Do you? If so, how much of your income?

The reason I ask is that as Catholics, we do give to the church. But, not a percentage of our income or anything like that. My sister, however, belongs to some born again Christian church in Accokeek...and she had me drop off checks to them twice during December and January. When I saw the amounts...well... :faint:

They WANT you to give at least 10% of your gross income. They get 10% of my expendable income which, sad to say, isn't much.

The bible says 10% to the church, but to me, the church is the people and I give to the church, church, but I also give to various charitable organizations and include that in the 10 percent. That would be 10% of MY income; my husband gives to charity but not 10 percent.

My father (and 2A) both feel that the 10% is 10% directly to the church and the other monies shouldn't be included.

Of all the things in religion, tithing is the one that I disagree with most.

I understand that the church uses the money for good......but I'll be the director of my charity.

She says 10% isn't required and that the church doesn't "care" what you tithe... I find that hard to believe. They tithed, what is equivalent to me, a house payment, both months. She is almost fanatical about it and makes sure it is there by the first of the month. I just find it odd. :shrug:

Point being... God doesn't care, what you tithe. Remember the woman in the Bible who gave a penny? God is not Bill Gates. :huggy:

Tithing is something I have always had a problem with. Though they still participate in our family traditions, my parents converted to Christianity a few years ago. The Southern Baptist church to be exact. And they faithfully tithe 10% of their $180,000 annual income to their church. I think $18,000 a year is a ridiculous amount of my inheritance to tithe away. And for what? :shrug: So their preacher and church gets richer. :shrug:

I don't get it.

She says 10% isn't required and that the church doesn't "care" what you tithe... I find that hard to believe. They tithed, what is equivalent to me, a house payment, both months. She is almost fanatical about it and makes sure it is there by the first of the month. I just find it odd. :shrug:


My father used to tell me charity begins at home. My personal belief is that people tithe what THEY feel is correct. If she's not coming to YOU for money to make her ends meet 'cuz she's giving too much to the church, why would you care what she tithes? :whistle:

Tithing is something I have always had a problem with. Though they still participate in our family traditions, my parents converted to Christianity a few years ago. The Southern Baptist church to be exact. And they faithfully tithe 10% of their $180,000 annual income to their church. I think $18,000 a year is a ridiculous amount of my inheritance to tithe away. And for what? :shrug: So their preacher and church gets richer. :shrug:

I don't get it.


It's your money? Again, why isn't it okay for them to use the money they earn any way they choose? :coffee:

Do you? If so, how much of your income?

The reason I ask is that as Catholics, we do give to the church. But, not a percentage of our income or anything like that. My sister, however, belongs to some born again Christian church in Accokeek...and she had me drop off checks to them twice during December and January. When I saw the amounts...well... :faint:
I would be more concerned in your sister losing her Faith.

I would be more concerned in your sister losing her Faith.

I don't think so! :jameo:

:elaine: I think the catholic religion has alot of law suits to pay off and why should i pay for that!!! :nono:

Phrased correctly: dropping the tenets/practices of one in exchange for one that is more Biblically sound. (Sola Scriptura)

Regarding the Tithe: We do not own anything. We came into this world with nothing, we leave with nothing- Period: we are merely stewards: entrusted with worldly goods until we are called home. Thus, we are giving back for God's use: 10% (by faith) to be used for His purposes. If we are faithful with what He has entrusted us,...He will entrust us with more.

If a church squanders it on lavish furniture, new parking lots, and pastor vacations & condos: leave that church: they do not have their priorities right.
Spending it on missionaries, orphans, people burned out of their homes, runaways, pregnant teens, chaplains in the military & prisons: That is money well spent because it is reaching out to those who need to feel that someone (the believers) care for them.

Tithing is something I have always had a problem with. Though they still participate in our family traditions, my parents converted to Christianity a few years ago. The Southern Baptist church to be exact. And they faithfully tithe 10% of their $180,000 annual income to their church. I think $18,000 a year is a ridiculous amount of my inheritance to tithe away. And for what? :shrug: So their preacher and church gets richer. :shrug:

I don't get it.

It has nothing to do with getting "richer". Our church spends a lot of money on events and activities for families and members to attend. All of this, along with rent, electricity, salaries, food, helping those in need, etc etc costs money! It's not so much the amount you give but whether you give generously compared to what else you use your money for.

