Let's talk about this

mouse10031978

Um yeah- this hits close to home for me because my 25 year old sister has insane amounts of debt- student loans, credit cards, car, etc.  but pays NONE of it!  Don't get me wrong I have student loan debt, but I pay my bills and I pay off my credit card balance every month. She also lives with my parents in their tiny new apartment - rent free.  Mind you- they just got out of debt themselves.... However, she is so "involved" with her church that she doesn't pay any of her bills and always makes donations to her church in a variety of ways.  Furthermore, she asks everyone (including her family who is essentially supporting her) for money to go on mission trips overseas!  Don't get me wrong, I will love my sister always, but I will in no way help her financially until she gets her priorities straight.  If she paid her bills and rent, then you can donate to whoever the hell you want to IMO. 

iamjoesgurl

Whit - you are right.  There are so many things that churches have to pay for that you never really think about.  My dad was a pastor and he never was fairly compensated.  But he never complained and for him, it was not about making money anyway.  But his church struggled to pay bills (electric, phone, etc.) and they always tried to help anyone who really needed it (rent $, gas $, etc.) but sometimes did not have the money to do so.  I get why some people don't agree with churches because many of them have agendas that are not right and it should really be about ministering to peoples needs (spiritual and otherwise).  I'm glad that my church never approaches people about their giving and that I know that my money will be invested wisely.

mwhitson14

Exactly joesgurl. A lot of churches are very active in ways some people don't realize, or don't know about unless you are a member of that church. Honestly, you may not even see the effects unless you're in on the budget. I was surprised when I saw the budget proposal for this year (it has to get approved by the church). There were a lot of ministries I didn't know about.

kiridoc07

As tithing is an action of faith- it comes off of the top.  That being said, you are also supposed to honor your obligations- keep your word to others. So my understanding is this: 1. Pay what you have agreed to pay 2. pay your tithe 3. pay down your debts.

KA2

IMO - The Bible says God expects us to give 10% of our income to the Church in form of a tithe. Regardless of whatever else I have going on financially, I always pay the 10% every month without fail. Out of all the abundance that God has given me (my job, life, my family etc) 10% of my income is a small percentage, in my opinion, to give back in gratitude. Yes sometimes, it hurts, but it's those times when it hurts to give financially and I do give beyond my tithe that God has always come through for me and I randomly receive an unexpected financial blessing.