Tithing July 10, 2007
Posted by Han in : Finance , trackbackI noticed that many who are interested in the article about the power of tithing. I would like to further write on this topic in Q&A format. I hope it will somehow clear certain of your doubts and you have a clear understanding on tithing.
1) What is tithing?
Tithing is paying God the first 10% of our income. This portion of our income belongs to God. If we are earning $2000, our tithe will be $200 (10% of $2000).
Notice I use the word “paying” not “giving” because we are returning back to God what’s belongs to Him.
Strictly speaking, everything (100%) belongs to God. We own nothing! If God would not bless us with a job, there would be no income. If God would not give us a healthy body, how then we can go to work? But God is good, he only require us to pay back 10% of our income.
2) Should we tithe on gross income or net income?
Gross income is our salary before deducting expenses. Net income is our salary after deducting expenses. We should be tithing on our gross income. Some of us have nothing left after deducting all their expenses. Our expenses are always increasing! So we should be tithing on our fix gross income.
3) Is tithing part of the law practice in the Old Testament and does not apply to us today?
No, tithing was established way back before the law given by Moses. In fact, Abraham gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek king of Salem (Genesis 14:19-20). It was reaffirmed by Jesus in the New Testament (Mathew 23:23).
4) What is the purpose of tithe?
The tithe is use for the practical function of supporting the church. But the real purpose of tithing is to learn how to fear God. This is a very clear cut way to see whether we fear God or not.
5) Where is the tithe to be given?
The tithe should be given to a local church where we attend our weekly service. This fund is used to support all the expenses of a local church. God has also designed the church to carry out some social welfare program like caring for sick, giving to the poor and also distributing to the necessity of the saints.
6) When should we pay tithe?
In 1 Corinthians 16:2 stated that it should be paid on the first day of each week. But I believe many of us are getting our income once a month, so it will be the first day of each month. If some of us are getting it once a week then it will be first day of each week.
Did you realize that it must be first day of the each week/month? There is a very important lesson about “first”. Why “first”? It speaks of our attitude. When we receive our income, the portion must “first” be taken out and the “first” thing we do is to bring it to the church. It must be treated as THE most important. We must present the best (first fruit) to God.
Some don’t have the problem of tithing their gross income. Every month they allocated their tithe out but they did not make it the first thing to do! They waited for the 2nd or the 3rd week to give!!! Though they willingly apportion out but there is still some reluctance. This is not the first fruit; it’s the last fruit, the remainder or the leftover!
Question: DO WE WANT GOD TO WITHHOLD HIS BLESSING LIKE THE WAY WE DELAY HIS TITHE?
I think no one would want God to withhold his blessing right? So do not delay our tithe!
7) Should a man tithe if he is in debt?
A man should tithe if he is in debt. Why? Because debt is an indication of not paying tithe. He is not following the commandment of God. He is walking in disobedience that is why he is in debt. The moment he starts to pay tithe, God is able to show him His power toward achieving financial freedom.
8) What if I have not tithed for several years?
Each Christian must come to his own decision as to how far back he should go in paying tithes. Repaying past tithes will give is a clear conscience toward God, a conscience that is free of any guilt of robbing Him (Malachi 3:8).
9) Should every Christian tithe?
Every Christian should pay tithe but this is purely between a Christian and God. No one or any church should force its member to tithe. However we can encourage one to tithe. Tithing should be done out of a cheerful heart with no compulsion.
Lastly, I hope that these questions will somehow clear your doubts. I pray that nothing will hold you back from tithing. Start to pay tithe and experience the SUPERNATURAL POWER of God, amen.
If you have any more question regarding tithing, please feel free to ask.
Related article: The power of tithing
Comments»
Have you ever been in debt to the point that there is not enough money to pay all of your debts and feed your family? God forgives sin. Letting yourself be shackled by the sin of indebtedness is one of the worst sins to eradicate in your life.
The sin of smoking or drinking. You just quit with little to look back on. With the shackles of debt, you are shackled and can’t see any relief. Bills have to be paid. Would God want you to go bankrupt? Not a good testimony in my thinking.