Tithe means 10%.

Main Entry: 1tithe
Pronunciation: 'tI[th]
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): tithed; tith·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English teogothian, from teogotha tenth
transitive verb
1 : to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of the church
2 : to levy a tithe on
intransitive verb : to give a tenth of one's income as a tithe

The tithe is mentioned many places in the Bible. This is the first.
Leviticus 27:30'Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S; it is holy to the LORD. You can see that the tithe is holy to God.

The Bible also says that you are robbing God when you don't tithe.
Malachi 3:8"Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
As to what Kain posted about the widow, context is everything. She didn't just tithe. She gave all she had.Mark 12:41-44

41And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.

42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.

43Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;

44for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
It is not easy to tithe. I did not do it for a long time. I started giving more until now I more than tithe. It boils down to how much do you trust God. Do you trust Him with your finances? I know that I have more left over at the end of a month now than I did when I did not tithe. I have found that as I give I am given to. I have learned that you cannot out give God.

meangirl, it sounds like your sister is richly blessed and recognizes that all she has is really God's and is giving back a portion of what she has been given. I'm glad she is so blessed.

Each person must choose who they will serve, God or mammon, wealth/money. This is what Jesus said.
Matthew 6:16-34

16"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

17"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face

18so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

21for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.

23"But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth.

25"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

30"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

31"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'

32"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Don't give out of obligation. Give out of love. I love and trust God, so I give. If others choose not to give or only give a portion, that is between them and God.

May God richly bless all of you; may you recognize His blessings; may you return to God out of your blessings.

I don't see anything wrong with giving money to the church. I usually give 10% and if God blesses me with extra money I will give more or if I know of somebody who is is need of money or food I will give it to them. It is an awesome feeling to be able to help somebody in their time of need and when you do it from the heart and expect nothing in return that is usually when God blesses you!! We serve an awesome God. I feel sorry for those Pastors who take advantage of the body of Christ and use the money for their own gain and not towards the Kingdom of God:( Blesses to you all.

Oops! I thought it said titthing :shocked:

Don't give out of obligation. Give out of love. I love and trust God, so I give. If others choose not to give or only give a portion, that is between them and God.

Well said 2A.

I know that several years ago I read about a church that expected a 5% contribution from its members - and that it did not have to be to THEM - but to charity. In turn, the church itself gave 5% of its income away. I thought that was a tremendous example.

The church that I was in for many years not only believed in 10% of gross - you have to submit your pay stub so they could verify you were *doing* it. And 10% was the minimum allowed. Further, once a year - or more often as the situation arose, they required a "special missions contribution" to which they told you what the minimum 'multiplier' would be - as in, take your typical weekly contribution and 'multiply' it by this number, and that number was usually a number between 15 and 20. So if you gave 100 a week, your SMC would be between 1500 and 2000. Also every other form of money you got was tithed.

In addition, all throughout the year there were numerous events, retreats, and so on for which your dollars were required, and attendance was mandatory. You had to give for birthdays, volunteer your time for moves and other events. And without fail, the church leadership ALWAYS got your support in terms of babysitting, housecleaning, yard work and any other kind of "support" the paid staff desired.

I think eventually I reached the end of my rope when I realized that at least 33% of my income went for *something* with the church - whether paying for food for Bible Talk, for the tenth 'retreat' this year, for some performance the church was doing to raise money for "missions". We learned much later that "missions" contributions rarely left the local church - in their mind, "missions" also included the local staff.

While cases of incredible abuse weren't rampant, it disturbed me to learn of the bennies of being on staff. Some of their wireless bills alone were more than what I could give in a month. There was very little accountability. It bothered me to know I was eating mac and cheese and driving a POS while staff drove around in brand new sedans. I lived with five other guys in a tiny flat while my evangelist had a rec room twice the size of our home. The lead evangelist sent his kids to elite private schools and had private coaches for their athletic activities. I got up at the crack of dawn to work at the church and didn't leave until sundown - staff got there around 9:30 and left at 3:30.

I don't know why I put up with it for so long. My parents put up with it for YEARS later, always in denial of the waste. Finally, some of came to surface - they'd learn of finances where a single couple might spend more than 1000 a month just in phone bills. They decided on massive MASSIVE accountability for the staff, and appointed church boards to govern the spending. So while these boards weren't "biblical" - I don't know a person on the planet to whom you can entrust MILLIONS of dollars a year and not have them waste a lot of it.

