Christianity Oasis Forum

[kimby]

What are your thoughts on tithing?

Always 10%? Always to your church? Is their flexibility if finances are tight?

In church I have always been taught the 10% to the church and do it no matter what. I am starting to hear other things and see those other things backed up by scripture, but I would be interested in hearing others takes on it.

I have recently started tithing again and have taken so many large financial hits it is astounding. I am wrestling and trying to figure out how to proceed. I don't want to do something just because I am "supposed" to and resent having to do it. That doesn't seem like the right heart. I also don't want to not do something because it is hard. That isn't right either.

Not tithing this month would not restore finances back to normal, not even close, but it would considerably restore a bit of stability to my mind. Someone told me not to worry about it, that God's mercies are enduring and He doesn't want me to feel on the hook. This is someone I have utmost respect for and whom I know hears from God. Hearing that should have brought relief, but it took me back to the same feeling I had when I was small and pestered my mother about something until she said, "Do whatever you **** well please!" I certainly don't want God to have that attitude toward me. My heart is very much to do what is right, but to also do it for right reasons and with right attitude. Which brings me back to my question....what are your thoughts on the matter of tithing?

[dema]

I tithe. Have since childhood. Always. And when things are rough, I often give more. And when I give more. I often am rewarded. During the recession I much more than tithed. No matter what struggles I had, others had them far worse. I didn't tithe only to the church. I gave roughly 3% to the church and the rest to other organizations. Particularly those who helped people survive the recession. Now I am giving more to the church and less to those organizations.