Question: Should I claim what I give to God as a deduction on my income tax since God said that I’m to give in secret? Response: It’s highly doubtful that anyone claims a tax deduction because he wants the government to “see” how righteous and generous he is. Besides, the tax return is a private document, and most churches and charitable organizations take great care in keeping donations confidential. The tax deduction is a legitimate benefit that the government has made available to all Americans, and there’s a sense in which it would be poor stewardship not to take advantage of it. The point here is not “secret giving” but rather the wisest possible use of the resources God has entrusted to our care. We are to avoid paying taxes whenever legally possible. We are never to evade paying taxes that are legally required. Claiming your tithe in order to reduce your taxes is good stewardship.
Category Archives: Giving
Should You Give Cash to Help a Friend?
Question: I have a Christian friend in need, but if I give him money, I’m quite sure he will misspend it. Should I direct how the money can be spent? Would I be better off giving or lending it to him? Response: It’s great that you have the heart to help your friend! Here are some thoughts for you to prayerfully consider. (1) Help him get some financial coaching. I suggest either from the Dave Ramsey organization (www.daveramsey.com) or Crown Financial Ministries (www.crowwn.org) . (2) Once he gets a clear picture of his finances—a budget—consider helping him NOT by giving him cash to help pay his bills, but by paying one/some of his bills for him (write a check to the electric company, etc.). (3) Remember, the Bible says that the borrower is servant to the lender (Proverbs. 22:7). My experience is that if you lend your friend money it will change your relationship and you often lose your friend, the capacity to help your friend, and the money you lent your friend. Generally speaking I would not lend him money.
Give While In Debt?
Question: “Should I continue to give while in debt.” Response: Great question. Here are several observations that will help shape an answer for you. (1) Proverbs 3:9-10 says we are to honor God from the “first fruits.” Therefore, the first portion, the tithe, belongs to God, not to you and not to your creditors. (2) You have a clear responsibility before God to repay your debts. Psalm 37:21 states, “The wicked borrow and do not repay.” (3) You also have “other” responsibilities–responsibilities that don’t go away simply because you owe money to your creditors. For example, you have to keep paying for housing, utilities, food, and the many other practical needs of your family. (4) I believe that according to the Bible giving above and beyond the tithe is another important one of these “other” financial responsibilities. All things considered, then, it would be worth your while to explore ways to tithe, to pay your debts (at least cover the minimum payments required), to live (adjust your “needs, wants, and desires”) and to give above and beyond the tithe. How? Prayerfully work with the Holy Spirit, your spouse, and a financial coach (not a friend) to help you set up and stick to a spending plan (a “budget”) that provides for each.
Where Should Your Tithe Go?
Question: Bob, our church teaches that the entire tithe should go to the local church. What does the Bible say? Response: In the book of Old Testament book of Malachi we’re told that God wants us to direct our entire tithe into the storehouse. So I believe it’s necessary that we compare the Old Testament storehouse to the New Testament church. The Old Testament storehouse had four functions: (1) Feed the tribe of Levi and the priests of Aaron. This would seem to be equivalent to our pastors and church staff members today. (2) Feed the prophets. A prophet in the Old Testament was not necessarily somebody who could “forthtell” the future but someone who could “forthtell” the truth. Today this would point to our missionaries and evangelists. (3) Feed the Hebrew widows and orphans living within the city. Today this would be roughly equivalent to the widows, orphans, and invalids in our local churches. (4) In addition a special tithe was taken every third year to feed the widows and orphans of the Gentiles living in and around the Hebrew city. This would seem to equate to the unsaved folks surrounding our local churches. Here’s the point: Many churches serve the fourfold function of the OT storehouse, and others do not. Does yours? Do you know? If you don’t know, I suggest you prayerfully and humbly ask. Your decision must be based on your church’s obedience to God’s Word. If a local church doesn’t accept the responsibility of being the storehouse, then believers must help ensure that the fourfold function is accomplished through other means.
