I have received a few questions since Sunday on tithing! Remember, that the Bible says, "The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first in every area of your life." Deut. 14:23
If you are just starting out as a tither, then it will be difficult at times to give. You are establishing a new habit of obedience to God! But don't forget, God's promise, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Mal. 3:10
FAQ’S ABOUT TITHING
When I calculate my tithe, should it be on my net or my gross income?
Proverbs 3:9-10 says that God has asked for our first-fruits, which is the first and best of all that we receive. God should be given to before any bill is paid, including Uncle Sam.
Should I tithe if I am in debt?
The tithe helps us to honor God, which is the beginning of wisdom. If there is anybody in the world who needs God’s wisdom in the area of finances, it is a person who is already in debt. A farmer always keeps a portion of each harvest as seed stock to be planted the next season. If he didn’t, he would not be able to grow another crop. As Christians, our tithe is our seed stock (2 Corinthians 9:10). We honor God by giving Him the first fruits of our produce (income or compensation). Therefore the first portion of our income belongs to God. It doesn’t belong to anyone else—not even creditors (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Could tithe money be used to support secular organizations?
The tithe is given in God’s name and should be used specifically for His work.
Should I tithe from the profits from the sale of my house, car, etc.?
Any profit made from a sale ought to be tithed on, because it is, in fact, part of your first-fruits. Even if the profits are to be reinvested, a tithe should first be given.
Should a person tithe on an inheritance?
Because an inheritance is part of our “increase,” we should give a portion of it back to the Lord to honor Him.
Should I tithe on alimony or child support from my ex-husband?
Alimony is part of your income from which a tithe should be given, but child support belongs to the children and isn’t part of your personal “increase.”
Wouldn’t you be exempt from tithing if you were on a fixed income and barely making ends meet?
Again, God doesn’t “need” our money. His desire is to bless His children, and it is for our good that He has instituted the principle of tithing in His Word. Remember the widow who put two “pennies” into the treasury? Jesus knew her situation and commended her by saying, “This poor widow put in more than all the contributors; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44).
What if my spouse doesn’t agree with me about tithing?
Because tithing involves money, it is a prime candidate for controversy between a husband and wife (many marital problems stem from finances). However, if both spouses are Christians, they should have a desire to please the Lord and understand tithing is God-ordained, not just a personal desire that the wife is trying to impose on the husband or vice versa. The problem becomes more complicated when one spouse is an unbeliever. If the wife is an unbeliever, the husband must obey the Lord’s direction. He must realize, however, that the Lord is more concerned about his wife’s soul than his money. If tithing becomes a stumbling block to his wife, he should consider not tithing temporarily in order to win his wife to the Lord. If the unbelieving spouse is the husband, then the wife should submit to his wishes, trusting that her submissive attitude may win him to the Lord (1 Peter 3:1-6).One idea to asking to put God to the test by giving a percentage over a 90-day period. If they are worse off financially as a result of her giving, she will cease to give. But if they are better off, she will be allowed to give more. In Malachi 3:10 the Lord says to test Him in tithing. Often, this is just the opportunity for God to prove Himself to an unbelieving spouse.
