I am one who care little about paying tithes but despite this I do not chastise those who freely choose to contribute to the growth of their church and well being of their pastors by way of tithes.

I will not bore you with many quotes from Sacred scriptures about tithes or whether tithe giving is necessary or not for today's Christians. I will rather stick to the realities on the ground.

Number one reality is that we have people who, with a good knowledge of Sacred Scriptures, still choose to pay tithes. Another reality is that a section of the aforementioned people are low income earners who, despite their best efforts, pay tithes to the detriment of their loved ones.

This piece is not for those who can afford to pay 10% of their take home pay and still have more than enough to take care of their families and meet their other financial obligations.

Before I continue I would like to put to rest the minds of some of our 'Bible believing Christians' who may feel guilty about not giving 10% of their take home pay as tithe.

The relevant passage from Sacred Scriptures to meditate on is:

1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

From the above, we should be able to decipher that God would be very displeased with someone who has the resources to take care of his family but neglects to do so just because the individual refuses to set his priorities right.

That includes diverting the much needed funds to the payment of tithes at the expense of your loved ones. If you must tithe then it is a must that you do it the right way. A way that should not put your family in jeopardy.

Continued in the next post

So removing 10% will stop me from taking care of my family? Bros park well ooooo... My argument is not about tithing this morning, but removing 10% of your income won't stop you from doing the needful when it comes to taking care of the home front. As a matter of principle, every income earner should save at least 10% of their earnings, so if they decide to GIVE it, all well and good. Like I said, my argument isn't about tithe, just trying to make a point. Morning.

Research has shown that a good number of Nigerians live below the poverty line and can hardly afford to feed themselves, let alone their families but despite this, the harsh reality is that some of these people still pay tithes.

If you fall within this category of people, you are very blessed if you pay the tithe without a grudge just like the poor widows of the Old and New testaments but please note: You are not expected to pay tithe. Use your money for yourselves and family. You can give what you can to your church every other day i.e if you can.

Please, if you are in the above category, just like it is with those who are well to do, this thread is not for you. Do not pay tithe when you cannot afford to.

This thread is strictly for those who earn a monthly take home (whether in paid employment or personal business) that should be enough to take care of themselves and their families, ceteris paribus.

Continued in the next post

May God help His people.

Now to the crux of the matter...

The question: How do you pay your tithe without offending God?

The simple answer to that question is to draw up a monthly personal budget that is skewed towards achieving that purpose. Drawing up a feasible personal budget entails a lot more than what meets the eyes. It is very useful for planning our short and long term income and expenditure but sadly very few people plan how they make and spend money.

A personal budget will help one avoid situations where you spend money but have no clue where the money went, hence passing the blame to one poor innocent old woman in the village. As it regards the topic, it helps the individual spend wisely on his or her family, have enough to pay tithe with less worries and also enough savings in the account.

Ideally, our monthly savings should not be less than 50% of our monthly net income. If yours is less than 30% then you should take drastic measures. One way of doing this is adopting a plan based spending culture, such that you spend in line with your income stream or less. A personal budget will help you achieve this.

Continued in the next post

The first things to consider when drawing up a personal budget is to define what constitute your monthly income and expenditure. It would be useful to have a pen and paper while thinking about those things you spend money on every other month.

Your monthly income may be a combination of earned monthly salaries and incomes you get from other legal business dealings. It could also be a combination of incomes earned between spouses. Whatever your income stream, it is important to define properly and realistically those areas where you are sure to derive income from.

Please note that the above defined income stream for the 'pivot month', defined as the lead month or the first month, need not be the actual income you may get for that month. It's simply a best estimate.

It is very important that you monitor your income and expenses for the pivot month very carefully as you match these against the budget because the actual income and expenses for the pivot month will be the basis on which the budget, for both income and expenses, for other months will be defined. It's more like a rolling plan. The actual for one moth will define the budget for the next.

I re-iterate, kindly make your budget as realistic as possible. Remember how it is said that one should cut his cloth according to his size? Please drop that line of thought and adopt a new one: 'work on your size to fit your cloth'. We very well know that some people spend beyond their means. It has been a culture but it should stop if you don't want to cry at the end of each month.

