is not income is not always straightforward. I've got a couple questions about what constitutes income for the 10% tithe:

1) Do unrealized capital gains count as income? If so, how are those gains evaluated?

2) Does interest income, for example from bonds, count as income?

3) What about interest income that is automatically re-invested, for example in a bond fund?

4) Does income that occurs within a retirement account such as an IRA count as titheable income?

5) What if you run a business, and you have a choice about re-investing revenue into the business or paying it to yourself as income, does the requirement to tithe play a part in this decision (that is, if you reinvest in the business, you get less income and tithe less)?

6) What happens if you miscalculate, and your tithe is not 10% in God's eyes? Do you lose your place in Heaven? Does God let you know you've underpaid?

Answer 1

The Biblical tithe was never assessed on one's wages. Wage earners did not pay tithes.

Tithes were assessed upon the increase of produce and livestock only.

If a church or a person tries to tell you that you have to pay tithes of your income, they are being deceptive.

Tithes went to the Levites, as well as widows and orphans. If you want to donate to widows and orphans, this would be better than giving your money to a church that would dare teach tithing contrary to Scripture, and contrary to the new covenant.

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Answer 2

There are no set rules. It is simply 10% of your increase. I don't think God will get out a calculator to see if you really paid every penny. The question is "Where is your heart?" If you are paying tithing grudgingly, then I think you will be judged accordingly.

Personally, I would pay tithing on more than just my wages. After all, some people invest in stocks or securities for a living and some people flip real estate for a living. I don't think it is necessary to pay tithing on the equity in your home when you sell it and move, but I think if you are using something as income, regardless of the way you received it, I would say that counts as increase. However, I am just a person, and that is just my personal opinion which is basically worthless if taken as any more than a suggestion.

Answer 3

Traditionally, it is 10 per cent of ANY gross earnings or monies received, including gross business sales, etc.

Further, again speaking traditionally, not tithing properly is said to be stealing from God and therefore a sin due to broken commandment.

Answer 4

As far as I can remember, all income, before taxes, is included.

Answer 5

The key concept is "increase"

Answer 6

God Does Not Command Us to Give 10% or Any Fixed % of Our Salary or Property

Tithes were required by God from the Israelite farmers and ranchers (see Deuteronomy 14:22 and Leviticus 27:30). Tithes were agricultural produce and not money (and they had money back in those days). The tithes were used in the temple, for festivals and for helping the poor.

There were 3 tithes from some of the Israelites and a 4th from the Levites to the Levite priests.

1) The Levitical tithe required those who raised crops (not everyone and not all professions – just those who raised crops) to give 10% of that to the Levites. This tithe occurred 6 years out of the 7 year cycle. It also required those that raised 10 or more animals to give each tenth animal that passed under the rod to the Levites. If a person raised less than 10 animals, they were not required to tithe.

2) From what was given to them, the Levites in turn had to give a tenth of the very best to the priests.

3) The festival tithe required that those who raised crops or animals to set aside 10% for the annual festivals.

4) The Poor tithe occurred only in the 3rd year of the seven year cycle. This was set aside for the poor.

Now about Christians and tithing, God never established a set standard for Christians to give. The principle of 10% of earnings being required of believers is not taught in the Bible. Giving should be done out of freewill and love and sometimes God puts it in our hearts to give much more than 10% and it doesn’t have to be just money. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit. Giving should be done cheerfully from the heart (2 Corinthians 9:7) for the honour and glory of God, to help the needy (Hebrews 13:16, Acts 20:35, Matthew 25:35-45, Acts 6:1-4, 1 Timothy 5:1-16) and to support GENUINE Christian pastors and ministries who would use what is given to them for GODLY PURPOSES AND NOT FOR WORLDLY PURSUITS (1 Corinthians 9:7-14, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37, 1 Corinthians 16:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8:1-13, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Just as the animal sacrifices were replaced under the New Covenant by the great sacrifice of our wonderful Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:27) and circumcision was replaced by circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29), Old Covenant tithing was replaced by giving cheerfully of what one (who is being led by the Holy Spirit, of course) has decided in their heart to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). Examples of what we can offer are: food, money, clothing, furniture and our service as Christians. We must use wisdom and make sure that the things we offer are needed. Some ministers use others' hard earned cash to embellish their churches and feed their worldly desires.

It’s clear that God never told us that we should be giving 10% (or any fixed %) of our salaries. Those who preach that Christians are to give 10% (or any fixed %) are wresting the Scriptures to conform to their belief at the expense of the truth. An individual may teach this false doctrine due to one or more of the following:

• Ignorance

• Fear of ridicule or disapproval of others who support this teaching

• Not wanting to admit what they always taught was wrong

• Love of money (1 Timothy 6:10)

Applying Old Testament practices in the New Testament is in essence, placing those who hear them under the bondage and curse of the Mosaic Law (Galatians Ch. 3).

Any one who teaches that we are to follow Old Covenant regulations are subverting the souls of those who hear them:

Acts 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

If you’re teaching others that God commands this, no matter how good the intentions are, it’s a sin. It’s time to break free from the false doctrine of believers being required to give 10% (or any fixed %) of their earnings, and take a stand against it.

2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

http://www.cnview.com/on_line_resources/christians_and_the_tithe.htm

http://www.letusreason.org/doct54.htm


REDEMPTION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

Because mankind is incapable of meeting God’s standard of perfection necessary to abide in God’s presence (Romans 3:19-20,23), God sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the total debt for the believer’s sins and mercifully credits to his account Christ’s righteousness (Romans 3:21-28,5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Jesus’ gracious act of atonement was complete and covers all sin (Colossians 2:13-14; 1 John 1:9). Salvation is not based on good deeds but according to the mercy of God (Titus 3:4-5). Believers are justified by faith; it is a gift by God’s grace (Romans 4:3-8; Ephesians 2:8-9). A true, living faith will result in a desire to live a holy, loving life of good works (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-26), but failure to be absolutely successful at righteous living does not negate the believer’s justified status.

If you sincerely say this prayer, your sins will be washed away, you will be redeemed to God, be saved from eternal torment and inherit the Kingdom of God:

"Dear Jesus,

I am a sinner.
I repent of my sins.
Please forgive me and save me by your shed blood;
come into my heart.
I want to receive you as my own personal Lord and Savior.

Amen"

https://victoryinjesuschrist.wordpress.com/