Contributing Financially to The Kingdom & Saving--Are You Able to Do Both?

[Supergirl]

sort of spinning off from the savings thread on the OT board

Word on the street has always been that one should save about 10% of his/her income and put into some type of savings account.

I know that tithing is an Old Testament "rule", but I just do not feel right if I do not give at least 10% each month when I get paid. I find that with this, I am not able to save much at all.

Are any of you ladies able to contribute at least 10% to the church AND also keep a nice padded savings account? Do you think it's your income level that allows you to do so (remember I'm a teacher!) or are you just very disciplined with money, or perhaps have some other method/strategy that works for you?

Please share!

 

[kbragg]

Hey lady My belief is this: Tithing is not an option. Tithing was never an Old Testament "rule" it was a way of life (Abraham paid tithes before the law was even handed down. He was faithful with his giving, and the Lord gave him increase. Tihing is not a "rule" it is how God's economy works! it's a promise: See Malachi 3. Oh for those who say it's an Old Testament Rule and not of the New Covenenant see Hebrews 7.

Want more to save? When it's time to pay your tithe, do it cheerfully, excited, expecting God to keep His promise. Pray before you place it in the offering plate saying "Lord I trust you at your Word, and I thank you in advance for the increase that you will give!"

It has always worked for me. When we never tithed, we never had enough to get by. We ended up living in a 8X10 bedroom (the 4 of us) at my inlaws. Since we've been tithing faithfully and cheerfully, God has always provided a way for increase. God is so awesome and can be trusted, so sis I say to you, ignore the world's ideal that you should be saving your 10% instead of giving God his just due, rather pray that God provide and increase or a way of increase so that you'll have even MORe than 10% to save, and more importantly, more to give away. It's my prayer that God use me to pour financially into the growth of his Kingdom here on Earth and it's happening!

 

[1god1]

I have to second with KBRAGG...she is sooooo right!! I went through a period where I was giving God mental IOUs...I felt HORRIBLE..like I was going to church mooching. This was a period where i had payday loans and other stuff...my checking account was in a neg balance before I got paid, so I always behind. It's also no joke paying non-sufficient fund fees for bounced checks. I tell ya...paying $20 per check for NSF, made putting $10, $20 in offering EASY. I was grateful to be able to pay tithes. I save...but it's not a fat fund...I mean I have IRA and Thrift savings plan...i put away around $300 a month for savings...( I am in the Air Force). God will stretch that dollar....just trust HIM. A lot of saints don't believe in tithing, but that is the one thing I wouldn't want to go to Hell for...cuz I was stingy.

 

[Puddles]

Hey lady My belief is this: Tithing is not an option. Tithing was never an Old Testament "rule" it was a way of life (Abraham paid tithes before the law was even handed down. He was faithful with his giving, and the Lord gave him increase. Tihing is not a "rule" it is how God's economy works! it's a promise: See Malachi 7. Oh for those who say it's an Old Testament Rule and not of the New Covenenant see Hebrews 7.

Want more to save? When it's time to pay your tithe, do it cheerfully, excited, expecting God to keep His promise. Pray before you place it in the offering plate saying "Lord I trust you at your Word, and I thank you in advance for the increase that you will give!"

It has always worked for me. When we never tithed, we never had enough to get by. We ended up living in a 8X10 bedroom (the 4 of us) at my inlaws. Since we've been tithing faithfully and cheerfully, God has always provided a way for increase. God is so awesome and can be trusted, so sis I say to you, ignore the world's ideal that you should be saving your 10% instead of giving God his just due, rather pray that God provide and increase or a way of increase so that you'll have even MORe than 10% to save, and more importantly, more to give away. It's my prayer that God use me to pour financially into the growth of his Kingdom here on Earth and it's happening!

Say that KBragg. ITA

 

[Nice & Wavy]

sort of spinning off from the savings thread on the OT board

Word on the street has always been that one should save about 10% of his/her income and put into some type of savings account.

I know that tithing is an Old Testament "rule", but I just do not feel right if I do not give at least 10% each month when I get paid. I find that with this, I am not able to save much at all.

Are any of you ladies able to contribute at least 10% to the church AND also keep a nice padded savings account? Do you think it's your income level that allows you to do so (remember I'm a teacher!) or are you just very disciplined with money, or perhaps have some other method/strategy that works for you?

Please share!

Hey Supergirl, great thread!

Yes, I do tithe, actually my dh and I tithe more than 10% because that is just something we decided to do, and we have a really nice account as well. We own our own home, and we are not in debt. I do contribute all of that to giving to the Kingdom of God. I've learned over the 20 years that I have been giving that God's provision cannot be out done. He is the BIGGEST GIVER I KNOW!!!

Thanks again!

 

[Kiadodie]

I haven't tithed in probably 5 years...not 10% anyway. God has been putting it in my heart to do so. The thing is, I'm real tight w/ my money but God comes first so I must do it.

