Hi All, I would like to know who actually donates 10% of their earnings before tax to church? Thanks!
How many religions actually have the 10% donation ("tithing") law? And why does that decide whether you are Christian or not? I am Christian, and yes, I pay 10% of my income to the Church.
It doesn't make you a true Christian to tithe. God obviously doesn't need money - but people do. Tithing pays for missions and ministry.
Our tithes goes to the maintenance of our building (rent) and the bills. But I was not aware about it being 10% before tax, LOL. I guess I'm tithing less than I'm supposed to...
And actually... most of our missionaries are self-providing, too... our tithing mostly goes to church buildings, land expenses, etc. We figure if God gives us all this, then we should pay back at least 10% of our income to His Church. It's also a commandment within our church.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe#In_the_time_of_Abraham.2FAbram_the_Hebrew
I do 10% right off the top...and your right God doesn't need our money but money is required for the buildings, electricity, running soup kitchens etc.... Unfortunately our Pastor doesn't get paid right now due to my church being small but hopefully soon we will be able to afford to pay them something soon. But to answer the "who is a true christian" question. I guess that depends on what you consider a "true" christian. I do the best i can but Im not perfect.....
Wow, lets pay money to get missionaries to convert people from 3rd world nations instead of donating to get them food! very nice. [/sarcasm]
i understand the need for a church to get money but as a commandment does that mean you can't attend if you don't pay
No, you can still attend... we don't punish our members for not paying tithing. But, we're told in the scriptures through revelation that those who pay tithing will not be burned at the second coming. In a humorous sense, we call it our fire insurance, but still... tithing payments are a qualifying factor in one's temple worthiness.
I guess you grew up being taught that, so at this point it does not seem strange to say it out loud. But doesn't it seem weird at all to say someone has to pay 10% to the church so that they won't get burnt at the second coming? If you look around your church at all the people you consider "brothers" and "sisters" and to say yes that person can't afford tithing so they will be burnt. Doesn't that bother you at all? Or what if you were going to church to give your 10% and you had no other money at that time...Yet on your way, you find a starving homeless man, do you think God would decide to burn you if you gave your tithing to the homeless man in desperate need for food instead of the church?
Rebecca, don't even bother..these kind of people will never realize the giant hoax they've bought into, it's better for them to die happily and rot in the dirt and realize they aren't going anywhere more special then us.
I don't think that it should determine whether or not you are a true Christian. One thing that matters is that you give from your heart and not out of guilt or because others tell you to.