TITHES

Heather - posted on 04/27/2010

Alright ladies... I'm locking this conversation.... We have looked at tithing from several points of view, and I do not want this turning into an argument. Thank you all for your responses.

Katy - posted on 04/27/2010

My husband's side of it is: There are things that the bible says we are supposed to do, and nobody does anymore.

For example, there was a sermon we listened to a while back where the pastor said that in the times of Jesus, a woman was to wash herself daily during her "time of the month" (that's a given) and steer clear of any men who she was not planning on telling that it was that time. If a man was even in the same room with such a woman at such a time, then he should also wash himself afterwards.

We don't do this, do we? My husband says that we help out with what we can, when we can, but 10% is not necessary.

Julie - posted on 04/27/2010

Tithe means 10% - sometimes God wants 100%



We're also warned, "let no man teach you, for the Holy Spirit shall lead you into all Truth ...."



just a thought ♥

Justice - posted on 04/27/2010

we just had a lesson on tithing in church which by the way is the first ever (I love my church) ! we were told and bible says that we are supposed to tithe without question the 10% or more is not given to the church but to God, we have to have faith and we still should be good stewards and help others in need whether it be monetary or something else!

Julie - posted on 04/27/2010

Ever hear a testimony of God telling someone to give another person ALL the money they have in their purse, or wallet...?
Then, the next thing the person knows they are blessed ABOVE and BEYOND what they gave to someone else!
THAT, precious ladies, is 'walking in the Spirit; and 'being obedient!'
♥ blessings as you walk with Him ~

Katy - posted on 04/27/2010

My husband and I have a slight disagreement as to tithe or not to tithe. I was always taught it should be 10% of your income. So if you're not working at the time, then no tithe. He tithes a couple dollars every week, no matter what. I would think that helping others in need counts also, but I don't know how that would apply to the 10% mentioned above.

Julie - posted on 04/27/2010

I couldn't AGREE more, "if you love me you will obey Me..." not any Law.
With Christ living in us He will tell us "turn right here... then go 2 blocksa and turn left,..." correct? We will kow it is Him as nothing will ever contradict His written word from days gone by ...
We are to "walk in newness of LIFE!"

Victoria - posted on 04/27/2010

It's funny to hear someone say that we don't obey....Jesus said if you love me, Obey me. He is the same Yesterday, Today & Forever. We don't obey to get saved, but we obey as evidence that we are, whether in regards to tithes or obeying the laws of the lands. So the laws of the OT said do not kill & do not commit adultery, does that mean that those laws are obsolete too? I think not. No Jesus didn't come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it & if it is no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me, then He is still fulfilling the law through me. We live in the era of grace, but grace doesn't give us the right to turn from the truth & walk in sin. The righteous live by faith, and that includes faith to believe that every word form Genesis to Revelations is God breathed & applicable for our lives today.

Julie - posted on 04/27/2010

Mary;
We are under a New Covenant... one where we don't obey laws but rather walk to the Voice of Christ ... "My sheep hear My Voice and I know them, and they follow Me..."
Please, don't tell me when you have your mensis you camp outside the City gates... or still sacrifice the best of your herd or flock to pay for sin-
Christ came a fulfilled all Laws so we could have a chance at a righteous standing before a Holy God - we know can hear Him speak to us and walk in obedience to His Voice - not any written Laws. Compare it to reading a map vs. riding with Someone who's been that route many times and knows all the turns and landmarks, and therefore IS our Guide!
:o) Blessings from Montana,
♥ Julie ~

Mary - posted on 04/27/2010

Hi Julie, pleasant day to you. thank you for your reply, on tithes. I do believe everyone has a right to their opinion but as believers as The Bible says we should be of one mind... In and through The Spirit. That's why it is my firm belief, whether Old or New Testament ,God's Laws needs to be obeyed. His Rules, Regulations and Commands still stands firm today just as it did in the Old Testament...Be Blessed .....Love Mary....

