Church Tithing Has Hit a Record Low in America
- Posted on October 17, 2011 at 9:52am by
Billy Hallowell
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Has church tithing really hit a record low in America? Considering the ongoing changes in terms of church attendance and continued economic struggles, the answer is “yes.”
Researchers have been exploring the impact that secularism’s rise and gainful precedence is having on faith communities, the potential decline of personal religious belief, and other associated issues.
In September, we highlighted one study, which found that, from 2000 until 2010, there were steep drops in both financial health and attendance at weekly church services. Additionally, a separate study indicates that both religious beliefs and behaviors are on the decline.
Other research we’ve looked at seems to indicate, too, that working-class Americans who do not have a college degree are abandoning church faster than their more educated counterparts (an oddity, considering that many critics have said that increased education makes individuals steer away from faith systems).
All of this considered, it may not be too surprising that tithing is hitting an all-time low. It’s essentially like a domino effect: People don’t embrace faith as much, so they inevitably stop attending church regularly. Then, the monies that are generally collected in the offering plate also decline. It’s a natural progression.
But it‘s not solely the decline in faith and church attendance that’s driving these issues (and some would even argue that faith is by no means dying rapidly). Let’s also remember that the recession, which has left countless Americans without employment, also plays into the factors impacting church income.
A new report, entitled, “The State of Church Giving Through 2009,” was released last week by Empty Tomb, Inc., a Christian research and service group. One of the study’s findings is that churches are giving less to charities and seminary training than they were in 1968 (when the organization produced its first report).
In fact, the Christian Post writes that contemporary funds “hit new lows” when compared to the initial report. Considering the economy, among other likely factors, the study indicated that tithing as a percentage of income, giving was at its lowest level in four decades.
Overall, churchgoers gave 2.38 percent of their income in 2009, down from 2.43 percent in 2008. The study looked at evangelical, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Episcopalian churches, among others.
In addition to the reduced rates, which certainly impact churches and communities, alike, the authors also found that only .34 percent of the income was being used toward outside charity work, with over two percent being spent internally.
Sylvia Ronsvalle, Empty Tomb’s executive vice president, told Religion News Service, “Churches on the whole are continuing to spend more on current members and less on the larger mission of the church and cutting back on missionaries.”
Ronsvalle says that this decline in outside giving is having devastating affects on poverty alleviation and other humanitarian services. If parishioners were willing to give just cents more per day, she says, the situation would be very different.
“These babies do not have to be dying, and yet nobody is mobilized at a scale that would achieve that solution,” she said. “Contempt for death isn’t the way to expect a Christian to live their life. We ought to be sacrificing, we ought to do everything in our power to make sure everyone that wants a Bible can have one.”
With continued economic strain taking the nation — and the world — by storm, it’s possible that many of the issues that churches work so diligently to alleviate (poverty and crime, among others) will be increasing in their fervency.
Likewise, as churchgoers remain out of work and with less pay, the amount of money that houses of worship take in will naturally be lower in nature. This is a vicious cycle that will continue as long as the economy chugs along.
The other issues — a decreased church attendance and an increase in secularism — are tougher to remedy. Churches, which rely on tithing income for their survival and their community work, may need to consider revamping their methods.
Perhaps spending more on external issues and less on the internal workings of congregations would be a positive foot forward in meeting increased community and global missional needs.
(H/T: The Christian Post)
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Comments (232)
altops
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:44am10% of nothing is pretty low. I used to earn $60K, now its like $10-$12K And I own my own shop were rent is constantly 20-30 days late. Thanks Obama your my hero,,,,, NOT.
Report Post »whywonder
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:58amwow another blazer blaming obama instead of taking responsibilty for the failure of his business. In other news water has been found to put out fire.
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:30amThe ticket sales are down on all my shows ! thanks obama for the hope and $ change $ ! ! !
Report Post »MrMark
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:30amWHYWONDER – I laugh in your general direction, and at the obvious cluelessness of your attempt to insult our intelligence. You’re a silly little troll, aren’t you? Yes you are!