So to this day - I give as I see need. I volunteer as I can. I give where the organization is open enough to show where the money is spent. I don't think it's too much to give hundreds of dollars so that a family can eat - but I think it's outrageous to support an organization or charity where less than half your money actually goes to the people and the rest is swallowed up in administration. If you think your money is well spent preaching the Word around the globe, good on you. I was giving money so that preachers could hold conferences in Paris - and then take a week off for vacation - with their family. Not what I'm sacrificing for.

The fun(d) of organized religion..

WHere does your money go? How much does your church take in a year? DO they have records you can look at to see where the money is, or where it has gone? I know, you give money with faith, and you have to have faith that is going to a good cause.

The church buys more property, another painting, a new fleet of cars for their leadership, oh and a small percentage actually goes out to help feloow human beings. I believe my 10% would be put to better use going to local or national charities, where you know the money is being used for good. The Red Cross, Hospice... St Jude's.. At least I know my money won't be supporting some pedophile in his old age.

Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way, maybe I shouldn't be talking out against religion, maybe I should jump on the band wagon like the rest of the "God fearing Evangelists". Apparetnly there is a lot of money in it, tax free money, imagine the life style I could live.

Too bad I'm a decent person and can't take advantage of my fellow man like that.

I believe my 10% would be put to better use going to local or national charities.

An enormous number of them fare little better. Oddly enough, even though I am not Catholic, I do give more often to their charities, because they usually have very little overhead for some of their work. But I've seen data on some charities where the overhead is as high as 60% - and even where it is low, the head of the charity STILL lives quite well even though he's payed by charitable donations.

In some places, the BEST way to take advantage of your fellow man is a non-profit organization which purports to tackle some humanitarian, altruistic cause.

An enormous number of them fare little better. Oddly enough, even though I am not Catholic, I do give more often to their charities, because they usually have very little overhead for some of their work. But I've seen data on some charities where the overhead is as high as 60% - and even where it is low, the head of the charity STILL lives quite well even though he's payed by charitable donations.

In some places, the BEST way to take advantage of your fellow man is a non-profit organization which purports to tackle some humanitarian, altruistic cause.
True. I like the CFC where they list how much goes to overhead, advertising etc.. and how much actually goes to their cause. Can't remember specifics, but I THINK they won't list a charity in the CFC if their overhead is more then 10%?

True. I like the CFC where they list how much goes to overhead, advertising etc.. and how much actually goes to their cause. Can't remember specifics, but I THINK they won't list a charity in the CFC if their overhead is more then 10%?

That's the one I was referring to - and unless they've changed rules recently, that isn't true. Every year, my favorite game was to find either the most ridiculous charity, or list all of the ones with overhead greater than *50*%.

The fun(d) of organized religion..

WHere does your money go? How much does your church take in a year? DO they have records you can look at to see where the money is, or where it has gone? I know, you give money with faith, and you have to have faith that is going to a good cause.

The church buys more property, another painting, a new fleet of cars for their leadership, oh and a small percentage actually goes out to help feloow human beings. I believe my 10% would be put to better use going to local or national charities, where you know the money is being used for good. The Red Cross, Hospice... St Jude's.. At least I know my money won't be supporting some pedophile in his old age.

Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way, maybe I shouldn't be talking out against religion, maybe I should jump on the band wagon like the rest of the "God fearing Evangelists". Apparetnly there is a lot of money in it, tax free money, imagine the life style I could live.

Too bad I'm a decent person and can't take advantage of my fellow man like that.
It is sad that some "religious" organizations miss use the the money given. If they were "God fearing Evangelists", they would not miss use God's money. Those that do miss use it certainly are not God fearing.

I am discerning about where I give. I know my church is accountable for the funds it receives. Any member can get an accounting of where money is being spent. If our church buys any "paintings", they are prints from Wal*Mart or second hand and are few and far between. The church building is rather minimal as are the furnishings. For a long time, the baptismal was just a livestock watering trough. We fully support some missionaries and some of the money goes to help those in the congregation that have very little. Of course the pastor is supported, but he and his family live very modestly.

It is sad that some "religious" organizations miss use the the money given. If they were "God fearing Evangelists", they would not miss use God's money. Those that do miss use it certainly are not God fearing.

