We have started attending a church here in our new hometown. In fact Ethan was baptized there a few weeks ago. When we first started going each of us started
putting $1 in the offering plate . We were trying out the church so we figured we would help with attendance. We didn’t like this but it seemed like at least we were giving something. We realized that in order to keep track of our offering for tax purposes we asked for offering envelopes from the church office. We are not members yet but feel we should start giving $5 and now we are up to $10 a week.
We know that the general rule of thumb is to give 10% of our income, but that seems a little hard at the moment. We are barely making the minimums on the credit cards and paying all of our bills.
The big question is does God want us to give more to him and less to paying off our debts or the opposite. If we were actually giving 10% then we would be giving close to $300 a month. Maybe we should give a little more than we have been or possibly volunteer our time to the church in lieu of money.
If you have any helpful tips please let us know!
tyler@brokefamily.com
Written by
robin@brokefamily.com
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Your post reminded me of a couple of things…
About ten years ago, I read an article in a PF magazine that said it cost most churches an average of $20.00 per person just to hold the service. I didn’t believe that until I became a church treasurer a few years later. It’s expensive to run a church.
I was on a Christian forum a while ago, and more than one person claimed that the blessings returned to them after they started tithing FAR outweighed the financial burden. I was skeptical, but I gotta admit that the same was true for DH and me when we were attending church regularly.
Speaking from experience, tithing does hurt at first. Volunteering my time actually hurt more and these days I’d just rather write a check.
You’ll do what’s right for you and your family
Howdy Devil?
Thanks for the information in the PF magazine. I will have to do some research and see if i can come up with some recent statistics.
Ive seen in many cases where if you Tithe, chances are blessings are returned.
Recently a fire broke out in one of our church members homes destroying everything…They have been members for a long time(and I assume they tithed). That next Sunday the church provided food, shelter, clothes,etc.
You have definitely inspired the two of us to start thinking about this more and possibly re-evaluate our goals.
Take Care,
Tyler & Robin
family@brokefamily.com
We have had this similar discussion in our house too. We decided to give what we could and increase it as we can. We feel we would not be being good stewards of our finances if we gave 10% to the church and let our debt build up because there isn’t enough left to pay all the bills. We are not at 10%, but the amount we give is constant so the church can depend on it.
Man is the one who will make you feel bad about not Tithing, not God. And if thats the feeling you get from a church, then thats not a church you want to be at.
Great Advice! Our family has a lot to talk about in the next week or so. I feel we are currently in your shoes!
Take Care,
Tyler & Robin
family@brokefamily.com
Your tithe is between you and God. He will answer your prayers and you can grow with Him at your side, if you have time each day with Him. Follow His guidance and all will be OK. He knows your needs and he knows what the future holds for each of us. I personally have been blessed and when he asks then I give. With my family situation, he gets paid first and then we live on the rest. Each situation is different and to compare your situation to others may not be worth the time to consider. Trust and look to Him.
Hey.My husband and I just joined our Church.We didn’t always tithe 10% of our income.We gave what we could,and at a time,we gave when we couldn’t afford to,due to my mismanagement.I ahve learned,though through prayer and faith,we are doing what is right.We have been giving 10% and beyond,because we are able to now,and you’ll do OK,I know.
What is Tithe?
I saw you on the news this morning. I am getting ready for Church and thought I would post a comment about your tithing. Seems to me you are doing a wonderful job. All the money you tithe will come back to you in one form or fashion. God takes care of you. All that matters is that it come from the heart as intended.