Tithing: HELP!

[vine8787]

I've been tithing on any income I've been getting this last year, whether it's my own earnings or not. My Dad sends me money for housing and stuff. I told my Dad I was tithing and he didn't like the idea. He says that since he tithes on his income already, that I shouldn't because that is tithing twice on the same money. I don't think it matters where my income comes from or if I'm going to be able to pay my bills when I give money. It's a faith thing imo and I need to trust God to provide my needs. I still think I should tithe. How should I explain this to my Dad? Thanks!

 

[JayCdn]

It seems strange to me to say that you are trusting in God to provide for your needs when it is your earthly father who appears to be providing finances. To me it isn't exactly income when you do nothing to earn it, it is a gift. If you would tithe on birthday presents then go for it I guess.

That being said, if I was in your father's position I would be saying the same thing, and I suspect you might also. Giving money towards God's work is not a problem, but ignoring the wishes of a father or other authority figure can be. If I was going to expect/accept my father's money then I would accept my father's wishes as well, the money has been tithed on already. If you set up some sort of arrangement that he is paying for your housing, then money you expect him to send, that he expects to go towards that housing, should go towards that. Expected money is not a gift.

 

[IloveRoseofSharon]

It seems strange to me to say that you are trusting in God to provide for your needs when it is your earthly father who appears to be providing finances. To me it isn't exactly income when you do nothing to earn it, it is a gift. If you would tithe on birthday presents then go for it I guess.

That being said, if I was in your father's position I would be saying the same thing, and I suspect you might also. Giving money towards God's work is not a problem, but ignoring the wishes of a father or other authority figure can be. If I was going to expect/accept my father's money then I would accept my father's wishes as well, the money has been tithed on already. If you set up some sort of arrangement that he is paying for your housing, then money you expect him to send, that he expects to go towards that housing, should go towards that. Expected money is not a gift.

I somewhat disagree. My Dad doesn't have to send me any money and I could be paying for college on my own. Just the fact that he sends me money shows me that God has his hand on my life. Who says an income is necessarily from work? The money comes in - income. To me, not giving on all money I bring in, is not thanking God for providing for me and saying I don't trust Him with the money He gave me anyway. I'm not sure wheather you are saying the money my Dad gives me is a gift or not, becasue you said both.

And obeying my father? That is really the whole point. But if I have to choose between disobeying my Father, and disobeying God, I will disobey my Dad. I'm sure God will give me an answer one this because I asked him. Hopefully He will just tell me Himself.

Even though I disagree, those are good points. Thanks.

 

[Sketcher]

I somewhat disagree. My Dad doesn't have to send me any money and I could be paying for college on my own. Just the fact that he sends me money shows me that God has his hand on my life. Who says an income is necessarily from work? The money comes in - income. To me, not giving on all money I bring in, is not thanking God for providing for me and saying I don't trust Him with the money He gave me anyway. I'm not sure wheather you are saying the money my Dad gives me is a gift or not, becasue you said both.

And obeying my father? That is really the whole point. But if I have to choose between disobeying my Father, and disobeying God, I will disobey my Dad. I'm sure God will give me an answer one this because I asked him. Hopefully He will just tell me Himself.

Even though I disagree, those are good points. Thanks.

I agree with what you're saying about income, but you've got to watch the honoring God over your dad bit. Yes, we ought to do that, but part of honoring God is honoring your father and mother. As you still depend on Dad for money, you still need to honor him. Remember what Jesus said on the subject in Mark 7:9-12.

Now, in all practicality I would say if you want to tithe, go ahead and do it. Just get by on the 90% that is left over. Don't make Dad feel like he needs to send you 110%. That is what I think the heart of this issue is. Pay your bills and do well in your classes. That is the reason why he's sending you the money anyway. If you can't tithe and pay your bills, reduce the bills.

 

[IloveRoseofSharon]

I would never ask my Dad to send me extra money so I could use that to tithe. Then it's not really tithing! The bible does not say that one has to do everything their parents tell them. They have to honor them. Parents are not always right, but God is. When God tells me personally when what to do, I will follow that.

I used to never get anything less than a 95 on any assignment. This last year I haven't been doing so well in classes because I've been obeying God more. I'm proud of my C! Please don't make the mistake of thinking that getting A's pleases God. I've learned that I have to even be ready to skip a final exam and fail the course if God commands me to do something other than taking the exam. It's so great to know that grades don't matter at all!

Seriously thanks for the post, but I am still not sure at all about my dilemna. God will answer me soon enough though!

 

[MightyManOfValour]

At the risk of offending the tithers, I would council don't tithe. I'm a mature student myself and I know how tough it is to get by.

The principle is not a percentage (10%) its an agreement between you and God. You can't buy God's blessing with your tithe. He loves you the same even if you don't tithe.

Those who counsel tithing are usually those who can give more than the tithe. But they are legalistic pharisees.

Straight talking. Look at your income and your outgoings. Can you get by? Can you get by if you tithe?
If you cannot afford to tithe then don't

I don't know which country you are in but here in the UK most students live on student loans. Should you be tithing borrowed money?

