I saw this on the Sunday Morning program yesterday and thought it was very interesting. I know we've had debates on tithing here before. One of the things that struck me was this dialogue that basically says tithing came into popularity after the separation of church and state so the church could pay its bills:

"Protestants, both mainline and evangelical, have since the 1870s, fixed upon the tithe and on this Malachi passage as a kind of law that has never been repealed," explains James Hudnut-Beumler, dean of the divinity school at Vanderbilt University.

Yes, only since the 1870s, as a way of making up lost revenue. The First Amendment in effect privatized religion in the United States, cutting off the tax money that once supported it in colonial America. The weekly collection didn't even exist until the middle of the 19th century, when churches gave up selling or renting pews.

"I'm somewhat suspicious of people who want to turn giving ten percent into virtually the only law that applies to people who are under a covenant of grace," says Hudnut-Beumler, "where God saves freely, not for ten percent down."

He says he's reminded of Martin Luther, father of the Protestant movement, who broke away from the Catholic church because it was selling indulgences: Promises of a quicker road to heaven in exchange for cash.

"Stripped down to its basics," he says, "I don't think it's different than indulgences. What we see today, though, is a return to 'this-for-that religion,' give God this and God will give you that."

Here's a link to the entire transcript of the segment:
To Tithe Or Not To Tithe?, Sunday Morning: A Spirited Debate Over The Power Of Giving In The Lives Of Believers - CBS News

So, my question is this. Do you think tithing is promoted to help the church pay its bills, or because its a true commandment of God? What are your thoughts on this?

__________________
Read my Mommysavers Blog: Forget the Joneses
Check out the Mommysavers Group on Facebook

Download my free eBook full of savings ideas for the holidays Click Here

I grew up Catholic, so there was no such thing as tithing. I never even heard of it until I was in my 20's and thought it ridiculous because I worked with a guy who was BARELY scraping by, and they tithed something like 30% of their income. I mean, a HUGE amount, and he wasn't even making $20K a year to begin with. My DH and I couldn't figure it out. In the church I grew up in, we were asked to give, and be generous, but no set amount was ever required or expected. We gave what we could, which generally wasn't a whole lot. I had 20 cents in my envelope every week. My mom gave a few bucks every week in hers.

__________________

I believe it is a true commandment of God. Several places in the Bible talk about tithing and giving 10%. God gives us so much that to show our devotion to him we give back. Plus if we show our trust he will bless us for our faithfulness.

Of course i believe that the churches should use that money to pay their bills. It's what keeps the churches going.

Not sure why your friend felt he needed to give 30% Calimari because that is not what is asked in the Bible.

__________________
Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

That's why my husband and I thought it so odd. We knew people who tithed 10%, but he had a wife and child on that low income, and he kept harping for a raise. We were sort of "well, maybe you could get by a little more easily if you didn't tithe so much", but we didn't say anything. I think my husband ended up firing him eventually.

__________________

This is something that was instilled in me since I was little to tithe.

I have always give 10%, and have donated things. Like choir robes and dh and I donated tables for the children church program in memory of my boys.

I feel like I have been blessed in so many ways, that it is only right to give back what I can.

Fascinating, DH and I were discussing the concept of tithing just last night. We both find it interesting that churches pick and choose which passages of Judaic law they will use to their benefit. Leviticus is full of laws that are not practiced or taught in the modern Christian church. This kind of dogma is what scares us off from organized religion.

I don't believe tithing has to be in a monetary form only. For instance, your time surely counts for something if you volunteer on a weekly basis for an organization, etc. Also, if I were to donate my working refrigerator to the church kitchen because I'm buying a new one, I consider that part of tithing.

Also, I feel that if you give the 10% begrudingly, you're better off giving less with a happy heart.

I'm curious though. I know a 10% tithe was mentioned in the old testatment several times, but is it even in the new testament under the new covenant?

Just curious.

I dont have a problem with the 10% thing, I think the money should pay for the churches bills, pastors salary etc, but the rest of the money should be used to further the gospel.... money for poor, outreaches, services, missionaries, people in the church going through a hard time.... what I have a problem with, is watching the churches get bigger and better, more expensive musical instruments, better chairs, more expensive lighting, better car for the pastor, I know its not in my hands what they do with the money, but it makes me more relunctant to give....jmo

I don't go to church so of course I don't give 10%, but my inlaws do and it cracks me up that they give all this money to their church and then complain about not having money for prescriptions and doctor bills. They never buy anything or go anywhere because they say they don't have money, but they always have an envelope for Sunday. I also think alot of people are trying to buy there way into heaven.

__________________
~Missy~

You don't get to choose how you're going to die, or when. You can only decide how you're going to live !!!

If one belongs to a church, I think tithing is a nice thing to do if it's doable for that person. However, I don't think God intends for people to tithe themselves into the poorhouse. It's important to make sure a family's financial needs (bills, savings, etc.) are taken care of first before tithing to the church.

__________________
Every time we start thinking we're the center of the universe, the universe turns around and says with a slightly distracted air, "I'm sorry. What'd you say your name was again?" ~ Margaret Maron