66 replies to this topic

[TeeSharice]

I was always told that you should tithe 10%, save 10% and then live off the rest.

Religion aside for a sec, I have found this to be the easiest way for me to save.
When I get a pay increase, I increase my savings by that same amount. I have most of it taken out of my pay b4 I see it so its sort of a tax in my eyes ( although It is really in a bank acct, IRA, 401K et al)


I know of someone who never tithed before until 2004 and she swears her finances have been "blessed" as a result since she hasnt ever had as much prosperity as she did in the latter months of 2004.

[Savemycredit2004]

God is GOOD!!!!!

[albernier]

Im not trying to be stupid here, but if your credit is alreay screwed and you cant even pay the bills you have do you do without saving your 10% or do you not tithe. Again Im not trying to be funny. I am struggling with this. I know my past bad choices put me where I am today and Im just trying to make it right. For instace, my tax return should be deposited tomorrow. We are in the process of tryin to buy the church we are renting. The pastor asked if the single people will give $1000 and the couples $2000. My heart is willing to do that but it will leave me unable to pay off my debt. Well, actually I would be able to give the $1,000 and pay off a lot of debt but nothing for the kids. Any suggestions?

[breeze]

I think you should always follow your true beliefs. This is not really one of mine, in the sense of giving money to a church, but I consider charity God's work, and I give that way.

Someone else put it this way - "To thine ownself be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou can'st not then be false to any man." (or woman hehe).

So, IMO, if you just feel pressured to do something, that's one thing. If you really believe in it, do it. Other opinions don't really matter - do they?

[albernier]

You are right. Its just that I would like to create balance. If i have $3000 and spend $2000 on bills and give the other $1000 away and my house is in need of things... Im just wondering if that is really a wise decision. I guess Im trying to get input from outside sources ofcourse I have people that would tell me to give the $1000 and trust God which I do, but is that what God would really want me to do?

[learning the hard way]

Is it 10% of gross or 10% of net?

[idtheftvictim]

If ya'll don't mind, I am going to post something I posted on another site....it is a mostly christian site, but I think my post from about 4 weeks ago over there fits into this post...so if you don't like what it said, then please forgive me, and don't criticize me....

Hey everyone....I hope everyone is doing GREAT.

I wanted to share something that is very encouraging.

DW and I "revamped" our budget last week. For the last 3-4 months we have been contemplating our "tithing" situation. I consider myself a Christian, but have been strugling with this issue for ALONG time now. I have been the one keeping DW and myself from tithing due to how close we are on our budget.

When we "revamped" last week, together we decided that to start with tithing $150.00 a month. This is not nearly 10% of what we make, however, I felt that it was finally time to give SOMETHING back to God for all the blessing he has provided DW and I with over the past 8 months. So, we SQUEEZED it into our budget, and had everything figured out. I was glad we were going to finally start tithing, as I have been feeling the Lord pressing it into my mind. Well, after the first week of our new budget, DW and I went out to lunch together(we work 1 mile away, so we do this about 2-3 times a week), and as soon as DW pulls up and I get in the car, DW says, "My boss wants you to take a look at thier daughters computer, they think is has ALOT of virus's on it.". I respond with, "That is AWSOME(I love working on computer, I think I am the biggest computer geek I know), I will go and pick it up tonight after work." So, I go and get the computer, and start working on it. It had over 2500 infected files, and I was able to fix EVERY single problem, not just get rid of the virus's.

So the next day(saturday), I call DW's boss and let them know the computer is fixed and I will be bringing it back to them in a few mins. Before I leave, I asked DW what she thought would be a good price to ask for. (they were quoted over $500.00...STUPID BEST BUY wanted to replace the Hard Drive, and Motherboard...for a virus...how stupid) DW replies with, "well, don't go in there with a price in mind, just show them how much better it is working, and tell them how to maintain it, then tell them whatever they feel is fair." So, after working about 3-4 hours on it, I felt like DW's boss was going to "rip me off", because I have done this in the past for others and when I say, "whatever you feel is fair", usually turned out to be $20.00. I didn't argue with DW though, and I went into DW's boss's home with no price in mind. They asked me what thier "bottom line" was, and I said, "whatever you feel is fair". So, I stand there and the daughter says, "well, I found a professional that would have done it for $120.00." DW's Boss makes a check out for $150.00!!!! The exact amount that DW and I had decided to give to God on faith.

I didn't realize what had happened till I made it home and told DW about it. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I turn to DW and say, "ya know what is funny, We decided to give, in faith, a sum of $150.00 this month, and it just so happens that your boss thought that $150.00 was FAIR". DW says, "it isn't funny, that is just God trying to show you that he only wants you to give Him a portion of our money, but that doesn't mean He won't give it right back."

I think this is one of the most OBVIOUS times in my life where God has shown me that He is ALWAYS taking care of us, and to just TRUST IN HIM.

So, I guess this was my way of documenting the event, and I want to thank everyone who reads this, I know it was a bit on the long side....

I know that I will NEVER doubt God in the financial area again!

[Algo]

Is it 10% of gross or 10% of net?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Net.

For those that are religious, or just curious, the following URL talks about the views on tithing in different religions.

http://www.beliefnet...hing_chart.html

I'm Catholic and I should tithe, but I should also go to Church more often!

