Should struggling families tithe?

[Mr Nice Guy]

With the holidays upon us, something I have been wondering about is tithing and charity. If I donate money or food to the foodbank, would that count towards tithe? The money is not going to my home church, however it is benefiting God's kingdom. I became a believer about a year ago, and I don't think I would have the heart to donate without that event happening.

Any thoughts?

[bjl584]

If a family is truly struggling and is barely making ends meat, then I think that tithing would be detrimental to their situation. What good is giving money to others if you don't have enough to take care of your own family's needs? Get your own family above water and on the right track, then be giving to others.

If someone wants to be giving even in hard times, then give something other than money. Call your local food bank, soup kitchen, salvation army, etc. and ask if you can volunteer your time on a Saturday. Get invoved with your local school district and their various fund raisers and activities. Help out with other local organizations. There are countless ways to be giving and helpful to the community that don't cost a dime. I would advise going that route if money is tight in your household.

[GaryArnold]

Let's look at the scriptures.

Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18: The First Tithe - a tenth of crops and animals and commanded to take the tithe to the Levites.

Deuteronomy 14:22-27: The Second Tithe aka The Festival Tithe - a tenth of crops, plus add to that the firstborn animals, and take for the yearly feast.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29: The Third Tithe aka The Three-Year Tithe aka The Poor Tithe - a tenth of crops, kept at home, and invite the Levites, widows, orphans, stranger to eat.

Those are the ONLY tithes commanded by God. Now if you believe God didn't provide for the future in His Word, and that God expects your pastor to change His Word to fit the needs of the church, then I guess you would believe your pastor when he tells you to tithe on your income.

OLD TESTAMENT - THE FIRST OF THE FRUITS SHOULD GO TO GOD
Proverbs 3:9 (KJV) “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:”

NEW TESTAMENT - THE WORKER SHOULD BE FIRST TO RECEIVE A SHARE OF THE FRUIT
2 Timothy 2:6 (KJV) “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

When was the last time you heard a pastor say that you should spend the FIRST part of your income on yourself and your family?

1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

The New Testament makes it clear that we are to use the FIRST of our income to take care of ourselves and our family. We are talking about needs, here, not just anything we want. Then we should give generously from what is left.

To me, the Bible makes it perfectly clear where my money goes FIRST.

Something else to consider. God said the tithe belongs to HIM, and HE gave the tithe to the Levites, FOREVER (Numbers 18). Jesus said when we give to the poor or needy, we are giving to HIM. God NEVER said when we give to the church we are giving to HIM.

Don't fall for the Malachi threat. In Nehemiah 10:37 we learn that the firstfruits were taken to the temple for the priests, and the tithes were taken to the Levites who lived in the Levitical cities. In Nehemiah 10:38 we learn that the Levites would take a tithe of the tithe to the temple. It is this tithe, the tithe from the Levites, that went to the storehouse, not the tithe from the people. This is important to remember when we study Malachi 3:10.

[fruitbowlk]

I think it is always important to take care of your home before anyone or thing else.

[jpg7n16]

NEW TESTAMENT - THE WORKER SHOULD BE FIRST TO RECEIVE A SHARE OF THE FRUIT
2 Timothy 2:6 (KJV) “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

When was the last time you heard a pastor say that you should spend the FIRST part of your income on yourself and your family?

I don't fully expect everyone here to believe the same as I do (which I hope I've made clear). I enjoy the discussion more than anything.

But the verse you show from 2 Timothy, was not about tithing; in context, it is about how those who remain faithful and will be rewarded:

1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
2 Timothy 1-7

Even according to the verses you posted, once that hard-working farmer receives his first share of the crops, he should tithe off that share. (notice that the first listed item you gave for all tithes, was 'crops')

So yes, the hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. And then once he's received his share, he should tithe from that share. Regardless of whether it was a big or small harvest. (aka - even on a low income)

1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

Again, in context, this is not about tithing - it is about taking care of one's own family, before taking care of the needy (widows). It also says not to only take care of yourself and neglect your family (vs 6)

But it has nothing to say about the duty to honor God from all He gives us with a tithe. (I believe the priority should go God > Family > Others; which fits the passage you pulled that verse from)

3Honor widows who are truly widows. 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:3-8

To me, the Bible makes it perfectly clear where my money goes FIRST.

I agree that the Bible is perfectly clear, but I think it shows that God is first, in all things - including finances.

God comes before self and others:

35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:35-40

Serving God comes before our own safety:

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18

God is the first priority in everything:

16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Colossians 1:16-18

God takes priority over family:
What should be the order of priorities in our family?


Jesus even specifically says to seek God, rather than seeking food, clothing, and drink:

25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?g 28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:25-33

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Now I totally agree with DS, that this argument cannot be "won" - which I'm not exactly trying to do. I'm more trying convey why I believe what I believe, so that you can determine between yourself and God, what you will believe.

