How Tithing Works
While you may be used to simply throwing in loose change or a couple of dollars into a collection plate at church, some religions encourage tithing. This is the practice of donating 10 percent of your income to the church. If you're new to the practice of tithing, it's important that you understand the origin and purpose of this practice to ensure that you are practicing it properly.
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Roots of Tithing
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It's not known exactly when or how tithing began. What is clear is that the Jesus depicted in Bible stories encouraged it as a way for his followers to show their devotion to God and to support those doing his work through the church. According to Leviticus 27:30 in the New King James Bible, "All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's. It is holy to the Lord." In a victorious.org article, author Dale A. Robbins quotes from Malachi 3:8-11, which states: "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, in what way have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings." All religions based on the Bible have some sort of tithing system, although only a few Christian religions strictly enforce the idea of a 10 percent tithe.
Purpose of Tithing
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Tithing, like passing a basket around during a service, is a way for churches to get the money they need to run. After all, churches must pay their pastors or reverends, and they must pay everyday bills like utilities and property taxes. However, tithing is also seen as a method of worship; in essence, the idea is that you're giving something back to the Lord in exchange for His wisdom and gospel.
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By the Numbers
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There's no exact science to tithing. Some people choose to give 10 percent of their pre-tax income while others choose to give 10 percent of their net income. However, tithing does not require that people give exactly 10 percent. Rather, that 10 percent is a starting point, according to the believers.org website. The 10 percent amount is based on wording in Leviticus, often referred to as the Old Testament covenant.
Stipulation
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Because tithing is seen as a form of worship and of recognizing the importance of God in a worshipper's life, clergymembers and worshippers often believe that money for a tithe should be set aside before any other bills are paid, rather than simply giving to church whatever happens to be leftover once you're done paying your bills.
Giving of Tithes
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In some denominations, individuals make a financial pledge of a specific amount, then pay it in installments throughout the year. In others, people simply put cash or checks into envelopes that are collected at some point during the service, and it's assumed that this money is equal to a tenth of their income. Sometimes, the amount to be tithed can be offset by contributions to other charities, tuition paid to a school affiliated with the church or even time spent volunteering in the service of the church. Churches that allow this typically take a more flexible view of tithing as a show of gratitude to the Lord. While giving 10 percent of your income to your church may seem like a daunting financial proposition, remember that gifts made to religious, tax-exempt organizations are tax-deductible, so you'll get back at least a portion of what you give at tax time, as long as you remember to get a receipt for your tithe offerings.
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References
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