Report Post »Spirit 72
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:46amHey, Whywonder…
I guess that keeping all businesses in limbo over whether the current tax cuts will be permanent is really considered being helpful by Oblamer. Also, will he take over another company “too big to fail” which allowed him to thereby close down hundred of dealerships which had made contributions to Republicans? Would that translate to other companies with distributerships? Nah, not a chance. So, tell me, are you intending on voting again for the administration which has direct links to the Kill Wall Streeter OWS bums? Leave the loitering, unsanitary anarchists alone… they are only interested in destroying the 401(k) and IRA savings of their parents and the rest of us who work for a living.
Here is a better idea! Why not try to help out ALTOPS by finding out what he does and if there is a possibility of him moving to your city? Nah… that might qualify you to be a hero instead of a hopeless critic and supporter of the worst president we ever had.
Report Post »lastoftheamericans
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 12:11pmLOL The Indians used to belive that they had to kill animals and dance around a campfire to make it rain. Gullibility is a requirement for the church. My old church asked to see your w-2 to ensure you were tithing correctly HAHA I said fine, produced it then kindly asked to see the church budget to “ensure they were using the tithings correctly” they refused. WOW. I left. Soo many have finally seen that thier tithings have gone unanswered now that THEY need it and thier lives are crumbling around them. But your always easy reply is he deserved it. Just like Harold Camping on the day after the rapture you realize that you were left behind even after all of your efforts OR there is no god and you wasted your lives when you could have been doing REAL good instead of a social gathering designed to make you feel better about life. So when it happens to you will you still say “we deserved it”? 2% and quit sending money out of the US and you will still have a surplus!
Report Post »whywonder
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 12:17pmMark
Report Post »You are crazy
Spirit
If you knew anything about running a business then you would know that there is never certainany
Nice talking point though
As usual all you got is name calling and you let folks like me get under your skin. Keep itchig.
mad_hatter
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 12:43pmRemember the church that gave a reverse stimulus. http://www.americanparchment.com/video/2011/sep/church_gives_stimulus.html . They gave money back to the congregation.
We don’t need money from the government we need to turn back to ourselves. Tithing is our number one priority in doing this. That is to give out to those that need it and support our faith based core.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 12:52pmTake responsibility for yourself. You sound like a mooch when you make comments like that.
Report Post »Spirit 72
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 1:19pmWHYWONDER
Actually, I have run a business. It went from deep red to making $1 million by the end of its 3rd year. In the process, we had to increase our workforce by 25%. The customers loved the improvements to the products, obviously. And hey, this was in Michigan, of all max tax places!
Back to your points… Please re-read my post. It was mostly about facts, not name calling. If the facts seem to accuse you, then you may be too “self focused,” like our fearless president.
ALTOPS:
If you care to share your skills, desires, and location for hiring purposes, please do so. Perhaps a kind soul here can point you in a more profitable direction.
Spirit in Houston
Report Post »Justathinkin
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 3:18pmWhywonder, what was the purpose of your posts? Are you trying to say that those of us that are working and struggling and still acting in accordance to the law are to blame for the lawlessness of the current Regime? Are you saying that those of us who did not support or vote for the current TOTUS are responsible for the failing economy? Or are you simply trying to make yourself feel better by yelling at us instead of looking at the real problem? I’m thinking the last is the correct answer. If you took off those Obama distributed beer goggles, you’d realize that this broad is a hyena and you need to chew off your arm to get free before she wakes up. Good luck with that kiddo, I hear it hurst like the Dickens to lose an arm…
Report Post »FranklinK
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:40amI consider myself to be a fairly generous person. However, I have decreased my church donation and have increased elsewhere, mainly because I am unhappy with the current message of our church. It has become too infused with PC. Maybe I need to find another church.
Report Post »Jezcruzen
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:29amModern organized religion is nothing but just another business with a board, a CEO, a product, and customers. Tithing is a scam. Always was. Tithing was used in ancient Israel just like taxes are used to day to fund the government. But, free money is too good to pass up, so congregants (customers) are made to feel guilt if they don’t dole over 10% of their income to the apostate “church”. On top of that, most also want “love offerings”! Sheeesh!
Report Post »Timothy_Reid
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:51am@jezcruzen While I do understand your point of view, I also disagree with you. I have a personal testimony of the blessings that come with paying tithing. I respect your opinion and see injustices within various religious sects as well, but the doctrine of tithing comes with specific promises that are fulfilled.
Report Post »Lori-4-USA
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 12:01pmMy minister is a ‘closet’ liberal getting his subliminal messages in here and there, and I could not sit and listen to it anymore!!!! No more tithing for me until I find a church that know what church is about…..our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ.
