#5 How Can I Tithe When My Income Is So Uncertain?

In difficult economic times, many people feel that they cannot afford to tithe. We all have many financial obligations but returning a portion of our financial resources to God should be the first item in our budget, not the last.

The Old Testament teaches that the tithe was to be the “firstfruits,” that is, the first expenditure. God wants and deserves our best, not our leftovers. It is an act of trust in His goodness to take a step of faith to give Him our firstfruts and trust Him to provide for the rest.

As you consider what you will commit to give in 2010, will you give God your firstfruits, your very best?

#4 Should All of My Tithe Be Given to Dawson?

Some people ask if the tithe is to be given to the local church or if it could it be given to other ministries. The Old Testament suggests that it is to be given to the local church in Scriptures such as Numbers 18:21-24, Nehemiah 10:37-39 and 12:44-47, and Malachi 3:6-12 in which it is said the tithe is to be brought into the “storehouse.” The storehouse was under the authority of the local worshipping community. The New Testament does not directly address this question, but Jesus said He did not come to change the law.

Hopefully, you give more than the tithe. A gift beyond the tithe is an offering and may be given to the local church or to other Christian ministries. Tithing is the beginning point of giving, not the end.

Dawson provides programs and ministries to thousands of people. Your giving provides the resources necessary to carry out those activities. As you consider what you will commit to give in 2010, will you support God’s work through your Family of Faith?

#3 Should I Tithe on My Gross or Net Income?

Probably the most frequent question about tithing is whether we should tithe on our gross or net income. Like many of the questions about tithing, this issue is not specifically addressed in Scripture, so it must be addressed based on a broad understanding of God’s Word.

Jesus taught frequently about our relationship with money. Sixteen of His 38 parables were about money and possessions, so He understood how badly we needed to hear His teaching on the subject. The consistent theme of that teaching is about priorities. Is God more important in our lives than our material possessions? The question of gross versus net income is really “How little can I give to God and be okay by the rules.” We should be striving
to find a way to give as much as we can, not as little as we can. The answer to this question is not a “legal” answer but a heart answer.
As you consider what you will commit to give in 2010, where is your treasure?

#2 Can I Work My Way Up to 10%?

Some people who are not tithing wonder if they can “work their way up to a tithe” by increasing their giving some each year until they reach 10%. This question is not addressed in the Bible because tithing is an act of obedience, and you cannot be partially obedient or work your way into obedience. There is no other issue of obedience in which we would suggest that we would gradually become obedient.
Tithing is a matter of trust in God. God said that if we would be faithful in our giving that He would pour out a blessing on us. That does not mean that He necessarily will give us financial resources, but He will provide what we need. Through His goodness to us, we may change our priorities of what we think we need but He will give us a spiritual blessing that is immeasurable.
As you consider how you will commit to give and serve in 2010, will you be obedient?

#1 Is Tithing Only an Old Testament Teaching?

Tithing was originally taught in the Old Testament. Followers of God were commanded to give a tenth of all of their possessions, produce, or resources to the work of the Lord.

Some people think that tithing is only an Old Testament concept and command that is not taught in the New Testament, but in Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus explained that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He gave six examples of Old Testament laws or commands to show how His teachings went beyond the law. He did not use the tithe as one of those examples, but the teaching is clear. He did not do away with tithing (see also Matthew 23:23) but expanded it!

The New Testament teaching is that 100% of everything we have belongs to God, not just 10%. Our view of money and possessions is a reflection of our relationship with God. There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we handle money and possessions. There are many other laws or commands that are taught in the Old Testament that are not specifically repeated in the New Testament, but we do not question those. Why do we question the command on tithing?

This is an issue we each must answer for ourselves. As you consider what you will give in 2010, will you commit to tithe?

--Tom Thompson, Minister of Stewardship