If your family income is $200 a week, can you afford $5 to the Church?

[cardaway]

I would think any good church would factor in the amount of time people are giving to the church as part of their contribution. If not, and they some how require or "suggest" 10% from everybody, then there is even more reason for the IRS to step in. At that point it stops being a charity and becomes a business with a membership fee.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I'll be honest...I have difficulty with tithing 10%. I understand what the rewards are supposed to be, but something happened in my past that makes me question it all. When I was younger I attended a Catholic School, we attended that Parish's church and my parents tithed 10%. When my father was diagnosed with cancer and it impacted us financially, my parents went to the school and asked for help with the tuition (a scholarship or whatever). We were turned down flat. I know that the school was not obligated to help us, but that really hurt us especially in the time of our need. In fact, it caused us to leave the Catholic Church. Anyway, because of that, I find it difficult to give money. I give my time, I donate to causes within the church that I feel comfortable with (mostly youth activities as that is where I volunteer my time as well).

 

[cardaway]

When I was younger I attended a Catholic School, we attended that Parish's church and my parents tithed 10%. When my father was diagnosed with cancer and it impacted us financially, my parents went to the school and asked for help with the tuition (a scholarship or whatever). We were turned down flat.

Wow! That sucks more than anything I can say here.

 

[Chicago526]

Just my opinion, but I think they (the church) are after those that make $1250 a week, not those that make $200 a week! Anyone making $200 a week could very well be some of the parishiners that are receiving aid from the church (food pantry, etc.) that those that earn more are helping to support.

The "earn $200 a week should donate $5 a week" could also be aimed at college students, who would earn about that amount at a part time job.

 

[Mom2be]

I was brought up Catholic and my family gave between 5% to 10% of their income to the church and also put me through catholic school until I was 11. My mother continued to give in some form until the priest scandal rocked our world. We now refuse to give extra money to the Catholic Church because of them harboring child molestors. That is not what I want my money to go to.

Now we give to the different charities that we feel do the most good with the money. My favorite is a local women's shelter that helps battered women get back on their feet.

~Amanda

 

[jimmiej]

A tithe is not a tax--it is a gift.

I disagree with the second part of your statement. The Bible differentiates between a tithe and an offering.

Malachi 3

8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings.

Matthew 23:22-24

23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.


Scripture seems to imply the tithe is expected.

Another thing to note--your full 10% does not have to go entirely to a church--to God yes, to church--NO. Part of your 10% is what you do for those in need, in poverty.

Well, I guess that depends on your interpretation of this scripture:

Malachi 3

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

yep, and at no point did Jesus tell anybody to get out of the building because they weren't coughing up enough. My point remains the same, I would never want to belong to a Church that made people feel unwelcome because they weren't putting in enough money.

IA. Tithing is a sign of spiritual maturity. It took me and DW many years to get to the point where we realized God's blessings through our obedience. What you give is between you and God. The church shouldn't be surprised when young Christians struggle with this. The Word should be taught, and leave the results to God.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

FWIW, here is what DW and I (Methodist pastors) teach about tithing. It is a spiritual discipline, in many ways like prayer, fasting, journaling, Bible study, etc. Tithing is a bit different because it involves our pocketbooks, and we 21st century westerners are defined by our pocketbooks. But the tithe (traditionally 10%) belongs to God. It is foolish to think that God needs our money to "keep the church going". Talk about false pride! The church existed a looooong time before any one of us gave a red cent. God does not need our money -we are not doing God any favors when we give. But we have a deep-seated need to give. If we can't learn to give (tithe) then how can we feel a part of the work of the church? How can we know the joy and fulfillment of carrying out the work of Christ? I have always wanted to give because I am fascinated by how it makes me a part of something much greater than myself.

 

[Buckalew11]

FWIW, here is what DW and I (Methodist pastors) teach about tithing. It is a spiritual discipline, in many ways like prayer, fasting, journaling, Bible study, etc. Tithing is a bit different because it involves our pocketbooks, and we 21st century westerners are defined by our pocketbooks. But the tithe (traditionally 10%) belongs to God. It is foolish to think that God needs our money to "keep the church going". Talk about false pride! The church existed a looooong time before any one of us gave a red cent. God does not need our money -we are not doing God any favors when we give. But we have a deep-seated need to give. If we can't learn to give (tithe) then how can we feel a part of the work of the church? How can we know the joy and fulfillment of carrying out the work of Christ? I have always wanted to give because I am fascinated by how it makes me a part of something much greater than myself.

I really like this post. It says what I was trying to say earlier but says it so much better.
G God doesn't need our money...

I think titheing is much like every other rule set before us as a people--it is always set to be beneficial to us not to rule us or make us miserable. Being obedient to the things of God is for our own good (much like caring parents who set up rules and guidelines for our kids).