 

[Enchantmt]

In the old testament tithing took care of national needs as well as taking care of the priesthood. It was a Theocracy. Today we pay taxes. We are still to give to the church, we are "to give as the Lord has prospered (them)” (I Corinthians 16:2), and "every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7).

There is nothing wrong with tithing, but it is no longer law. There are lots of things, sacrifices, dietary requirements, circumcision, that we are no longer under bondage to, and inf fact were NEVER subject to, as we were never Jewish or under jewish law in the first place. Galatians deals with this, tho tithing is not specifically mentioned. I'm not discouraging you from tithing, but you shouldnt feel condemned if it is not something you can do. There is freedom in Christ, not bondage.

 

[PaperClip]

In the old testament tithing took care of national needs as well as taking care of the priesthood. It was a Theocracy. Today we pay taxes. We are still to give to the church, we are "to give as the Lord has prospered (them)” (I Corinthians 16:2), and "every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7).

There is nothing wrong with tithing, but it is no longer law. There are lots of things, sacrifices, dietary requirements, circumcision, that we are no longer under bondage to, and inf fact were NEVER subject to, as we were never Jewish or under jewish law in the first place. Galatians deals with this, tho tithing is not specifically mentioned. I'm not discouraging you from tithing, but you shouldnt feel condemned if it is not something you can do. There is freedom in Christ, not bondage.

Not to hijack the thread, but I sincerely do not understand how the question of the law of tithing always has to come up when this topic is presented. How can any biblical law be considered bondage OUTSIDE of talking about it the cultural aspects involved? I have to do much more study on the Old Testament/New Testament law aspect before I can articulate a response to the tithing issue, but instead of looking at tithing as part of the law per se, why not consider it as a practice that the Lord STILL honors?

I appreciate the proper explanation of the tithe taking care of national/priesthood needs, that's why context is important. From the little I know/understand, I don't think tithing or some of the other things done in the Old Testament, e.g., dietary guidelines, for example, were necessarily done away with because they are still good for us to do to promote health. The sacrifices are done away with because Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice. Circumision? I'm not sure....

I'm kinda rambling/thinking out loud here....

 

[Enchantmt]

Not to hijack the thread, but I sincerely do not understand how the question of the law of tithing always has to come up when this topic is presented. How can any biblical law be considered bondage OUTSIDE of talking about it the cultural aspects involved? I have to do much more study on the Old Testament/New Testament law aspect before I can articulate a response to the tithing issue, but instead of looking at tithing as part of the law per se, why not consider it as a practice that the Lord STILL honors?

I appreciate the proper explanation of the tithe taking care of national/priesthood needs, that's why context is important. From the little I know/understand, I don't think tithing or some of the other things done in the Old Testament, e.g., dietary guidelines, for example, were necessarily done away with because they are still good for us to do to promote health. The sacrifices are done away with because Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice. Circumision? I'm not sure....

I'm kinda rambling/thinking out loud here....

The reason why I brought it up is because many who do not know it is not a requirement will struggle to pay what is not required and have guilt and feel condemned if they cant comply. There is no cheerfulness or glad heart, they are giving out of obligation and/or fear. They are in conflict where there should be none. God DOES honor your giving, which is why I was clear to state that we are instructed to give, however we are to give as we are led to give. If you like to tithe and have an emergency and cannot do it, you dont "owe" anything, so dont beat yourself up. People will struggle to pay a tithe when they are in danger of getting their electric shut off, so if they know the law then the struggle can cease and they can pay the bill without guilt over "unpaid" tithes. So for the OP, there is nothing "wrong" with getting her nest egg together and giving a smaller amount to the church, as it is not unbiblical to have surplus and prepare for the future. Since she doesnt feel "right" when she doesnt tithe, maybe she is being led to tithe, maybe she is just feeling false guilt. If she is uncertain she should pray for guidance. If someone wants to hold themselves to that standard, that is all well and good, I'm just making it plain that if there is any pressure or stress behind it, it is coming from themselves and not the word of God, as we are to give cheerfully, not under duress. Tho if you are reluctant to give at all, that could speak of a spiritual issue that needs to be addressed as well.

The principles in galatians are routinely applied to most of the old testament guidelines. Basically jewish christians were trying to get gentile christians to adhere to laws they were never subject to in the first place, as they came to Christ and at that time the old covenant had passed away and we were under a new covenant. Paul had to set everybody straight.

Here is an outline that gives old and new testament references to circumision

http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/gal/ga2_1.htm

Here is an excerpt from galatians:

Galatians (New International Version)


Galatians 2

Paul Opposes Peter
11When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

15"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

17"If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"[d]


Faith or Observance of the Law
1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

6Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[a] 7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."[c] 11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."[d] 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."[e] 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."[f] 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Law and the Promise
15Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed,"[g] meaning one person, who is Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ[h] that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

OP, sorry for taking your thread off topic.

