This is impossible. WE CANNOT TITHE so this thread is a misnomer.
(Shortened for brevity)
Here is some food for thought from some church information. Sharing for consideration as a counterpoint to these views.
Why Tithe?The giving of a tithe is a recognition that everything you possess actually belongs to the Lord.
Scripture requires CONSISTENT giving.2 Corinthians 8–9 presents a method of giving that is well–planned and consistent, rather than haphazard. 2 Corinthians 8:12 teaches that you are to give according to what you have, not according to what you don’t (or what you hope to) have. Hence, God’s desire is that you put what He has already provided to good use.
2 Corinthians 8:13–15 goes on to teach equality in giving—not each member giving equal amounts, but each member making equal sacrifice. Not everyone can give the same amount, but everyone can give. Like the believers in the city of Corinth, your giving should be well–planned and consistent.
It is natural for other priorities to crowd out your giving to the Lord—God won’t send you an overdue notice or disconnect your phone if you don’t pay Him. Further, many people determine their giving based on how their finances are looking at the end of the year—they give just enough to get a good tax break. Yet, Scripture teaches that giving to the Lord should be your first priority. He is deserving of—and demands—“the first of all your produce,” and not your leftovers.
In Genesis 14, Abraham won a great military battle, and along with it, the spoils of battle. As Melchizedek, the priest of the Lord, came to greet him, Abraham offered him a tithe (tenth) of all He
had obtained (v. 20).
Many people have suggested that the tithe is not valid for today because it was a part of the Old Testament Law. Indeed, the tithe appears most often in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. Yet, Abraham’s tithe in Genesis 14 (and Jacob’s in Genesis 28:22) was “pre–Law”—the Law wasn’t given until Exodus 20. So the tithe supersedes the Old Testament Law.
Further, Christ condemned the Pharisees for the hypocrisy of tithing even of the smallest portions, yet ignoring the major commandments of Scripture. However, notice His conclusion concerning the tithe: “these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” (Luke 11:42). Christ commended their tithing but rebuked their hypocrisy. The New Testament generally teaches consistent, joyful giving without mentioning the word tithe. For the New Testament believer responding to God’s gift to us, the tithe is a good starting point!
“Hold the Sprinkles, Please.”The story is told of a boy who visited a restaurant and asked his waitress how much an ice cream cone would cost. After she replied that it would be 20 cents, he asked how much it would be with chocolate sprinkles. Irritated and in a hurry, she snapped that it would be 25 cents. After considering his options for a few moments, the boy quietly asked for a plain cone. The lady’s spirit softened when she returned to the place where the boy had finished and paid for his cone and found a 5 cent tip.
What is the lesson from the boy with the ice cream cone? Tithing doesn’t just happen—it is the result of intentional planning and determination to live within that plan. In other words, budget and stick to it. The math is simple (10% of your income), but the practice often is not. Discipline yourself to give the first 10% of every paycheck to the Lord’s work. Then live within your means (the remaining 90%) and determine to increase that percentage as the Lord allows you to prosper. You may need to do without some “sprinkles.” Yet, honoring and obeying the Lord is worth making small adjustments to your lifestyle.
Suppose you had ten lollipops…Many Christians reason that 10% is simply too much to give, yet forget that everything they have has been given to them by God. To be very mundane, if Johnny gives Joey ten lollipops, Joey is not being overly generous to give one of them back!
Practical Suggestions about GivingThe following practical suggestions answer some commonly asked questions concerning giving and the local church.
Does it matter where my tithe is given?The biblical pattern is for you to support financially the ministry that serves you spiritually (1 Corinthians 9:11). Further, the local church is the primary means through which God is working in this age. Therefore, your tithes and offerings should be given to the local church. Further, you should normally give your tithe to your church’s general fund, then make an additional offering for any
designated gifts (e.g., building fund, benevolence fund, etc.).
Am I required to give a tithe of money that I obtain apart from my normal income (i.e., a gift)?First, remember that giving is a privilege to be enjoyed, not a burden to be borne. Compare your situation to Proverbs 3:9. Of course, a gift is additional provision from the Lord. You may not need to claim it on your tax forms, but you still should honor the Lord for it.
What if I’m in debt? Should I still tithe?The first step to getting out of debt is a recognition that— with few exceptions—poor stewardship got you there. If necessary, confess your lack of discipline to the Lord as sin. Next, determine to “honor the Lord” with what He gives you…starting now! Don’t wait to obey. Delayed obedience is really disobedience. Begin tithing now, and trust the Lord to be true to His Word. Next, determine where you can decrease your spending to allow you to pay off your debts. Emulate the boy with the ice cream cone: “hold the sprinkles!” The quickest way out of debt is simply to stop
spending! Finally, prayerfully seek the Lord’s help, both to provide for you and to work in your heart to control your spending.
Does the money I pay for Christian education or for Christian books count as part of my tithe?Again, this question misses the spirit of biblical giving. Money given for a service rendered or an item purchased should not be considered a gift unto the Lord. This is an attempt to find a loophole, not a tithe or offering. Notice David’s spirit in 2 Samuel 24:24: “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.”
What if I miss a week of giving due to illness or vacation?Enjoy your vacation from work. However, don’t vacation from obedience and worship. If you miss a week of giving, make it up as soon as you return. Determine to be conscientious about the Lord’s money. Don’t spend it elsewhere.
Is it legitimate to spend the Lord’s money on buildings, vehicles and equipment even though the early church didn’t have them?All three of these things are tools for ministry. They must not become an end in themselves.
Many churches raise edifices as monuments of their greatness, not God’s. Yet, these items are legitimate to the extent that they enable and facilitate spiritual ministry