I am discerning about where I give. I know my church is accountable for the funds it receives. Any member can get an accounting of where money is being spent. If our church buys any "paintings", they are prints from Wal*Mart or second hand and are few and far between. The church building is rather minimal as are the furnishings. For a long time, the baptismal was just a livestock watering trough. We fully support some missionaries and some of the money goes to help those in the congregation that have very little. Of course the pastor is supported, but he and his family live very modestly.
As it should be..

Giving is spiritual greatness. One of the most important things that we can do as followers of God is to imitate him. In a powerful way we show people who God is by simply acting like He acts. This works for many reasons, one of which is this: we do not understand God well enough to describe him. When we talk to people about who God is (this forum being a case in point) we typically end up in an argument about some semantic point or some interpretation. But when we act like God there is no argument.
When we talk about giving we are usually very careful to make sure that we are giving to a cause that will use our gift in a way that makes sense to us. We don’t want to give to someone who is simply going to waste our money or throw it away. We want to feel good about giving. It is almost like we want the gift to be used in a way that honors us. This is totally backwards. God gives freely to us knowing completely that we will misuse and abuse His gifts. Giving freely and with no strings attached makes us more like God or godly if you will. This is how God acts and how we should act. Read this sermon (http://www.aish.com/torahportion/shragasweekly/Be_A_Giver.asp) by one of my favorite Rabbis.

Tithing is something I have always had a problem with. Though they still participate in our family traditions, my parents converted to Christianity a few years ago. The Southern Baptist church to be exact. And they faithfully tithe 10% of their $180,000 annual income to their church. I think $18,000 a year is a ridiculous amount of my inheritance to tithe away. And for what? :shrug: So their preacher and church gets richer. :shrug:

I don't get it.


what do you think pays for missionaries and Soup Kitchens, Church out reach programs ........ sure you will always find a Jim Baker and Tammy Faye .... but you see where they ended up right ? :whistle:

Phrased correctly: dropping the tenets/practices of one in exchange for one that is more Biblically sound. (Sola Scriptura)

Regarding the Tithe: We do not own anything. We came into this world with nothing, we leave with nothing- Period: we are merely stewards: entrusted with worldly goods until we are called home. Thus, we are giving back for God's use: 10% (by faith) to be used for His purposes. If we are faithful with what He has entrusted us,...He will entrust us with more.

If a church squanders it on lavish furniture, new parking lots, and pastor vacations & condos: leave that church: they do not have their priorities right.
Spending it on missionaries, orphans, people burned out of their homes, runaways, pregnant teens, chaplains in the military & prisons: That is money well spent because it is reaching out to those who need to feel that someone (the believers) care for them.


Amen Brother !!!

. This is totally backwards. God gives freely to us knowing completely that we will misuse and abuse His gifts. Giving freely and with no strings attached makes us more like God or godly if you will. This is how God acts and how we should act. Read this sermon (http://www.aish.com/torahportion/shragasweekly/Be_A_Giver.asp) by one of my favorite Rabbis.
So who cares how your church/ pastor spend the money, put the blinders on, and just open your wallet? I'm sorry, I'm a thinking, sentient being, not a sheep.

God's not the one spending my money, if he was I would agree with you, but he doesn't spend it, he doesn't even need it! Man is spending it, on what they think is a deserving cause, and if they think a multimillion dollar yacht is a deserving cause I should be ok with that? Thousands of people around the world have found religion.. they've found it be a lucrative BUSINESS. They live in beautiful houses, drive expensive cars, even have private planes (SOME even have their own fleet of planes) while asking the less fortunate, the ones trying to feed their kids and pay their bills, to pay your share!! You get a welfare check? They want 10%.. or else!!

That's not what Jesus taught, whether he's a super bieng or a normal man, making money off of the downtrodden or ANYone for that matter was not in his teachings.

I thought he taught to be charitable towards your fellow man, so giving to the homeless person on the corner SHOULD as acceptable a tithe (who translated this to mean CASH??) as giving to the church... Or giving to the Red Cross, or giving to the Katrina Relief Fund.. or the AIDS fund for Africa.. but it's not. Give 10% to the CHURCH OR spend eternity burning in the flames of hell.. oh yeah, that's a christ like thought to share with your fellow man too.

This is the crux of organized religion. Some are worse then others, but MOST make more then they can spend, but find ways to spend it anyways.

