Hello everyone. I have not tithed to my church for about 5 months. I feel very guilty about it. I keep telling myself I need the money. Every Sunday at church I feel badly and do nothing. I have tithed off my child support, spousal support and my own paycheck from working part time in the past. I am looking for advice. Should I go back and make up the difference...start fresh...only do my paycheck and spousal and not child support???? I am utterly confused. I feel guilty and very badly. I am not sure what to do. Any advice would be wonderful. Oh to clarify. I stopped tithing when money got tight and also we are at new church and I was nervous to give before I felt Ok about the church. I like the church and we are going to stay with this church.I keep wanting to ask the pastor but again I feel horrible and guilty. Maybe embarrased. HELP!
Struggling with Tithing Guilt
August 27th, 2008 at 12:28 am
August 27th, 2008 at 12:44 am 1219797846
I think that tithing is important - but maybe it isn't really giving 10% - I think it is important to support others - does your church have a food pantry you can donate to? Can you support a child thru Compassion ($30 a month)? Can you donate your time and talent? I spend a lot of time at school and we are one of the families receiving a discounted tuition (due to number of children and salary). Can you put in $10 a week? I think if one is still indulging in things like $5 coffee or gym memberships, there should be funds to donate. However, if you have scaled back as much as you can, I don't think that in the long run God will hold it against you. We give what we can, more when we have more. We have accepted gift certificates from our parish at Christmas once so our kids could have Christmas. They have taken care of us. Do what you can, and be peaceful about it.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:52 am 1219798355
August 27th, 2008 at 01:55 am 1219802153
August 27th, 2008 at 02:19 am 1219803563
August 27th, 2008 at 03:40 am 1219808410
http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/id149.html
August 27th, 2008 at 06:50 am 1219819821
There was a poor man with a sick mother, living in abject poverty. He forgo meals and managed to scrap together something to donate to the religious leader. The leader refused to accept, saying that while his intention is most appreciated, charity begins at home. And that means taking care of himself and his family first.
So my opinion is that you help those you can, and if that means only yourself and family, then that's enough.
Oh yeah, that also includes taking care of debts before begins giving. Borrowing and/or defaulting on one to give to another is a great sin. If it's not your wealth to give, you can't give.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:35 am 1219836901
1 Timothy 5:8 adn 2 Cor 8:12014 should bce your guidelines, not the law. Jesus took that guiltg trip and curse awayk from tithign and th other 61
August 27th, 2008 at 09:33 pm 1219872806
You should not feel guilty about not tithing right now. Someday, when you are better off financially, you can contribute more $$. Right now, your children and your home are a priority, so focus on taking care of them first. You seem like a kind, responsible, and caring person, and this is probably why you are struggling with issue.
August 30th, 2008 at 04:28 am 1220070491
August 30th, 2008 at 02:02 pm 1220104926
December 10th, 2008 at 10:02 pm 1228946523
April 2nd, 2009 at 01:40 pm 1238679623
I hope that by now you have come to realize that there is no Bibilical basis for tithing. We should give to support ministry and the building of the Kingdom, but not through adhering to the Mosaic Law. Read what Paul says in Galatians about going back under the Law. And even if tithing existed for us today, it would be on the produce of the ground, on flocks, and on herds. Even as Jesus spoke about the tithe, it was in reference to herbs and spices. Be free in Christ! Give, but without compulsion and give what you decide in your heart to give.
May 4th, 2009 at 02:15 am 1241403339
June 14th, 2010 at 05:12 am 1276492354
in Christ by his grace
Chris
January 25th, 2011 at 04:44 pm 1295973876
January 25th, 2011 at 07:23 pm 1295983435
The Spirit leads us in truth and for those of us who study the word, the truth is there. I hope others find freedom from the work of modern-day Judaisers--those who try to put Believers back under the Law of Moses. Paul had some choice words for them whether that law be about tithing or circumcision. We should be like the Bereans, studying the word daily to see if these things are true.
January 26th, 2011 at 05:51 pm 1296064299
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
Is falling from grace the result of using tithing or any other old covenant laws.
January 26th, 2011 at 06:30 pm 1296066607
January 26th, 2011 at 06:46 pm 1296067567