Must tithing be cash?

[Gina B]

I'm curious as to how this is supposed to work.

People in another section discussed taxation, earned income credit, and welfare. Some mentioned charitable giving.

What if a person cannot give a cash tithe without it putting them over the edge and into needing help from the church or the government?

Can those people tithe by doing something that saves money for the church, such as cleaning the building, performing maintenance, or using talents and/or time to do things such as construction, cooking for ill members, working in the office for free, and things of that nature?

Were tithes meant for everyone, or were the poor exempt? We see the example of the widow giving all she had. Was she required to tithe and gave over, or was she exempt and an example of a person with the gift of generosity, thus providing us with someone to look to when we think of where our hearts should be in our giving?

 

[webdog]

Technically, it should be crops and livestock

The bottom line is God loves a cheerful giver. If you can do anything you mentioned above with such an attitude as that, it is not the monetary amount that matters.

 

[abcgrad94]

Some tithe money. Some tithe time. Some don't tithe at all, but instead view everything they have as already belonging to God.

I believe we are no longer under the law concerning tithes, but instead should give what we have joyfully as unto the Lord, whether that be our time, money, use of vehicles, hospitality, or in any other service.

 

[Thousand Hills]

I personally tithe with cash. I've tithed when I had little income, and I've tithed when we've had better years. Again, a personal conviction. God does own it all, in my opinion tithing is about worship, and recognizing that he supplies all of our needs. Paul wrote that he had "learned" to be content in all situations (Phillipians 4:11), I've had good years and bad years financially, I strive to be content, but sometimes I grumble and complain. But at the end of the day I can honestly say that God has always provided my "needs" no matter what my financial situation.

Not to hijack your thread, but it is related to the original question. I've always taken the standard deduction on my taxes, but this year I'll most likely itemize. I don't plan on including what I have given (tithes and sponsorship of children overseas) as a deduction on my taxes. Just a personal conviction of mine, but how do others feel about this?

 

[Alcott]

Why is it a conviction of yours to not take the deduction? You could donate however much this puts back into your pocket to the children overseas, too. Or is it your conviction that the feds have it rather than the children?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Technically, it should be crops and livestock

Ive got chickens in the back yard....how bout a dozen brown eggs....fresh!

 

[webdog]

Why is it a conviction of yours to not take the deduction? You could donate however much this puts back into your pocket to the children overseas, too. Or is it your conviction that the feds have it rather than the children?

I agree...why in the world would you WANT to be taxed on charitable giving?!? You think the government will handle it wisely?

 

[Thousand Hills]

Why is it a conviction of yours to not take the deduction? You could donate however much this puts back into your pocket to the children overseas, too. Or is it your conviction that the feds have it rather than the children?

Trust me, I do not want to pay any more taxes than I have too, again, this will be the first year that I will most likely be able to itemize. Whatever amount I would be able to save from the deduction will likely be minimal. My view though is that it is none of the government's business what I do with what God has blessed us with, any more than what they already know. See Matthew 6:1-4.

 

[StefanM]

Not to hijack your thread, but it is related to the original question. I've always taken the standard deduction on my taxes, but this year I'll most likely itemize. I don't plan on including what I have given (tithes and sponsorship of children overseas) as a deduction on my taxes. Just a personal conviction of mine, but how do others feel about this?

Take the deduction!

The law permits the deduction, so you are not attempting to avoid any responsibilities.

 

[StefanM]

Some tithe money. Some tithe time. Some don't tithe at all, but instead view everything they have as already belonging to God.

I believe we are no longer under the law concerning tithes, but instead should give what we have joyfully as unto the Lord, whether that be our time, money, use of vehicles, hospitality, or in any other service.

I think this is very well said. I completely agree.

 

[Thousand Hills]

Take the deduction!

The law permits the deduction, so you are not attempting to avoid any responsibilities.