So who cares how your church/ pastor spend the money, put the blinders on, and just open your wallet?...and if they think a multimillion dollar yacht is a deserving cause I should be ok with that?...You get a welfare check? They want 10%.. or else!!...This is the crux of organized religion. Some are worse then others, but MOST make more then they can spend, but find ways to spend it anyways.

I'm not sure if this entire tirade is meant to be a response to my post. If it is then I appreciate the time and effort you put in to missing my point, I'm sure it wasn't easy.

Church leaders should not abuse the gifts given to them and God will deal with them. However, if we, as Christians, stop giving then we have separated ourselves from the personality of God. No, we should not celebrate or encourage the churches that misrepresent Christianity, but the only way Christians will change the world is by acting more like God himself.

That's not what Jesus taught, whether he's a super bieng or a normal man, making money off of the downtrodden or ANYone for that matter was not in his teachings.

Interestingly in Mark 12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2012:41-44;&version=31;) Jesus watched people putting money into the Temple offering. Ironically this Temple was run by the leaders who would later have Jesus killed and eventually persecute and try to overthrow the early Church. Jesus was not impressed with the large sums of money that rich people gave but rather with the poor widow who gave out of her poverty. It amazes me that this poor widow’s act of giving (not the end use of the money) was valued by the creator of the universe and savior of the world.

The most worthwhile lessons in scripture are usually the hardest ones to face and they seldom appeal to our worldly frame of reference.

Very interesting thread here. I have to say I do agree with giving to a church. I do not agree with the whole 10% of your income... When I go to church I give $5 to them.. it's not that I am trying to be cheap. I just don't have 10% of my income to give..:nomoney: I wish I could give more but can't...I know that the churches does do good with the money. My main Question is how much does the Pastor make?? And does he give back to the church or does his service of preaching to us counts as him giving back. :shrug:

Very interesting thread here. I have to say I do agree with giving to a church. I do not agree with the whole 10% of your income... When I go to church I give $5 to them.. it's not that I am trying to be cheap. I just don't have 10% of my income to give..:nomoney: I wish I could give more but can't...I know that the churches does do good with the money. My main Question is how much does the Pastor make?? And does he give back to the church or does his service of preaching to us counts as him giving back. :shrug:


I think its all about faith :yay: You give 10% as requested in the Bible and you get back tenfold :yay: Sometimes when I have the least amount of money I still donate and it does come back to me tenfold :yay: But you have to give 10% from you heart and not as some get rich quick scheme if that makes any sense. It always works for me. I think the Lord wants the best, not what is leftover, like wheat in a barn or something. Not sure if that's in the Bible or I read that in my NIV. His eye really is on the sparrow :yay: Good luck!

:flowers: I understand Crucnhtime money issue. My husband and I make plenty of money to be able to give 10% to our church. However there are time where I just can't give that 10% to the church. :nomoney:

... My main Question is how much does the Pastor make?? And does he give back to the church or does his service of preaching to us counts as him giving back. :shrug:

Good question. Some may disagree but I think that a pastor should make at least the average yearly income of his congregation. Otherwise a strange hierarchy develops where the spiritual leader is like a second class citizen. What he/she does with that money is between them and God.

:flowers: I understand Crucnhtime money issue. My husband and I make plenty of money to be able to give 10% to our church. However there are time where I just can't give that 10% to the church. :nomoney:


Just a suggestion. :coffee: Maybe you should stop spending it at bars dancing and shooting pool. :yay: Maybe you as a good Christian and all should think about these things before hand. Especially if you go to these bars and don't drink or smoke.:yay:

Very interesting thread here. I have to say I do agree with giving to a church. I do not agree with the whole 10% of your income... When I go to church I give $5 to them.. it's not that I am trying to be cheap. I just don't have 10% of my income to give..:nomoney: I wish I could give more but can't...I know that the churches does do good with the money. My main Question is how much does the Pastor make?? And does he give back to the church or does his service of preaching to us counts as him giving back. :shrug:
I didn't have much to give either, $2 was my norm. Then I made a decision to "stretch" because it is the right thing to do. I have not regretted it. I started giving beyond my human ability to give, $10, $20, $100, increasing over the years. Now, I more than tithe. It comes back in many ways. I don't give to get, but I get because I give. Goes to the attitude of the heart. I love God and trust Him with my finances.

