Tithing ~ Do you tithe?

@Jellen (1852)
United States
October 25, 2006 7:57pm CST
Do you give 10% of your increase to a church or ministry? Do you give faithfully to charity works?
5 responses
@djbtol (5493)
• United States
2 Dec 06
OK, I'll get the ball rolling on this one. I used to tithe to my church. Certain decisions along the way have now made our money so tight that I can no longer do that. If I would, bills would go unpaid. Now I know someone is going to tell me that I just need to have more faith. I hear you, but on the other hand my faith is not a tool to manipulate God. Yes I do need to continue to seek God for the solution. That is what trials are for. But God would not have me ignore financial obligations that I already have. God is most gracious loving and kind. I believe that no one can outgive God. I believe that God does bless those who gladly give the tithe. I also believe that God will help those who cannot tithe. I wish all Christians could tithe, then the Church would have plenty of resources. They would also have more temptation to sin and misuse the money. It is easy to trust the money more than you trust God. Many people get very legalistic and judgmental about tithing. Those who tithe think they sit at the right hand of God (withJesus), and those who don't must not be saved and are going to hell. Dangerous and wrong attitutdes there. I wish I could tithe. I wish my children could see me tithing. I wish my family could enjoy the blessing of tithing, instead of the curse of debt. Life is what it is, until the Lord brings a better place.
@Jellen (1852)
• United States
2 Dec 06
Thank you for your well-supported answer. It's refressing. My family gives about 5% because we are on disability and I am home as a caregiver since my husband's stroke. At first I felt guilty over not giving my usual 10%, but on disability, that would mean even less than enough. I prayed about the amount, sought my husband's affirmation, and settled on the amount per month with a certain peace about it. I wish I could do more and I do give to many other causes here and there. But your family is big. You are the breadwinner. I am comforted by the fact that we are under grace,not law. I am praying for your financial blessing and in it, your greater ability to give. And you are right about debt. It is a curse. Thankful am I for the day when I finally reached debt-free. But staying that way is as difficult as getting out of it, especially when medical expenses are not a choice item. Thanks for your input djbtol.
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
26 Jan 09
Yes I do; I have fallen short, but lately, I have made it my business to tithe when I can and give it my best.
@Jellen (1852)
• United States
26 Jan 09
That is what we need to do; give it our best. Even those who give a tithe, may not be givers in other ways. It still all comes down to the heart, and obedience to what God is telling each of us concerning our giving.
@KrauseHome (36449)
• United States
14 Dec 06
We do what we can. Sometimes we give 10%, but only when things are not Super tight due to Medical Bills, etc. We always give in Offerings, and feel it is important to give, but if it straps you and no one is there to help you if you fall behind, I would think that would defeat the purpose. So we do what we can do when we can, and go from there.
• United States
20 Jan 09
I believe ten percent is a good starting point. I give a bit more than that to the local congregation. And I am loyal to Special Olympics. There are others that receive my help from time to time.
@Jellen (1852)
• United States
20 Jan 09
There is alms giving that includes giving above the tithe, if I am correct. Also, I believe that tithing when the giving is resented is not the giving that brings blessing. It realy should come from a willing heart and a cheerful giver.
@SimplyMe (373)
• United States
5 Dec 06
I know this sounds terrible, but we do not give one tenth of our income. We use every penny my husband earns. We do, however, give money each week to both of our churches. We keep hoping someday we will be abble to actually give that ten percent.