Tithing. How much is enough?

How much should one Tithe? Should we Tithe off the top of our income or after take home? This is a question that many Christians think about. We live in a different time than they did 2000 years ago and yet you would get different answers about this. Some would say that you should tithe on the Gross amount of your paycheck. Others will say that you should tithe on the Net amount of your pay check with. Still others take the latter stance with one caviat... that you must tithe on your income tax return as well. Ultimately, the answer is really up to you. It is between you and God.

What does the Spirit tell you to give? It was said that God loves a cheerful giver. If you gripe about having to give, then it is like giving nothing or at least a minimal amount. God sees what you want to give in your heart. The answer to your question is to listen to the Holy Spirit, the voice in your heart.

"8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10Bring 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." Malachi 3:10

The above scripture from Malachai is a warning and a blessing. The Lord sets forth a challenge, a promise that if you give tithes and offerings, He will bless you for it. So the question is then, not whether you should tithe on your Gross or your Net; it should be whether you want to be blessed on 10% of you Gross or 10% of your Net.

The Lord is not just asking for Tithes, He asks for "Tithes and Offerings". They are not the same thing and sadly most people think they are the same think. Your tithe is always 10%. Tithe means 10% and always goes to the church or ministry you associate yourself wit.h Where you receive your bread (the Word) is where you should invest your Tithe. Your offering, however, is how much above and beyond that 10% you want to be blessed on. Offerings are optional and are more about compassion and Charity. They are a blessing for those who give them and receive them.

Unfortunately, I can't tell anyone how much you should give because when the Lord is in your heart, you just want to give and be blessed. The more you grow, the more the Spirit will lead you. So the answer is this: Give what your heart compells you to give, then ask the Lord to direct your sense of charity and giving. Sometimes there are those who feel that they can't give 10% because they need every dollar they can get to make ends meat, but really wish they could. They are ultimately afraid to trust God at His Word and there are many in that boat.

Trusting in the Lord is one of the hardest things to do because it is in our nature to trust in ourselves and try to solve our own problems. If you are one of those who struggles with this there is an option to help you gain the trust that you need, by giving of yourself. If you can't give monetarily you can always volunteer to help the church or ministry with your time or with your talents. God has a plan so there is always an option. God sees the heart, not the wallet.

God Bless.