 

[Enchantmt]

The same site I referred you to also has outlines on giving, I like this site as it gives easy references and summaries at the same time:

http://www.bible.ca/eo/top/howmuch.htm

http://www.bible.ca/eo/2cor/2co8_1.htm

 

[firecracker]

Its rough sometimes when an emergency arises but I feel like a thief if I don't tithe.

 

[PaperClip]

Enchantment: thank you for the references. I can refer to this post when I get a chance to put some serious think time into the topic....

 

[Nice & Wavy]

Enchantment.....can I come to your next class?

 

[StrawberryQueen]

In the old testament tithing took care of national needs as well as taking care of the priesthood. It was a Theocracy. Today we pay taxes. We are still to give to the church, we are "to give as the Lord has prospered (them)” (I Corinthians 16:2), and "every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7).

There is nothing wrong with tithing, but it is no longer law. There are lots of things, sacrifices, dietary requirements, circumcision, that we are no longer under bondage to, and inf fact were NEVER subject to, as we were never Jewish or under jewish law in the first place. Galatians deals with this, tho tithing is not specifically mentioned. I'm not discouraging you from tithing, but you shouldnt feel condemned if it is not something you can do. There is freedom in Christ, not bondage.

I agree.

 

[Naijaqueen]

give onto the Lord joyfully, and He'll reward u so much, your cup will be overflowing. Its not an option. I can even give examples in the past month, were I've done so and received 10x the amount in 1 week. God loves a cheerful giver.
If we can pay uncle Sam what he is owed, how much less God, who gives us everything

 

[Guyaneek]

I am a faithful tither but at this point I don't have the savings account I desire. I do allot 16% of my income to a 401k account but I don't have a savings account that I deposit 10% into. Its hard for me as well right now but I have the conviction of being a faithful tither in my heart so I trust and believe that God will take care of my savings when it is time.

 

[Supergirl]

Thanks for the responses ladies.

Please understand that I am not asking whether or not I should tithe. I absolutely believe in contributing financially to His kingdom and it is something that I want to do. Please understand that I am not in a "dilemma" where I am trying to decide between giving and saving.

I am merely trying to find out if it is common or uncommon within the body of Christ for an average-income person to be able to save nicely as well as give to the church.

 

[Sirens_Song]

I haven't read through every post but I am trying to get to the 10% mark this year.

I will tell you that I'm still a fairly new Christian and 10 percent isn't a small amount of money..I think at times I still struggle with amazement of having given so much to the church thus far. Honestly, sometimes I get flashes of thought that says "You are crazy...this is a lot of money." The majority of the time I can't imagine NOT paying my tithe.

However, I will tell you this and I know this to be 100% absolutely true in my life. When I think I cannot do it, GOD has made it possible. From positioning me in a better paying job or getting an unexpected financial blessing that I certainly did not see coming.

At this point, I just need to KNOW and believe in my heart without a shadow of a doubt that GOD will provide. It's as plain as that. I go through times thinking...where in the world will I get the money from for my daily life if I tithe 10%? I think during those times you just have to take that step of faith and believe that the LORD will not leave you uncovered.

I am not saying that it isn't an inner struggle. Sometimes I think the LORD manifests Himself more in my life because I am a new believer and He wants me to know that He is with me. Yet, I know that this is happening in order for me to stand and BELIEVE as I grow in Him.

Supergirl, I'm uncertain if the more you make enables you to give more because you have a cushion. I have found that the more you make, the more you tend to spend, the more expenses you have.

I have family that live in the south, they think because I'm up north I make more money, which is true, yet they forget the cost of living is higher. It's all relative.

 

[Puddles]

Hey Supergirl, great thread!

Yes, I do tithe, actually my dh and I tithe more than 10% because that is just something we decided to do, and we have a really nice account as well. We own our own home, and we are not in debt. I do contribute all of that to giving to the Kingdom of God. I've learned over the 20 years that I have been giving that God's provision cannot be out done. He is the BIGGEST GIVER I KNOW!!!

Thanks again!

So true and very well said.

 

[Spidergul]

Thank you Supergirl for the question and thank you Enchantmt and Kbragg for your replies. Great thread.

 

[Nice & Wavy]

So true and very well said.

Thank you, Puddles...

 

[Nice & Wavy]

So true and very well said.

Thanks, Puddles!

 

[Guyaneek]

Hey Supergirl, great thread!

Yes, I do tithe, actually my dh and I tithe more than 10% because that is just something we decided to do, and we have a really nice account as well. We own our own home, and we are not in debt. I do contribute all of that to giving to the Kingdom of God. I've learned over the 20 years that I have been giving that God's provision cannot be out done. He is the BIGGEST GIVER I KNOW!!!
Thanks again!

Aint he though! You got me ready to break out into a praise dance! (no, I'm not a praise dancer!!!!) I just love to think about that though. No matter what I give, not matter what I do, I can't beat God's blessings! Man he loves us!