The questions you ask are proper. How much does the pastor make? Each church is different. Does he tithe? Ask your pastor; you have a right to know. Our pastor lives modestly and gets a reasonable but not exorbitant salary. I've never asked, but I believe he does tithe.

Good question. Some may disagree but I think that a pastor should make at least the average yearly income of his congregation. Otherwise a strange hierarchy develops where the spiritual leader is like a second class citizen. What he/she does with that money is between them and God.
That is probably a good rule of thumb. Also a good yardstick is does the clergy set the salary or does the congregation set the salary. The congregation should do it, but the congregation should not be cheap either.

That is probably a good rule of thumb. Also a good yardstick is does the clergy set the salary or does the congregation set the salary. The congregation should do it, but the congregation should not be cheap either.

That's a good rule of thumb for the upper limit as well. This idea of the Pastor being "above" the rest of the church (ie, the types who live in mansions and drive luxury cars and buy diamonds while their congregation lives in trailer parks) is just as wrong. Just my opinion.... :whistle:

That's a good rule of thumb for the upper limit as well. This idea of the Pastor being "above" the rest of the church (ie, the types who live in mansions and drive luxury cars and buy diamonds while their congregation lives in trailer parks) is just as wrong. Just my opinion.... :whistle:
I agree. :high5: Reminds me of that Steve Martin movie where he plays a preacher. Made for a funny movie, but pretty sick in real life. :lol:

you tithe 10% to the Lord because of obedience the church recieves it in honor of God and theyt will be held accountable of what they do with the money...... the money according to God's word is to go to the poor and widow's and orphans not as cash but as food, ele. bills and other things. the pastor should get paid a salary and some for the up keep of Gods house.... but most churches have there own mine as to big payments to the preacher and the building fund and other material things. the board members and the pastors will stand before God and give a account of everything......:) should you tithe yes I set aside 10 % of what I get after taxes and I know that the Lord will bless.....:) I know this because I am a ordaind pastor....:)

Hey Pastor, how did Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, the father of the faithful, give a tithe to God?

I saw that..how many ID's do you have?

Very interesting thread here. I have to say I do agree with giving to a church. I do not agree with the whole 10% of your income... When I go to church I give $5 to them.. it's not that I am trying to be cheap. I just don't have 10% of my income to give..:nomoney: I wish I could give more but can't...I know that the churches does do good with the money. My main Question is how much does the Pastor make?? And does he give back to the church or does his service of preaching to us counts as him giving back. :shrug:


Everyone seems to be focusing on 10% of ones’ income as if we’re paying taxes. I believe tithing should be 10% of your worth which means if you don’t have the $$s to give; contribute your time and talents to the church or other good cause. Remember ones’ faith is based on their personal relationship with God. That relationship may or may not involve a man made religion or church.

he swore to God to give a tenth to him and that meant that he gave like his father's father abraham did. which he gave it to the high priest of God Melchizedek

thats what happens when you forget your password :killingme
Carrying on a conversation with your own MPD is really crazy. You may want to see someone about that.

The original Tithe wasnt money (according to the Bible) it was a Tenth of "Goods"

The tithe comes from the "land," not the air or the sea. Fishermen were not required to tithe fish.
It was the "seed" or agricultural products from the fields that was holy to God and tithable.
Products from "trees" were to be tithed. This not only included the fruit, but oils, etc.
Of "herds or flocks" it was the "tenth" that passed under the rod that was holy and dedicated to God.
If a sheppard/herdsmen only nine cattle, he didn’t have to tithe (read Leviticus 27:32 again). Also God did not require the best of the cattle, just the tenth one to pass under the rod even if it was the scrawniest.
You may want to research that some more. Leviticus 1:14
'But if his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering from the turtledoves or from young pigeons.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. the scripture above is what God wants done with his tithes it is up to the people to believe him ( by faith ) God does not need yours or my money he owns everything already he even owns our lives but he wants us to serve and give tithes to him of our free will.

Do you? If so, how much of your income?