Julie - posted on 04/26/2010

RELAX - tithe is not a New testamtent principle... if we now have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, after our rebirthing experience, listen to Him and Him alone .. not some emotional pleas, right?

Mary - posted on 04/26/2010

Pleasant day to all at Circle Of Mom, this is an interesting question. As children of God and more so believers, I believe that our tithes should go to our home-church. Tithing as I see,, is what brings in a harvest of blessing. As we see in the Book of Malachi: 3:6.-10:" I am the Lord and i do not change That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.7:Ever since the day of your ancestors you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me and I will return to you" says the Lord of heavens Armies.but you ask, "how can we return when we have never gone away?' 8: Should people cheat God?" Yet you have cheated me.. But you ask, "What do you mean?" "When did we ever cheat you?"" You have cheated me in tithes and offerings due to me.9: "you are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me . 10:"Bring ALL the TITHES into the Storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. "If you do ", says the Lord of heavens Armies, "I will open up the windows of heaven for you".I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in. Try it! Put me to the test".. So our duty and act of obedience is to give our tithes to our home-church and our offerings to whoever or wherever our hearts leads us.....Be blessed....Hey there's a whole lot more I can talk about on this topic, given the opportunity. .We must obey God's instructions, commands and statutes....staying in His Word shows us the way, and keeps us on track.....

Kristen - posted on 04/25/2010

Your tithe goes to your church, which is the storehouse the Word says. Your offering is to anyone or anything you choose.

Julie - posted on 04/24/2010

i tithe to my church.the other i consider offering.

Christine - posted on 04/24/2010

I tithe regularly to the church and if I want to support a charity, I will do it separately. I believe that tithe should be separated from charity giving as I grow and nurture in my own church. Hope it is the right answer for you. God Bless.

Nicole - posted on 04/22/2010

Everything belongs to God. The church is a human institution and is therefore imperfect. Make of that what you will.

But the real point I wanted to make here is that God wants 10% of our FIRST FRUITS. That's the actual term that's used in most translations. Not our cash. God does not want a cheque every month. He wants us to return to him, sacrificially and in love, 10% of what he gives us. 10% of whatever is fruitful in our lives. If that's your job, and you have the money to spare without robbing your family of basic necessities (and I'm talking about food and shelter here, not that new car or family vacation), fabulous. If what is fruiting in your life is time, or an ability, give that back in volunteer hours. For myself, personally, it's important to give sacrificially, even though that doesn't always add up to 10%. We give until our kids have to earn their own money to have bikes that aren't second hand. I've given an amount equal to a dishwasher for years, rather than have one at home. It's not 10%, but it's sacrificial. Also, I found that when I was in a position to give 10%, it was FAR to easy for me to say "I've given what I have to, my work is done." and NOT do anything extra for my church or community. God puts us each where we need to be to learn the lessons that He has for us. I think that one is mine. It doesn't matter nearly so much WHAT or HOW MUCH you give. It matters where your heart is in giving it. And I truly, firmly believe that you can offer your gifts outside the church in a Godly manner. I appreciate Lynn's point about the person seeing you as the benefactor rather than God, but I've also been on the receiving end of those personal gifts, and I never misunderstood that God moved human hearts to provide what I or my family needed in that moment.

God calls us to be stewards of what we are given. If my church is using my donations to build some fabulous multi million dollar building complex that does not aid the poor, but says to the world "Look how wonderful the Christians are!" you can be certain that my monetary donations would stop (and we'd probably end up looking for a new church) One of the gifts God has given me is intelligence. If it feels wrong in my heart and my head, it's time to start praying about it, and I've often received confirmations that I'm correct when I change my giving habits.