I cannot afford to tithe, but I still give God (my church)an offering.

As someone said somewhere "tithing is good news to the rich". It is not great for the poor. As a student you fall into the poor category.

If tithing is so great, then what about other Old Testament economic principles, such as Jubilee (redistribution of wealth).

Well that's my opinion. Blessings whatever you decide.

 

[IloveRoseofSharon]

[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]! Well I still don't know about the tithing thing. But I have incredible news! A paster is now sending my girlfriend and I money to aid in our ministry on campus. Thank the Lord! The Lord is shaking my campus and it's amazing!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[IloveRoseofSharon]

I'm so confused. Why did it use "washmymouth" in place of an abbreviation for oh my gosh?

 

[MightyManOfValour]

I'm so confused. Why did it use "washmymouth" in place of an abbreviation for oh my gosh?

I expect its because "oh my gosh" is a derivitive of "oh my God" which is a mild expletive not worthy of Christians.

 

[IloveRoseofSharon]

At the risk of offending the tithers, I would council don't tithe. I'm a mature student myself and I know how tough it is to get by.

The principle is not a percentage (10%) its an agreement between you and God. You can't buy God's blessing with your tithe. He loves you the same even if you don't tithe.

Those who counsel tithing are usually those who can give more than the tithe. But they are legalistic pharisees.

Straight talking. Look at your income and your outgoings. Can you get by? Can you get by if you tithe?
If you cannot afford to tithe then don't

I don't know which country you are in but here in the UK most students live on student loans. Should you be tithing borrowed money?

I cannot afford to tithe, but I still give God (my church)an offering.

As someone said somewhere "tithing is good news to the rich". It is not great for the poor. As a student you fall into the poor category.

If tithing is so great, then what about other Old Testament economic principles, such as Jubilee (redistribution of wealth).

Well that's my opinion. Blessings whatever you decide.

You are missing the entire point of tithing. It's not about the monetary value or how much you can afford. If you put your faith in Jesus above money, this is a very powerful thing. Tithing before you even determine whether or not you have sufficient funds for bills is necessary, because it proves your reliance on God above your relience on wealth. God is Jehovah Jirah, our provider!!!! When you give out of lack, you ALWAYS get back more than you gave in many ways.

 

[MightyManOfValour]

Experience tells me otherwise.

The only income I have is a student loan and some gifts and an overdraft. If I tithe on this income, I would have insufficient funds to even get to college.

I also have a wife and family to support.

Should I let them starve or sell our home in order to pay the tithe?

Before you answer, consider this, are you are in my situation?

We will have to disagree at present.

 

[EternalSunshine21]

Since my mother tithes, and I am a student without a paying job, I don't tithe. Sometimes if I have any extra money, which is rare, I give it to the church because I love my church and am thankful that God allowed it to be there.

God is very understanding. If you have to pay bills, He will understand. God doesn't expect us to give up our health for Him. It's good to give most of your time to Him, but you can't give it all up. You're only human and God understands that.

If your dad tells you to not give that money to your church, then you should obey him. That is what God would want from you.

 

[IloveRoseofSharon]

During the summer, I went through a time with not even enough money for food for a few weeks. I literally had 0$. I still tithed, and random people bought us (my gf and I) food and other things happened and we were fine. God provided for us because we took that step of faith. I'm a college student. I don't even have enough money to do laundry. My dad gives me the amount I have to pay for rent, but that doesn't mean I have money for other things I need. God has always provided. Is there not a single person who has read this thread who has not experienced giving money to God where doing so meant that if God had not stepped in they would have starved? Sigh, I'm done with this thread. God will answer me.

 

[EternalSunshine21]

People experience God in different ways. With you, when you're on the verge of starvation, you experience God. However, I experience God in all different ways. When I'm happy, I thank Him. When I'm sad, I go to Him for guidance. Everyone's different and you can't judge.

I think you're wanting an answer that sounds like this: Go ahead and tithe. Don't worry about your dad. However, life is not like that. Not everyone believes the way you do, and that's fine. No one's wrong in their faith.

 

[MightyManOfValour]

During the summer, I went through a time with not even enough money for food for a few weeks. I literally had 0$. I still tithed, and random people bought us (my gf and I) food and other things happened and we were fine. God provided for us because we took that step of faith. I'm a college student. I don't even have enough money to do laundry. My dad gives me the amount I have to pay for rent, but that doesn't mean I have money for other things I need. God has always provided. Is there not a single person who has read this thread who has not experienced giving money to God where doing so meant that if God had not stepped in they would have starved? Sigh, I'm done with this thread. God will answer me.

I'm sorry you are bored with this thread. Come back in 10 years when you have gone through even worse times. When you have married, had kids, been through unemployment, where your income plunges to a tenth of what it was before. When you have really have had to consider tithing or eating. After that will you then be able to tell me you have tithed through it all? Tithing is a Biblical principle but it is not binding on Christians. Jesus saves but only if you tithe. I think not!