Great blog. I’m really excited to see your spiritual and pragmatic approach to finances as well as the great personal finance tool reviews.

Our church doesn’t use tithing terminology but i definitely agree that most Christians would relate that term to giving to God. My thoughts over the last decade of life and ministry are that the tithe is the minimum we should consider in our offering to God. Greed, materialism, the worries of this life, and riches are dangerous devices used by satan to deceive Believers. I haven’t made a contribution to my Church in years but I make an offering to my God every time I have a financial blessing (income tax return, pay check, etc…).

Keep up the goog work.

You hit on a big problem. People live above their means and thus have little, if any, left to spend. IF people would pray before they buy that expensive house, car, or other item(s) maybe The Spirit would direct them to buy something they could easily afford.

I really don’t disagree with you that maybe some should sell their luxury items if they aren’t able to be a generous giver. It would seem to me that the giver-at-heart would live BELOW their means in order that they would have more left to give.

Too many Christians have missed the important stewardship teachings of the Bible and wind up slaves to their debtors. Church leaders aren’t helping the situation by continually asking for tithes and offerings. They should be teaching good stewardship habits which, unfortunately, few pastors seem to possess themselves.

The semantics are difficult here. There really is no way to know what a person thinks when they hear the word tithe – unless we ask them. I come from a non-denominational background and I’ve never heard the term The Lord’s Tithe (I just learned something). I’ll I’m saying is that how one defines a tithe is based on their own background and experience with the word tithe. I’ll admit that I am coming to find that people do abuse or misuse the word so I’m trying to be more cautious about how I use the word tithe – so that I don’t cause confusion.

I’ve noticed in the comments that we are starting to put ourselves in an awkward position. It seems as though two options exist. If you are in debt you can either (1) Give or (2) not give. What about the third option – sell whatever is keeping you in debt? I personally would rather do that than stop giving. It seems extremely greedy to me to say to God – I’ve got this “x” bill or payment so God your no longer at the top of my priority list.

I would gladly separate payments that are necessary for life from luxuries. I don’t think God is going to zap anyone for maintaining their humble house payment in lieu of giving. But, what about someone who has a $250,000 house and $25,000 car who can’t afford to give?
Wouldn’t it be spiritually healthier to sell the junk and give?

The problem is when people attach themselves to things and this becomes more important than participating in the grace of giving.
I wonder how clear of a distinction we can make between the poor and the church. The church is the body of Christ. I agree that too many dollars have been spent on ‘stuff’ to the neglect of the poor, but isn’t a contribution to a church is giving to God? Jesus said to Paul, “why do you persecute me?” The “me” in that case was the church. How we treat the church is a reflection (indirectly ?) on how we treat Jesus. Right?

The solution (it seems to me) is educating and encouraging church leaders to have a stronger heart for the poor.

It seems the only time I hear the word stewardship in church is when talking about the tithe. The truth is, stewardship on 100% of one’s income (and time, etc.) should be the concern. If Christians were properly taught good stewardship, which includes praying and asking for guidance BEFORE any major purchase, they might not be so far in debt.

I personally teach that debts should be paid BEFORE any giving. Let me clarify. I am not saying your house and car need to paid off in full before you give, but definitely all monthly expenses should be paid before giving. The monthly house payment and car payment should be paid BEFORE there is any giving. To do otherwise is being a POOR STEWARD OF GOD’S MONEY. Fact is, we would all be better off if we paid cash for everything, including our house and car. The tens of thousands of dollars we would save in interest could be used to help others. A good steward would be able to SAVE the money and pay cash.

In the New Testament, Jesus said that when you give to the needy/poor you are giving to Him. At no time did Jesus say when you give to the church you are giving to Him. MOST of what is given to a church goes for the building, utilities, salaries, etc. Very little goes to help the poor. I do believe that those who attend church should financially support the church, but don’t think that giving is giving to God because it isn’t.