PLEASE understand this. I love every single person who has posted to this thread. You are all wonderful and blessed daughters of God and my sisters in Christ. If I disagree with you, it is through my own experience, my own understanding of the scriptures, and the fact that I have felt the guilt and shame of not following the legalism of tithing. I wanted there to be a contrary opinion on the board, and it turned out to be mine. I am SO glad that we have opinions on this; that we care enough to discuss them and share them
I prayed before I posted this, and I prayed while writing and re reading it. I will pray before I push the post button. I don't claim to speak for God.

Kimberly - posted on 04/22/2010

It needs to go through the church. It is seed to build the kingdom of god and it won't if it doesn't go through the church. The reason is if you give it directly to the person they look at you as being their help and provider. But, if you send it through the church then they see how God provided for them. If you have a church will (mine is) you can take what you want to help the person with to the church and have them give it. However, this is an offering not a tithe... The tithe is your first 10% and that needs to go to the church because it belongs to God.

Rose - posted on 04/20/2010

tithe is the 10 percent that goes to the church... offering is anything above that amount, which can be given to anyone if you feel God calling you to help them.

Lynn - posted on 04/20/2010

Tithes is 10% to the church,anything else is offering.If u just give it to somebody then that's what it is.You just gave them money not tithes!

Lynn - posted on 04/20/2010

My pastors wife said,if u give 10% to the church then any extra could be offering to benevolence then the church could give to help somebody.

Nicole - posted on 04/20/2010

My husband and I have struggled with this issue for YEARS. We both tithe more than a tenth of our time in volunteer programs in the church. We have, in the past, considered services rendered without fee as part of our tithe. But because Jesus did not minister in the church of his day, we question the need to donate our entire monetary tithe to the church specifically. There have been great points on both sides of this question, and it's given me lots of food for thought. It has been my experience that when I am giving rightly, my heart is content, regardless of where the money and my time and talents are being spent. I find that when I regard the tithe as a LAW and give ten percent to the church, it only makes me self-righteous, which is definitely NOT a fruit of the spirit. And sometimes, we have NOTHING above our expenses, which we have already cut to the bone. When 10% of the gross is taking food off my table, then I stop giving it. But the Lord always blesses me with time and hands to help others, so in times like this, that is my tithe.

Lynn - posted on 04/20/2010

so true & ever since I've been going to church & paying my tithes my life has been blessed!With people helping me w/furniture for my home,to clothes,food.I'm out of work right now & my pastor paid for my lights/water,if I had never started going to church God never would've blessed me!!!A girl I used to work w/waitress in laughed because I put my tithes back before anything.I told her to look at my life & how I'm able to pay my bills & how everythings working out for me & take a good look at hers!

Robertine - posted on 04/20/2010

This is a Godly principle. The tithe belongs to the Lord. I admire the fact that you want to be a blessing to others. But the tithes belongs to the Lord. I believe the Lord honors you for such a giving spirit. One thing I do know, is that in the past I have withheld tithes and offerings and experienced what the Book of Malachi says about holes being in your pocket. Going without is no fun. So now I faithfully lay aside that which is HIS. I see the hand of God faithfully working in my favor. Yes, I believe that you should be a blessing to others, but continue to give the LORD what's due to HIM.

Lynn - posted on 04/20/2010

I asked my pastors wife & you have top pay tithes first!It's in the Bible you pay his home first & then everything else will fall into place.You are getting things out of order & that's not the way God intended it to be.

Alysha - posted on 04/20/2010

I think it's fine, I have gotten fed up with bureaucracy at the church sometimes and I just take our tithe and do the job I see needs to be done. I know that our church will be more useful and grow if I give to them and I know that it is my job as a christian. I have also joined the ministry team so I can have a say in how the money is used.

Jennifer - posted on 04/20/2010

I think it does still count.. Anything that we do in the name of Jesus is building His kingdom. Giving clothes, time, money and anything else that would benefit or bless another, would please the Lord.

