Comment Re:Percentage! (Score 1) 596
The nice thing about tithing is it puts everyone on an equal basis. Whether you make a lot or a little, God's expectations for your support are the same. The problem is that the more you make, the harder it is for some people to do. Tithe on gross income. Give offerings to the church and other organizations above and beyond that amount.
But if you're going to consider tithing, you should be aware of all the laws concerning it. 10%/year went to the priests. 10%/year was to be used for sacrifices and travel expenses for lodging at the required feasts. An additional 10% every 3 years went to support foreigners and the aged. Those are loose definitions for what they were collected for and used for, but give the basics. Since the laws were established in a theocracy, all are generally not assumed to be in force today. The federal, state, and local tax systems generally are assumed to cover that last 3.33%/year handling support for the poor and elderly. We really don't have a sacrificial system but paying for church buildings or transportation to and from church could fall into the second 10%. The third really doesn't have an equivalent other than direct church donations and is still generally considered a requirement. God also imposed a 20% surcharge on anything you held back when you finally paid your tithes. Pretty steep interest.
Regardless, I'd much prefer to live on the 90% that God gives me to use with His blessing than to try to take from what He considers His. Robbing God is generally frowned on (All of Malachi 3 is good, but particularly verses 8-9). My family isn't rich by American standards, but I've never missed the 10+% I've donated to God's work over my almost 30 years of working. That isn't to say that it has always been easy to do, but to this point, we have tithed in good times and bad. God loves a cheerful giver. Try it next year and at the end of the year see if you really miss the money. That is true at any income level. It may require you associating with a church in addition to tithing, but that would be a good thing to do too. Just find one that teaches Biblical truth. If nothing said from the pulpit ever brings conviction, you've probably made the wrong choice.
Many try to tell you that God will reward you for what you give and you'll end up better off. I don't find that in scripture although Malachi 3 gives promises of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience in this particular matter. There isn't a $ for $ relationship for what you give to Him that I find. But don't doubt that the 10% is a commandment to be followed. If you are obedient, you'll never know till you get to heaven what all He has done for you in both tangible or intangible terms.