I'm giving to God's work as a form of worship, not to get any potential benefit from the government. You all may think I'm crazy, that's fine, but again its a personal conviction. Just wanted to get others opinions.

 

[matt wade]

I'm giving to God's work as a form of worship, not to get any potential benefit from the government. You all may think I'm crazy, that's fine, but again its a personal conviction. Just wanted to get others opinions.

I see your stance and can see why you might do it. (I said that so you wouldn't think I'm being argumentative with the next question )

Do you also do all your giving in cash, with no marking that the giving was from you?

 

[Scarlett O.]

I believe in tithing of the first fruits - whatever that means to the individual. No - it doesn't have to be cash.


I am a tither. I have always believed in it. It's important to me. I consider it part of my worship. I'm not dogmatic about it nor am I legalistic about it. I don't believe that my tithing justifies me before God and if others are led NOT to tithe - I would never argue it with them.

I practice tithing for the "storehouse". That's the local church. Anything above that I consider offerings.

Offerings to the LORD can be made to the local church or elsewhere. They can be whatever one is led to give - be it money or something else.

I believe that whether one tithes, makes offerings, or both, he should always make sure that they are unblemished offerings, the best offerings, and given for the glory of God and from pure motivations.

One can write out a $1,000 check, but if he is only doing so to have a tax write-off, then God does not honor that. Also, if one gives $1,000, when he COULD be giving $10,000, then he is not giving his best and not giving sacrificially.

If one gives $5 and that is the absolute best that he can do that day and it's a sacrifice just to do THAT and his motivations are pure, then God is pleased with the $5.

God doesn't need my money. God doesn't need me nor anything that I have, am, own, or possess. But God does require that I do not serve Him and Mammon. For me, and I can't speak for anyone esle, letting go of that money, just like the Old Testament people being required to let go of their most prize-winning male sheep that COULD be used for lucrative breeding purposes and made them rich, is a testimony that one trusts God to provide and that one isn't depending on the material to be his god.

We are a flawed creation whose attachment to wealth, power, and material possesions have been the ruination of entire families. If we will trust God with our money, we will trust Him with anything. Sad to say, but true.

It's not a matter of legalistic accounting. It's a matter of trusting God. I was drawn to practice tithing because of the trust factor. I give offerings when prompted by the Holy Spirit. I do not teach that others should follow my lead, but to follow God's lead.

You should do whatever God is leading you to do. Pray about it.
​

 

[Thousand Hills]

Do you also do all your giving in cash, with no marking that the giving was from you?

Yes 99% of the time in cash, the tithes at church are made in cash, although we have envelopes and get a record at the end of the year, I don't look at it and throw it away. (If anybody at the church office is doing giving comparisons thats on them not me.) The monthly sponsorships through Compassion International are on a credit card, and occassionaly we give to a local food bank/shelter ministry and we write a check and send it in the mail.

 

[StefanM]

I'm giving to God's work as a form of worship, not to get any potential benefit from the government. You all may think I'm crazy, that's fine, but again its a personal conviction. Just wanted to get others opinions.

Feel free to do whatever you wish. The federal government welcomes voluntary contributions .

If you were giving in order to get the benefit, I would see an ethical issue. However, IMO, if the benefit of the tax deduction is a result of giving and not the cause of it, it's not an issue.

 

[nodak]

One thing to consider: if you tithe and do so in a manner that creates a record such as checks, offering envelopes, claiming the deduction, etc and should encounter disaster and declare bankruptcy, some courts may order your church to pay that money back to your creditors.

 

[John Toppass]

If anyone is giving for the tax deduction then they really need some math help. You get less refund from charitable giving than the amount given. So, if it is for deduction just keep the whole wad in your pocket.
Now taking the refund and adding it on top of your tithe is a wonderful way to increase your offerings.

 

[Jon-Marc]

I am hurting financially due to lack of money and too many expenses. For the last two years (next year will be the third year), there has been no increase for living expenses because Uncle Sam there has been no increase in living expenses. Can anyone say "That is nonsense and a lie!"?

