Calculating Tithes

[Jon_]

Here's an interesting little question. Do you calculate the 10% of your income for tithing purposes before or after applicable taxes?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[BBAS 64]

Here's an interesting little question. Do you calculate the 10% of your income for tithing purposes before or after applicable taxes?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

Good Day, Jon

I do mine after, not sure why that is how I have always done it. I do know this a question that is often debated...

Peace to u,

Bill

 

[tryme]

on gross - that is what my income is

before taxes and benefits and what all

 

[Jon_]

Good Day, Jon

I do mine after, not sure why that is how I have always done it. I do know this a question that is often debated...

Peace to u,

Bill

I have always thought that the issue which needs to be considered is what qualifies as "income" and how taxes relate to it. I have always been of the impression that taxes are unnatural and illegitimate. In fact, it is one of the threats that God levels against Israel through Samuel when they cry out for a king, which will eventually be Saul. But Jesus said to render unto Caeser the things that are Caesar's and the things that are God's unto God. Does this mean that taxes are Caesar's and the rest is what we have been dispensed to steward over (and thus from this 10% returns to the Lord)?

Insofar as taxes are concerned, they are nothing more than institutionalized theft. No government has any authority to tax. The Bible gives this authority to no governmental body, but it does say that governments will tax. As God has instituted the authorities over us for his own purposes, it follows we are to obey, except where doing so would violate God's law. Does this mean that we should refuse to pay taxes, pay our tithe as if there were no tax, or consider only that which the government leaves us as income?

The legitimacy of taxation needs to be considered first. If taxes are illegitimate, then the government is nothing but a big thug. In that case, the question becomes, "If you are paid $100, and someone mugs you and only leaves you $50, do you tithe $5 or $10?"

There is actually a lot more to consider on this issue than people realize.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[tryme]

"If you are paid $100, and someone mugs you and only leaves you $50, do you tithe $5 or $10?"

$10, God will provide for our NEEDS (not wants).

I also pay tithes on income tax refunds because it is income.

 

[Jon_]

$10, God will provide for our NEEDS (not wants).

Let's say the mugger took it all. Do you tithe out of savings?

I also pay tithes on income tax refunds because it is income.

That's money that you have already tithed on, though. I think it's wonderful that you do it, but that's more of a freewill offering.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[tryme]

Its simple for me you give 10% of ALL income.

And it must be paid first - the cream of the crop so to speak.

Just because it was stolen does not mean you did not receive it.

When I was much younger and just starting out some months things got tight.

But I always put God first and he took care of all my needs then and still does today.

 

[ClementofRome]

I cannot answer the question as stated. We used to be very wishy-washy with tithes and began to have a sense of guilt over it. So, I decided to set a certain dollar amount per week and be faithful to that dollar amount even if we felt like we could not afford it. We have been faithful with the dollar amount for over a year now. I will also admit that it is less than 10%, but the Lord has greatly blessed out faithfulness. I plan to up our giving in Jan to another dollar amount and be faithful to that. Ultimately, I do believe that we will be at 10% soon.

I am not concerned with pre-tax or post-tax; I am concerned however, with faithfulness. One thing to keep in mind that that God did NOT want the sacrifices of an unrepentant heart in the OT....I suspect the same remains today.

 

[McWilliams]

I have a friend who won pretty big gambling and tithed on her wins! Hmmmmm

Self test on the heart, as to whether we have a cheerful generous heart for God or, do we fulfill an obligation! God reads hearts!

Helpful chart here, figured to the $:

http://www.redeemer2.com/about/stewardship/index.cfm?fuseaction=chart

 

[McWilliams]

We long remember the lessons from mom as we grew up! Mom said, 'You cant outgive God! If you always put Him first He will honor that and bring blessings to you'. I never wanted to look at it as though I give to Him so He will give to me! Mom didnt look at it that way either. She just knew we should always put God first in our life, our work and our $!
Dad would quote the verse, 'I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.'

All in all we got the message, formed the habit! However, tithing is only the baseline for being a faithful steward! The beginning only, just gets the coffers opened!

 

[cygnusx1]

I don't believe Tything is for today (I am not alone)

Others do , fine , let it be between you and your conscience.

 

[Jon_]

I don't believe Tything is for today (I am not alone)

Others do , fine , let it be between you and your conscience.

Thanks for the input, Cyg, but just to keep the thread on topic, I was hoping to hear specifically from those people who do tithe, and how they calculate the amount they give.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Truly Blessed]

Here's an interesting little question. Do you calculate the 10% of your income for tithing purposes before or after applicable taxes?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

I have always thought that the issue which needs to be considered is what qualifies as "income" and how taxes relate to it....
The legitimacy of taxation needs to be considered first. If taxes are illegitimate, then the government is nothing but a big thug. In that case, the question becomes, "If you are paid $100, and someone mugs you and only leaves you $50, do you tithe $5 or $10?"

There is actually a lot more to consider on this issue than people realize.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

Hi Jon,

I haven't answered the question as of yet.

In the example you gave somebody got mugged, that must have been a nice mugger to leave the person with $50. If a mugger took all the money and the victim didn't have a savings account what would God expect the person to tithe with?

Also, if somebody tithes after taxes, why wouldn't property tax, sales tax, excise taxes be included in the reduction of the total income based upon the principle of tithing actual disposable income.

 

[Truly Blessed]

I voted post-tax income.

 

[BBAS 64]

I don't believe Tything is for today (I am not alone)

Others do , fine , let it be between you and your conscience.

Good Day, Cygnusx1

That is a "WHOLE" other issue, one that I have gone over many times....

Even after reading Pink and Bahnsen on the issue.

Peace to u,

Bill

 

[JimfromOhio]

I voted. 10% of pre-tax income.

Keep in mind, the government takes % of your gross income, why God be excluded from this? Why put give God based on after-tax income when the Government takes from Gross (pre-tax) income?

Matthew 22:21
"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

As an Accountant, according to Scriptures, we are to give based on "pre-tax" income. Not after tax, because that is considered "robbing God" using that kind of logic to give less. Its like wishful thinking that you gave 10% of your total income which in reality from God's point of view, its not true. If you felt that you did gave 10% based on after-tax income, this is where God looks in the heart and the motives.

I am just saying this what the Scriptures have taught me and how the Holy Spirit have convicted me to follow. Remember, this is between YOU and God. No one around us will know EXCEPT God.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

 

[JimfromOhio]

I am surprised that this thread is not as active as others. LOL

 

[Rick Otto]

I'm surprised this thread is even HERE!

Why not ask a Levite? Aren't THEY the ones you're supposed to give 'em to?

Ok, I don' wanna dis yer thread Jon, but where can I found out why an otherwise seemingly clear-headed Protestant would tithe?

I mean GIVE for sure, but "tithe"?

 

[JJB]

I voted pre-tax. All blessings come from God.

THere's my .02 and before taxes!

 

[pinkieposies]

I'm surprised this thread is even HERE!

Why not ask a Levite? Aren't THEY the ones you're supposed to give 'em to?

Ok, I don' wanna dis yer thread Jon, but where can I found out why an otherwise seemingly clear-headed Protestant would tithe?

I mean GIVE for sure, but "tithe"?

Well, I am suprised that this is even an issue! It's news to me! I mean, I had no idea that there was ever any disagreement on this.

Anyhoo... I voted for 10% after taxes, because that's the way I have been doing it so far. I've honestly never thought of doing it before taxes. Thanks for bringing this up, and thank you Jim, and Jon, for your posts. It is definately something I will have to discuss with my hubby.

.:Erin:.​