people who are in debt should tithe, especially when we have often heard it taught that everyone should tithe from their gross income.
One point that came up was this: what about people who cannot tithe from their gross income because doing so would leave them unable to meet their financial obligations?
For example, let’s say two people both earn $3,000 a month.
Person A is a married woman with three children. After taxes, she brings home $2,277. Her financial responsibilities include paying half of the mortgage, which is $500, the cable bill, which is $59, and about $250 in other expenses. After meeting those obligations, she has $1,468 left. Her husband covers the remaining household expenses because he brings home $4,000 a month. In her situation, she may be able to tithe from her gross income, which would be $300.
Person B is a single mother with three children. She also earns $3,000 a month and brings home $2,277 after taxes. However, her financial responsibilities are much heavier because she is carrying the household on her own. Her mortgage is $700. Her electric, water, cable, and phone bills total about $350. Childcare costs another $400 per month. At this point, she is down to $827, and that is before her car payment, which is $200. After that, she has $627 left.
As a single mother, she still needs money for gas, groceries, and other household needs. In this situation, the teaching we discussed was that her tithe could be based on the $627 she has left after fulfilling her required financial obligations. That tithe would be about $62.
The reason behind this is that God also commands us to fulfill our vows and obligations. Deuteronomy 23:21-23 teaches that when we make a vow, we should not delay in fulfilling it. Financial obligations, such as a mortgage, childcare, utilities, and other necessary payments, are commitments that must be honored.
In other words, God does not desire a tithe that includes money owed to the mortgage company, childcare provider, utility company, or other creditors. If we fail to pay what we owe, we are not only neglecting our obligations, but we may also be taking from those to whom the money rightfully belongs.
This can apply to anyone who is in debt or under serious financial obligation. What is truly left in your hand after paying what you owe is what actually belongs to you. However, this should be viewed as a temporary situation. As a person becomes more financially stable and pays down debt, they can work toward increasing their level of giving.
I am not sharing this to stir controversy, because I understand there are many different teachings and convictions concerning tithing. I am simply sharing what we discussed and learned in Bible study this morning.
2 comments:
I believe you tithe what you can and not to show off. You know how some people are, they think that by giving a large sum of money to their church they are in good standing in the church and with the Lord. All that is not neccessary. One should tithe what they can from the heart but don't make it a big deal like everybody has to know. And if you can only tithe a dollar or 0.50 because of a tight budget then do so. The Lord will not look at you any differently than someone who is a able to tithe $1000 and is doing so; however, if you are fortunate and tithing well under what you could be giving then that is cause for concern, because you have so much more to offer and not doing so.
I agree, God knows what every one can tithe/give.
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