Report Post »ohiopeggy
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 2:37pmChurch accounting AKA fund accounting diverts offerings to bloated budget spending and does not feed anyone other than church members. Only money designated for the poor, deacons, alms, etc, will feed the truly needy. Never assume churches spend wisely.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 4:02pmI like the way you call it a “donation”. IF you knew your bible, or the facsimile of one that most people use like the KJV, you would know that a “tithe” is not a donation. You might call it a gift, but a donation is just the wrong word. We “donate” to charity or to the blood bank, we tithe to God – oops! maybe that is the real problem – we’re donating to the church and not tithing to God.
I don’t fall for the poor economy bit, not if you BELIEVE in “God’s word” and what some preachers tell you – that it will come back to you in multiples. But then Jesus observed the widows mite.
I believe it is the churches misuse of the money, the hedonistic display in churches that are responsible for the decline. It’s sort of proof that this is NOT a “Christian” nation under God or anything but money, money, money and hedonistic entertainment.
Report Post »NYHuguenot
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:38pmI think there is a great deal of confusion on the duties of the church. The church has been commisioned to preach the gospel, and provide the sacrements, baptism and communion. It is to provide for the people of the household of faith before any others. Instead we have food banks, gyms, and whatever. The Great Commandment to do for others falls on individuals in the outworking of their faith. “Show me your faith” Certainly we can tutor children, feed the poor, work at a food bank,etc. but it is not the duty of the church to do that. I used to handle budgeting and I just grew tired of raising money for nonsense like a gym. Peace.
Report Post »wabutler
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:11amFranklink….I can appreciate where you are coming from. In my humble opinion the church started it’s decline in Spiritual influence when is essentially said to the goverment “I trust that you can give me more than God can…I’ll take that 503c tax exempt status”. Render unto Caesar the thing that are Caesars.
Report Post »If you are looking for a very effective organization to contribut to check out JFHP.org
In His Grace,
titosotolongo
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:39amAs a pastor, I care that my congregation gives for the sake of their connection with God, not so the church can have more money. It’s not about money, it’s about we really trust. TITHING is more for us than for the church.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:51amWhat do we do if we have no income?!
Report Post »I tithed faithfully, even from my unemployment compensation.
Now that it’s gone, now what?!
objectivetruth
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:05amI couldn’t agree more.It sounds like you are from a small church where the real lessons are still learned.The reasons people stopped attending churches and tithing is due to receding faith and trust.Too many church scandals,liberalism in mass[political philosophy disguised as faith]the worsening of our modern day troubles ,and the overwhelming disparity, that a higher power prayed to can fix it or at least give us the power to persevere and overcome it have finally taken its toll.
Report Post »Goldenfoxxx
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:42amPastor, it is about the money who are you kidding? If it isn’t about the money, then WHY do you make a living living off other people? If it wasn’t for people giving, you would have go find a real job. I quit going to church because we were always hounded to keep giving and giving. The pastor even came to our home and he asked why we weren’t giving 10%. That was the last he saw of us. Best thing we ever did was to quit going to church.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 7:27pmRead what the Bible teaches about tithing. Has NOTHING to do with the “church”, also has less to do with money. People are delving ever deeper into the Word and realizing this. The “ten percenters” need to re-read the passages pertaining to tithing.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:36pmYo Rationalman:
Report Post »Do you not know the story of when Jesus saw the poor woman give…… find it….and you will have your answer!…..blessings
wabutler
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:01amRational Man….What do you mean you have nothing left to give? Where is your time, talent and treasure? These may be the real gifts God is looking for from most of the post I find here. It is not about money with Him, he owns the cattle on a thousand hills. It is about our desire to follow his instruction and to do “His will”, not our own.
Report Post »Snorkelbacon
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:38amI love how we equate tithing to “giving ”money” to a specific building.” It’s really not that simple. And you can tithe by giving no money to a church. This article expresses shear ignorance in what tithing is.
Report Post »FreeReligion.net
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:34amMalachi Chapter 3
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine bordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are acursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the atithes 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 dopen you the ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
If our nation would pay its tithes and offerings I believe that we would come out of the this recession and prosperity would abound.
