tithes and offerings

[Tenshi no Ai]

About I year ago, I posted this topic on a few uncertainties I had about tithes. Rather than going back and gravedigging it, there's a couple more things I've recently wondered about...

As I revised that topic, I noticed a few replies saying "don't feel obligated that you HAVE to, give what comes from the heart" and yet, I've always tried to round up 10% to almost perfect accuracy :/ Now, I'm finding myself with a couple of issues. First off, I'm trying to save up to move out and it is a little hard to give a bit away, although it always seems that the more I do give the more I get in return (not doing it intentional for that reason of course, it just... tends to happen^^) Normally I don't have trouble giving away money, it's my own selfishness talking since I still buy things for myself and others.

I did manage to come to the conclusion from the last topic, of giving around 10% of my earnings from work. Thing is, because of work I never get Sundays off, so I never get a chance to actually GO to church to make the offering. But this comes to my next question: when there's tithes and offerings, MUST it go to a church? I do realize that these help churches function and helps out alot of programs and sponsorships, but I'm wondering if giving to some sort of good cause fund, such as say a children's hospital or something can be something similar? I mean, it's still sharing God's love to different organizations. I guess... I'd just find it easier to be able to send the money to something like that, since many offer online services. I don't know :/ I think sometimes it's hard too when I'm sitting there trying to calculate 10% all the time too. It's not an always easy amount to deal with :/

Hm rambling now... Comments?

[K. Ayato]

You can always set the tithe aside in a safe place and then, when it's convenient, drop it off at church.

[Mithrandir]

I've always believed I was tithing to God - not to a church. If God tells me to put some of that money somewhere else - I just listen. CAA is one of those places, actually.

[Tenshi no Ai]

I've always believed I was tithing to God - not to a church. If God tells me to put some of that money somewhere else - I just listen. CAA is one of those places, actually.

Hm yeah. I guess many make it sound like it HAS to go to a church (which is, a really good place where it can go, but there can be others).

[ADXC]

Lets not dwell on where the actual physical money goes to. All I know is that its going to God because he does have the right to it. We really can't say the money is ours perse (I mean the money we keep for food and clothing) because God allows us to have the money. We really don't own anything its all of God's property but he's allowing us to have the stuff, not that we deserve it but because He loves us and He wants us to servive. He could of asked for more, but because of His boundless generosity He lets us have the money. Its hard sometimes to give even when times get tight, but we should give the Lord what He commanded of us. Its sorta like sewing a seed, then after a while it grows and soon you'll maybe have so much money you don't know what to do with. I hear there is this guy who gave 10% of his money, then he went to 20, again to 50, and now he's giving 100%! I think thats quite amazing, but your probably wondering on how he lives. Well since he's given so much, God gave back. Also I think he's the guy of that a certain brand of toothpaste. (Can't seem to remember his name though.) Well anyways just trust in God when you tithe knowing that He will get you through life and the problems your already in and He will get you through them. ( I need to work on tithing more myself.)

[Tenshi no Ai]

Lets not dwell on where the actual physical money goes to.

Yeah, that's one thing. In my "home church" (I say "home", because it's the church I grew up in, but not sure how long I'll be in this town and so forth), I know there's TONS of politics on where the money goes and so on, and even rumors of the pastor putting a bit towards his own fortunes. *shrugs* And although there are certain charities out in the world which are in fact scams, yeah He knows where your intentions were (although it would be NICE to think that it reached the orphan children, or whatever the cause is).

[ADXC]

Yeah, I get what you mean. At Christmas time it would be a good change of pace to give a love offering to some needy cause as you have suggested.

But isn't embezzlement against the law though? The preacher using the money for his personal gain doesn't sound good. Of course Im not saying he's using the money to do that. But still if its happening, the church needs to confront him about it. And by fortunes, what do you mean? (I know what fortunes mean, but just specify in what way he may be using it.)

[K. Ayato]

I got into a bit of an argument with a fellow Believer about tithing. I was told that when I get my paycheck from work, that I should tithe on the gross (the amount before tax deductions) rather than the net (what's left behind), because the gross amount is what I worked for and rightfully earned. He argued that it doesn't make sense to tithe on the gross, since that's not the amount printed on the actual paycheck.

I don't mean to start a debate on that issue, but what do you think, based on what the Bible says?

[Nate]

I don't mean to start a debate on that issue, but what do you think, based on what the Bible says?

I think the Bible says that with the measure you use, it shall be measured unto you. What does that mean? It means give from your heart and give what you think you should give.

[Mithrandir]

There are two kinds of tax breaks - tax credits and tax deductions. Credits count toward your tax owed, and deductions count against your income. At the church I currently attend, the pastor preaches taxing AGI: total minus credits. The rational is that AGI is really what you have to work with.

I'm not sure I buy into that philosophy, but I at least understand the rational. I have a good friend who does not tithe at all, but attends a church where good, honest people who serve on the church board try to figure out how to pay all the bills.

And that's where I think it breaks down: If you attend a church regularly, it seems logical to want to support the ministry that goes on there. But the point of tithing is not the church RECEIVING money - it's you GIVING money. God is way more interested in you acting in faith to give than he is in getting his hands on your money.

[Tenshi no Ai]

God is way more interested in you acting in faith to give than he is in getting his hands on your money.

And I also think with the whole "you HAVE to give to the church" deal, is that many non-believers view this as the whole "church is corrupted and looking for a way to shake more money out of you" :/ Same people who think you have to be cautious because the Bible was written by men... It's sad, yeah, but if NO ONE gave to a church then how would it be able to operate successfully? Well, not that it couldn't, but every little bit does help.

[Sheol777]

Well I believe the tithe is really an Old Testament ideal in the law so the priests would have an income for their duties. The only reason it is in the NT is under the jewish law going into the church age. Once the church is established in Acts offerings are given.

I do not believe that a tithe (10%) is a command of God for today. I do however believe we should give to God an offering. Many people (myself included) feel a conviction to offer 10% to God....but I can not in good biblical conscience tell someone they NEED to give 10% to God.

I believe that the offering should go to your local church....where you are feed spiritually. It helps to give back, and it is God's money. He will take care of it. I mean if you need a lot of scripture on this, just read the beginning of the church on Acts.