I give a lot of time and we give when we can! I think if we had more we would!!
I have picked up things here and there for diff things!! and do not ask for reimbursemtnt!
so I feel that I give in that way also!!

__________________
Kelly mom to 3 great girls

In my church it's not mandatory that you give 10%, you give what you can or how you can. If you aren't able to give money, then you just donate your time, everybodys situation is different in what they can afford. I did find a little info on this topic and here it is:

Question: "What does the Bible say about Christian tithing?"

Answer: Tithing is an issue that many Christians struggle with. In many churches tithing is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the Biblical exhortation in regards to making offerings to the Lord. Tithing / giving is intended to be a joy, a blessing. Sadly, that is rarely the case in the church today.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10% of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle / Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites of the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere assigns a certain percentage of income to set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Christian church has essentially taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. Although the New Testament does not identify a specific amount or percentage to give, it does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. They should give as they are able, “in keeping with his income.” Sometimes that means giving more than a tithe, sometime that may mean giving less than a tithe. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Each and every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom as to whether to participate in tithing and/or for how much he or she should give (James 1:5). “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

__________________

I try to, but my sister tithes irrespective of what happens - she takes 10% first and gives it and the rest goes towards household expenses. She says if she doesn't something goes wrong.

We give for other charities and relatives who are going through tough times.

__________________

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil:4:7

We prefer to think of it as sharing. Our personal (and I do mean just our own - not trying to infringe on anyone else's belief) is that to tithe is to share your blessings with others. We have often helped out families in need, individuals going through a difficult time, etc., as well as giving to the places we get our spiritual needs met.

Michelle

We always tithe 10%- we have for years and I believe it is the right thing to do. I want to support my church community, but I also know it to be biblical. Can't argue with that! Calimari- so curious about your catholic statement. My brothers are catholic and I know they tithe.

__________________
Blessings, Susan

I was raised catholic and went to church. My parents gave a little every week but No Way 10%. I never really heard of tithing until recently.

Over the last few years I have been having a hard time believing in the Catholic beliefs. My kids were baptised and made communion. But I pull dd out a few years ago, b/c if we didn't go regularly to church every Sunday they wanted us to pay more for CCD classes. Now dh isn't Catholic and Sunday is our family day [whole other story]. So I didn't think that was fair. Plus I live in Mass, the media has done a number on Catholic around here b/c of all the pedifile priest. Right now I don't go to church regular or tithe. I feel it would be going to lawyer fees. I don't mind donating time or if I know it could go to a family directly.

My family does tithe the 10%. It has been instilled into me for years! That money goes to help, first, the people in the church who are in need and then those outside the church.

For instance last year my daughter was put into the hospital for 9 days and then our vehicle needed $1200 in repairs. We did not ask, but the church gave us some money to help us with those bills. I felt it was okay to accept the help because we had been faithful to the church in acts as well as in tithing.

It gives me joy to know we can help others out. And without tithing our church funds would be much more limited as we are a very small church.

We tithe 10%. Anything over that we might do is considered an offering.

Tithing is symbolic of the understanding that all we have is given to us from God and when we tithe we are giving a small portion back to Him to show our faith in Him and how He provides for us.

I am the daughter of a pastor and my dh is currently employed full time at a church. I have a lot of issues with "pastors" or clergy driving in mercedes or whatever and living in expensive homes - but I do not think that they should be "forced" - implicitly or explicitly - to take a vow of poverty (maybe this is the connection to so many of the Catholics on this board not hearing about this Biblical principal of tithing).

On a side note, I think that many people within the church live outside of their means and therefore feel like they can't tithe. The Bible states that our tithe should come out first - not last. No, I do not think that God wants people in poverty - in fact He commands that the "Church" give to widowed and orphans.

We've always done 10%...our church does not "require" it. We belong to a Catholic Church. The weekly offerings cover the costs of running our specific church (not other churches, not the diocese etc). It's for heat, electricity, water etc We're often short, which is a shame, considering the size of the congregation. Tithing has never been a way to 'get in good' with God in my family/life/experience.