Tithing 10 percent of what

[caitlincares]

They just had Ken Jennings (Jeopardy BIG winner) on The View.
He earned over 2 Million dollars in winnings.
He mentioned after taxes he will probably only get half of it.
He talked about giving 10 percent to his church.

What I wanted to ask him was 10 percent of what?
10 percent of actual earnings or 10 percent of take home?



For us regular folks what do you base your 10 percent off of?
Your gross earnings or your net earnings?

(forgive me if this discussion has come up before)

 

[Andyman_1970]

First, not to cause a stink, but I think as a follower of Jesus 10% is pretty stingy - John the Baptist makes is sound like that the "Jesus movement" giving was more like in the neighborhood of 50%.

 

[caitlincares]

Tithing is the obligatory 10 percent to support the church/ministry.
An offering is considered to be the amount given above the tithe.

The tithe is an obligation to give; the offering is an opportunity to give.
That being said we are also to be cheerful givers.

This question is just about the obligatory 10 percent tithe most folks all agree with.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Tithing is the obligatory 10 percent to support the church/ministry.
An offering is considered to be the amount given above the tithe.

Chapter and verse please from the NT were the tithe is obligatory and should be used to support the church?

 

[fluffy_rainbow]

I have heard it's ten percent of your gross income. So basically, if I make $300 gross, but only bring home $250, I should tithe $30 that week. We get this from where the Bible says to offer up ten percent of your "firstfruits". Of course, we don't tithe with chickens or grain, but we can apply that principle to monetary offerings.

 

[LynnMcG]

I was always my understanding that first fruit is first fruit - so that's 10 percent BEFORE taxes. And with that much money don't you think he'll also contribute to offerings, perhaps to ministries his family supports? I would guess so, simply because he was so clear about his 10 percent.

 

[caitlincares]

I have heard it's ten percent of your gross income. So basically, if I make $300 gross, but only bring home $250, I should tithe $30 that week. We get this from where the Bible says to offer up ten percent of your "firstfruits". Of course, we don't tithe with chickens or grain, but we can apply that principle to monetary offerings.

Yes, I agree with you.
Yes, the firstfruits - before deductions.

Because money that goes to taxes and health care and retirement is necessary and you would pay them anyway.

 

[caitlincares]

I was always my understanding that first fruit is first fruit - so that's 10 percent BEFORE taxes. And with that much money don't you think he'll also contribute to offerings, perhaps to ministries his family supports? I would guess so, simply because he was so clear about his 10 percent.

Yes, Ken is planning to give to many charities.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Of course, we don't tithe with chickens or grain, but we can apply that principle to monetary offerings.

Chapter and verse where this is to be done, where we can and should and can "transform" the tithe (animals/grain/produce for the Levites, poor, fatherless, aliens) into money for a ministry?

For the record before I get "labeled" a *non-giver* my wife and I give well over 10% of our gross to those who the Bible and Jesus says we should give to, including our church.

 

[fluffy_rainbow]

Andyman, below is a link to a wonderful article at bible.com on tithing.

http://www.bible.com/answers/atithe.html

 

[muffler dragon]

For those so inclined, I have had a formal debate invitation going for about half a year now that would debate the relevancy of the modern-day tithe doctrine. I believe it is fallacious. For anyone who would feel otherwise, I invite them to come and debate with me.

 

[muffler dragon]

Btw, do any of the pro-tithers know what the purpose of the tithe was for (in the Tanakh {"Old" Testament})?

 

[Andyman_1970]

Andyman, below is a link to a wonderful article at bible.com on tithing.

http://www.bible.com/answers/atithe.html

The "problem" with that article is that it assumes the tithe = money. There is only one place where the tithe as defined in the OT = money - when you had to travel too far to get to Jerusalem for your livestock - you could sell them and take the money and buy "replacements" when you got to Jerusalem.

So again I ask, chapter and verse where the tithe = money as defined in the OT?

 

[muffler dragon]

The "problem" with that article is that it assumes the tithe = money. There is only one place where the tithe as defined in the OT = money - when you had to travel too far to get to Jerusalem for your livestock - you could sell them and take the money and buy "replacements" when you got to Jerusalem.

So again I ask, chapter and verse where the tithe = money as defined in the OT?

Deuteronomy 14
22"You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.


23"You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.


24"If the distance is so great for you that you are not able to bring the tithe, since the place where the LORD your God chooses to set His name is too far away from you when the LORD your God blesses you,


25then you shall exchange it for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses.


26"You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.


27"Also you shall not neglect the Levite who is in your town, for he has no portion or inheritance among you.


28"At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town.


29"The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

What is that also in there, Andy? Is that a tithe party?

 

[caitlincares]

I purposefully did not post in the tithe thread in the general theology forum because I am not into debating.
And I was asking a specific question just about 10 percent of what NOT a question about what is tithing.

I just wanted regular responses not a debate.

I just wanted to know what folks believed and did not a huge theological discussion.

...leaving my own thread.

 

[Andyman_1970]

What is that also in there, Andy? Is that a tithe party?

Huh, it seems to be - so you get to take your tithe once a year and "blow it" on a huge feast for your family? How cool is that.............I wonder why I've never heard this preached from the pulpit

 

[muffler dragon]

I purposefully did not post in the tithe thread in the general theology forum because I am not into debating.
And I was asking a specific question just about 10 percent of what NOT a question about what is tithing.

I just wanted regular responses not a debate.

I just wanted to know what folks believed and did not a huge theological discussion.

...leaving my own thread.

Caitlin:

That's fine. I don't need to be here. I just wanted to let people know that the invitation was there in case anyone really wanted to delve into it.

Take care,

m.d.

 

[Andyman_1970]

I just wanted regular responses not a debate.

I just wanted to know what folks believed and did not a huge theological discussion.

I think I've made my beliefs known - feel free to PM if anyone would like to discuss this further.

Consider the debate ended.......my humble apologies.

 

[RED that's ME]

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