If you tithe - do you tithe while paying off debt?

[Anonymous]

Interested in hearing your opinion. My husband and I strongly feel we should give, but we are buried in debt. Credit cards, student loans, car payment, mortgage, etc. We both have demanding full-time jobs and have two children in childcare, with really no extra time for a second job for either of us. If we give 10%, we can "make it" on 90%, but with absolutely nothing left over - no savings, retirement, etc. We implemented a budget a few months ago, which included tithing 10%, and have stayed on track, but the problem is that so much of our income is taken up by items that are non-negotiable - house, food, bills, childcare (a huge one) - that we don't foresee ourselves ever getting ahead. It is clear that we made some POOR choices and are doing what we can to get out, and we do feel that we need to give. I keep reading "if you can't live on 90% of your income, you can't live on 100%", and I just don't think that is true in our case. 10% of our (take-home) income is $900/month, which is significant when you're living so tightly. Personally, I feel comfortable with halving that and giving $450, as long as we are sticking to a budget and continuing to pay down our debt responsibly. Prior to getting a budget nailed down, there was $0 leftover at month-end, so I feel $450 is an improvement, and really a substantial amount in light of our current situation. My husband feels a little like I'm just rationalizing not having to give as much, though I am the one who manages the budget and spending, and think I have a more realistic view of just how dire things are. What have you done?

[Anonymous]

Give what you can give comfortably when you can. Your superior being will understand.

[Anonymous]

I am a counter at church. What I notice is younger families tend to give much less than older couples. It all balances out. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Anonymous]

wetithing in the sence of giving 10% of your income is not biblical. It is a new phenoma started in 18th century. Read up about it in church history.
You canalso google it. I was totally shocked when I found the web sites, and I agree with what they say. I am now much more cautious and suspicious of what the church does and says members must do.

[Anonymous]

I believe if you find it in your family's budget to tithe, the Lord will provide you even more.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't stress about the 10%. I say give what you can. I don't believe that God would want you to be "stressed out" or living on the edge in order to give the 10%. As your debts decrease or income increases then you can up your tithing. I have found in the past that the Lord does supply my needs even when on paper I am stretched financially.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe in tithing. It says in the bible that you should give every tenth horse. That does not translate to my giving $10,000 a year to my church. Give what you can, not just monetarily but donate time and talent. Volunteer in places that most people don't. Go talk to seniors at an assisted living center, or make a few meals for home bound people.
I found this:
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; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). 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 understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. 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).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe if you find it in your family's budget to tithe, the Lord will provide you even more.

This is a very legalistic interpretation. Like now we have a heavenly bank account. This doctrine is not supported by the bible.
Wait until you have a house as big as what the priest has, after that you can start giving to the church

[Anonymous]

Personally, I wouldn't. I'd say give what you can, when you can, and be a good person otherwise. Someday you will probably be in a better position and you can be more generous then. (Isn't the point of charity to help the less fortunate, not to make yourselves into the less fortunate? I don't like the idea of not having a safety net because you're providing one to others.)

[Anonymous]

Nope! We don't give anything except on Easter and Christmas. We are a young family with little kids and I watch every single penny. I also reject the notion of telling pol how much to give, in my mind that's a personal decision. However I am keenly aware I lack financial contributions so I make sure to volunteer my time as much as possible. I've done youth group, bake sales, spring cleaning, basically if they ask for volunteers I find a way to give an hour or two.

[Anonymous]

Instead of money, you can give/donate your time.

Your time is priceless.

[Anonymous]

To the counter at church: what would you say is a typical amount given by a young family? DH and I struggle with what is appropriate. We go to church about 2x a month and are not members. We never know how much to put in the collection plate.

[Anonymous]

My takeaway from this is you make $9000 and have trouble making ends meet. Perhaps you should get a financial planner? The tithing interests me not, but I can't believe someone can make $9000 a month and not be able to survive without $900 of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway from this is you make $9000 and have trouble making ends meet. Perhaps you should get a financial planner? The tithing interests me not, but I can't believe someone can make $9000 a month and not be able to survive without $900 of it.

I wondered about this, as well. If OP can't make it on $9,000 take-home, then she needs immediate financial advice. Give what you can to your church but if you can't live, and live well, on your take home amount, you are on over your head financially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe if you find it in your family's budget to tithe, the Lord will provide you even more.

And I believe that if you leave your bills under your pillow at night, the Bill Fairy (little-known cousin to the Tooth Fairy) will pay it for you!