Tithing

[Larry Parsons]

I recieved this e-mail this morning after talking to this Morning.
Larry, We talked about tithing! Here is my opinion:
Tithing/Giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, sometime people jeopardize their own well - being for their families, to give to the church so the church can live bigger and better but the church still does not go to taking care of children and seniors with the money they get nor do they do outreach to witness to the LOST.
Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30;

27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD”S; it is holy unto the LORD.

31. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add there to the fifth part thereof.

32. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

33. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

34. These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Si’nai.
Numbers 18:26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.
Deuteronomy 14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy GOD shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy GOD hath blessed thee:
2 Chronicles 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

In fact the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today. Some think the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. (Maybe a Catholic thing of today) The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Ga-la’-ti-a, even so do ye.

2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. ( I think) Paul addressed a question asked by the Corinthians (7:1, 25; 8:1 12:1) about giving (Acts 11:29, 30; 24:17; Rom. 15:25-28; 2 Cor. 8;9). The first day of the week was the regular weekly meeting day of the early church. Lay something aside expresses the concept of Christian giving in the NT. The OT tithe (altogether coming to about 23 percent0 was not adopted by the NT church, though certainly Christ practiced it. NT believers were encouraged to give liberally. But never a specified amount or percentage (Rom. 12:8) Paul wanted to make sure that the Corinthians offering would be collected before he arrived so that he would not need to pressure the people when he say them ( 2 Cor. 9:5). Whomever you approve refers to the person who would accompany Paul (v 4) to Jerusalem to deliver the gift on behalf of the Corinthian church.

There isn’t anywhere in the New Testament that designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only tells it is in keeping with income 1 Corinthians 16:2) Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament where it talks bout the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that may mean more than 10 percent. I believe it all depends on the ability of the Christian.. I also believe talents, work is a part of giving. When our ability to bless others and help them with their Christian walk with Christ is a way of giving to the LORD”S work.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth ot all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.



2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity” for GOD loveth a cheerful giver.



I believe all tithes and offering should be given with good attitude of worship not demanded of man. God does know our hearts and what we can do, not any man.

This is my belief on tithing. Some cannot give and GOD does not hold them accountable.
Maybe we will see you Sunday.
This lady attend a Nazarene church where no one can do anything unless they are tith payer's what do you all think about her opinion
Thanks
LP

[Bill Morrison]

People can think what they want, but I have found when you put your trust in God and give Him the first 10%, He blesses and makes the rest go a whole lot farther.
Just do it cheerfully or not at all.

BILL

[Jon Bemis]

My wife and I have practice tithing+ for nearly 40 years now. I believe in it, and believe that it has been a good spiritual discipline for us. Even now with loads of medical expenses I wouldn't consider withholding our tithe. To be honest, it seems that whenever I come across someone who wants to make a case as to why they shouldn't support kingdom work with tithes and offerings I get this feeling there is something else going on.

[John Reilly]

Quote: "I believe all tithes and offering should be given with good attitude of worship not demanded of man. God does know our hearts and what we can do, not any man. This is my belief on tithing. Some cannot give and GOD does not hold them accountable. Maybe we will see you Sunday. This lady attend a Nazarene church where no one can do anything unless they are tithe payer's what do you all think about her opinion?" end quote"

As Nazarene's we embrace the whole counsel of God's whole word, OT and NT. No man demands tithing only God demands tithing. As Nazarenes we fund the church ministries exclusively through tithe plus offerings. I commend the church where people can do nothing unless being a tithe payer. People do not need to like tithing and they do not need to be joyful about it. They just need to do it.

[Billy Cox]

Quote: "I believe all tithes and offering should be given with good attitude of worship not demanded of man. God does know our hearts and what we can do, not any man. This is my belief on tithing. Some cannot give and GOD does not hold them accountable. Maybe we will see you Sunday. This lady attend a Nazarene church where no one can do anything unless they are tithe payer's what do you all think about her opinion?" end quote"

As Nazarene's we embrace the whole counsel of God's whole word, OT and NT. No man demands tithing only God demands tithing. As Nazarenes we fund the church ministries exclusively through tithe plus offerings. I commend the church where people can do nothing unless being a tithe payer. People do not need to like tithing and they do not need to be joyful about it. They just need to do it.

I just wonder if the congregation requires people to file a copy of their W-2 in order to prove that they are tithing.

There are certainly cases where it's obvious that someone is not giving is not giving a tenth of their income, but I wager that a person giving $10,000+ per year will be well thought-of in most every congregation even if that amount represents far less than 10% of their income.

[Larry Parsons]

This Lady is not against giving to the Church. She out standing children worker. Her and her husband have take teen girl into thier home when thier own parent wasn't able to take care of them because drugs. I remember when this lady would feed 50 -60 kids every Sunday to a good breakfact She has support the young people by paying there way our church activity. What she was asking me to show her scripture that back tithing. I didn't have the answer and doesn't seem that you. I told her I will contact you and will tell her what you are saying
Thank
LP

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I don't know if this will help, but I don't believe we are under any "Law" that requires us to tithe today. The emphasis in the N.T. is on cheerful stewardship rather than counting out a percentage.

Now, having said that, our denomination has accepted the wisdom of the O.T. Law in asking our members to make tithing their baseline of giving to support the work of the church. We don't believe a person is sinning if they don't tithe, but we do believe that tithing is a wise minimum level for a good steward to give.

So...I don't think tithing is "law" for us but I think it's a wise approach, a good level at which to start our giving.

[Pete Vecchi]

One more thing to add:

Tithing is a law under the Old Covenant. Under the New Covenant, we are to trust in Jesus, not the Law to reconcile us to God.

Jesus only alluded to tithing once in Scripture, when He told the Jewish religious rulers that they gave a tenth of all their spices and such but failed to show mercy; Jesus said they should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. So Jesus did at least allude to tithing.

However, the bigger point is this. Since when do we teach that Jesus wants 10% of our stuff?

Jesus wants 100% of all we are, all we do, and all we have. If we stress tithing, we're missing out on 90% of the message!