Let’s have faith and pay the Lord and he will bless us. If he can create this earth than surely he can lift us financially if we have faith and pay out tithes.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:41amHaha. You Rebuke the Lord with your understanding of the scriptures. It isn’t Storehouse, but that it is Storage House. Put your money away so that people understand the real meat.
Report Post »FreeReligion.net
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 1:42pm@Eliasim
Report Post »I‘ll follow the prophet Malachi’s words and pay my tithing. You can choose for yourself.
rather be dead than red
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 2:57pmMalachi chapter 3 sums it up …people giving 2.3% back to God are thieves and robbers just as sure as those who give nothing. Everything we have is God’s and is on loan from God. All he asks is 10% back. God can do more with Our 90% than we can do with 100%.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:34pmI think you meant that God can do more with the 10% than we can do with 100%. But the point is moot if the most obvious thing that the church has to show for the tithes it receives is a new asphalt parking lot and new carpets, or even worse, look at the Catholic holy city. How much gold and artistry adorns that city-state? How much gold is buried there that will never be used to help a single person?
It seems to me that real charity, compassion, and treating other human beings with respect is far more compassionate and godly than tithing to a church just because it is your church. Of course, as with government, the church does not want you to realize that you can provide the charity that at times may be necessary without going through the middleman of the church or state. I seem to remember stories about good samaritans in the Bible who took it upon themselves to do good acts and show kindness to their fellow man without needing a pastor to do it for them.
Report Post »FormerLib
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:30amThe tithe was instituted before the law as a spiritual principle. According to Malachi, not tithing is robbing God. Of course God allows us the free will to do so, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Report Post »conservativemom99
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:29amhmmm…that’s odd. Our church reports how much was given and what our budgeted liabilities are each week and month…the gifts far exceed the expenses…every week.
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 3:22amMy church does the same thing. They also have a budget committee. The best thing for church goers to go is to go to the budget committee meetings and make sure that they are spending it properly. Getting active and involved in your church’s finances is far more helpful than just leaving the church.
Report Post »In That Day
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:28amTithing to a non-demonination church means the assets might exist in the Mr. & Mrs. Pastor’s name. Hence, divorce will take half the proceeds elsewhere. Death of the couple can mean the buildings are sold or inherited by the children of the couple. So the tithe often goes to the pastor’s retirement, not a permanent building. (i.e. Benny Hinn divorce, Crystal Cathedral bankruptcy sale, etc.)
Hence, GREAT SELF-INTEREST is often undisclosed when pastors demand tithes.
See: http://www.inthatdayteachings.com
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:35am.
Report Post »We quit giving after the Methodist church leaders started preaching Social Justice and adopted an anti Israel stance. Now we give money to a childrens home, we know where our money goes now……
joe1234
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:23ampart of the problem is the churches themselves…people like Joyce Meyers and Warren…apparently its all about the benjamines with them….
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:29amThat’s the beautiful thing about tithing JOE1234. You get to decide, being led by the Holy Spirit, who you tithe to. I am thankful for a Bible-believing, teaching church, Compassion International and the local Rescue Mission for my blessed opportunity to tithe and serve.
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:37amwe’re living in laodicea….
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 9:31pm@wlc74 Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:03am
Report Post »“Tithing used to be about offering animals for slaughter.” I’d like to know how you got that out of scripture, old, new, or in between translation. Yes, there was animal sacrifice – but it had nothing to do with “tithing”. Sacrifice was made for sin. Tithing was to fill the store house of God. Tithing was for the upkeep of the building, the temple sanctuary, to pay for the room and board of the priests and their families. Never read that it was for “missionary” work or for feeding the poor.
grfd703
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:22amTrust God in every other area of your life except for your finances and you expect him to bless you? Read the following:
Malachi 3:8-11 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, In what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings.
Report Post »(9) You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
(10) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this, Says the LORD of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
(11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, Says the LORD of hosts;”
wkw58
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:45amI love the “try me now in this” part of this verse….the only time in the Holy Bible that G-d says “test me”. It works….I have seen it from both sides.
Report Post »go2gym
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:19amAnd the federal government is happier and won’t be completely until church giving is zero.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:19amMy chusrch started a building campaign in the fall of 2008! Great timing right? We got pledges for $26 million and we’re meeting them. The building expansion is complete and almost paid for. Moral of the stort, when God wants something done, it gets done. The econmy doesn’t affect His plans.