I have to apologise for making this post a bit longer than usual. I did it because of the arguments going on. I guess I should have 'booked' a number of space to convey my message in one flow rather than doing it between posts. Please, if you are interested, kindly forget about the arguments and follow my posts where they appear; or better still you can alternatively check my posts, in my profile, to see the flow.

Continued in next post

striktlymi:
Now to the crux of the matter...

The question: How do you pay your tithe without offending God?

The simple answer to that question is to draw up a monthly personal budget that is skewed towards achieving that purpose. Drawing up a feasible personal budget entails a lot more than what meets the eyes. It is very useful for planning our short and long term income and expenditure but sadly very few people plan how they make and spend money.

A personal budget will help one avoid situations where you spend money but have no clue where the money went, hence passing the blame to one poor innocent old woman in the village. As it regards the topic, it helps the individual spend wisely on his or her family, have enough to pay tithe with less worries and also enough savings in the account.

Ideally, our monthly savings should not be less than 50% of our monthly net income. If yours is less than 30% then you should take drastic measures. One way of doing this is adopting a plan based spending culture, such that you spend in line with your income stream or less. A personal budget will help you achieve this.

Continued in the next post

I strongly disagree with you, the only right way to pay tithes is to do it as instructed in scriptures which means tithes can only be paid to levites priest and it must strictly be based on agric produce in the promised land (Israel) any other definition is adding to sacred scriptures.

PastorKun:


I strongly disagree with you, the only right way to pay tithes is to do it as instructed in scriptures which means tithes can only be paid to levites priest and it must strictly be based on agric produce in the promised land (Israel) any other definition is adding to sacred scriptures.

Did Abraham pay tithe to a levites priest? and was it agricultural produce in the promised land that he paid as tithe?

It seems your adding to the scripture now.

jdilight:


Did Abraham pay tithe to a levites priest? and was it agricultural produce in the promised land that he paid as tithe?

It seems your adding to the scripture now.

The first question should be, was Abraham commanded to pay tithes? Did Abraham owe Melchizedek anything?

Goshen360:


The first question should be, was Abraham commanded to pay tithes? Did Abraham owe Melchizedek anything?

Yes Abraham was commanded to pay tithe by God, for how would he have known about tithe to such precision.

Do those who pay tithe today own the people they pay tithe to anything?

Check my post on tithe https://www.nairaland.com/1970546/understanding-concept-tithing

jdilight:


Yes Abraham was commanded to pay tithe by God, for how would he have known about tithe to such precision.

Do those who pay tithe today own the people they pay tithe to anything?

Check my post on tithe https://www.nairaland.com/1970546/understanding-concept-tithing

Where was Abraham commanded to pay tithes?

How did Abraham owe Melchizedek tithes?

Was it Abraham properties or income as of people of today that he paid tithes from?

Goshen360:


Where was Abraham commanded to pay tithes?

How did Abraham owe Melchizedek tithes?

Was it Abraham properties or income as of people of today that he paid tithes from?

Go through this https://www.nairaland.com/1970546/understanding-concept-tithing you will get your answers

jdilight:


Did Abraham pay tithe to a levites priest? and was it agricultural produce in the promised land that he paid as tithe?

It seems your adding to the scripture now.

Are you Abraham?
Was Abraham your ancestor?

plaetton:

Are you Abraham?
Was Abraham your ancestor?

Those using the success secrets of bill gate, dangote, warrent buffet etc. are they these people? or are they their ancestor?

jdilight:


Yes Abraham was commanded to pay tithe by God, for how would he have known about tithe to such precision.

Do those who pay tithe today own the people they pay tithe to anything?

Check my post on tithe https://www.nairaland.com/1970546/understanding-concept-tithing

It's now obvious who is adding to scripture as the bible never said God commanded Abraham to tithe. If you must know tithing was a part of the customs of babylonia where Abraham came from. He was merely practising a custom of his people. If you are in doubt Google "babylonian tithe"

The question, the very simple for those advocates of tithe paying is this:

What exactly should tithe money or proceeds be used for?
For me, this is all that matters.

If members feel obliged to pay tithe to Church fund from which less fortunate members would benefit, then there shouldn't be much ado about tithing.
But when tithe is seen as property of pastor and his family to live large at the expense of his members, then it becomes immoral and a form of obtaining by false pretence.

