Tithing: A touchy subject
OK...someone wanted to talk about this so I decided that we would. Money has always been a touchy issue within the church as a whole. So many times people see some TV evangelist asking for money and then many times trouble follows. For many money should not be mentioned in the church but it is the most talked about subject in the Bible. Since tithing is a Biblical concept, I wonder why there are so many Christians out there who do not tithe. I know that some will say well we just dont have it, but that doesn't show faith that God will take care of you. Tithing is not about the money it is about the heart, and having faith that God is going to take care of you but he must come first. Everything belongs to him anyways, right...? Thoughts anyone.
posted by gonavy @ 10:52 AM
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2 Comments:
I guess since I kinda hinted about this, I should post something.
I've heard that lack of tithing indicates a lack of faith. I guess that is true in most circumstances. I've also heard a preacher say that instead of thinking about it as 10% of what you make going to God, you should be thankful to the other 90% you keep.
Without tithing, I understand that most churches couldn't operate. Missions would be nearly impossible because someone has to support those missionaries. But it is nearly impossible for me to listen to a preacher talk about tithing without thinking to myself "He's got a vested interest in my tithing because it is paying his salary and other costs". I know that's cynical, but I can't help that thoughts pop up at the most opportune time. At another church I attended, it was hard to take the preacher seriously when he said to tithe after seeing what his salary and expenditures were. When you look at the budget and see that you make $26,000 a year but your preacher is making $120,000 a year with free housing, it can create some confusing feelings. Then there's the whole taxation of preachers thing. Not that most preachers are living in mansions.
I also often question that magical 10% number. Sure, it's in the Bible. But there are many things in the Bible that we don't adhere to anymore. Why isn't the 10% standard one of them?
And I question what the 10% should be of. Should it be 10% of your gross, 10% of your net, 10% after you've paid for health insurance, car insurance and other seemingly unavoidable costs? When your money after paying those costs doesn't even amount to 10% of your paycheck, what are you to do? Should you sell your home and all your belongings? Should you forfeit on your mortgage and loans?
Also, if you are in debt, is it right to tithe before paying your debtors?
The preacher I mentioned above said he tithed 10% of everything that came into his house. Even if he got a tax refund, he would give 10% of that.
I didn't question whether he tithed 10% of what it would have cost him to pay for his housing had the church not provided it for him or 10% of the amount of his health insurance had the church not provided it for him. I should have. That could be considered income or compensation. Should we, non preachers, treat those benefits the same?
There are times when I don't have the money to put into the offering plate near the end of the month. There are times when I feel guilty for even attending church when I can't give. It almost makes me not want to go because there's something inside that says if you don't go and don't tithe that is better than going and not tithing (probably some devil laughing the whole time).
But then I think about that Pepsi and candy bar I bought or that meal we ate out when we could have stayed home and ate oatmeal, then I feel like even if I didn't have 10%, I still could have given more. I could have given that money to God, but I was selfish and spent it on myself.
At the end of the day, I feel that it is a faith issue. And sometimes a selfishness issue. But it is also a confusing issue because it's hard to define what my tithe should be. And I pray to God that he will support me in trying to do as He wants me to do.
Hey B,
So you gonna end that hiatus any time soon?
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