Does anyone honest to goodness tithe?

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Count DH and I in as more folks who tithe our 10% plus give some extra. We've made some lifestyle choices along the way to make sure that we can be generous in giving to the church and other organizations we support. After all, our pastor's salary depends on the generosity of the congregation, and all the programs that happen there are likewise dependent upon tithes and offerings. It's too easy to turn money and possesions into a "god" that rules over our lives, so I think God tells us to give to help get our priorities straight.

A good friend, who is a CPA and knows a great deal about what the Bible says about money, taught us that "stewardship" is taking care of the things God gives us so they are ready for when God calls us to tithe them - that is, for when God asks for these resources to be used for his Kingdom. That's stuck with me and helped me to hold onto money and other resources more loosely.

 

[grlpwrd]

Yes, we tithe, but not to a church. In my experience the 4 churches that have been in our lives (Catholic and non-denominational) have had incidences of the misuse of funds.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

But if I did no I wouldn't give 10% it's highway robbery isn't that before taxes as well? So you are paying tithe on money you never even see. Yikes!

Well first, highway robbery is generally a term people use when they feel a business is overcharging for their goods and services. When people give to a Church, they aren't purchasing anything - it's not like you are buying a ticket into Heaven that another Church is selling for 1/2 off of that price.

Second, if you are speaking of Income Taxes, people generally are not paying tax on money that they give away to Charity - at least those who itemize their deductions don't.

I worked 2 Seasons as a CPA doing taxes. I would say maybe about 1 to 3% of my clients tithed a full 10% to charities, and I was living right smack in the middle of the Bible belt. Nearly 100% gave to charities in one form or another however.

I think the idea of donating, whatever the charity, is a very personal decision based upon your own interests, lifestyles, and belief system. While I might donate a considerable sum to the United Methodist Church - which some people would consider "highway robbery," other people might be giving their money to the Society for the Prevention of (___________fill in the Blank) which I would consider just as wacky.

 

[NJDad18]

We give the bare bones minimum to keep us listed as an active member, $10 per week. I have far too many issues with the church and the way that they run things to make me want to give more.

 

[EltonJohn]

Never tithed at any church where I was a member.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We give the bare bones minimum to keep us listed as an active member, $10 per week. I have far too many issues with the church and the way that they run things to make me want to give more.

The concept of giving a minimal level to maintain membership is something new to me. Could you elaborate a bit? Is this a non-denominational church? What happens to people who do not give the minimum? I am trying to ponder the theology of such a policy.

 

[NJDad18]

It's a Catholic Church. It serves 2 purposes. In order to get the tuition discount at the school you need to be an active member. The discount really does not help unless you have multiple children in the school. The difference between parishioner and non-parishioner for one child is $600 and when you consider that you need to give $520 to be an active member, your savings is only $80. The tuition difference for 2 children is $1200, so there is a savings there.

Also, if you're in the hospital the priest from that church will only come to see active members at the local hospital, otherwise, you will get the "house" priest.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It's a Catholic Church. It serves 2 purposes. In order to get the tuition discount at the school you need to be an active member. The discount really does not help unless you have multiple children in the school. The difference between parishioner and non-parishioner for one child is $600 and when you consider that you need to give $520 to be an active member, your savings is only $80. The tuition difference for 2 children is $1200, so there is a savings there.

Also, if you're in the hospital the priest from that church will only come to see active members at the local hospital, otherwise, you will get the "house" priest.

Thanks! I learn something every day. As a Protestant I was unfamiliar with this policy.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Here's my thought about it all. And I promise to proofread this time.

Tithing is a faith issue. If you don't have much faith, or aren't growing in your faith, you're probably not going to give very much. Show may an athiest or agnostic that gives money to the church.

Because it is a faith issue it is my response to what God has called of me. I have faith. And because I believe that God has called me to give - not because the church needs the money - but because God has called me to give - I give. Make sense?

I don't designate my gifts. I don't give to particular projects and not to others. I give my tithe as my response to my faith. Lots of people say that they can't imagine giving that much to the church. They couldn't survive. You give 10% out of faith and you still have 90% to do with as you please. 90% is a lot!

We challenge folks at the church I serve to consider the tithe as the standard. However, we know that there are generations of people who have never tithed. It would be unrealistic to just say "now start tithing." Though some do, not all will, and instead give up in frustration. We ask them to consider their income on a weekly or monthly basis and then think about what they are already giving. 1%, maybe 3%. We then challenge them to take one step up toward tithing. Instead of giving 1%, give 2%. The idea is taken from a great program called Consecration Sunday. If you want more details PM me.

It is, in my mind, the most tangible way for us to grow in our faith. We have x many responsibilities, and we give y, out of a response to our faith. We then give y + 1% or whatever we choose and say, I'm trusting you God, that I will have enough to meet all my responsibilities.

From personal experience - I can say that we don't have anything to speak of, in the bank saved, but we always have enough to meet all of our financial responsibilities and treat ourselves at Disney.

Tithing, giving, whatever you want to call it is, in my mind, a response to faith - not a statement of trust in the church. God has called me to give. And so I give. NOw granted, as the pastor, I know it's easy for me to trust because I see where it all goes and keep it from being spent foolishly. But even still, I give because God has called me to. Not because the church needs it.

On the other side of the coin, the church does have needs. But my reason for giving is out of my response to the wonderful things God has done for me.

There's my two cents - now, back to proofread it.

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Mark, proofreading takes all the fun and spontaneity out of it . That being the case I won't point out your error. Anyhoo... we use Consecration Sunday at our UM church. I agree that it is the best "program" out there. There is a lot to be said for making a step up. I'm sure you -like me -could point to some real success stories in your congregation.