Honest Christians should debate what social services tithe money should be used for on behalf of the members.

A church is a community. It can never be fair or moral for the contributions of a community be for the benefit of one or a few.

PastorKun:


It's now obvious who is adding to scripture as the bible never said God commanded Abraham to tithe. If you must know tithing was a part of the customs of babylonia where Abraham came from. He was merely practising a custom of his people. If you are in doubt Google "babylonian tithe"

If it was a custom of the people God told him to come out from and God did not question him when he did it to the extent that God allowed it to be passed down to his generation. While then are you against it? Tell me the evil in tithing.

plaetton:
The question, the very simple for those advocates of tithe paying is this:

What exactly should tithe money or proceeds be used for?
For me, this is all that matters.

If members feel obliged to pay tithe to Church fund from which less fortunate members would benefit, then there shouldn't be much ado about tithing.
But when tithe is seen as property of pastor and his family to live large at the expense of his members, then it becomes immoral and a form of obtaining by false pretence.

Honest Christians should debate what social services tithe money should be used for on behalf of the members.

A church is a community. It can never be fair or moral for the contributions of a community be for the benefit of one or a few.

It is not in your place to know what tithe is used for. When you give out a gift, do you go about checking out what the gift is used for? Why must you give in the first place. You are not being forced to give. But don't discourage those giving.

Did Abraham wait to see what the priest did with his tithe?

jdilight:


Those using the success secrets of bill gate, dangote, warrent buffet etc. are they these people? or are they their ancestor?

There you go with your success secrete 419.
Hardworking pays well for everyone.

I guess in your haste to hawk your success secret 419, you forgot that Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Aliko Dangote were all from rich and very previledged backgrounds that no doubts gave them opportunities that millions of people in Nigeria, and billions more on earth, will never have.

Secondly, you also forgot that neither of these men subscribe to your Abrahamic tithe=success 419.

jdilight:


It is not in your place to know what tithe is used for. When you give out a gift, do you go about checking out what the gift is used for? Why must you give in the first place. You are not being forced to give. But don't discourage those giving.

Did Abraham wait to see what the priest did with his tithe?

Why?
You love to collect, but you feel no obligation for accountability?

He he.
Now we know why every lazy bum, every thief in Nigeria wants to be a pastor.

I guess that is the success secrets of Bilk Gates and Dangote?

Well, a nation of sheep must inevitably attract an army of foxes, wolves , hyaenas and vultures.

plaetton:


There you go with your success secrete 419.
Hardworking pays well for everyone.

I guess in your haste to hawk your success secret 419, you forgot that Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Aliko Dangote were all from rich and very previledged backgrounds that no doubts gave them opportunities that millions of people in Nigeria, and billions more on earth, will never have.

Secondly, you also forgot that neither of these men subscribe to your Abrahamic tithe=success 419.

It unfortunate that you lack knowledge, go study my write up https://www.nairaland.com/1970546/understanding-concept-tithing

If Abraham did not see tithing as a spiritual success secret, he wouldn't have shared it with his grand son Jacob who prayed on its basis in Genesis 28:22

plaetton:


Why?
You love to collect, but you feel no obligation for accountability?

He he.
Now we know why every lazy bum, every thief in Nigeria wants to be a pastor.

I guess that is the success secrets of Bilk Gates and Dangote?

Well, a nation of sheep must inevitably attract an army of foxes, wolves , hyaenas and vultures.

Am not a pastor, but I cannot watch and see your kind standing against the church of my God i will keep quite. I must expose your ignorant for the simple minded to see and run from your kind.

jdilight:


Am not a pastor, but I cannot watch and see your kind standing against the church of my God i will keep quite. I must expose your ignorant for the simple minded to see and run from your kind.

The church of your god, you said?
So your god created the universe so that he can collect tithe money from Nigerians?

jdilight:


If it was a custom of the people God told him to come out from and God did not question him when he did it to the extent that God allowed it to be passed down to his generation. While then are you against it? Tell me the evil in tithing.

I have never said tithing is evil, what is evil is pastors twisting God's word to preach monetary tithing from income and mis applying it to christians whom God never directed the tithe doctrine to.

plaetton:

The church of your god, you said?
So your god created the universe so that he can collect tithe money from Nigerians?

