keeping track of tithes?

[GQ Chris]

Hello all, well I appleied to be an Usher at the congregation that I am at, and I was told that Ushers will have to have been water baptized and regular tithers..., the water baptism part I don't have a problem with, and I tithe regularly ten percent of my paycheck, but what I don't do is put my name on the envelope and just enclose the cash and seal it without putting my name on it. Will this make my church think that I do not tithe? Because I think I am about to have an issue with this and possibly even leave my Church if I find out they keep track of tithing with such scrutiny.

I go to a Foiursquare denomination. I need some viewpoints on this...?

 

[Ave Maria]

Tithing is an unbiblical way for the pastor to get extra money. The Bible clearly says that God loves a cheerful giver. Not many people would be too cheerful at the idea of having to give 10% of their income to the church.

 

[GQ Chris]

Tithing is an unbiblical way for the pastor to get extra money. The Bible clearly says that God loves a cheerful giver. Not many people would be too cheerful at the idea of having to give 10% of their income to the church.

Good point, I don't necessarily agree with the 10 percent rule, I don't make it a point to do that all the time, but I like giving a generous amount since God owns it all anyway, but seriously, if I find out that my tithes are kept track of like an Accountant keeps track at a company, I will leave this church. I will straight up tell my Pastor too, even though I respect him, I might end up losing respect for him if the answers I get are not Biblical.

 

[YourChild]

Good point, I don't necessarily agree with the 10 percent rule, I don't make it a point to do that all the time, but I like giving a generous amount since God owns it all anyway, but seriously, if I find out that my tithes are kept track of like an Accountant keeps track at a company, I will leave this church. I will straight up tell my Pastor too, even though I respect him, I might end up losing respect for him if the answers I get are not Biblical.

Just curious...would it be wrong if a church kept track of how much each person is giving? when i first came to this church i was also wondering why we had to write our names on the envelope. Does the church gather these names and pray for them for their faithfulness in tithing? Does the church want to see who is serious and who isnt? why even put our names there?

I dont really know either but for a while I was unemployed and didnt tithe for maybe almost a year....and my leader confronted us about not tithing..which I felt awkward because God loves a cheerful giver and being pressured into tithing will produce uncheerful givers.

 

[theVirginian]

if I find out that my tithes are kept track of like an Accountant keeps track at a company,

One reason they keep track of giving is for income tax purposes. They send a statement to both the giver and the IRS before taxes are due in April. Anonymous gifts, of course, can't be tracked (or deducted). That's not to say that keeping track couldn't be misused, but it's done anyway for legit reasons.

 

[GQ Chris]

One reason they keep track of giving is for income tax purposes. They send a statement to both the giver and the IRS before taxes are due in April. Anonymous gifts, of course, can't be tracked (or deducted). That's not to say that keeping track couldn't be misused, but it's done anyway for legit reasons.

Thank you, if it is for those reasons than I can deal with that, but if its simply because of finding out who the Money mills are, then that would not sit well with me.. also would I get some sort of a tax break for that, what I tithe to my Church?

 

[HuntingMan]

Hello all, well I appleied to be an Usher at the congregation that I am at, and I was told that Ushers will have to have been water baptized and regular tithers..., the water baptism part I don't have a problem with, and I tithe regularly ten percent of my paycheck, but what I don't do is put my name on the envelope and just enclose the cash and seal it without putting my name on it. Will this make my church think that I do not tithe? Because I think I am about to have an issue with this and possibly even leave my Church if I find out they keep track of tithing with such scrutiny.

I go to a Foiursquare denomination. I need some viewpoints on this...?

I wouldnt consider leaving your church over it, but you can chalk it up to lack of understanding of NT scripture.

The bad thing about those who enforce a compulsory tithe is that 99.999% of the time they are not going to give up what they believe in the matter.

Youre left with leaving or just offering them understanding in that they have not yet comprehended what the tithe was about and what its NT counterpart is.

You might express your concerns to someone instead of leaving....then if you want to take the position still, just go along with whatever and do what I do when Im in a similar scenario where non-essentials are concerned...smile and nod.

 

[HuntingMan]

Thank you, if it is for those reasons than I can deal with that, but if its simply because of finding out who the Money mills are, then that would not sit well with me.. also would I get some sort of a tax break for that, what I tithe to my Church?

I think you can write off up to $300 a year.
Someone correct me if thats wrong...

Of course, my opinion is that doing so defeats the purpose...

 

[GQ Chris]

I wouldnt consider leaving your church over it, but you can chalk it up to lack of understanding of NT scripture.

The bad thing about those who enforce a compulsory tithe is that 99.999% of the time they are not going to give up what they believe in the matter.

Youre left with leaving or just offering them understanding in that they have not yet comprehended what the tithe was about and what its NT counterpart is.

You might express your concerns to someone instead of leaving....then if you want to take the position still, just go along with whatever and do what I do when Im in a similar scenario where non-essentials are concerned...smile and nod.

thanks.. what really irks me about the matter is the need for me to put my name and address on the envelope.. I mean no doubt I know that the church needs money to run, but when they're keeping track of it like a moneymill and labeling the people who give the most $$$, this is where I begin to lose faith with the supposed Shephard of the congregation and maybe confirm one of the most used accusations by secular people, which is that the Christian church is just a money hungry organization that wants all your money.

 

[theVirginian]

I think you can write off up to $300 a year.
Someone correct me if thats wrong...

The cut off point is 50% of your gross income.

Of course, my opinion is that doing so defeats the purpose...

I know what you mean. The first couple of years I felt funny, like I was cheapening my giving somehow by taking the tax deduction. I got over it. If Caesar wants to give me a deduction, then fine by me. Of course, that isn't why I give.

 

[theVirginian]

... also would I get some sort of a tax break for that, what I tithe to my Church?

Yes, indeed, but unless you are already itemizing your deductions or giving significantly more than 10% of your gross income, it probably won't be worth the trouble with the extra paper work involved. The standard deduction in the short form has a charitable giving deduction in it already and you don't need to keep reciepts. Back when I was filing the short form, I once did both short and long to see if itemizing would do anything for me. I came out ahead something like $15 by itemizing. It wasn't worth the trouble.

I don't have a choice these days, I have to file the long form, itemize deductions, report my stock market activity, and on, and on, and on.


Thank God for (almost) idiot proof tax software.

 

[annie1speed]

Take the deduction! If you don't the government gets to keep the money. If you wish you can turn around and give the extra money you get back on your taxes back to God. The choice is let the goverment keep it, or use the deduction and get it back and do as you please with it.

I also have a problem with folks keeping up with what we give. That is between us and God. For income taxes just be sure to write a check.

Annie

 

[annie1speed]

Ooooops! Sorry.....

 

[dies-l]

Tithing is an unbiblical way for the pastor to get extra money. The Bible clearly says that God loves a cheerful giver. Not many people would be too cheerful at the idea of having to give 10% of their income to the church.

Interestingly, many people who give this amount and even more are incredibly excited about it! I tend to see the OT tithe as a good guideline for a minimum giving standard. But, you are right in your underlying premise that, according to the NT, if a person values money so much that he or she cannot cheerfully give away 10% of it, then he or she should only give what he or she can give with a cheerful heart. But, I would encourage such a person to consider why he or she places so much value on material possessions that such a minimal sacrifice cannot be made cheerfully. After all, many members of the early church seemingly gave 100% with a cheerful heart. (See Acts 2).