Rachel - posted on 04/20/2010

Ok, so since writing this morning I've been convicted by the Holy Spirit that He is strong enough and faithful enough to use whatever we tithe to the church for His glory and His kingdom. He is ultimately in control of how that money is used and my job as a believer is to be obedient. I know the Lord says to tithe. I know that we are to give our first fruits not our leftovers or what we "feel" we can afford. I know He blesses our trust in Him to provide for our families. I guess that really is the main issue. Are we going to release our "right" to our money and allow the Lord to use our finances however he chooses. As much as I would love to hold all pastors accountable for how they live, I have to concede that that is not my responsibility and that they will stand before the Lord and answer for how they have chosen to live. I simply must trust the Lord that He is in control and I must be obedient. The Lord is more than capable of providing for me and everyone else. I think, through tithing, He is asking us to give up our sense of personal control of our finances. It's not our money, it never was. It is and always has been His. Thanks, I think typing out my frustrations helped me realize what we should do.

Jill - posted on 04/20/2010

this is such a confusing issue... when i first became a christian we tithed 10 % faithfully..times were tough and we actually were giving to the church and living on credit cards...shopping at kmart while the church pastors were shopping at abercrombie and aeropostle..sporting new glasses and hairstyles every week..my husband and i left that church alittle angry... we now go to another church where only the pastors wife has continually told me about tithing 10 %...which we don;t do because we simply can not afford to ... that would be our grocery money and i have a family of 5 ....i can't even pay our credit card bills anymore ..how could i pay 10 % to the church... God put it on my heart to tithe to the wasteful church for 2 yrs..but it is not on my heart at this church....i donate to the poor ,,,clothes etc...i feed neighborhood children, i do my best to give to whoever i can.... God knows my heart and my finances ...and he still blesses me and my finances when necessary...

Verity - posted on 04/20/2010

Hi Rachel, I believe that our finances belong to the Lord and that we should treat them exactly as he would have us handle them. If we believe that his monies are being abused then we should make the correct decision to place HIS monies in the correct environment. There is lots of abuse today and we have to remain good stewards here on earth to act in his name accordingly. God bless

Rachel - posted on 04/20/2010

My husband and I are currently struggling with the same issue. So my question is, what if the church is not using the money they are receiving wisely? I realize that we are to give to God but we are also to be a good steward of our finances and just throw the money away even if it is to a "church". I guess I feel like the American church set up is so wasteful of money because of their debt and astronomical salaries paid to pastors. I realize they need to be supported but I don't think it requires a 6 figure salary to survive and support a family. Are we personally held accountable for how the church uses the money we give or are we simply supposed to blindly give to the church and let them answer to God for how they are using it? I want to be wise with my money and I just don't know how best to do that. Currently we are giving our tithe and above and beyond our tithe to organizations I know and trust as well as specifically to people in the ministry who also rely on support raising to live while doing ministry. I just don't know if the "tithe" needs to be separate from that. Any comments would be helpful.

Verity - posted on 04/20/2010

I believe that using your gifts in service to the Lord in your church or your community is also part of tithing. This area is very neglected and is important to both our Father and the Church. If you don't know what your gifts are there are many questionnaires on the net or programmes that can assist in finding what it is - using your gifts in the right way gives pleasure to our God.

Anne - posted on 04/19/2010

I believe if you have the money put the 10% in for tithing if you don't have the money next resort help others. God knows who is being faithful! Until I became Church secretary & treasurer I didn't think about all the bills either and it is very important we keep the doors open to our house to worship God!! Like Rochelle said give from your heart not out of obligation! You will receive blessings from being faithful in tithing I can testified to that myself. I take the 10% out automatically when I get paid! I think it's a priority over anything, but don't get utilities shut off for it. I'm just saying I've seen people have unnecessary things (cable, telephone etc), but act like they can't pay tithes. That is sad and they need to get their priorities straight that God comes first!