 

[saucymb]

We are a fully tithing family, meaning 10% to our church plus whatever God lays on our hearts to give in a charitable way. We look at it this way: it's not our money to begin with, it's God's. He is entrusting us to use it wisely, and he will provide for us. It was hard to make that leap of faith until we realized that everytime we have needed anything, He has come through for us.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Mark, proofreading takes all the fun and spontaneity out of it . That being the case I won't point out your error. Anyhoo... we use Consecration Sunday at our UM church. I agree that it is the best "program" out there. There is a lot to be said for making a step up. I'm sure you -like me -could point to some real success stories in your congregation.

LOL - is it the NOw that I have in there. Man, now I have to go look again!

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[FL-Belle]

We are a fully tithing family, meaning 10% to our church plus whatever God lays on our hearts to give in a charitable way. We look at it this way: it's not our money to begin with, it's God's. He is entrusting us to use it wisely, and he will provide for us. It was hard to make that leap of faith until we realized that everytime we have needed anything, He has come through for us.

I totally agree. God has always come through for me when I am tithing. Two years ago my job position with a company was 'eliminated.' I found work 3 business days later. But the job was part-time. Bring home pay was 1/2 what I had been making. And I was still able to tithe, and pay all my bills. Now, (working full-time- best job of my life) I think back on that time and ask, 'how did I make it?' The only answer is God provided.

 

[IWantMyDVC]

There is not a lot of pressure to tithe at our church, however, DH and I do so. We have for many years - helps us keep our priorities straight. Other folks do what works for them - no judgment, no pressure.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

FL-Belle -

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[FL-Belle]

FL-Belle -

Blessings!
MarkyMark

to you. Speaking of giving-- a package is on its way to your family

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

LOL - is it the NOw that I have in there. Man, now I have to go look again!

Blessings!
MarkyMark

Naaaw... in the first paragraph you wrote "show may an atheist..." But don't sweat it. I don't think we have any typo police around here

 

[Pigeon]

The idea is taken from a great program called Consecration Sunday.

My UMC church started using this program. Or more correctly, my former UMC church used it. Dh and I called it "Strong-arming for Jeeezus." It's one of the reasons we left.

 

[donaldsgal]

Interesting points here.

My perspective is that 10 percent is the tithe. And to say that God doesn't look at the dollar amount to determine if we gave enough (that's a very rough paraphrase of what some previous posters said) is only somewhat true, in my opinion. I believe God doesn't care if your 10 percent is $1 or $1,000,000. He's God, so He equally uses both amounts for the furtherance of His glory and kingdom. I do think He cares that we give 10%, not so He can be a meticulous accountant and boil our lives down to dollars and cents, but because He asks 10% of us. My belief regarding the 10% tithe is that He wants us to follow this commandment as much as He wants us to follow every other one found in Scripture. Deuteronomy 4:2 says, "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you." In other words, don't put man's words in God's mouth, and don't pick and choose what you want to follow - follow it all, because the entire thing is His breath and His holy Word to us. Just as He wants us never to lie, or steal, or cheat, or rob, or rape or pillage or plunder at all, He wants us to tithe 10%. Yes, never lying or stealing or cheating or gossiping is hard, but that doesn't mean God commands it less. Luke 12:48 says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." It is not easy to follow Christ and obey the Lord above all else, but I believe God still asks us to be wholly committed.

Like I said, I don't think God cares about the dollar amount, but I believe He does care that the dollar amount equals 10% of the income He blesses you with. And I believe that because that's what is commanded, and God cares about and highly regards all His commandments equally. Several people stated something to the effect of not being comfortable with giving that much of "their" money. I guess the perspective I try to have (and sometimes fail at, so it's a matter of prayer) is to remember it was never my money to begin with, so I'm returning it to God to follow His command and be a part of what He wants to accomplish with it. Tithing is our opportunity to be involved in God's work in this world. It struck me as I wrote that last line that it's actually quite an honor that He uses the money He gives us and lets us be a part of His will simply by giving it back to Him.

I believe that the tithe is to go toward your church. I think that charitable givings are generous and kind, but I do not believe that "counts" as a tithe. A tithe is a return of "our" money to the work of God, and while many charitable organizations are moral and do good works for people, they are not necessarily the work of God.

In any event, I really believe that tithing is not so much a "personal choice" as an overarching commandment God issues in love to all of those who are called by His name and know Him through Christ. If you count yourself one of those, I believe it doesn't matter if you're comfortable with it - God is asking you to trust Him and step out in faith to obey Him. Someone said it's probably not realistic to "just start" tithing, but I found for me that gradually working up to 10% would have made it harder to give to the Lord. I think tithing CAN be something you just start, and I know that when my heart was hesitating about tithing less than 10%, the place I started was not at 5% or to work up to the amount but to pray that God changed my heart. As John Piper says (a great modern day apologist and theologian), If you aren't tithing joyfully, don't wait to tithe until the joy comes. Pray for joy in tithing and tithe, trusting God that the joy will come.

Sorry for such a long response. I'm enjoying this thread and really appreciate that it has remained civil! It glorifies God when we can debate and discuss in respectful ways.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

My UMC church started using this program. Or more correctly, my former UMC church used it. Dh and I called it "Strong-arming for Jeeezus." It's one of the reasons we left.

Hmmmm... help me with something here. I know what Consecration Sunday is. Would you mind sharing what bothered you about the program? I would love to hear. That might be helpful information for other churches using that program in the future.