I haven't beena ctive in a church in a long time because I feel embarrassed to just sit there and watch the offering plate go by and can't contribute. WE are made to believe that tithing was instituted by God and that He expects us to tithe and gvie offerings in addition to that.

In the last book of the Old Testament (not sure how to spell it, and I don't have a BIble handy), we are told that we have robbed God of tithes and offerings. That sounds very much as though God demands and expects tithing.

If I'm robbing God of tithes and offerings that I can't give due to all my money going for bills and other expenses with NO unecessary luxeries, then I might as well stay home and not be embarrassed by not being able to give.

 

[webdog]

If anyone is giving for the tax deduction then they really need some math help. You get less refund from charitable giving than the amount given. So, if it is for deduction just keep the whole wad in your pocket.
Now taking the refund and adding it on top of your tithe is a wonderful way to increase your offerings.

Nobody here has advocated giving FOR the tax deduction, but if you are going to give and there is a tax deduction, why not take it? If it's between letting the government have it and your church, why in the world would you want the government to have it

 

[Steadfast Fred]

I believe in tithing of the first fruits - whatever that means to the individual. No - it doesn't have to be cash.​

Tithing and firstfruits were not the same. Nehemiah 12:44 makes a distinction between the two when it says "for the firstfruits, and for the tithes...".

I am a tither. I have always believed in it. It's important to me. I consider it part of my worship. I'm not dogmatic about it nor am I legalistic about it. I don't believe that my tithing justifies me before God and if others are led NOT to tithe - I would never argue it with them.

It is good that you don't tell others they must tithe. Peter said Gentile believers were not to be put under the yoke of the Mosaic Law.

I practice tithing for the "storehouse". That's the local church. Anything above that I consider offerings.

Please provide Scripture that says the local church is the storehouse. I have yet to find it.

Offerings to the LORD can be made to the local church or elsewhere. They can be whatever one is led to give - be it money or something else.

Agreed

I believe that whether one tithes, makes offerings, or both, he should always make sure that they are unblemished offerings, the best offerings, and given for the glory of God and from pure motivations.

Wonder why God said the tenth cattle, whether blemished or not, was not to be changed? (Lev. 27:32,33)

One can write out a $1,000 check, but if he is only doing so to have a tax write-off, then God does not honor that. Also, if one gives $1,000, when he COULD be giving $10,000, then he is not giving his best and not giving sacrificially.

Agreed.

If one gives $5 and that is the absolute best that he can do that day and it's a sacrifice just to do THAT and his motivations are pure, then God is pleased with the $5.

Agreed.

God doesn't need my money. God doesn't need me nor anything that I have, am, own, or possess. But God does require that I do not serve Him and Mammon. For me, and I can't speak for anyone esle, letting go of that money, just like the Old Testament people being required to let go of their most prize-winning male sheep that COULD be used for lucrative breeding purposes and made them rich, is a testimony that one trusts God to provide and that one isn't depending on the material to be his god.

One's motives do play a factor, but when God does not require and one gives unselfishly, God is pleased.

We are a flawed creation whose attachment to wealth, power, and material possesions have been the ruination of entire families. If we will trust God with our money, we will trust Him with anything. Sad to say, but true.

Trusting God with our money is good, but we must also remember that he that does not provide for his family is worse than an infidel. If putting a ten dollar bill in the offering plate means the family will have to do without food for a couple days, God does not want that ten dollar bill.

It's not a matter of legalistic accounting. It's a matter of trusting God. I was drawn to practice tithing because of the trust factor. I give offerings when prompted by the Holy Spirit. I do not teach that others should follow my lead, but to follow God's lead.

Since tithing was of the crops and herds (as pointed out by webdog) I am curious who convinced you that God wanted a tithe of money?

You should do whatever God is leading you to do. Pray about it.

Advice to pray in all matters is good.