Even if you aren't religious, the act of giving to a worthy cause can help you feel better and it could be that the feeling better helps you in other aspects of your life. Dr. Phil did a show awhile back and told some guy to give the stuff he'd been collecting to a kid's charity. It was suppose to help him fill whatever inside him with charity instead of the need for collecting those things.

Any which way you look at it, religious or not, giving is probably a good thing!

[idtheftvictim]

Is it 10% of gross or 10% of net?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As far as tithing goes....just a thought....we(those of us who feel God wants us to tithe) are no longer bound by the Bible's old testament law....meaning that 10% is not required...now all we are "required" to do under the new law(new testament) is just give thankfully, and give with a smile....

Another thing to note is that "our money" is not really "our money" to begin with...because without God's blessings, we wouldn't have any money, so esencially, all our money is Gods to begin with, he just wants us to give Him some in return,. and by returning what really wasn't our to begin with, God will truely Bless you even more...because you are showing God that you are using what He has given you wisely....

Just my 2 cents....you can take it our leave it....just wanted to share...

[albernier]

thanks. I will give the $1000 cheerfully. I already know what He can do. I was the one who went from not having a car for the last 4yrs because my license was suspended due to a judgement - to my boss asking me what I wanted for my birthday and I said jokingly... A Car! Guess what happened..... Im not catching the bus anymore! I feel bad for even questioning it.

[idtheftvictim]

thanks.  I will give the $1000 cheerfully.  I already know what He can do.  I was the one who went from not having a car for the last 4yrs because my license was suspended due to a judgement - to my boss asking me what I wanted for my birthday and I said jokingly...  A Car!  Guess what happened.....  Im not catching the bus anymore!  I feel bad for even questioning it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WOW...congrats on the car!!! I bet you were one of the happiest people on the face of this earth that day huh????

[albernier]

I ran in the bathroom and got on the floor! wink, wink, you know what Im talking about!

[idtheftvictim]

I ran in the bathroom and got on the floor!  wink, wink, you know what Im talking about!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TeeSharice]

Most folks I know say 10% of gross.

I tithe more than 10%...

I know of some who say less than 10% is fine if ya also volunteer at the church ( time is money afterall)


I kinda combine Old & New Testament thinking. I do know that I give cheerfully & regularly so if it was less than 10%, Id still feel OK with what I do.

My bigger point was, that I also save in the same manner. At a point in my life I had a hard time saving as well as a hard time tithing...and FWIW a hard time paying bills on time. Now I do both with ease. I think for me it was a change of perspective...change of values and a whole lot of maturity coupled with discipline. In the process my credit situation has also improved dramatically... I dont look at paying bills as a chore...I also dont think of tithing & saving as a chorse...anymore

Edited by TeeSharice, 03 February 2005 - 03:31 PM.

[breeze]

The bathroom for privacy? hahahaha

[albernier]

thats an encouragement to me. thanks.

[idtheftvictim]

thats an encouragement to me.  thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What's an encouragement?

[idtheftvictim]

The bathroom for privacy? hahahaha

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't use the bathroom unless no one else is in there....am I wierd? :-)

[albernier]

that Tee said there was a time when it was hard to do but now she can do even more than 10%. I am a single mother of 5 and I have no savings so its not like Im saving 10% but dont tithe. I actually give (not 10% yet) and dont save. I am however, involved in the ministry and sometimes feel like Im at the church more than I am home. So I look forward to the day when I can say I can save and still give more than 10%

[idtheftvictim]

that Tee said there was a time when it was hard to do but now she can do even more than 10%.  I am a single mother of 5 and I have no savings so its not like Im saving 10% but dont tithe.  I actually give (not 10% yet) and dont save. I am however, involved in the ministry and sometimes feel like Im at the church more than I am home. So I look forward to the day when I can say I can save and still give more than 10%

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hear ya....I just started saving not too long ago...DW and I put away at least $100 a month....it is nice to know that we have a little bit of money set aside just in case....

Signle mother of 5?!?!?! WOW...that has to be rough at times! And you went 4 years without a car??? Hmmm....do you have a budget set up? I am assuming yes....because with a family of 6(including yourself), it would be VERY hard to live without a budget....

[TeeSharice]

that Tee said there was a time when it was hard to do but now she can do even more than 10%.  I am a single mother of 5 and I have no savings so its not like Im saving 10% but dont tithe.  I actually give (not 10% yet) and dont save. I am however, involved in the ministry and sometimes feel like Im at the church more than I am home. So I look forward to the day when I can say I can save and still give more than 10%

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We have 5 kids and Ive been a single mom before...I understand your pain.

Remember, the time you spend at church is also valuable.

Also, save SOMETHING....even if $5 a month. It will add up. and soon you will be able to do more savings and more tithing.

[albernier]

Nope. But I am in the process of writing down everything I spend money on to see where I can cut back.

[albernier]

that last reply was for the person who asked if i had a budget. i have to learn how to insert the quote im responding to.

[TeeSharice]

that last reply was for the person who asked if i had a budget.  i have to learn how to insert the quote im responding to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Click on the word QUOTE on the bottom right of the thread. then type at the bottom of the box that appears

Edited by TeeSharice, 03 February 2005 - 04:09 PM.

[albernier]

that last reply was for the person who asked if i had a budget.  i have to learn how to insert the quote im responding to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Click on the word QUOTE on the bottom right of the thread. then type at the bottom of the box that appears

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks. Got it