Instead of preaching and teaching tithing, I stress that God owns it all and we are just the managers that He has put in charge of doing with His stuff what we believe He wants us to do with it--with 100% of it, not 10% of it.

I believe that stressing the ownership over the duty is more consistent with the New Testament teachings of Jesus.

[Michael Flowers]

One more thing to add:

Tithing is a law under the Old Covenant. Under the New Covenant, we are to trust in Jesus, not the Law to reconcile us to God.

Jesus only alluded to tithing once in Scripture, when He told the Jewish religious rulers that they gave a tenth of all their spices and such but failed to show mercy; Jesus said they should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. So Jesus did at least allude to tithing.

However, the bigger point is this. Since when do we teach that Jesus wants 10% of our stuff?

Jesus wants 100% of all we are, all we do, and all we have. If we stress tithing, we're missing out on 90% of the message!

Instead of preaching and teaching tithing, I stress that God owns it all and we are just the managers that He has put in charge of doing with His stuff what we believe He wants us to do with it--with 100% of it, not 10% of it.

I believe that stressing the ownership over the duty is more consistent with the New Testament teachings of Jesus.

This reminds of Jesus saying "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

[Pete Vecchi]

This reminds of Jesus saying "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

Nah--that would be too profound for something that I would come up with.

[Bill Morrison]

One more thing to add:

Tithing is a law under the Old Covenant. Under the New Covenant, we are to trust in Jesus, not the Law to reconcile us to God.

Jesus only alluded to tithing once in Scripture, when He told the Jewish religious rulers that they gave a tenth of all their spices and such but failed to show mercy; Jesus said they should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. So Jesus did at least allude to tithing.

However, the bigger point is this. Since when do we teach that Jesus wants 10% of our stuff?

Jesus wants 100% of all we are, all we do, and all we have. If we stress tithing, we're missing out on 90% of the message!

Instead of preaching and teaching tithing, I stress that God owns it all and we are just the managers that He has put in charge of doing with His stuff what we believe He wants us to do with it--with 100% of it, not 10% of it.

I believe that stressing the ownership over the duty is more consistent with the New Testament teachings of Jesus.

Very well said, I don't really care to disagree much.
I do however think that for many people, if they don't trust God enough to give Him the first 10%, they aren't very likely to act as if the other 90% belongs to Him either.

BILL

[Pete Vecchi]

Very well said, I don't really care to disagree much.
I do however think that for many people, if they don't trust God enough to give Him the first 10%, they aren't very likely to act as if the other 90% belongs to Him either.

BILL

That's the challenge, isn't it? That's where we have to stress that this is part of the total surrender to Him. Money isn't the only thing that we need to surrender to God; it's just one of the things.

That being said, it is a challenge to get people to surrender everything to Jesus, and money is often one of the last things of which people seem to be able to surrender ownership.

[Kyle Borger]

This has been pointed out, but this is what I teach. God owns everything. We manage his resources. We are called to use all of God's resouces to advance the Kingdom of God. This does include the well being of the family which means we do use some of God's resources to grow and build our families.

Tithing is a first step in a trusting relationship with God. It requires us to trust that the results of our tithing are directed by God. It requires us to live dependent upon God. It is a part of spiritual formation. It is placing yourself in a situation where you will fail if God is not real and does not honor His promises. It is not about qualifications in church although leaders are often required to tithe because it is seen as a barometer of spiritual health. Besides should someone direct the use of God's money if they don't trust God enough to contribute?

As others mentioned everything is God's the next step is to dedicate not 10% to God but 100%. Some will give 20% others 90%. Some will use their homes for God, others will use gifts and talents or other resources.

Jesus came to fulfill the law not abolish it. Yes we are free by grace and not by law, but in following Jesus by Loving God and Loving our Neighbors we fulfill those laws. Not the 600 and some, but the actual covenants made by God with His people. Jesus became the sacrifice. We aren't callled to disregard the system of sacrifice but we now view it in terms of Jesus as the sacrifice. In the same token I would not dismiss the importance of tithe but rather view it in terms of what it means relationally with God.

I will tell you this. A person who does not believe that they should tithe does not believe in God. They might like the idea of God but they do not believe that God is who He says He is. I am of course talking about more than just 10% which is just a baby step. I am talking complete surrender of heart, mind, soul, and all resources. (If I'm not communicating correctly, I am attempting to point out that those who don't think they can tithe because they don't have enough, fail to believe that God is who He says He is.)

If you don't believe in tithe because you think Jesus sets it aside or because the relationship is different, I go back to tithe being a first step toward giving God everything.

[Pete Vecchi]

I will tell you this. A person who does not believe that they should tithe does not believe in God. They might like the idea of God but they do not believe that God is who He says He is. I am of course talking about more than just 10% which is just a baby step. I am talking complete surrender of heart, mind, soul, and all resources. (If I'm not communicating correctly, I am attempting to point out that those who don't think they can tithe because they don't have enough, fail to believe that God is who He says He is.)

If you don't believe in tithe because you think Jesus sets it aside or because the relationship is different, I go back to tithe being a first step toward giving God everything.

I'm not sure I'm understanding the intent of your communication. That first sentence is awfully strong, and if taken at face value, I cannot agree with it. That's because if I do agree with it, then I didn't become a Christian when I think I became a Christian.

I think I became a Christian when I asked Jesus into my heart when I was a little boy of about 7 or 8 years of age. But I hadn't heard of tithing, and I didn't get much (if any) follow-up instruction in the faith for years after that, and perhaps heard of the word "tithe" for the first time when I was about 15-years old in my public school sophomore English class when the word "tithe" was one of the 20 vocabulary words for that week (I still remember that other vocabulary words from that school year included alacrity and benevolent). To me, the word was just another word I had to memorize. I actually do recall that our teacher said, in talking about the word "tithe", something along the lines of that it was something some people in some churches did. Sorry, but that simply wasn't sufficient instruction for me to move my spirit in such a way so as to make me believe I should tithe as part of my faith.

