Giving is a choice. Make it wisely.
I Co 16.2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save,
as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
I was asked a question this week, one that comes up every now and then. “Pastor,”
they said, “should we tithe on the gross or on the net?”
As a pastor, I love to hear this question, though not for the reason many think.
Clearly, the question presumes that the individuals involved are either supporting the
work of the church through tithing or are going to start doing so. Of course that is
encouraging to me as the pastor, seeing the church’s finances strengthened, but that
isn’t why the question pleases me. The decision to support the work of the church
through tithing means a great many other things.
First, this decision means a step of faith and trust. The choice to give ten percent of
one’s income to the church is a decision to put both the funds given and the remaining
money, that which is for the family’s welfare and care, in the hands of the Living,
Generous, and Faithful God. That’s a big step. This is not to suggest that the church
leadership isn’t fully responsible for the wise use of the funds in its control, but for the
person choosing to tithe, it is a step of faith, an act of trust in God. That makes
me, as the pastor, smile. A congregation of people, following Jesus and trusting in their
heavenly Father is a blessing to its pastor. Such a fellowship is a powerful thing.
Second, the decision to tithe means the core of the church body is strengthened. We
hear a lot about “strengthening your core” in the fitness world. A strong core makes
everything else work better. The regular support of tithing offers the church a financial
core to work from. As a pastor, I don’t want to say to a missions or outreach ministry
that we can support them unless I am confident we can. A strong financial core not only means the “light and heat bills get paid,” as important as that is, but it also means ministry tools in the hands of the church and in the hands of those we support.
Third, it means that the church’s vision is “getting through.” As pastor, I try every
Sunday--one way or another--to point out that we are here to be Jesus to our world; to
live through Jesus in the presence of those around us; to give to those around us a good reason to turn to Him and trust Him with their eternal souls. That’s why we are on this earth. The decision to support the church through tithing means that message is being heard.
Finally, the decision to tithe means someone is stepping into a way of life that opens the door for God to bless them and those around them. Pastor Joyce and I can and will
both say from our own experience that generosity and faithfulness in giving to the work
of the church always opens the door to His blessing. It doesn’t mean that God will necessarily increase our finances. It does mean a door is open, and our Father in
Heaven is wonderfully creative in the ways He chooses to bless us.
So should we tithe, a word that simply means “give a tenth,” on the gross or on the net?
To give as we prosper is what Paul told the Corinthian church to do (I Corinthians 16.2).
My answer is a resounding “yes.” It’s a choice, a privilege to give. We have the great
privilege of choosing. Give based on the gross, or on the net, but give. If you’re making
that decision, pray about it. Ask God, “Should I tithe on the gross or on the net?” Then
do as you feel led.
And if you ask God that question, and His answer is just, “Yes,” please let me know.
That’s why hearing someone say, “Pastor, do we tithe on the gross or the net?” makes
me smile.
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