Report Post »pbrenda51
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:25amI also think part of the problem is that people of faith have lost faith in their particular church, which may be teaching “social justice” rather than equal justice…..I am disillusioned myself and prefer my prayers at home right now til I find a good conservative church in my area……that is also a real problem
Report Post »hochnessmonster
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:35amThat’s awesome! We as Christians have begun to see the problems in the world and have taken our eyes off Christ. God is NOT affected by the world economy.
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:38am@ PBRENDA,
I am truly sorry and empathize for your situation. However, tithes do not necessarily have to go to a church. There a plenty of opportunities to give otherwise. As far as lacking a Bible-based church in your area, I recommend finding sources online to learn and study. Assuming you are female, I highly recommend Beth Moore studies at Living Proof Ministries. But you can also find very good, solid Biblical teaching from a variety of churches who have their sermons available online. God Bless!
Report Post »wlc74
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:03amThat is the problem I have with churches. The congregation “tithes” their hard earned money so that the church can build a bigger and fancier building to attract….more visitors….and make….more money. Tithing used to be about offering animals for slaughter. God has no use for money…only the churches and rich church leaders do. My wife’s church took her tithe every week, we paid $300 for our daughter to attend the church school, and what do they do? Campaign for money to extend the size of the church! That is when I found the exit. I give to well managed charities, I am done helping churches build bigger buildings rather than using the money for their congregation. IMO.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:23pmYo Hochness:
Report Post »God IS affecting the world economy.
Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:17amI think if people knew the Father, then they would realize that tithing really means nothing to God, because in many ways tithing can do more to shut-down the spirit of man. It was that Jesus chose to render on to Caesar that which was Caesar’s. Therefore why do you think it was that Jesus chose to tithe in the synagogue?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:20amIsn‘t your government’s even now as I type planning to over-take, and in most ways has already taken over the churches?
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:25am@ELISIAM Okay..I give…why did Jesus choose to tithe in the synogogue?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:27amIs that a suitable answer for you?
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:41am@ELISIAM Thank you for asking. I didn’t know that the church titthing was the government tax, but I have studied with Messianic Jews and they said that Israel was abundantly endowed in those days and it was nothing for them to give 10% of whatever they had to support the church. If I remember correctly, Jesus asked a disciple..”From whom does the King require tax? From the sons of the King, or from foreigners?.. the disciple said “the foreigners” and Jesus answered..”You are correct..but to avoid offense…go and take the coin out of the fishes mouth and we will pay .”
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:04amAshestoashes,
Report Post »Why yes, don’t you know Caesar controlled the synagogues and therefore it was a tax. And while I appreciate your lukewarm understanding of the scriptures, what Jesus really meant was take a coin out of the mouth of a Tuna or other fish. Because a Tuna is a foreigner to man, and just as a tuna has nothing to offer men except meat for life.
4truth2all
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:17pmYo Eliasim:
Report Post »How does giving a “tithe” shut down the spirit of a man?
kickagrandma
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:13amTithing comes first, before anything else. We may not give it all or any of it to a church, but rather In JESUS’ name to a food bank or support group in our community. Realizing that our very being is a gift from GOD, we owe HIM everything.
I will happily donate a portion of my tithe to a church that preaches, teaches, lives the BIBLE. Not one cent more to any denomination, since they seem to be running from GOD rather than toward HIM.
Report Post »NJTMATO
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:25amRight there with you Grandma!!!! I’m truly BLESSED to be a member of an independent Baptist Church that preaches, teaches and LIVES the Biblical way. I love my church community and what our vision is. And…I think that tithing is in excellent standing in our Church.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:38amWell that‘s the catch isn’t it? None of them actually preach the truth, the first love.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:12amIf you want to look at what it’s like to be a Christian in a Communist nation, read The Heavenly Man – a book about the Chinese underfround church. Even impoverished land workers who believe, give – with tears streaming down their faces – just in order to buy a copy of the Bible.
American Christians – how will you measure up?
To whom much is given…
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:17amI also highly recommend, “Safely Home”, by Randy Alcorn about the Chinese underground church. Inspiring, to say the least. God Bless!
Report Post »louise
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:24amI hope that someday I am worthy of meeting my Chinese brothers and sisters.