I experienced entire sanctification as a 19-year old college sophomore. But this was not within the context of a specific church setting or even among people who generally taught tithing. In fact, I didn't belong or even attend a regular church for the first couple of years of my entire sanctification. Instead, I primarily attended the Wednesday evening "Folk Communion" services during the school year (and those were only held when the university was in its regular semesters; those services weren't held during the summer or during weeks of breaks for things such as the Christmas vacation).

It's too late to make this long story short, but in an order to shorten it somewhat, let me simply say that the idea of tithing didn't really occur to me until I was about age 21, and then it took a bit of time for me to comprehend it and put it into practice.

Fast-forward to now, when I am age 51. I have seen people struggle with finances for many years. I have known people who are just coming into the faith who have had financial problems that needed to be taken care of. I have known long-time Christians who just seem to have no sense of how to handle money. I have known people young in the faith who have lost jobs and ended up having to file bankruptcy after having vehicles repossessed and who have been threatened with the loss of houses. I have known people who have ended up using money they earn to help support other extended family members who have lost jobs.

In situations such as these, while I agree that tithing is a good thing, I cannot make it a way of saying whether or not they believe in God.

I hope that this tone doesn't sound accusatory. Rather, it is intended to be one of concern that we teach the Word of God while at the same time showing grace and mercy to people who are at various stages of Christian development and who are facing various circumstances in their lives.

[Dennis Bratcher]

It is easy, perhaps too easy, to take a legalistic view of tithing. Or even in a non-legalistic way, declaring that the Bible says so settles the issue for many. In reality the biblical perspective is more complicated than pointing to a proof text (Mal 3:8-12 is the favorite).

Without taking time to lay out all the details, there are at least three systems of tithing within the OT texts. These reflect the movement of the community of Faith from a rural tribal people with an agrarian economy to a more urban culture with a commercial economy. Early tithing requirements involved bringing the “first fruits” to the priests and then the people sharing the tithe in a communal meal. Another later system involved bringing a percentage of the produce of the land to the temple for the direct support of the priests and as a “food pantry” for the poor. Finally, the produce could be replaced by an amount of money that could be deposited into the temple treasury, also for the support of the priests and the temple as well as relief for the poor. At its heart, “tithing” was a way to offer thanksgiving to God.

When we say that tithing is “biblical,” which one of these do we mean? Why do we assume that one is more “right” than another? Or do we simply acknowledge that we are adopting a principle and adapting it to our own historical and cultural realities? If that is the case, then quoting biblical verses to support a specific practice makes less sense, especially if we pick and choose which verses we quote.

And all of this doesn’t even deal with the reality that the concept of “storehouse tithing” requires a lot of interpretation, and sometimes spiritualizing, of the biblical texts. For example, in that well used passage from Malachi the “storehouse” is the temple, the purpose of tithing is “that there may be food in my house [the temple],” and the resulting blessings revolve around increased productivity of the land in producing food.

Now, none of that is to reject the principle of tithing, although I’m not so sure that “tithing” is a good name. Jesus only mentioned tithing once, and then in a context in which scrupulous attention to the practice by Pharisees served as a legalistic excuse to avoid larger obligations. And in a similar mode, we usually assume that a “tithe,” a tenth, is the strict requirement, when in reality in most biblical accounts it seems to be a baseline minimum. There is also the complication that we have generally reduced the idea of “tithing” to a percentage of money.

Still, there is no question that generosity is a result of a God-oriented life (Gal 5:22), so giving is an essential (although non legal) mark of being the people of God, of being Christian. The C of N has adopted the idea of “storehouse tithing” as a means to raise funds for its ministry. That is a functional approach that is quite apart from a legalistic reading of biblical texts (although I have often heard it preached and taught as a requirement of God). In that sense members have taken to themselves the responsibility of participating in that practice.

But let’s be clear. That is an interpretive move, and probably a valid one, but not a biblical mandate. The ideals of taking care of others, of sharing one’s blessings with the community, of providing aid to the needy, and of supporting the work of the community of Faith in worship and ministry are all firmly entrenched biblical principles. We do well today to find ways of applying those biblical principles to contemporary Christian living in ways that go far beyond the idea of “storehouse tithing.”

But it is too easy to slip into a legalistic mode in attempting to expound this principle, or even to enforce it. We sometimes forget that love of God and others is a relational issue not a legal one. Whatever else we might want it to be, “tithing” (in a broad sense) is a matter of where one’s heart lies. And as both Paul and Jesus pointed out, law cannot govern the heart. (I understand the practical issues of tithing, but that is really another discussion.)

Grace and Peace,

Dennis B.

[Gary Creely]

I will tell you this. A person who does not believe that they should tithe does not believe in God. They might like the idea of God but they do not believe that God is who He says He is. I am of course talking about more than just 10% which is just a baby step. I am talking complete surrender of heart, mind, soul, and all resources. (If I'm not communicating correctly, I am attempting to point out that those who don't think they can tithe because they don't have enough, fail to believe that God is who He says He is.
If you don't believe in tithe because you think Jesus sets it aside or because the relationship is different, I go back to tithe being a first step toward giving God everything.

This is pretty theologically off base. This is plainly works based salvation.

[Hans Deventer]

This is pretty theologically off base. This is plainly works based salvation.

Not with Jesus. Unless you give up everything, you cannot be His disciple. He's pretty radical. Seems He didn't care about work based salvation that much. I guess He could not have misread Paul yet

[Michael Flowers]

Shortly after I arrived at my church last October I preached a sermon about tithing. However, I brought to the attention of my people that God isn't just after their money, he is after them. Abraham gave a tenth of everything he had gained from the battle to Melchizedek. It doesn't say that Abraham gave him just money, but he gave everything. God wants us to give him everything so why would we just tithe our money. We should tithe more than just money, we should tithe our time, energy, and resources as well. If we give God just a tenth of our finances and keep everything else we receive (or have received) for ourselves then we fail to live up to his expectations for mankind. If we teach people to only tithe money we do them a disservice. We should be teaching our people to give of their whole life to God.