I take exception to the mockery your pulling of now. I knew it, the right light will expose your envy and hatred about the church of God. Do you think is everyone you can come here to deceive with your gullible posts. I study the word of God and listen to God for direction, am not blind.

PastorKun:


I have never said tithing is evil, what is evil is pastors twisting God's word to preach monetary tithing from income and mis applying it to christians whom God never directed the tithe doctrine to.

Please go through the word of God as concern tithing from Abraham. Abraham did not tithe agricultural produce, but all he got from the war including money. God did not direct Jacob to pay tithe but he vowed to God in Genesis 28:22 to do that having learn it importance from his grand father. So how is tithe not directed to the church, are they not meant to prosper?

jdilight:


It unfortunate that you lack knowledge, go study my write up https://www.nairaland.com/1970546/understanding-concept-tithing

If Abraham did not see tithing as a spiritual success secret, he wouldn't have shared it with his grand son Jacob who prayed on its basis in Genesis 28:22

Go and study your writeup?
You must be joking, right?
Big laugh.
In what way did Abraham teach you that tithing was a spiritual success secret?
Since Abraham is now our moral and spiritual champion, I guess we should all start imitating him,.. Like for example
We should marry our sisters.
We should sexually molest our maids.
Get them pregnant and then chase them away with the child.
We should also be ready and willing to sacrifice our children whenever the skydaddy whispers to us.
Yeah, if we are going to do as Abraham, why stop at the ambiguous and nebulous issue of tithe, let's do everything as Abraham would have done.

jdilight:


I take exception to the mockery your pulling of now. I knew it, the right light will expose your envy and hatred about the church of God. Do you think is everyone you can come here to deceive with your gullible posts. I study the word of God and listen to God for direction, am not blind.

I study the word of dog and listen to dog for direction.

plaetton:

Go and study your writeup?
You must be joking, right?
Big laugh.
In what way did Abraham teach you that tithing was a spiritual success secret?
Since Abraham is now our moral and spiritual champion, I guess we should all start imitating him,.. Like for example
We should marry our sisters.
We should sexually molest our maids.
Get them pregnant and then chase them away with the child.
We should also be ready and willing to sacrifice our children whenever the skydaddy whispers to us.
Yeah, if we are going to do as Abraham, why stop at the ambiguous and nebulous issue of tithe, let's do everything as Abraham would have done.

Your envy and hatred against the church of God cannot stop her. In prosperity we shall spread the gospel to all corners of the world in Jesus name. Amen.

jdilight:


It unfortunate that you lack knowledge, go study my write up https://www.nairaland.com/1970546/understanding-concept-tithing

If Abraham did not see tithing as a spiritual success secret, he wouldn't have shared it with his grand son Jacob who prayed on its basis in Genesis 28:22

And by the way, What again did Jesus come to die for again?

Please remind me , I have forgotten , in the midst of this tithe spiritual success thingy.

My dilemma now is whether accepting Jesus is less important than paying tithe for my spiritual success.
If Jesus died for my sins and I am saved and redeemed, then why would I need tithe spiritual success? Is that like a special rank in heaven?

Fraudsters would always invent and twist everything just to defraud.

jdilight:


Your envy and hatred against the church of God cannot stop her. In prosperity we shall spread the gospel to all corners of the world in Jesus name. Amen.

Yes, I am full of envy and hatred .
I hate fraud.
I hate lazy greedy bums who use religion to rob and exploit others.
I hate when semiliterate blokes publicly hawk st.up.I.duty.

plaetton:

And by the way, What again did Jesus come to die for again?

Please remind me , I have forgotten , in the midst of this tithe spiritual success thingy.

My dilemma now is whether accepting Jesus is less important than paying tithe for my spiritual success.
If Jesus died for my sins and I am saved and redeemed, then why would I need tithe spiritual success? Is that like a special rank in heaven?

Fraudsters would always invent and twist everything just to defraud.

Tithe is not for your spiritual success. If you have taken a little time to read my post on https://www.nairaland.com/1970546/understanding-concept-tithing you will not be thing tithe is a spiritual success secret.

Find time to read and stop following your opinion blindly.