If your gross income is only 8,000 a year should you still pay tithes?

Income is income, and since when do we let the governement tell us what our money is meant for, as in you can't give God money because the governement gave you money. Nonsense. Once it's your money you decide what to do with it. Irresponsable is not giving God back some of what He has given us. And if we acredit any of our money we have recieved to anyone else and not God our faith is already in trouble.
It's a faith and trust issue, nothing more.

 

It is a sad scene when we must sit down and calculate exactly what constitutes our available monies. We have missed the point altogether of "giving" as unto the Lord.

I think of the story of the young laddie who had no cash in pocket, so he took the offering plate and stood in it. "I give myself." he said, I give all I have. Indeed he was like the widow in scripture who gave all she had, even though the dollar value was small.

I love the cheerful giver, whether it be a dime or a dollar, and refuse to nitpick over percentages.

If I boast about tithing am I any better than the person who gives nothing? I think not!

If I remember correctly, the apostles bookkeeper debated the management of every shekel brought in to the apostles, yet he betrayed the Lord unto death!

Cheers,

Jim

 

Lets be honest about Judas. He stole money from the fund.

Monies aren't just monies. With wealth comes responsibility. Look at the talents parable. Each of the servants who invested monies properly and responsibly were praised the one who accted irresponsibly was condemed. EIC is given by government which in turns gets it from the populace which they tax. So in other words I'm personally giving a percentage to some one recieving EIC for their survival not to then give it to a pastor. Pastors have substantial tax breaks as it is because of their profession. Why would I want to give it to them but not to some one who is wondering about their next dinner? I think its a worthwhile question.

 

I wish someone had told me about all the breaks one got from being a pastor for all the years I served. We paid taxes the same as everyone else. We even paid taxes on that parsonage which was supposed to be "free" from the church.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I'm really sorry about that. I honestly think they should give a tax course to pastors at seminary. They have so many deductions and exclusions that their tax is minimal. However, to live off a pastors salary (for many not all) is tough to pay the full tax on top of that is very hard. But the fact that you've done it should encourage others. Though if you're from England I think the Laws there are somewhat different than American tax and American tax can be more linient with Pastors than UK. I don't know for sure but it may be so.


Cheers.

 

The bottom line is, people who want to worship God through giving $$ will, no matter how little or how much they have, whose who do not, will not.

 

Is tithing a matter of worship or obedience? Or is it a matter of spiritual development? Is tithing praise or is it a discipline?

Just some thoughts on this. If it is a matter of worship why not give all your money away? To hold some money back seems to limit worship. I guess I believe it is done out of obedience as a discipline like fasting.

 

You are aware, that even though a housing allowance does allow for a substantial income tax break...that ministers have to pay self-employment tax, right?

Your post is a bit misleading. There are not "large numbers of deductions and exclusions." And there is the matter of paying all of the FICA yourself, not 1/2.

 

tithing

Tithing is part of the Old covenant. The New Covenant does not require tithing.

Giving is taught in the New Testament.

I believe it is important to go back to Levitical law and understand what tithes were used for....one tithe was saved up and spent at the Feast of Tabernacles. One tithe went to the priests serving at the Temple. Another tithe went to the fatherless and the widows...it was a form of welfare...God's system of welfare. (His welfare system also included gleaning the edges of the fields for food)

Tithing is a package from the Old Covenant...you can't keep one without continuing the others.

Giving and supporting, though, is most definitely taught.

Overseers (pastors, bishops, evangelists, etc.) were counted worthy of support. 1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.


In fact, pastors are to be compensated very well for their labors in the Lord. 1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

The law mindset produces what you see in this thread...discussions of percentages, etc. etc.....I believe the right way to think about this issue and others is with the words of Paul....

Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

I believe the right thinking about the OP is that if we are living totally and completely for God's work, then what to give, how much to give will be a moot point....our motivation will be completely Spirit led and thus the needs of the Work will be more than adequately fulfilled.

Your sis in Christ,
Beth

 

Matt

Matt, if your friend is saved, then what she is to minister to the Body with the gifts which she has through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

She sounds like a lovely person!

Your sis in Christ,
Beth

 

Well you're right about the full fica but keep in mind that with the self employment tax there are back end brakes as well. So its not as bad. Overall I think Pastors get regarded pretty well by our tax system.

 

Bingo! Tithing is not about a "percentage" or a ritual of giving to gain God's favor, it is a matter of Faith, Trust, Love, Worship and the one who those actions are pointed to.

Only God truly knows your heart in this matter. If there is a tugging at your heart by the Holy Spirit concerning giving, then maybe He is prompting you to lean on Him more, not for His sake, but for yours. Is your trust in your ability to make ends meet, or is it in God who promises to provide all of our needs? If tithing is just a matter of perceived obligation, then it becomes just a vain ritual.

King Saul thought he was doing the right thing in taking it upon himself to offer a sacrifice, which he considered obligatory, before going to battle with the Philistines in 1 Samuel, but he had the wrong motive (not to mention he was not of the priestly line). He was just trying to gain favor with God, just as many Christians do today by putting something in the offering plate. But Samuel reprimanded him for his actions and reminded him that it is more important to be obedient than just follow ritual procedures.

God bless!

 

Is tithing an act of worship or is it obedience?