I am not sure what to do or where to go.
I am responding on Rick’s comment with a heavy heart. It brings back some old memories of my past. I had been through tough time. I was from a not “well-to-do” family. My parents were in debts. I could remember vividly nights when those people came to my house to collect money. Bills were pilling up - insurance, loan repayment, tax, utilities and school fee. Those were the days. My parents had to borrow from our relative to support my sister’s education. As for me, I wouldn’t dare to expect much from my parents!
Rick, I know what I had gone through is nothing compare to your situation. I know you are going through a very tough and difficult moment right now; all by yourself and no one to help. Not even God! That is why you asked the question “would God want you to go bankrupt?”
Would God want me to go bankrupt? First thing that comes into my mind, every good gift comes from God. Bankruptcy! Good or Bad? Pause…BAD! It’s not from God. So would God want me to go bankrupt? A big “NO”. God wants me to experience abundant and prosperous life. So bankruptcy is not from God. Prolong poverty is also not from God.
Next, I don’t know whether you have any children. But I do have one girl. As a father my role is to bring her up, take care of her, provide her with the education, impart to her the right character and value and lastly, train her with practical skill. I guess you can see; I want the BEST in her. You know what I mean. In no way there is any bad intention in me, I want the BEST in her. Same applies to God. God is my Father; He does not want me to go bankrupt!!! However He may allow me to go through some trial and testing but in no way He wants to see me suffer, bankrupt or die. And he laughs in heaven - hahaha!
I know it is easier to write than to go through. However I try my best to answer not because I can help you out of your situation. Honestly I got NO solution for you; basically what I have written in this website I believe you have already read it! You can say it’s just some theory!
BUT the only thing I can do is to ask you to TURN TO GOD even though you may not feel like it. Only God knows your detail situation. Only God knows what is happening. Only God knows how you feel and how bad your condition is. NO OTHER WAY, ONLY ONE WAY and that is GOD. ONLY GOD CAN WORK OUT A MIRACLE. I ask you to pray to God. Don’t be bothered by past experience or unanswered prayer. Just stop for a moment, put all your problems in both your hands and offer it to God. And from now on, you are not facing your financial difficulty all by yourself. God is beside you. In fact He is now carrying your burden.
After you have prayed, nothing may seem to happen but it is alright. I am very sure God will work out something in your situation and most important YOU. Have faith in God. Pls drop me an email. I want to hear from you.
I could recall a couple of yrs back when I looked into my bank account & saw red, life was a tremendous struggle! Just as Rick mentioned, bills kept piling up, loans such as for home & renovation had to be repaid & even buying a can of milk for my newborn baby was difficult! However, decided that no matter what happens I should continue to put God first & tithed even when there wasn’t enough. I tithed not because I had to but rather because I was DESPERATE for God’s miracle to get me out from this unbearable situation! In just a year plus later, true enough as He promised in Malachi 3:10, He turned the situation around & made me regained my financial freedom & I was able to stand on my feet again!
Even though God had not granted me spontaneous miracle but even better, He imparted me His skills on the know-how on how I should tackle my debts one by one, to live simply, to spend wisely & to know that all resources that I have come from Him. This was a greater MIRACLE as with this skill, now I’m able to manage my finance well wherever I go & thus never again to fall into the shackles of debt!Only if we can still trust Him & believe in His ways! I must say that there are heaps of books or so called Financial Advisers or Gurus out there which claimed that they could help us gain financial freedom but NONE can promise us ETERNAL financial freedom which is without sorrow! This secret can only be found in His instruction manual called the Bible.
Rick, I pray that you’ll seek Him only rather then the other financial gurus (or even friends or close ones who at this point of time will make themselves dissappear anyway) & hear what He has to say. Perhaps it will not be an immediate solution but certainly, His ways will never fail you & as you follow His ways tightly & faithfully, who knows you’ll be turned around in no time. In other words, it’s not so much of we can’t afford to tithe but rather it should be - we can’t afford NOT to tithe!
God Bless!