Cynthia - posted on 04/19/2010

A lot of people are questioning this matter but its God Money, if the church miss use it they have to answer to God ,so u do your part where you fellow ship make sense to give it there don;t rob yourself of God blessing when we support the kindom and obey, God do the rest In my church i see a lot of people are robbing God by sending there TITHES to somewhre else by feeding the poor ,and today they are in need for everything all the message preach they dont understand God say"s try me and i show you there will be no room to store your blessing God Loves A Cheerful Giver.

Shantron - posted on 04/19/2010

NOPE your tithes are for the upbuilding of the church. Now if you wanted to do something else to help this person in need you could with another part of your funds but you tithes are strickly for the church and what they do with it is up to them but you cannot take what belongs to God and give it to someone else

Annette - posted on 04/19/2010

In my church, you pay it to the church. The church has an extensive welfare system, and it goes to help other people in need. You get the best of both worlds!

Lisa - posted on 04/18/2010

Bless you Jawanda, and all other sisters in this circle.

Carol - posted on 04/18/2010

Goodmorning, I agree with everyone, but I would also like to add a scripture for you. Above all else allow the Lord to tell you where your tithe should go. Deut. 14:24-25 Now the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored might be a long way from home. If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds and take the money to the place the Lord your God chooses. Speak to the Lord about this scripture and wait on him to answer you, where your tithe should go...May the Lord bless you in all of your endeavors

Penny - posted on 04/18/2010

I believe if it felt right and true for you to give to someone specifically, you would have no doubt and wouldn't be here asking.

Cynthia - posted on 04/18/2010

2 Cor 9:6-15 (YLT)

6 And this: He who is sowing sparingly, sparingly also shall reap; and he who is sowing in blessings, in blessings also shall reap;

7 each one, according as he doth purpose in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for a cheerful giver doth God love,

8 and God is able all grace to cause to abound to you, that in every thing always all sufficiency having, ye may abound to every good work,

9 (according as it hath been written Psalm 112:9, `He [the righteous person] dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness doth remain to the age,')

10 and may He [The Lord] who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 in every thing being enriched to all liberality, which doth work through us thanksgiving to God,

12 because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints [born-again believers], but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

13 through the proof of this ministration glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and for the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all,

14 and by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God upon you;

15 thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!



God is the biggest giver of all, and we are His joy and delight. He will give us the desires of our heart. So the more we give of our time and resources, the more He will give to us.



The tithe was a part of the law given to Moses, to provide for the needs of the Levitical priesthood, Jesus fulfilled the law and is the end of the law. What is available today goes beyond the law.



1 Peter 2:5-12 (YLT)

5 and ye yourselves, as living stones, are built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore, also, it is contained in the Writing: `Lo, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, choice, precious, and he who is believing on him may not be put to shame;'

7 to you, then, who are believing is the preciousness; and to the unbelieving, a stone that the builders disapproved of, this one did become for the head of a corner,

8 and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence--who are stumbling at the word, being unbelieving, --to which also they were set;

9 and ye are a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired, that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness did call you to His wondrous light;

10 who were once not a people, and are now the people of God; who had not found kindness, and now have found kindness.

11 Beloved, I call upon you, as strangers and sojourners, to keep from the fleshly desires, that war against the soul,

12 having your behaviour among the nations right, that in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, of the good works having beheld, they may glorify God in a day of inspection.



Eph 2:10 (NIV)

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.





There are many church in the home ministries, like in the 1st century, maybe God is calling you to minister church in your home?