[Marsha Lynn]

Shortly after I arrived at my church last October I preached a sermon about tithing. However, I brought to the attention of my people that God isn't just after their money, he is after them. Abraham gave a tenth of everything he had gained from the battle to Melchizedek. It doesn't say that Abraham gave him just money, but he gave everything. God wants us to give him everything so why would we just tithe our money. We should tithe more than just money, we should tithe our time, energy, and resources as well. If we give God just a tenth of our finances and keep everything else we receive (or have received) for ourselves then we fail to live up to his expectations for mankind. If we teach people to only tithe money we do them a disservice. We should be teaching our people to give of their whole life to God.

I don't disagree, Michael, however, your comments did bring to mind the one person I know who tithes his time. He treats the 10% number as an ideal rather than a minimum. Thus, if he is already over his 10% for the week, there's a good chance he won't be available to help with your project. What it comes down to is a spirit of scarcity rather than a spirit of generosity.

Whatever we decide concerning our giving of time, talents, and financial resources, I think the blessing comes when we are able to give with a spirit of generosity beyond the minimum requirement rather than when we count our giving in order to avoid accidentally giving more than required.

Marsha

[Ian Gentles]

We tyth, after all 10% isnt that much. Folks spend far more than that on other stuff they dont really need.

[Michael Flowers]

I don't disagree, Michael, however, your comments did bring to mind the one person I know who tithes his time. He treats the 10% number as an ideal rather than a minimum. Thus, if he is already over his 10% for the week, there's a good chance he won't be available to help with your project. What it comes down to is a spirit of scarcity rather than a spirit of generosity.

Whatever we decide concerning our giving of time, talents, and financial resources, I think the blessing comes when we are able to give with a spirit of generosity beyond the minimum requirement rather than when we count our giving in order to avoid accidentally giving more than required.

Marsha

I totally understand that Marsha. I preached that message to a congregation where only about 10 of 30 people actively work in/of the church on a regular basis (6 of them are my board members, two are greeters and two help with sound on Sunday morning). Honestly at this point I would be ecstatic if all of my people tithed 10% of their time to the work in or of the church every week.

I basically referenced it for those who have people who financially may be unable to actually tithe and yet can support the church in other ways that I would say are more important than giving money.

[Billy Cox]

I don't disagree, Michael, however, your comments did bring to mind the one person I know who tithes his time. He treats the 10% number as an ideal rather than a minimum. Thus, if he is already over his 10% for the week, there's a good chance he won't be available to help with your project. What it comes down to is a spirit of scarcity rather than a spirit of generosity.

Whatever we decide concerning our giving of time, talents, and financial resources, I think the blessing comes when we are able to give with a spirit of generosity beyond the minimum requirement rather than when we count our giving in order to avoid accidentally giving more than required.

I have concluded that many congregations cut themselves off at the knees by preaching the tithe as an ideal instead of preaching generosity as the ideal.

[David Graham]

I see tithing as a guide as to what the minimum amount should be in a person's giving.

It's all very well to say that "it's only 10%" and that the person has 90% left to do with as they please, but for many of the poor who perhaps might be social welfare recipients, or pensioners, or low paid single income earners or those whose income is less than the threshhold of what is required to adequately live, than that 10% can mean a great deal indeed..... sometimes even the difference between eating or not eating; paying the rent or being homeless.

And if a person actually does tithe, are they to "tithe" on the gross amount of their regular pay i.e before tax or upon what they actually receive after tax? The OT principle of the "first fruits" might suggest before tax..... but if the tax rate is already somewhere around 30% of a person's income, this means that they have to try and live on 60% of what they have earned. Most Christians I know who tithe don't come at that; it's just too hard! (Remember that for most of us around the world there are no tax breaks given for tithing)

The fact is that many people struggle to make ends meet even on 100% of their net income without being wasteful or lazy. Where they live or their life circumstances deal them a blow which makes it difficult to survive and we do not need to heap additional guilt and pain upon them. Much rather we should rejoice at the "widow's mite" that they do joyfully give when they can..... I'm sure God does when they give, for every dollar can be a sacrifice to them.

In the Gospels Jesus speaks of tithing but once, and does so in the context of a woe upon those who legalistically "tithe" even of their mint but are so mean spirited in other ways..... such as not seeking genuine justice for the poor and needy. (Matthew 23: 23)

The other direct reference to tithing in the Gospels is found in Luke 18: 12, where the Pharisee is boasting to God in prayer about how much he gives to God. And Jesus hardly commends him for that, but rather teaches about how those who exult themselves will be humbled and those who are humble will be (one day) exulted.

Needless to say I don't preach tithing but generousity in giving.

I also focus on God's grace and how we can trust him with our lives, to the extent that he challenges us to step out beyond our comfort zones in giving and in service to others.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY
Some people in our churches tithe (few if any on the gross). Most people don't but generously give what they can, including myself, because as much as I would want to I simply am unable to tithe. (I give I think around 6% of my net income in offerings)
Can we give more..... no; our often "zero" bank savings balance attests to the fact that we have no more to give. Could we make some savings? Probably, but these wouldn't bring our giving up to the level of the tithe..... i.e. we live pretty frugally as it is.
Would we stop giving what we give in order to live "better", no way! Giving what we are able brings to us a real sense of joy in our worship of him who gave his all for us.

[Steven Burton]

You know we could always use tithe to throw a party. Since we can not travel to the temple.

[Randy Wise]

I recieved this e-mail this morning after talking to this Morning.
Larry, We talked about tithing! Here is my opinion:
Tithing/Giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, sometime people jeopardize their own well - being for their families, to give to the church so the church can live bigger and better but the church still does not go to taking care of children and seniors with the money they get nor do they do outreach to witness to the LOST.
Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30;







LP

Considering the size of my property tax bill then add federal, state, social security taxes and then local sales tax on top of already taxed income I could live with a 10% tax.

Its lawful to collect offerings for church expenses and to help those in need. However whatever ones decides to give isn't for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus did that work for us. It may be required in the Naz manual for membership but God doesn't require works for entrance into the Kingdom. Thats by grace.