Report Post »LizMcM
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:10amThe word “tithing” means a tenth or 10% – anything less is considered a donation. Paying one’s tithing is an act of faith and obedience to the Lord who has given us the 100%. The blessings that come to ourselves and others. for paying a true tithing, far outweigh the cost to us.
Report Post »FormerLib
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:22amAbsolutely, tithing is going down. Maybe the genus who wrote this article didn’t get the memo that the economy is reeling and lots of folks have lost their jobs. Our tithe went from about 800 a month to less than 400, because I lost my salaried position and had to take an hourly job for less than half of what I made before. I know I’m not the only one, hence the lower percentage. And by the way, the picture on the article is showing an offering plate. Offerings and tithes are different.
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:10amIs it any wonder Satan seems to be winning the battle over this country and generation? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:37amDo you know that Satan works for God the Father, even in the way Satan works against God the Father?
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:31pmYo Eliasim: Satan does not work on behalf of God. Satan opposes God every step of the way. ALL things will go to the glory of God, so God will use everything satan does for His own glory. Maybe this is what you meant.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:09amI am a Christian and stopped tithing. I work for state gov’t where I get raises only if the state legislature votes yes to it. In the past ten years I’ve gotten 2.5%. In that same ten years my rent has gone up 10%, my heating costs by 33%, you all know about living costs going up like food and gas, AND I started partially supporting another household. My tithe is going to this other household. Money is very tight and I’m on the edge financially all the time. If I tithed I would not be paying a bill or purchasing gas to get to work.
Report Post »grfd703
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:17amBy not tithing, you are refusing to be obedient to God. You are literally saying to God, “I have faith and trust You in every other area of my life except for my finances. I think I’ll handle this area myself.” How do you expect God to bless you financially, if you are defying him? This is why you struggle.
Report Post »jaxy
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:21amIt may sound odd, but in the Bible, God says to “test him” about tithing, meaning sacrifice and do it and see if I don’t bless you. My parents were farmers and for the longest time they were dirt, dirt, dirt poor, they tithed before paying any bills and God blessed them. My wife and I are young and just got married I’m in school and make very little, we tithe before paying anything else and although the money isn’t there, somehow we always have just enough. Tithing isn‘t really something that happens with what’s left, it’s something that you give first and God blesses you because of it. I‘m not saying this to tell you that you need to tithe and that you aren’t doing life right or anything. I only say that to encourage you, I have seen many cases in my own life and those around me of people who have trusted God and tithed and the rest has been taken care of. I hope things get better for you. God Bless.
Report Post »titosotolongo
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:22amI know how you feel. I have a teachers income with a stay at home mom and 2 kids under 3. Money is always tight, but we never fail in our tithe. God has always shown to take care of us. TRUST HIM, HE WON’T LET YOU DOWN! :)
Report Post »FormerLib
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:25amYep. It is a test of trust. We have tithed even when it looked as if we would go broke. It didn’t matter; what belongs to God is God’s and even if we had to move to a smaller house, it‘s still God’s money. The purpose of the tithe is to free you from fear of financial insecurity and the spirit of poverty. The truly remarkable thing is, we have never been disappointed in our trust of Him. We always seem to get money from somewhere-m a rebate we didn’t know we had coming, overpayment of escrow, money someone owed us that we forgot about, or someone wanting to buy something we don’t use- it always seems to come right when we need it, and now we don’t ever doubt that God will come through.
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:55amI have suffered through hard times and enjoyed good times. Today, although it is still difficult, I am prospering. A while back, I pulled my car over and stopped to basically donate 10 dollars to a poor man selling watermelons on the side of the road. I knew I was gifting to something that the Lord wanted me to gift to, but I had no idea how he was going to take this small gift and multiply it for this man, his family, and his friends, or if he even would multiply it. 2 days later, God gave me wisdom that, by my estimation at the time, put another 8,000 dollars in my investment account. I can’t explain that, except to believe that the man upstairs works by supernatural means that we simply cannot understand. Since then, those gains have been taken away, so it is a bit of a roller-coaster, but I have confidence that I am being rewarded and will continue to be rewarded. All of this happened during a year that was emotionally painful for me, so everything isn’t always magically delicious all the time. God gives us challenges to make our lives interesting, less boring, and to give us a chance to shine. The 10 dollars meant nothing to me. But 8K does. I wonder how rich I might be if I tithed 8K, lol! I don’t want to be that rich! My life is not meant to be rich, powerful, or famous. I just live my simple quiet life and do my best to allow God in my heart. I have absolutely nothing else, and I have no other desire.
