Tithing of my income!?

[Heritage]

Howdy all, and thanks for taking the time to read this a few hours before Christmas day! I'm not really new to Christianity (just on a return trip ), but I do have a question that I figure a lot of people in this forum would be able to answer. Tithing is one of the most confusing things to me.

I know that it is 10 percent of either money, or grain/livestock (whatever we produce). And I understand that it is holy, and belongs to God. My question lies in how do we give it to God? I realize we can give it to the Church, but are their other options? Does giving to charities and buying homeless people food and such count as giving it to God?, or are those in addition to God's 10%?

Any easy to understand, Bible-supported information about the tithe would be greatly appreciated! I just want to make sure God is getting ahold of it before He turns me over to bill collectors.

Regards,
Kyle

 

[Rafael]

The Bible says give according to your heart. Everything belongs to Him anyways, and He just lets us use it. Sometimes, if you think about it, what would be a 10th of each day given and how that would add up in a week?
Some Churches encourage giving a 10th right off the top to the Church and consider the rest of a person's giving as offerings, but I think a person is not under the old legal system any longer, but should use it as a guide and a measuring stick. God says we cannot outgive Him if we do it in the right heart. I can say that we never give just to get back, though, as that would be giving for gain and against the scriptures.

Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

2Co 9:6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
9 As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."
10 For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God.
12 So two good things will happen—the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God.
13 You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.
14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you.

I JOHN 3:16-19 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and TRUTH. This then is how we KNOW that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

 

[newlite]

this is my question. i want to give but this is my problem. theres that story of giving silently or whatever, dont go hiring trumputs to sing and try to look like a king...i want to give but once i did. my dad saw and well lalala. it didnt seem right. i want to give without anyone knowing cuz else i feel guilty and stuff i i dont knowbut whatever....yesh...it makes as much sence to me as it does on paper which isnt much but...yesh...

 

[Dark_Lite]

Howdy all, and thanks for taking the time to read this a few hours before Christmas day! I'm not really new to Christianity (just on a return trip ), but I do have a question that I figure a lot of people in this forum would be able to answer. Tithing is one of the most confusing things to me.

I know that it is 10 percent of either money, or grain/livestock (whatever we produce). And I understand that it is holy, and belongs to God. My question lies in how do we give it to God? I realize we can give it to the Church, but are their other options? Does giving to charities and buying homeless people food and such count as giving it to God?, or are those in addition to God's 10%?

Any easy to understand, Bible-supported information about the tithe would be greatly appreciated! I just want to make sure God is getting ahold of it before He turns me over to bill collectors.

Regards,
Kyle

You'd be far better off asking this in the Catholic Forum, OBOB. Believe me...

 

[Sketcher]

Actually, if God is to be the Lord of our lives, we should submit ALL our money to Him. He gave it to us anyway. Now, what that means is that we have the money we make at our desposal. We give 10% to the church, has much as we feel like to charity. We also manage this money responsibly so we have enough to help someone if a need comes up. This is outside the 10%. i.e. your neighbor loses his job, you have the money to buy a little extra food so you can have him over for dinner. Somebody comes up a dollar short in line at Burger King, you have an extra one to help them out with. You have a friend who is going on a summer missions trip, you have an extra $50 bucks to throw their way so they can afford the trip. That sort of thing.

However, when serving, you should also be aware that you are not to feed someone's laziness, but to meet their real needs. As for how to do that, you'll need to talk to a better servant than me.

I don't have my verse references for this handy, but I'll post a few when I get the chance.

 

[Heritage]

Just want to thank all of you for your answers! I think I have the information I need now.

 

[issa]

the Bible says that you give your tithes and offerings. you give your tithes to God at the place where you worship or are led to grow..that is the church. beyond 10% is your offerings, i think we have free choice on where to give offerings..for missions, to the needy, to the church or to a foundation, etc.

do not just limit yourself to 10% coz the more you give, the more God will bless you..not necessarily financially, but sometimes, yes, He does give the money back and more

and remember that you are not giving it to the church or any specific person. it is for God. not for anyone else.

 

[shataytay]

..

 

[Truth and Reconciliation]

Definitely. Give what your heart leads you to give; it matters not whether you're Protestant or Catholic. God gave us the ultimate sacrifice - salvation through Christ - that we can never repay.

Tithing is fine, but also consider alms and charity.

From the Deuterocanon:

"Son, give alms in proportion to what you own. If you have great wealth, give alms out of your abundance; if you have but little, distribute even some of that." -Tobit 4:8

 

[Endure2]

well i think its pretty clear, all through the old testament tithes and offerings were for the purpose of funding the work of Christ and for supporting the priests who lived to do the work of the Lord and didnt have jobs.
it was given to the temple.

and in the new testament, the bible says the ox that treads out the corn should be allowed to eat of it as he goes, and a workman is worthy of his hire.
the men of God who give their lives to preaching the gospel and cant work a full time Job, should be supported by the tithes of the people or congregation they serve and work for. and the business of Christ should be funded by the tithe and offering.

like in the old testament, your tithe and offering must go to house of God wherein you have been planted to support your pastor who lives to serve you, and the work of Christ your church is doing.

we must all have pastors and people in our lives, why we must be commited to and a part of a congregation.

 

[Ave Maria]

Personally, I don't feel that we are required to tithe. I feel that it is optional and you should do it based upon your personal conscience. After all, God loves a cheerful giver. But then again, God loves all.

 

[Truth and Reconciliation]

Personally, I don't feel that we are required to tithe. I feel that it is optional and you should do it based upon your personal conscience. After all, God loves a cheerful giver. But then again, God loves all.

Ahh, but God will bless you if you give of yourself.