So tell the truth. The church exists by donations and we have bills. Please give what you have decided to give in your heart but know either way the Lord loves you.

Randy

[Kyle Borger]

This is pretty theologically off base. This is plainly works based salvation.

Everything we have is God's. We are called to manage those resources and advance the Kingdom of God. A 10% tithe is a step in learning to trust and obey God. It is a process by which we learn to live dependent on God for everything.

Far too often the argument is that we can't afford to do it. The point of tithing is doing it when you can't do it so you learn that it is only through God that you survive.

This is my point. If you don't believe that God will provide what you need in order to serve Him then you don't believe the God of the Bible. You might end up homeless but if you are obeying God then you are in the right place.

In america even the homeless are like the rich man. We have so much it is hard to think about how we can serve without having our things.

I have lived my challenge. I went 6 months without income and had huge bills from a business I closed. Paying tithe meant not buying food or paying another bill. We paid our tithe on the money we were pulling out of retirement accounts or on the gifts we got from friends. Somehow we paid all of our bills on time and did not starve. At least one time we tithed and recieved a gift from our church that allowed us to buy food. Why didn't we just keep the money? Because it wasn't about the money it was about trust and letting God be in complete control of our lives to the very point that we could not eat without the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Another time we were called to give up our house and move to a new location and move in with another family because we had no home and no jobs. We served God and have been richley blessed. My family does not have nice cars or a nice home. We don't take vacations to nice places or buy nice things. We haven't been to a movie in years and we don't have cable. We get insurance from the state for our children and go without insurance for my wife and I.

Now I serve as a bivocational pastor. I work at least 30 hours a week in the church and my wife works at least 5-10. Should we count that as our tithe? We don't get paid by the church other than a $50 a month reimbursement account. We are in fact one of the largest tithers in our church. We were the second largest giver for faith promise next to our pastor.

Don't I have a valid claim that I don't need to tithe? I am poor. I do not have any excess. I am dependent upon the charity of others.

You can claim theological studies and positions and you can claim what Jesus did or didn't do about the law, but I will say with full conviction that if you are not willing to surrender all of your resources to God then you do not trust God with your life and you fail to understand God.

You can claim that 10% isn't applicable and is legalistic. I tell you it is a part of our transformation in that it is a part of our learning to give everything to God. 10% isn't the goal it is the training wheels of total submission.

Read Mark 10 and tell me how you are going to theologically explain how Jesus is going to let you keep that house and not use it to glorify God. Read it and tell me why you should get to keep your boat or motorcycle or other toys and use them only for your pleasure and not as a resource for developing relationships that allow you to develop opportunities to disciple others and advance the Kingdom of God.

Tell me why it is ok for you to sit on a lake fishing or whatever it is you do with your riches and not use those same resources to reach the lost? Personal restoration? Building family relationships and the discipleship of your family? To a limited degree but at the expense of everyone else?

It really is very difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. That isn't just heaven. That is a current totally sold out slave to master relationship experience with Jesus Christ. When you have resources and the ability to survive financially you don't need Jesus unless you have some emotional distress. When you give everything you have, every dime, every object, every relationship to Jesus then you only survive because Jesus provides you saving grace every monute of every day.

That my friends is Sanctification. It is living in such a way that no matter what you have or where you are, everything is Gods. We love because God provides it. We act because God shows us. Every action, every step is taken out of obedience to God.

God does bless some with wealth and they have a huge responsibility to invest those resources so that they will benefit the Kingdom of God. Along the way that family may benefit from the comfort of those resources, but they will also have their own struggles because of that wealth and comfort. They will have a harder time living dependent on God. Not that they can't, but that it is harder.

Should a person with no job and no money tithe? Yes. Tithe on whatever God gives you. If you are sitting in the gutter and are homeless and someone else with a greater need sits next to you, then give them your shoes.

I would rather be in the worst place imaginable with God then the best place imaginable without God. God doesn't promise that you won't suffer. God promises you will have what you need to serve Him. Sometimes we are called to have little so that we can serve in a specific place in a specific way at a specific time.

Are you unwilling to serve God unless you have comfort? Then why would you be unwilling to give? Do you say "I will give, but don't tell me I have to give"?

Our church won't kick you out if you don't give. But I will tell you that you don't know God if you don't. The only way to really know God is to be totally dependent for everything, even your next bite of food.

[Gary Creely]

Everything we have is God's. We are called to manage those resources and advance the Kingdom of God. A 10% tithe is a step in learning to trust and obey God. It is a process by which we learn to live dependent on God for everything.

Far too often the argument is that we can't afford to do it. The point of tithing is doing it when you can't do it so you learn that it is only through God that you survive.

This is my point. If you don't believe that God will provide what you need in order to serve Him then you don't believe the God of the Bible. You might end up homeless but if you are obeying God then you are in the right place.

In america even the homeless are like the rich man. We have so much it is hard to think about how we can serve without having our things.

I have lived my challenge. I went 6 months without income and had huge bills from a business I closed. Paying tithe meant not buying food or paying another bill. We paid our tithe on the money we were pulling out of retirement accounts or on the gifts we got from friends. Somehow we paid all of our bills on time and did not starve. At least one time we tithed and recieved a gift from our church that allowed us to buy food. Why didn't we just keep the money? Because it wasn't about the money it was about trust and letting God be in complete control of our lives to the very point that we could not eat without the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Another time we were called to give up our house and move to a new location and move in with another family because we had no home and no jobs. We served God and have been richley blessed. My family does not have nice cars or a nice home. We don't take vacations to nice places or buy nice things. We haven't been to a movie in years and we don't have cable. We get insurance from the state for our children and go without insurance for my wife and I.

Now I serve as a bivocational pastor. I work at least 30 hours a week in the church and my wife works at least 5-10. Should we count that as our tithe? We don't get paid by the church other than a $50 a month reimbursement account. We are in fact one of the largest tithers in our church. We were the second largest giver for faith promise next to our pastor.

