Does your Church require a certain percentage of your income ( tithe ), or is it voluntary ?

Question

Does your Church ask for say...10% and quote different scriptures to justify their numbers? I remember a pastor years ago devoting what seemed like half the sermon to convincing everyone they were obligated to give 10% of their income "to God" (his Church)

The Church I attend now has never hinted at tithing. They simply pass around a basket, and people give as they see fit.

I'm wondering, how many of you are taught that you need to give $x, or x% of your income to your Church?

If so, how much?
What do you call your denomination?
Which scriptures are used to support the idea of obligatory donations to your Church?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Voluntary by the church--Mandatory by God.

Occasionally my church will ask for "Benevolence Offerings" with specific 'target' recipients, such as a particular missionary's fund or a community outreach, but these are also voluntary.

Answer 2

In Hebrews 7:4, It speaks of the people giving one tenth of their spoils. Most pastors rely on the Old Testament for tithes. But they fail to realize that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament. But I think one should pay tithes, because it furthers the spread of God's word. It helps the church, and the misfortunet of the church. If the church leaders do right by the money. I don't think one is bound by the 10% rule. I believe give what you can, maybe less, maybe more. I also agree with you about the kind of church also. I don't go to where they always beg and preach money. If it's a good God loving and worshiping church, won't need to ask for money unless it be a special need, or project.

Answer 3

I first went to an Assembly of God church and they had the 10% thing, but they didn't check or anything they just passed the plate around and people gave whatever they wanted. The tribe of Levi, one of the 12 tribes of Israel, served as the ministers, they held no other jobs, so the other tribes donated 10% of their income to support the Levite ministers. Since God or the government does not pay to maintain the church or the minister, similarly the congregation gives tithes to support the church and the minister. Many ministers of smaller congregations are very poor and tend to need another job. Ministers of large, especially national churches can become millionares though. Figure, if you have 2,000 people in your church and each one gives you just one dollar, you make a lot each week. But if you have a congregation of 100 you may be strapped for cash. Not to mention other expenditures the church may have to make.

Answer 4

I used to go to church with my ex-wife (in the days before I was saved by atheism) and every year the pastor would give a sermon on tithing. I don't remember the origins, but tithing literally translate to a tenth. So the church expects you to give 10% of your income.

Of course they claim tithing is voluntary. Except the ever present threat of eternal damnation if you don't give your 10%.

Answer 5

My church is voluntary, the bible does say give 10% but if a church talks about that more than Gods love then I'd be looking for a differnt church.

Answer 6

Well my church (The Coptic Orthodox Church) does not force you to give 10% of your income ... God comanded that we give the tithes, or 10% to Him.
Now, we are taught that 10% is not just income, but 10% of our energy, time, efforts and anything else that we can give God.
10% of income is only a starting point, and we can point it in the church, to a charity of choice or to family and friends in need. And of course we must try to give of our energy to service of those in need, for example, devoting 10% of time to maybe visiting the sick ... etc. So if we are in financial strife and we cannot afford it, God is not ruthless enough to take away from our despite needs. We believe that God just wants to teach us to give and exprience the joy of selfless giving. It is not the 'price' of going to church.
I hope this helps ... God Bless you.

Answer 7

http://www.alcf.net

We are taught that the Lord owns 100% of everything because He is the creator of all things and He bought us with a price so that even we ourselves are not our own.

Psalms 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Therefore, we are called to be wise and prayerful stewards of the time, talents and treasures that the Lord has entrusted to us and that our giving to the work of his Kingdom here on earth should reflect that attitude. The passage that describes New Testament giving is this one.

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 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.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

A tithe is a good starting point for giving but we give out of love for God and gratitude for what the Lord Jesus has done for us, not out of a legalistic formula.

Answer 8

It is voluntary that came from your heart. The 10% from your income which are being taken by the false religion are not true. It was opnly address to the Isarael people at the time of Moses.

Answer 9

My church doesn't give an amount of how much money you should give to the church as it is a free choice thing.

Voluntary

Answer 10

first of all the bible says we need to give 10 percent to god but the bible doesnt say to give to the church if u give an offering give only whats in your heart god bless u