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So is
the tithe to be based
on GROSS or NET pay?
What? How
people will argue about anything.
Consider the Pharisee in the
temple who looked down on everyone around him. Read
Luke 18:9-14 carefully. He compared himself to others
as he stood before God, not looking up in reverence
nor down in humility, rather side to side in
comparison (sound familiar?). The others did not do it
"his way", thus they were lowered in his eyes.
Are "gross-pay-tithing" believers
more righteous than "net-pay-tithing" believers? And
what about those who don't give 10%?
What was Jesus' perspective?
"Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto
God that which is God's" (Luke 20:25). [For
a full discussion of "Rendering unto Caesar", click
here.]
What does Jesus' comment mean? In
present day America (and most other communist or
socialist societies), we "render unto Caesar" during
our working years and then Caesar "renders" unto us in
our retirement years.
Why not simply say to yourself, "Whatever
money is deposited into my bank account, I will give
10% of that."?
If one chooses that way during all
the "working" years while "rendering unto Caesar",
then one does not tithe on the taxes paid, and later,
in retirement and collecting income from "Caesar"
after all the years of taxation, then one pays the
tithe on "whatever money is
deposited into my bank account". That solution
is simply one where the distinction is a matter of
timing.
Look again at the Pharisee,
particularly Luke 18:12. Although God was displeased
with him because of his arrogance, he did know "the
rules" and what did he say? He said, "...
and I give a tenth of all I get." So, if you
insist on having a "rule", look at the one who knew
"the rules"... the one who gave a tenth of "whatever
money is deposited into my bank account."
What is
the real issue? The
fact that this is even a point of argument among
believers indicates that we have a far more serious
problem of the
heart... that was the same problem with the
Pharisee who always compared himself to others and
probably argued with them because their practices did
not match his perspective.
What does your heart tell you? |
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There are three forms of charitable
giving. These are tithes, alms, and offerings. Each of these
have different perspectives and purposes.
Tithes
God requires the tithe and it is 10% of one's "income". See the
debate at right as to what that "income" may be. Suffice it to
say that the tithe is the minimum requirement, that is, our
duty to God. Failing to give the tithe is described
by God in Malachi 3 as "robbing God" and bringing a curse upon
the people.
Alms
These are gifts to someone in need, either directly to a poor
person, or to a charity serving the poor.
What is "Pure Religion" according to the Apostle James?
Click here to see.
Offerings
These are gifts to organizations or to God (via one's house of
worship) over and above the tithe (such as a building debt
retirement fund, or a church planting fund, or a missions fund,
etc.).
Blessing,
Charity, and Money
Is money "the root of all evil"?
No. Money is neither good nor bad. Scripture is often misquoted
in this matter. The Apostle Paul wrote,
- For the love of
money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for
money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves
with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV)
It is the love of
money that is a root--not the root--of
all kinds of evil. Why? How many wealthy people are truly happy?
Very often, the wealthy are worried about their money. They are
driven to produce more. They are stingy. In a nutshell, they
store up their treasure where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal, for where one's treasure is, there
also is the heart. (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)
Does God
Want Christians to be Poor?
No, but many people believe this
because of the story of the "rich young ruler." Jesus once told
a rich young man to sell everything, give it to the poor, and
follow him. (See Matthew 19:16-30) Why did he command this? This
rich man came to Jesus asking, "What good thing must I do to get
eternal life?" It was the wrong question. You cannot earn
eternal life. Eternal life is a gift from God to all who trust
in Jesus (John 3:16). Jesus replies to the man, "Why do you ask
me about what is good?" After briefly discussing the ten
commandments, Jesus tells him to sell everything and give it
away. Scripture says the man went away sorrowful because he was
wealthy.
For this man, Jesus had touched the
thing he loved. He loved his money. Remember, why did he come to
Jesus? He wanted to know "what good thing" he should do to "get"
eternal life. Jesus gave him a "thing to do" but not because it
would earn the man eternal life, rather because it would mean
that he give up the thing he loved. Jesus pointed to the man's
heart. The man wanted to know what would give him eternal life
and Jesus basically told him not to love his money. He then says
that it is very difficult for the wealthy to enter heaven. Why?
Because of the love of money. "You cannot serve both God and
Money" (Matthew 6:24).
In fact, in the Sermon on the Mount
(see Matthew 6:19-34), Jesus follows the discussion of "storing
up treasures" with a point about not worrying over things like
money and clothing and food, but instead trusting God for all
one's necessities. This discussion concludes with seeking God's
kingdom and righteousness as your first priority, and God will
give you what you need.
God wants you to stop loving money.
Generosity
How do you stop loving money? Give
it away. The principle found in the story of the wealthy young
man is valid. Look at the statements in Matthew 5:29:
- If your right
eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is
better for you to lose one part of your body than for your
whole body to be thrown into hell.
If that is true of your body, how
much more true is it for your money? Do you love your money? If
you do, you cannot truly love God. Test yourself and see whether
you love money.
- Do you give ten percent of
your income to a church?
- Do you give amounts beyond
the ten percent to other charitable organizations?
- Do you give money to
individuals who need help?
- Do you help individuals who
are not friends or family?
- Do you determine whether to
give anything based on whether you will be able to take a tax
deduction for it?
- Do you give things other than
money?
- Do you eagerly await
opportunities to give away your money?
There is no certain number of "yes"
and "no" answers that indicate whether you love money. As you
read through the questions, what was the response of your heart?
Scripture speaks of "tithes, alms,
and offerings." The tithe was commanded by God (Leviticus
27:30). What about charitable activities? Scripture is replete
with admonitions that we give to all who ask and help the poor
and the widows. You don't have to look far to find the
principle.
Personally, I believe those who truly love the Lord also
love His entire creation. In addition to tithes and offerings,
I also believe that alms are a natural outpouring of the
Christian heart to those in need. Feeding children, sponsoring
villages ravaged by conflict and disasters, aiding the
homeless, visiting widows and orphans... and yes, also helping
animals.
Search your heart, for if you chose to help any of these in
need, including animals, you could make a difference for only
a few dollars per month --
the price of just one Starbucks coffee! Would you be
willing to skip one meal (that is called "fasting") or one
coffee per month to help others bring life to those people and
animals desperately needing food, medical treatment, and
homes?
Tithe, of course, to your church. Make offerings to your
church for special projects (such as missions, building debt
retirement, etc.). And be even more generous...
Important Note: Be sure to ALWAYS check
the charitable status and compliance of any organization
BEFORE you give them money --
click here for how to confirm in just a
few minutes
Look for opportunities to help others, and remember that what
is done in secret is remembered by our Creator (  Matthew
6:2-4) and what you give to the poor, God considers it to
be a loan from you to Him ( Proverbs
19:17).
So go, and cheerfully give!
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