Don't I have a valid claim that I don't need to tithe? I am poor. I do not have any excess. I am dependent upon the charity of others.

You can claim theological studies and positions and you can claim what Jesus did or didn't do about the law, but I will say with full conviction that if you are not willing to surrender all of your resources to God then you do not trust God with your life and you fail to understand God.

You can claim that 10% isn't applicable and is legalistic. I tell you it is a part of our transformation in that it is a part of our learning to give everything to God. 10% isn't the goal it is the training wheels of total submission.

Read Mark 10 and tell me how you are going to theologically explain how Jesus is going to let you keep that house and not use it to glorify God. Read it and tell me why you should get to keep your boat or motorcycle or other toys and use them only for your pleasure and not as a resource for developing relationships that allow you to develop opportunities to disciple others and advance the Kingdom of God.

Tell me why it is ok for you to sit on a lake fishing or whatever it is you do with your riches and not use those same resources to reach the lost? Personal restoration? Building family relationships and the discipleship of your family? To a limited degree but at the expense of everyone else?

It really is very difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. That isn't just heaven. That is a current totally sold out slave to master relationship experience with Jesus Christ. When you have resources and the ability to survive financially you don't need Jesus unless you have some emotional distress. When you give everything you have, every dime, every object, every relationship to Jesus then you only survive because Jesus provides you saving grace every monute of every day.

That my friends is Sanctification. It is living in such a way that no matter what you have or where you are, everything is Gods. We love because God provides it. We act because God shows us. Every action, every step is taken out of obedience to God.

God does bless some with wealth and they have a huge responsibility to invest those resources so that they will benefit the Kingdom of God. Along the way that family may benefit from the comfort of those resources, but they will also have their own struggles because of that wealth and comfort. They will have a harder time living dependent on God. Not that they can't, but that it is harder.

Should a person with no job and no money tithe? Yes. Tithe on whatever God gives you. If you are sitting in the gutter and are homeless and someone else with a greater need sits next to you, then give them your shoes.

I would rather be in the worst place imaginable with God then the best place imaginable without God. God doesn't promise that you won't suffer. God promises you will have what you need to serve Him. Sometimes we are called to have little so that we can serve in a specific place in a specific way at a specific time.

Are you unwilling to serve God unless you have comfort? Then why would you be unwilling to give? Do you say "I will give, but don't tell me I have to give"?

Our church won't kick you out if you don't give. But I will tell you that you don't know God if you don't. The only way to really know God is to be totally dependent for everything, even your next bite of food.

Kyle, you spilled a lot of ink explaining your conviction in regards to tithing. I would also agree that you can learn a lot about where somebody's heart is by watching the ways in which they use their wallet. For me where you go off the rails is when you say If a person feels like they should tithes and they do not then they are not a Christian.

I appreciate your personal story however that is not a biblical support of the position that you took. You cannot connect somebody's tithing to their salvation directly. If you were going to do that, I can tell you as a Nazarene pastor many if not most people in most churches would not be saved. I simply do not believe that is the case.

Can you find any scripture to support the idea that Tithing is a prerequisite for a relationship with Jesus. I am not saying this to dismiss the value of tithing, I am simply not for making false consequences. I do believe that God will bless you financially when you bless him financially by typing, but that is a very different thing then if you do not do this then you are not saved.

The church of the Nazarene does not believe that tithing is necessary for salvation, that is just completely off-base.

[Kyle Borger]

Kyle, you spilled a lot of ink explaining your conviction in regards to tithing. I would also agree that you can learn a lot about where somebody's heart is by watching the ways in which they use their wallet. For me where you go off the rails is when you say If a person feels like they should tithes and they do not then they are not a Christian.

I appreciate your personal story however that is not a biblical support of the position that you took. You cannot connect somebody's tithing to their salvation directly. If you were going to do that, I can tell you as a Nazarene pastor many if not most people in most churches would not be saved. I simply do not believe that is the case.

Can you find any scripture to support the idea that Tithing is a prerequisite for a relationship with Jesus. I am not saying this to dismiss the value of tithing, I am simply not for making false consequences. I do believe that God will bless you financially when you bless him financially by typing, but that is a very different thing then if you do not do this then you are not saved.

The church of the Nazarene does not believe that tithing is necessary for salvation, that is just completely off-base.

Why would someone not give? What are the reasons?

Perhaps you and others would read my statements to say that a 10% tithe equals salvation. This is not my statement. My statement is that total submission equals salvation. Are we to believe that we can be saved without having given Jesus our entire heart? Are we to live with Christ eternally and yet hold something in reserve for ourselves? Yes, I recognize that our relationship is a process and that quite often Jesus makes us aware of things in our lives that we have not yet given to Him. The point is the willingness to give.

My position is that God uses tithe as a process to teach us dependence. Anyone who claims they can't tithe because they will be harmed is displaying a lack of trust in God and fails to believe that God will provide them everything they need to serve Him. What are the other reasons to not tithe? Is there a Biblical position of which I am not aware that says, "Keep that which is yours and give God what you feel like giving God if you desire."

My position is that everything is Gods. I believe that is Biblical. I believe that God calls us to use all that we have been given to glorify God. I think that is Biblical. I believe that our church encourages its people to obey God but recognize that just like God we choose to not force people into obedience.

Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d]”

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

I believe God calls me to give him control of all that I have. I believe God calls me to live in a life of dependency. A first step in this is tithing 10%. A greater step in this is to give offerings above this 10%. An even greater step in this is to develop and grow resources that allow me to contribute even greater amounts of resources to advancing the kingdom of God. I believe all of this is Biblical. I believe the entire Bible speaks to my thoughts. If I am wrong then please enlighten me.

I believe a great number of people in our churches are shallow and are sitting in a deep slumber. Their salvation is based on church attendance and keeping the pastor and/or their spouse of their back. I say that God challenges us to be more to, to do more, to give more!

I say that we need to tell our people that God demands everything! I say that we need to tell our people that God has called them to something greater. That God has called them to be his instruments and that they are in fact supposed to help God save the world!