Sheryl - posted on 04/18/2010

you tithe what you are happiest tithing,'God wants you to be a cheerful giver and do it from the heart

Mary - posted on 04/17/2010

According to the Bible they were to bring all the tithes into the store house so there would be enough to provide for others. This was not only their money but was a portion of their cattle and their food that they grew in the field etc. Then they'd put it all into a big store house so there would be enough to provide for the poor. If the churches today followed this there would be no need for welfare. The church generally takes the money and spends it for things that are needed for the church. Sometimes they even deny people help because they don't attend their particular church and I definitely feel this is not right. The Bible doesn't say you should only help people if they attend your church. It says to help the poor whether or not they attend your church. Many times churches today use the money to build their buildings bigger etc. and don't really use it to help the poor and needy and this I feel is very wrong. I feel there is nothing wrong with giving your tithe to help someone in need that you know is in real need whether it be with food, or financially, or in any other way you possibly can I don't see anything wrong with that. Why does it always have to go to the church? Afterall, they're not doing what they should with the money anyway but are using it to build their buildings bigger and things anyway.

Sharon - posted on 04/17/2010

Helping others with your tithing works too. But if you have a home church...don't neglect it...I don't make much money...I am only part time and have only been employed for a few months...before that I was a stay at home mom....so I tithe a little bit of money and I contribute my time and talents as much as possible to my home church as well as my community...I try to keep my senses open for God's will and just do the best I can. As long as you motivations and heart are in the right place and you are making an effort then you are doing well.

Cynthia - posted on 04/17/2010

The Tithes belong to the church because its God money, once you pay it then its up to the church to use it in what ever way they want too no one should question it, because God loves a cheerfull giver, what is leaft over you give to which ministry or person as you are lead remember the church feeds you the word, so the church has expenses to pay if everyone think this way the church will have to close it doors, so if you appreciate your sheppard that God put over you to feed and nuture you this is where your Tithes and offeriing belong what is over then you do what you want when you do this then you are honouring God "s command. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONFUSE ABOUT THIS MATTER BUT ITS GOD"S COMMAND. IT IS WHERE YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR BLESSINGS AND GIFTS AND SUPRISES MONEY GOING FUTHER AND BLESSING INCREASE YOU WILL NOT HAVE ROOM TO STORE IT. Good Question Cynthia.

Victoria - posted on 04/17/2010

Lisa, I don't identify with the pharisee I identify with the principle that Jesus was pointing out, not just to the pharisees, but for everyone.

Like I have stated before Jesus said He came to fulfill the law, not abolish it. Once again, the tithe belongs to God, to not pay our tithe we are merely robbing from God what belongs to God. We pay our taxes (rendering to Caesar, what belongs to Caesar), which is only right and proper, why do so many people have a problem with rendering to God what belongs to Him. I give to God, glory, praise and honour, because He is worthy and they belong to Him, I give to God my tithe because it belongs to Him, I give God offerings, financial, time etc... also because He is worthy. Through those seeds I have planted unto God, He has used them for His glory, but also to bring a harvest into my life.

Theresa - posted on 04/16/2010

The Lord said in Malachi to bring your tithe into the storehouse. (that is the church) So I have always believe that 10% goes back to my church and if I want to help on my own that is extra.

Betty - posted on 04/16/2010

That is about the samething that I said to the young lady. A minister told me that yes that is what the bible say but God do give us common sense to know that if you don't have the hold 10% then by you giving what you have and paying your offering things will work out. Some people feel like if I pay my tithes then why do I have to give an offering not understand that he say pay your tithes and offering. I try my best to pay my 10% and give no less then $20.00 in offering. I know how good he have been to me and always made a way out of know way for me. I can't spend other people money.

Cathy - posted on 04/16/2010

I pay tithes to my home church and I also give other things to charity.

Jennifer - posted on 04/16/2010

I pay most of my tithes to Christian charities that I know are helping people who are desperately in need. The Bible says to help the fatherless, the widow, etc. and that is what I am doing.

Heather - posted on 04/16/2010

The Topic of the Holy Spirit is a sub topic... I am starting another thread for it so we don't get too off subject here...

Lisa - posted on 04/16/2010

To Victoria - do you really want to identify with the Pharisees?
Just because this is in the New Testament, doesn't mean it is in the New Covenant. Jesus was addressing people who lived under the Old Covenant - religious Jews. Bless you heaps.