Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

This is something that I was thinking about the other day. On AFF, we talk about not tithing if that is sin or not. There is a lot of talk on her whether tithe is a 'candy stick' that preachers use inorder to line their own pockets or carpet their houses. The thought I was pondering the other day is this-would God rather you not pay your debts (bad stewardship) so you can make your tithe payment?

I know that God wants us to be good stewards with our time and money. Often times nowadays with the housing issues, credit crunches, high energy costs and job cuts it becomes very, very tough. I have not experienced this issues a whole lot in my life. But I wonder what God would rather have from us the tithe or us to pay our debt?

What do you think?

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

What do I think?

I think "tithe" as it is practiced by many today is a bogus doctrine. It is not a required "payment" to be a Christian nor to win Gods' favor.

Having said that, I think anyone can give a tenth. It may not be to a "pastor" or even a church, but people are changed when they help others expecting nothing in return. This is very true when the "giving" is to help sustain and further the cause of the gospel.
Giving is a good thing, and even when it hurts, it is a character building discipline.

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

Good thought. I never thought of it that way. Makes sense to me.

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

I guess that all depends on your viewpoint. To me the tithe is every bit as much one of my debts as anything else. I view my church as just as much my responsibility as my light bill, my phone bill, etc etc. It is MY church, and MY responsibility to support it and fund it as I fund my own home and car.

I do see the tithe as applying to the new covenant believer. Others dont. But since I do I feel it is in some ways even MORE of a faith matter than just a bill to pay. In fact, I do believe it is one way of putting God first, ahead of my personal needs, and as a result I can truly say I have NEVER been unable to pay my bills.

In fact the Lord said The Tithe Is MINE therefore its not really a question of paying it, rather a question of this, God has entrusted it to my hands. He is watching me to see do I put it where it belongs or do my own personal needs cause me to cast my eye on it, and slowly but surely appropriate it or actually STEAL it from God rather than faithfully give it to the Store house.

He did speak in the prophets and say YOU HAVE ROBBED ME (stolen the tithe)
I would imagine that the thought process was just the same three thousand years ago as it is today. Anyway that is my opinion

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

I think your point is valid if that is the way one feels about tithe. I am not of the same mind about tithe as it being 'my bill' so to say. Nothing about tithe suggests in the NT age that it is manditory to give. I never felt bad for not tithing if I did not have it. I don't see how God is or could be happy with us not having the electricity on, all the food spoils and it is hot and uncomfortable. I don't see how that is ok, but you are still a good steward IF you are paying your tithe, but not the other debts. To me that don't make a lick of sense. **please don't think I am arguing just stating how I feel**

I do pay tithe and I do give though not out of someone telling me it is manditory but cause I want to help get the gospel around the world. I have gone through times where I did pay my tithe and didn't have money for bills and the eletricity got turned off or whatever. It hit me that God could not be happy with me giving the church money instead of me paying my debts. Like I said to me it didn't make sense to do that, when that was the case.

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

I agree. Do you think that a person should pay tithe even if their bills were going unpaid? SH you have a good family, wife and kids. If it came between paying the electric bill and not being able to pay the tithe or pay the tithe and you all are without electricity for a week or so with all the food going bad?

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

God wants you to pay your tithes and not over extend yourself, but rather live within your means.

Now if a saint over-extends himself for whatever reason, is that God's fault or the Pastor's fault? No!

The OT clearly shows that if a man does not pay his tithes, he is robbing God; the tithe is the Lord's.

Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

Bro. I would definetly pay the electric bill first - even if they were not cutting it off. Personally I only make contribution to the church about 10 times a year. This is in part due to the fact my own salary is not exactly a weekly one.

If someone finds they cannot make significant contributions to others including, the place where believers assemble, they should re-evaluate their lifestyle (something I have done before myself).

There are other ways than money to contribute by the way. I give to several worthy causes financially, but also give several hundred hours in community service each year.

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

Look. When you finally realize that everything you own is God's anyhow, and that tithing is recognizing that fact, tithing is going to start looking a lot more important. All God has asked for is 10%. I think God deserves that considering He is not required to give us anything. It is a good thing God didnt put His needs first when it came to Calvary.

Put it in this perspective. Which comes first, electric bill or what is rightfully God's? When you put the Lord first, you will NEVER EVER EVER go wrong and you can count on that. I would stake my very life on that!! God blesses those who keep Him first. The principle of keeping God first is all throughout the scripture. Case and point Matthew 6:33.

(Matthew 6:33 KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Seek God first and put His things first, and God will add what you need to you. It reminds me of that scripture, Psalms 37:25.

(Psalm 37:25 KJV) I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

1 Kings 17 is an awesome example. The woman gave Elijah her last food and probably expected to die. But she put God first and because of that God blessed her and provided for her all through out that 3 and 1/2 years of no rain and provided for her and her son to live..........all because she put God first. She didnt know God was going to bless her when she gave Elijah the cake. Like I said, she probably resigned herself to die, but you need to get it through your head (not saying this in a mean manner btw), you can NEVER outgive the Lord. The Lord wont allow it.


(Malachi 3:10 KJV) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.


That looks like God is challenging us to try Him out. I am living proof. I dont give just to recieve, but there was once I did. I am NOT saying this to make myself look good, I just want to make my point. I challenged the Lord, not in a bad way, but just to try and prove Him. I had read Malachi 3:10 and decided to take that verse to heart and put it into practice. I started paying 25% of my paycheck instead of 10% in my tithes. And you know what? I couldnt afford that. I have bills. The first month, I was really wondering where and how I was gonna pay my bills. It was getting scary. I thought I was gonna lose my car, phone, insurance, etc, etc. I was really worried.

But wouldnt you know, that month, my grandparents just "felt" to send me a paycheck unannounced. Then I got a tax refund I wasnt expecting. Then I got a raise in pay. And that was just financially. God began blessing me in other ways. God gave me a fresh dose of the Holy Ghost. My prayer life blossomed like a flower. Bible reading once again became exciting. God actually spoke to me in His word. I remember praying about a need I had one day and that night when I read my bible, the first verse my eyes fell on was the answer I had been needing. Ever since then, I have continued paying 25% of my paycheck and God hasnt let me down once!!! Like I said, I do not give just to recieve it back, I love giving God what is His. I just continue this, because I love watching God continue to fulfill His promise. God is GOOD!!!

I will reiterate! YOU CAN NEVER OUTGIVE THE LORD NOR WILL YOU EVER GO WRONG PUTTING THE LORD FIRST!!!!!

Re: Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills
 

If you don't mind me asking, what institution (or cause) are you giving to? I only ask because I feel I have an obligation to give where the need is.