1, 2 or 3 Tithes?
Question: I have been told there are 3 tithes mentioned in the Old Testament(one being the 10% that many Christians practice). Would you please explain what the other 2 are and do they have relevance today? Response: It appears that there were 3 tithes mentioned in the Torah. The first, called the Lord’s tithe, consisted of the 10% of the harvest that went to support the priests and Levites since they were given no inheritance of land. (Numbers 18:21) Then there was a 2nd tithe on the remaining 90% that the people consumed themselves each year at the Feast of Tabernacles in a nationwide celebration of God’s provision. (Deut. 14:22-27) It was called the Festival tithe. The 3rd tithe was the tithe for the poor. It was given every third year to help the poor and indigent. (Deut 14:28-29) There is a difference of opinion on this one, some believing that the 3rd tithe was the same as the 2nd, but was given to the poor instead of being consumed at the feast one year out of three. Today the vast majority of those who teach that tithing is still required by God are usually referring to the Lord’s tithe, saying its purpose is to support all the Lord’s work in the world today. Since the other tithes were designed to recognize and celebrate the Lord’s provision (Festival tithe) and promote a spirit of generosity among God’s people (Tithe for the Poor) some (myself included) believe that true financial blessing comes only to those who voluntarily and joyfully maintain the spirit of the 2nd and 3rd tithes in their giving by going beyond the Lord’s Tithe. As it is with all things pertaining to the Lord, it’s the motives of our heart that really matter. Those who give sparingly and begrudgingly are missing both the point of giving and the blessings associated therewith. “With the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) (From “Grace Through Faith” Monday, October 15, 2007)
Are you giving “junk” to God?
Question: Reverend Bob, I’m a pastor. Quite often members of our congregation give us junk and then write it off on their income taxes. We get worn-out cars, worn-out clothes, and other items that we have no use for. I have a real problem with this. Could you give me some direction. Response: I often ask Christians who are content to give junk to God–if they would like to get junk back from God. I suspect not. I don’t believe that a church should be a refuse dump for unusable items. Larry Burkett used to counsel that “If you can’t use, refuse it.” Consider setting up a screening committee to evaluate all non-cash gifts. If you don’t have an actual use for the item, or it’s not readily convertible into cash, don’t accept it. Groups like the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries refurbish used furniture, clothing, appliances, etc., and turn them into assets. Refer your donors to them.
Give to people or your church?
Question: Should I ever contribute directly to a needy person rather than through a church or other Christian organization? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this? Response: I remember how Larry Burkett taught us that sometimes it is proper to give directly to an individual. For example, when you’re trying to teach children the purpose of giving, it’s good to have them help a needy family. This allows them to see the benefits of giving in the lives of real people. If they give only through a church offering, your children may miss this. A second reason is that you also may want to have a personal ministry in people’s lives. This is evidence of truly caring, as 1 John 3:17 says: “But whoever has the world’s good, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” Giving directly to somebody demonstrates that you love and care about that person. HOWEVER, I don’t suggest you make a habit of giving cash! Instead buy or pay for what they need, whether it’s utilities, groceries, rent, etc. Why? Because too often a cash gift is diverted or misused. I also recommend that before you give to anyone, you verify that their needs are real, and not the result of mismanagement. If you don’t know how to provide financial coaching yourself, help them find someone who can. Be certain that what you’re doing is helping them out of a problem and not contributing to their problems.
What Amount the Tithe?
Question: My husband and I both work. should we tithe from our total income, or just my husband’s income, since I don’t intend to work for a long period of time? Response: I believe you and your husband should do whatever God, your husband and you prayerfully decide…God is the ONLY ONE who should convict you as to how much to give. Having said that, the Bible says you should tithe on whatever comes into your possession, and in your case that includes both salaries. I also encourage you not to consider any income as “yours” or “his” but “ours.” God looks at a married couple as “one” (Gen. 2:24).