People languish and die in church because of a lack of expectation or challenge. They fade away because their part is sitting in a pew with a pastor saying things at them. Rather I say we challenge them in relationship. I say we challenge them to trust God with their finances and all they have. Give me a story where someone tithed and was not blessed spiritually by God! Give me a story where someone gave all that they were and are to God and were not blessed.

Don't knock me around with semantics and word play. Do you not hear the heart of the story!

If you are hung up on the word tithe as an old testament law and believe that people will get stuck somehow, fine. How is this?

If you are not willing to give God everything that you are and trust that God will provide everything you need, and if you are not willing to live a life based on God providing for you because you are weak, then you do not believe in God.

[Gary Creely]

Perhaps you and others would read my statements to say that a 10% tithe equals salvation. This is not my statement. My statement is that total submission equals salvation.

This is your statement:

I will tell you this. A person who does not believe that they should tithe does not believe in God.They might like the idea of God but they do not believe that God is who He says He is. I am of course talking about more than just 10% which is just a baby step. I am talking complete surrender of heart, mind, soul, and all resources. (If I'm not communicating correctly, I am attempting to point out that those who don't think they can tithe because they don't have enough, fail to believe that God is who He says He is.
If you don't believe in tithe because you think Jesus sets it aside or because the relationship is different, I go back to tithe being a first step toward giving God everything.

The part in bold is the part that is not a part of what I would call orthodox theology, or certainly not Nazarene doctrine on the matter. Even with all the supporting verbiage you supply your position on this matter is outside the line.

You proceed to then argue for tithing as if I or others are arguing against it, we are not.

if you are not willing to live a life based on God providing for you because you are weak, then you do not believe in God

What I am arguing is that you have turned the corner from promoting a vital spiritual discipline, into a proof of salvation.

I am talking complete surrender of heart, mind, soul, and all resources.

So what then is sanctification?

[Gary Creely]

Tithing reality check from Barna:

Among all born again adults, 9% contributed one-tenth or more of their income.

The study also showed that Protestants were four times as likely to tithe as were Catholics (8% versus 2%, respectively).

At least we are beating the Catholics!

[Billy Cox]

Considering the size of my property tax bill then add federal, state, social security taxes and then local sales tax on top of already taxed income I could live with a 10% tax.

Its lawful to collect offerings for church expenses and to help those in need. However whatever ones decides to give isn't for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus did that work for us. It may be required in the Naz manual for membership but God doesn't require works for entrance into the Kingdom. Thats by grace.

So tell the truth. The church exists by donations and we have bills. Please give what you have decided to give in your heart but know either way the Lord loves you.

I always find it amusing when I hear a sermon about tithing that refers to Abraham giving a one-time tithe of battle plunder to Melchizidek the wandering priest...and then the life lesson is that we should give one tenth of our gross income to the congregation every time we receive a paycheck.

I'll go out on a limb and say that Abraham wasn't exactly sacrificing much by giving Melchizidek a cut of the booty. Heck, he was probably a bit drunk at the time and feeling mighty generous.

[Michael Flowers]

I always find it amusing when I hear a sermon about tithing that refers to Abraham giving a one-time tithe of battle plunder to Melchizidek the wandering priest...and then the life lesson is that we should give one tenth of our gross income to the congregation every time we receive a paycheck.

I'll go out on a limb and say that Abraham wasn't exactly sacrificing much by giving Melchizidek a cut of the booty. Heck, he was probably a bit drunk at the time and feeling mighty generous.

Which is why I don't speak of that as the prime example of tithing money, but more an example that we are to give an offering (as Abraham is said to have done, not a tithe but an offering) of everything that God has blessed us with.

[Kyle Borger]

I'm not sure that my statement was an indication of salvation. Jesus saves us. There is nothing we can do other than allow Him to do so.

Rather I wish to indicate that if anyone fails to tithe because they might come to harm, the can't afford it, then they don't understand who God is or they fail to trust God to honor His promises. They don't believe God to be who He says He is.

Thank you for challenging me and continuing to force me to clarify and correct my statements and position.

I think you probably know exactly what I mean but are attempting to force me to clean up the verbage.

I continue to declare that God calls all us to place ouselves in a position of complete dependance and recognition that all that we have is from God.

[David Graham]

Rather I wish to indicate that if anyone fails to tithe because they might come to harm, the can't afford it, then they don't understand who God is or they fail to trust God to honor His promises. They don't believe God to be who He says He is.

Huh! I believe that God is whom he says he is and a whole lot more......
but I've also known people who have tithed when they didn't have what they needed in order to do so and by the end of the week others were bailing them out with food and groceries and the like.

So please, let's not be presumptuous on God either. The "tithe and God will provide policy" sounds like "giving in order to get" or the "prosperity gospel" of some Christian groups. For every testimony of a person who said that their income had improved when they tithed there would be others who could testify that absolutely nothing changed...... ourselves included.

Much rather we are to give generously and joyously of what we do have...... for God loves a cheerful giver.

[David Graham]

We served God and have been richley blessed.

Thanks be to God, so have we, but not with money.

My family does not have nice cars or a nice home. We don't take vacations to nice places or buy nice things.

We have a 1999 Ford Falcon wagon..... its not "flash" but it will do us. (My son now has my 2003 Falcon Ute after someone else wiped his car out)
Likewise our home is adequate for living but not in office space..... but it is God's provision for us right now so we are content.
Vacations...... We'd sure like to have one of those?!
As for "nice stuff", we mostly buy what we need second hand but aim for good quality.

Now I serve as a bivocational pastor. I work at least 30 hours a week in the church and my wife works at least 5-10. Should we count that as our tithe? We don't get paid by the church other than a $50 a month reimbursement account. We are in fact one of the largest tithers in our church. We were the second largest giver for faith promise next to our pastor.

I'm a fulltime Minister (i.e. expected to put in 42 hours per week, but my wife and I put in much more) and have been the single income earner for virtually all of our married lives (nearly 34 years); we too are among the biggest givers in the church, even with our around 6% giving.