The reason I ask is that as Catholics, we do give to the church. But, not a percentage of our income or anything like that. My sister, however, belongs to some born again Christian church in Accokeek...and she had me drop off checks to them twice during December and January. When I saw the amounts...well... :faint:
I do 10% of my take home because thats all I can afford. Recently though I FINALLY heard a preacher say that if you have credit card debt, thats not managable like you can only make Min payment you have no bussiness tighing because its not your money that your giving away its the credit card companys and you need to get your finances in order and then start tighing. He made it clear that you wernt to use that as an excuse and keep charging things but how dumb it was trying to tigh when you dont have it. Your supose to give from the heart because you want to give. If your giving and grumling or its causing you finical hardship your not honoring God that way. Of course a prosberty preacher will tell you other wise.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. the scripture above is what God wants done with his tithes it is up to the people to believe him ( by faith ) God does not need yours or my money he owns everything already he even owns our lives but he wants us to serve and give tithes to him of our free will.


Hmmm...if you really, I mean really, read the entire context of the scripture quoted, you will find that God was not speaking to the people; He was chastising the religious leaders of that time because they were misusing the tithes and offerings that the people were bringing to them. (Much like today)

The priests were holding back the best of offerings for their own use and consumption and God disappoved of it. Please read the book of Malachai in its complete context and then you will understand.

New Testament tithing is for one to give willfully from the goodness of their heart and not out of obligation and it is not limited to nor exacted at 10%.

Yes, this is contrary to what preachers of mega-churches would say from the pulpit but then consider the lifestyle many of them have compared to the lifestyle of the congregants who are "supporting" the religious leaders. God would tell many of those preachers of today that they are robbing God of the tithes and offerings that are supposed to be helping the people in need and not the needs of the leaders and the board of directors of the church.

Truly, many religions have turned God's House into a den of thieves.

Tithing is something I have always had a problem with. Though they still participate in our family traditions, my parents converted to Christianity a few years ago. The Southern Baptist church to be exact. And they faithfully tithe 10% of their $180,000 annual income to their church. I think $18,000 a year is a ridiculous amount of my inheritance to tithe away. And for what? :shrug: So their preacher and church gets richer. :shrug:

I don't get it.

My father left the Baptist church when they told him he wasn't giving enough, which was substantial to begin with. He gave 'em something then, his finger, heh.

Do you? If so, how much of your income?

The reason I ask is that as Catholics, we do give to the church. But, not a percentage of our income or anything like that. My sister, however, belongs to some born again Christian church in Accokeek...and she had me drop off checks to them twice during December and January. When I saw the amounts...well... :faint:

This is not meant to be a defense of Protestant tithing nor an attack on the Catholic method of supporting their church.

I don't know if the Roman Catholic church in the U.S. is still doing this but at one time they KNEW the income of their parishoners and would advise them by mail, based on that information, what their "fair share" should be. They also provided envelopes for EACH family member. I believe these envelopes were numbered sequentially which would allow them to track family donations.

Another practice was a campaign aimed at Catholic children to solicit funds for African (not Afro-American) children. This may have been a way to teach children charity. I later learned that these funds were NOT sent to Africa but used to operate the parrish.

Do you think the amounts were too much or too little? I would hope that your sister's tithing is a choice she made freely and can afford it. If you consider the amounts too high, is this harming herself and/or her family? That would not be good.

Its nice that you did your sister a favor by dropping off her tithe,but have you addressed this issue of the amounts with her? Would she endorse having this information/opinion discussed in a more or less public forum?

As to your question, I do not donate to "a church" but do donate to charities of my choice, some of them operated by churches of various demnominations.

I do 10% of my take home because thats all I can afford. Recently though I FINALLY heard a preacher say that if you have credit card debt, thats not managable like you can only make Min payment you have no bussiness tighing because its not your money that your giving away its the credit card companys and you need to get your finances in order and then start tighing. He made it clear that you wernt to use that as an excuse and keep charging things but how dumb it was trying to tigh when you dont have it. Your supose to give from the heart because you want to give. If your giving and grumling or its causing you finical hardship your not honoring God that way. Of course a prosberty preacher will tell you other wise.
I disagree with your pastor; it is "feel good" preaching. The tithe was the first tenth not the last or what you could spare after everything else was paid.

Well look at that, we agree on something. if you didnt alreadyclick here (http://forums.somd.com/showpost.php?p=1999711&postcount=48)

Hope you don't mind me saying this but... AMEN BRO!

Fact is, most "religious" proclamations, traditions, rituals and legalistic obligations imposed upon gullible and intimidated congregants are not from God but are imposed by self-serving religious leaders.
(Yes, you can quote me on that) lol