[disneysteve]

Now I totally agree with DS, that this argument cannot be "won" - which I'm not exactly trying to do. I'm more trying convey why I believe what I believe, so that you can determine between yourself and God, what you will believe.

Exactly. Of course, this topic comes up here periodically because someone posts their situation and that they are in debt, maybe unemployed, facing foreclosure, whatever. Then they list their budget and it includes a big chunk of money for a tithe. It is only natural that some of us, in responding to the OP, might suggest reconsidering the tithe given the overall situation. Some people will be open to the suggestion. Other people consider the tithe non-negotiable no matter how bad their finances are.

[SnoopyCool]

This thread reminds me of Footloose.

[jpg7n16]

Exactly. Of course, this topic comes up here periodically because someone posts their situation and that they are in debt, maybe unemployed, facing foreclosure, whatever. Then they list their budget and it includes a big chunk of money for a tithe. It is only natural that some of us, in responding to the OP, might suggest reconsidering the tithe given the overall situation. Some people will be open to the suggestion. Other people consider the tithe non-negotiable no matter how bad their finances are.

I guess I'd be one of those "other people" then.

For most situations, it's far too easy to say, "just stop giving to the church to free up some cash." Instead of dealing with the real issues of "you cannot afford your car", "you cannot afford your house," "you are spending way too much on food and shoes and your cell phone and are blaming your lack of money on the tithe - when it's actually your spending habits." etc.

Obivously you can get out of debt faster when 10% of your income isn't going to the church, but money isn't everything.


Plus a lot of people think that any discretionary giving, if given to the church makes it a tithe. Which is not true either. If someone make $2000 a month and is giving $500 to the church and calling it their "tithe"; they're just mistaken. $200 is tithe, $300 is discretionary giving. And if they're struggling to make ends meet, they should back down to just the $200, and take a good hard look at their expenses.

[disneysteve]

For most situations, it's far too easy to say, "just stop giving to the church to free up some cash." Instead of dealing with the real issues of "you cannot afford your car", "you cannot afford your house," "you are spending way too much on food and shoes and your cell phone and are blaming your lack of money on the tithe - when it's actually your spending habits." etc.

I agree with this 100%. I never suggest cutting out the tithe first. The other stuff - expensive car, cell phones, cable TV, dining out and all other luxuries should go FIRST. If that still isn't enough, then the tithe should be on the table.

[ThePennyHoarder]

What about tithing your time? Perhaps you could give away 10% of your week to volunteering. Just an idea...

[GaryArnold]

The New Testament teaches generous, sacrificial giving, from the heart, according to our means. For some, $1 might be a sacrifice, while for others, even giving 50% of their income might not induce a sacrifice. In the Old Testament, ONLY the farmers tithed, and it was equal percentage (a tenth). The New Testament teaches the principle of equal sacrifice instead of equal percentage. Equal sacrifice is much harder to achieve, if not impossible, than giving ten percent.

Being blessed as I have been, and being Spirit led, I find myself giving far more than a mere tenth of my income. Now if the Spirit led me to give exactly a tenth of my income, that is what I would do. But nowhere in God's Word does it say or infer that when we give to a church we are giving to God. We are giving to pay the bills of the church. It is church leaders that say giving to the church is giving to God, not the scriptures.

To follow the tithing commands in the Bible, one would have to give an average of 20% a year, not 10%. The three tithes averaged out to exactly 20% over a 7-year period. So those who believe you are under the tithing commands, why do you limit your tithe to only 10%? Why do you ignore the other two Biblical tithes?

[disneysteve]

The New Testament teaches generous, sacrificial giving

Being Jewish, we don't study the New Testament, but I like this idea much more than tithing a flat 10%. We believe that you should give an amount that is significant to you. That is exactly what we promote in our congregation. For out High Holy Day pledge drive each year, we tell people that if they can afford $5, give $5. If they can afford $50, give $50. And if they can afford $500, give $500. We don't expect a percentage of income because everyone's circumstances are different. Someone with large student loans and an entry-level job won't be able to afford the same percentage of income as an empty-nest couple well established in their careers. Lower income people also spend a larger percentage of income on necessities which are often relatively fixed - gas for the car, utilities, health insurance, etc. Higher wage earners have (or usually have) more disposable income and thus more money available for giving.

[GaryArnold]

Being Jewish, we don't study the New Testament....

And being Jewish, you also don't tithe because you know there is to Temple and no Levitical priesthood to support. You know that the tithe can ONLY be taken to Levites. Right?

Isn't it amazing how so-called Christian leaders have taken God's commands and changed them to fit their own circumstances? And these same Christian leaders, who are misrepresenting God's Word actually think they are getting away with it! Maybe they have fooled their congregations, but they haven't fooled God.

[disneysteve]

And being Jewish, you also don't tithe

Correct, though being a member of our temple's Finance committee and knowing the costs involved in running the place, if folks want to start tithing, that would be okay with me.

[tcpete]

A bit of drift here but do you think those who cannot afford to feed, clothe or provide shelter for their families and are on government assistance should tithe?