Report Post »wlc74
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:46am@DeeberJ…you do not have to pay your way into heaven. If you are doing right by your family, friends and community, shorting the church of $20 a month will not mean your everlasting demise. IMHO modern tithing is feeding the churches greed to build more churches and line pockets of church leader. I do not however, label all churches to like this, but the ones I have been associated with.
Report Post »ConservDadASD
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 2:01pmTo those who responded to Deeberj, i have a question to ask. Is not the tithe, as mentioned in Malachi 3 an Old Covenant law, that ensured not only the upkeep of the Temple, but also a livelihood of the Tribe of Levi, that didn’t have any land possession due to the distribution of the Promise Land under Moses and Joshua? Isn’t part of the Old Testament Law, on par with the laws of how to build and run the Temple, as well as the dietary and ceremonial laws?
Please don’t misunderstand. I still believe that God still bless us us in accordance to what we give to Him via us giving to our churches (for upkeep of church and income of the pastor and his staff) and other ministries (such as Bethesda Mission or Compassion International).
But to preach it as a law that we New Testament (read “New Covenant”) believers have to keep or we are considered criminals by God, seems off… especially in the light of the scripture in I or II Corinthians that tells us to give as if under no compulsion, but with a joyful heart or a generous spirit. If i am told to tithe because it would be considered sinful if i don’t give more than 9.9999etc%, then would I not, by definition of compulsion, be “compelled” to give? This changes the motivation from I want to……… to i have to. This also takes it from being a matter betw God and I……… to my Pastor (who keeps preaching Malachi 3 and making personal calls) and I. It kinda robs me of the joy of giving. Can anyone answer thi
Report Post »ConservDadASD
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 2:04pmTo those who responded to Deeberj, i have a question to ask. Is not the tithe, as mentioned in Malachi 3 an Old Covenant law, that ensured not only the upkeep of the Temple, but also a livelihood of the Tribe of Levi, that didn’t have any land possession due to the distribution of the Promise Land under Moses and Joshua? Isn’t part of the Old Testament Law, on par with the laws of how to build and run the Temple, as well as the dietary and ceremonial laws?
Please don’t misunderstand. I still believe that God still bless us us in accordance to what we give to Him via us giving to our churches (for upkeep of church and income of the pastor and his staff) and other ministries (such as Bethesda Mission or Compassion International).
But to preach it as a law that we New Testament (read “New Covenant”) believers have to keep or we are considered criminals by God, seems off… especially in the light of the scripture in I or II Corinthians that tells us to give as if under no compulsion, but with a joyful heart or a generous spirit. If i am told to tithe because it would be considered sinful if i don’t give more than 9.99999%, then would I not, by definition of compulsion, be “compelled” to give? This changes the motivation from I want to……… to i have to. This also takes it from being a matter betw God and I……… to my Pastor (who keeps preaching Malachi 3 and making personal calls) and I. It kinda robs me of the joy of giving. Can anyone answer this?
Report Post »katiefrankie
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 8:19pmSecessionista, your post made me cry. I have never been without the support of family, friends, or church, but I suspect that man beside the road selling watermelons felt like he has been. Your gift to him showed him that he isn’t, and I am grateful for that. My brother-in-law is the same way – during hard times, when he had been laid off (he’s an engineer) and my sister was caring for their daughter while living with my folks, he did something similar to what you did while shopping for groceries and got back in the car with tears in his eyes. I’m glad to know people like him and you.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:09amBig Government stupidity and corruption, along with crony capitalism in finance and banking, has drained US dry……. Is it any wonder?
Report Post »ROMANS 10-9
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 12:11pmWhatta Idiot you are!
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:06amIt is the Lord the Almighty whom was conceived in Liberty in the beginning of time, and it is this Great City that is written on the heads of the chosen, thus to be born to the Nation without walls. Therefore what is to become of a world where men have built walls not made with hands, but walls of the heart? Whereby it gave the Prophets of Old cause to Prophecy “Do not leave yourself nowhere to go?”
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:12amAnd there are those born of men who know this very thing, and they have locked up land to give you no place to go to try to manipulate the Father into wrath?
