I believe that it does. but I’ve met people over the last year who have said that they know many people who don’t think twice about “tithing” to random ministries other than their church. I also know people who count their Christian school tuition as part of their “tithe”.
but I was reading this and started doing the math. Yes, we are above 10% here (and I guess the question would be, “does he have to tithe JUST on his salary?”, in which case he’s well above the 10% mark) Here’s the paragraph that makes me wonder:
The Bushes contributed $78,100 to churches and charitable organizations, including the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department, the Federal Government’s Combined Federal Campaign, Operation Smile, Martha’s Table, the Salvation Army, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, the White House said.
okay. I know it’s rude for me to be judging the man, especially since it’s common knowledge that I don’t like him, not to mention that I have enough planks in my own eyes to blind half of Grand Rapids . . . but just to ask the question–DO people think it’s okay to tithe to random causes? I have struggled for so long to give God control in this area, and I still struggle to this day, so maybe it’s just me feeling defensive . . . I don’t want any “loopholes” making it easier for me.
any thoughts?
April 18, 2007 at 3:45 pm
I do not feel that it is necessary to give your tithe to a church. after all God gave us his Spirit to help us make decisions. If we do not use his Spirit to guide our giving, then i think that in a sense the Holy Spirit was given in vain. (sorry for duplicate content. i had a typo above)
April 18, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Well, in his case his local church is the one in TX, so it’d be hard for him to tithe to it since he’s not there often. Granted, he could mail a check, but something tells me he doesn’t carry a checkbook around much anymore either.
I do think tithing should be done to The Church, not necessarily your *home* church. Suppose you move, and don’t find a new church home right away, then what? A lot of mission groups accept gifts online, whereas few local churches do.
Food for thought.
May 6, 2007 at 3:50 am
“DO people think it’s okay to tithe to random causes? I have struggled for so long to give God control in this area, and I still struggle to this day, so maybe it’s just me feeling defensive . . . I don’t want any “loopholes” making it easier for me.”
Thats a really good question.
The short answer I believe is ‘yes’. Since you are the steward of your own money, its up to you to ensure that the causes you give to are legit.
Let me turn the tables – just to help you think through your thoughts. If I felt I should give part of my tithe money to, say, http://www.vom.com.au/, why would that be ‘wrong’?
Just a thought
May 18, 2007 at 2:17 pm
First, let me say that I have (historically), tithed sporadically. I have been tithing consistently, for about a year, maybe two. I’ve gone back and forth, on the “net or gross” question. I have dived in feet first, and am now tithing on my gross income. Too many years, of our Lord’s speaking through my Pastors (Dante and Dave), have convinced me, of my need, to trust the Father, in this way.
Second, it is my belief, that one’s tithe needs to go, where one is invested in the Body of Christ. That is, where one is, in a primary way, fed spiritually, employing their Gifts, in service to the Body, and where one is nurtured, and sustained, by the Body, in the joys and travails of life. Tithing in this way, allows that fellowship, to pay it’s bills, and conduct ministry. Without it, they can’t.
Lastly, I agree, there are many worthy charitable organizations, ministries, missions, and causes, one can contribute funds to, and time as well. I believe, that is where one can designate one’s offering. Those funds, one offers, beyond the tithe.
Too straight forward? Too simplistic?
Perhaps, but these are perspectives, I have come to embrace, as truths.
Blessings,
Dorwin
May 19, 2007 at 1:55 am
Dorwin said:
“Second, it is my belief, that one’s tithe needs to go, where one is invested in the Body of Christ. That is, where one is, in a primary way, fed spiritually, employing their Gifts, in service to the Body, and where one is nurtured, and sustained, by the Body, in the joys and travails of life. Tithing in this way, allows that fellowship, to pay it’s bills, and conduct ministry. Without it, they can’t.”
I see a kind of scale here. Firstly we would all probably agree that the true church of God is just another word for ‘body of Christ’. We also have another sense of the word – ‘local gathering’ aka the institution of the church.
Now the institution exists to do the work the God commanded his church to do. It serves the body of Christ, not the other way around. As a body it can do things no individual can do, and as an individual I can do things the institution cannot.
All id like then to say is this: its very good to give to your local church, but every believer is still the church. Giving to a visiting ministry is still the church. You fulfilling a function by helping a family in need is still the church.
So in all this allow God to be sovereign. Support your local church, but if you feel led to support or do something else, and that something else falls within the will of God, then do it. If that means giving slightly less to your local church then so be it.
God bless
May 21, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Point taken.
I think the fact that my own “local gathering”, is chronically under budget, informs my stridency, on the issue.
Blessings