Don't I have a valid claim that I don't need to tithe? I am poor. I do not have any excess. I am dependent upon the charity of others.

The question of tithing is one which is to be sorted out between an individual and God. But if you were one of my parishoners, I would not expect you to tithe. At the same time I would be hoping that you wouldn't need to be a recipient of "charity" either unless that meant receiving some Government benefits to which you were entitled.

You can claim theological studies and positions and you can claim what Jesus did or didn't do about the law, but I will say with full conviction that if you are not willing to surrender all of your resources to God then you do not trust God with your life and you fail to understand God.

I agree, and all that I have and am belongs to God. To his everlasting glory, I believe that he sanctifies me wholly now!
However, why stop at the 10% in our giving; why don't we give 100% of our stipends to God and then we will all in reality be fully trusting God with our lives and (in your opinion Kyle) properly understand God. But may I be the first to say Kyle........ YOU FIRST!

You can claim that 10% isn't applicable and is legalistic. I tell you it is a part of our transformation in that it is a part of our learning to give everything to God. 10% isn't the goal it is the training wheels of total submission.

See above.

Read Mark 10 and tell me how you are going to theologically explain how Jesus is going to let you keep that house and not use it to glorify God.

Yep, it belongs to him too, and we use it in his service. We regularly let people who have needs to stay with us for as long as necessary.

Read it and tell me why you should get to keep your boat or motorcycle or other toys and use them only for your pleasure and not as a resource for developing relationships that allow you to develop opportunities to disciple others and advance the Kingdom of God.

No boat, no motorcycle and few toys...... lots of books though. Yet, I don't begrudge anyone any of those things, nor do I covet them.

Tell me why it is ok for you to sit on a lake fishing or whatever it is you do with your riches and not use those same resources to reach the lost?

I'd love to sit on the bank of the local lake fishing, but too busy in his service at the moment.

Personal restoration? Building family relationships and the discipleship of your family? To a limited degree but at the expense of everyone else?

I really doubt that those Christians who are normally busy in Christ's service are costing anyone else anything when they have a vacation. So yes, personal restoration and family relationships are important. We shouldn't judge others when they take a well earned vacation even if we don't.

It really is very difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yep, and that is why we need to become like children (read further on in the chapter) and hold the things of this world lightly and love our heavenly Father more than we often do and to learn to depend upon him innocently. We are all on a learning curve here Kyle.

That isn't just heaven. That is a current totally sold out slave to master relationship experience with Jesus Christ. When you have resources and the ability to survive financially you don't need Jesus unless you have some emotional distress. When you give everything you have, every dime, every object, every relationship to Jesus then you only survive because Jesus provides you saving grace every monute of every day.

Hmmmm yes and no! The Christian life is about more than just survival; it is an abundant life full of joy.

That my friends is Sanctification. It is living in such a way that no matter what you have or where you are, everything is Gods. We love because God provides it. We act because God shows us. Every action, every step is taken out of obedience to God.

Yes, obedience, faith, hope, love and joy! I don't think that God wants too many "dour" looking Christians.

Should a person with no job and no money tithe? Yes. Tithe on whatever God gives you. If you are sitting in the gutter and are homeless and someone else with a greater need sits next to you, then give them your shoes.

It's really between them and God! I'd tell them whatever their decision was to give joyfully!

I would rather be in the worst place imaginable with God then the best place imaginable without God

Me too!

God doesn't promise that you won't suffer. God promises you will have what you need to serve Him. Sometimes we are called to have little so that we can serve in a specific place in a specific way at a specific time.

Absolutely!

Are you unwilling to serve God unless you have comfort? Then why would you be unwilling to give? Do you say "I will give, but don't tell me I have to give"?

True, but its all about giving what you are able to give; of what you've got..... not of what you don't have!

Our church won't kick you out if you don't give.

Well mine certainly won't! We'll take anybody, irrespective of what they give!

But I will tell you that you don't know God if you don't. The only way to really know God is to be totally dependent for everything, even your next bite of food.

Many people know and trust God who don't tithe! They are completely dependant upon him. They are not rich but neither are they so poor that they don't pay their own way through life and also give what they can. These people love God with all their hearts and lives too; they give joyfully and sense the close presence of God in their lives and so their testimony is real and vibrant and satisfied.

[Peggy Gray]

I'm curious...how do people know how their tithe compares to the rest of the congregation's?

[Pete Vecchi]

Tithing reality check from Barna:



At least we are beating the Catholics!

Gary--where did you get that quote from Barna--I'd like to see more!
(And no, that is NOT intended to be a pun since the quote isn't showing up when I hit "Reply With Quote"...)

The quote that didn't show up was this:

Among all born again adults, 9% contributed one-tenth or more of their income.

The study also showed that Protestants were four times as likely to tithe as were Catholics (8% versus 2%, respectively).

[Gary Creely]

Gary--where did you get that quote from Barna--I'd like to see more!
(And no, that is NOT intended to be a pun since the quote isn't showing up when I hit "Reply With Quote"...)

The quote that didn't show up was this:

Among all born again adults, 9% contributed one-tenth or more of their income.

The study also showed that Protestants were four times as likely to tithe as were Catholics (8% versus 2%, respectively).

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/ar...g-and-donating

[Gary Creely]

Gary--where did you get that quote from Barna--I'd like to see more!
(And no, that is NOT intended to be a pun since the quote isn't showing up when I hit "Reply With Quote"...)

The quote that didn't show up was this:

Among all born again adults, 9% contributed one-tenth or more of their income.

The study also showed that Protestants were four times as likely to tithe as were Catholics (8% versus 2%, respectively).

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/ar...g-and-donating

[Gary Creely]

I'm curious...how do people know how their tithe compares to the rest of the congregation's?

This brings up an interesting point. I have been observing that "tithing" for many Christians (Nazarenes included) has just come to mean simply consistant giving, and not necessarily one tenth or more.

So peggy when you ask "how do people know how their tithe compares to the rest of the congregation's?" in gets me thinking about that.