Report Post »kcares
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:02amI go to Church regularily and love it, but have been unemployed for over 3 years, with no unemployment benefits. I sold my house and am living with my daughter, so have no money to give.
Report Post »louise
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 12:13pmKcares, I thank God you can live with your daughter. She is one special gal.
Report Post »I have a question for you to think about. If you give God money, what is He going to spend it on?
Money can do lots of good in this depraved world, But what does God want from us? Our love and worship and obedience. Jesus said to love God first with all your heart, mind and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Can we put a price tag on that? I don’t think so. If we could, then heaven is only for those who can buy their way in and the more you give, the bigger the mansion.
proliance
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 4:18pm10% of 0 = 0. But you can always donate your time.
Report Post »foosgoddess
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:00amSadly, the number of posts on this story shows a lack of interest in strengthening our churchs. 10% to the church, 10% to savings/investment, live on 80% of your income. Sounds simple to me.
Report Post »El Paco
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:08amYea, funny how the LDS church isn’t included since they teach that God mandates that people are tithed 10% of their income. That money goes to the church to pay for the buildings, print bibles and books of mormon, help missionary efforts, and help the poor. None of it goes towards the leadership.
http://www.mormon.org
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:14amOh, please. Don’t you understand about poverty? Some people just don’t have enough money to give like you say. Yes, it “sounds” simple, but not to those who really do live paycheck to paycheck. I am one of those and I didn‘t get there from debt so don’t assume. I don‘t have any credit cards and I don’t have many of the things that even people on welfare have (flat screen TV and cable or satellite, computer, smart phone). I live a very frugal life and stopped tithing.
Report Post »hochnessmonster
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:32am@DEEBERJ I totally understand what you are saying. However what most everyone on here is not thinking about is the fact that God doesn’t need our money. Giving to the Church is to show our faith in Jesus Christ. We should give to the Church so that the Church can then turn around and use that money to spread the love and message of Jesus Christ’s redeeming love. I have also thought about just giving my money to a charity that I thought was good and calling it my “tithing”. However, that is not what is correct. You give your tithing to your home Church or where you are spiritually fed and then you give offerings to charity or you can give additional offerings to your Church.
When we give our tithes and offerings to the Church we should do so in faith knowing that God will give back to us. Luke 6:38 states this: “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
If we notice, the Word of God says that if we give little that’s what we will get back. If you (and I) are living paycheck to paycheck…why not step out in faith and trust God to provide all our needs? Give a lot!! Give more that 10% ! I’ve done it and guess what? I was blessed!
Tithing is an act of faith. God doesn’t need our money, but giving money to the Church shows our faith in Him and shows our love to Him as well.
Report Post »katiefrankie
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 8:34pmI‘m a Mormon and I’ve noticed that since I was baptized (almost 14 years ago!) and began paying ten percent of my income, I haven’t gotten rich, but I have always been able to get by. I believe in the promise made in Malachi Chapter 3, and God has never let me down. I don’t want to let him down, either.
I remember while serving a mission in New York City, I met a sister from El Salvador who had very little and was raising her granddaughters alone. She told me that she never failed to pay her tithing. Why? Because one night, she looked through her cupboards and found nothing – “not even salt.” She got down on her knees and pleaded with God for help. And just then the branch president knocked on her door. He didn’t know why he was there, but something told him that she was in need, and he had food from the branch storehouse in his car, even down to tokens for the subway, for her and her family. “Hermana,” she told me, “that is why I pay my tithing. I want those promises fulfilled for me like they were that night. And God fulfills His promises if I do my part.”
Report Post »SpawnofThomasJefferson
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:00am~ Isn’t this the goal of the Progressive/Marxist movement? For government welfare to replace charity.
Report Post »Hephzibah
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 9:59amTithing less? Not at my house. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 9:56amSee now that I am, I Am He, and there is no god besides Me: It is I who put do death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal and there is no one who can deliver from My Hand! Deut 32:39
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:01amEven the Great whales of the oceans forget about the Father, and the Lord gives them cause to beach themselves.
Report Post »kcares
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:01amWhat has that got to do with the article?
Report Post »Albannach
Posted on October 17, 2011 at 10:13amDude if you’r going to take a quote from the bible,don’t put it in your own words the real quote is this 39″‘See now that I, even I, am he,
and there is no god beside me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
and this has nothing to do with the article at hand……..
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