We tithe a set amount each month (for easier budgeting) and give offerings (church children’s home, homeless offering, mother’s day offering, father’s day offering, etc) when we have a little extra. Any bonus, tax refund, or money that comes in that we didn’t expect we IMMEDIATELY give 10% of the gross amount to the church and put the rest toward our debt. I participate on church committees so I see exactly where our tithe is used. When you are in a good church and “see” how God uses you and the members to help His people it is easier. Once we are out of debt we will increase it.

I don’t think there is anything from the OT that just ‘ended’ in the NT, if anything the requirements were increased but with the empowering of the Holy spirit. Examples of this are OT sacrificing animals vs. NT sacrificing Jesus himself; OT do not murder vs. NT do not murder or hate, OT teach the law to your children vs NT make disciples of all nations. The NT is characterised by above and beyond what the OT required not because we have to but because of our thanksgiving for our undeserved reconciliation with God. If the Pharisees could give God 10% in the blind hope of God’s mercy, how much easier is it for us to give that and more with such an assurance of the mercy of God in the cross. I wouldn’t say we have to give because we don’t have to do anything under grace. But knowing what Jesus has done and the OT mandate I can’t not give!

I don’t buy the financial give and you shall receive interpretation, that implies that you can earn blessing or that we actually deserve something out of our own efforts which doesn’t fit with the Gospel imo. I think we received more than enough in Christ for us to give without expecting anything in return.

Sorry for the rant but I honestly don’t see where the controversy lies. We can never use grace as an excuse to avoid righteousness.

Since then, we moved to a smaller town and subsequently left that church in May 2007. We have not found a new church we like yet, and so we havbe not been tithing either.

As soon as we find a church we like and enjoy attending, we plan on resuming the tithing. Not sure where to give my tithe to in the meantime!

Having said that, I’ll probably donate 10% of my next tax return as well.

I list the names not to brag but to show how I give to organisations that work in fields I am passionate about helping like international aid, homelessness, education, cancer.

I do try to find Catholic organisations first but if I feel another denomination or non-secular organisation does the job better than my money goes to them.

We are supposed to give from the heart, not from out excess. I believe that it should be a sacrifice to give, not pain, but we should feel it. So my wife and I have agreed on an amount that we certainly feel, but that we can always give joyfully.

Just my 2 cents….

I’ve got a 3 part series going on over at my blog about tithing right now -and whether or not it is a biblical mandate. part 1 and 2 are live, as well as a guest post about tithing.

I tend to lean towards the thought that it is not a biblical mandate to give 10%, but that we are still supposed to give with a joyful heart, and that by our fruits we’ll be known as followers of Christ. So I still think that we need to give what we can. Often that will be even more than 10%. I’ll try to clarify this a bit more in my conclusion to the series..

Seriously, I believe it is what you are comfortable with. 10% is a guideline, and if you are ok with the amount you are giving, that is what’s important. God wants us to be a cheerful giver.

Your suggestion of tithing from the heart is dead on. Remember the old lady who gave a single coin, and Jesus praised her for giving more than any of the others because she gave all that she had.