I read the website Need To Be Debt Free, and think they are working really hard in pursuit of getting out of debt. They made over $10k net last month in income by working 2 jobs and overtime at their primary jobs. They worked something like 12-16 hours a day. I don’t know if I could make that sacrifice to get out of debt by losing time spent with my family, but I do understand.
Anyway though, they mention a lot about tithing. Any extra money they make they tithe, or give 10%. I think it’s fine, but I have suggested that they donate their time in exchange of money so they can get out debt faster and thus spend more time at the church and with family. I suggested that they divide the amount of money they feel they owe by their hourly rate and help the church by making flyer, stuffing envelopes, cleaning, cutting grass, basically anything.
Sure we donate money to charities monthly. But personally I don’t find it very satisfying. The bigger satisfaction comes from actually going to the food bank and physically helping out. Or going to the woman’s shelter and donating goods and helping them organize the goods. Those feel so much better.
Our roommate is a devout muslim and faithfully donates Zagat (muslim tithe and it’s 12.5%). Anyway he also teaches Sunday School and helps out with prayers. The Zagat is a starting place, but he gives more time because he feels it’s important.
Thus I do understand being loyal and having to give God 10%, but is tithing just because you have to? If it’s not just because you have to, then why aren’t you going out and helping the church above and beyond the money? Why aren’t you donating more time?
4 responses so far ↓
1 MEG // Oct 11, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Tithing can take several forms. Some people give to charitable organizations that have little or no religious affiliation and refer to it as “tithing.” That’s fine, and it’s very important. Others give their time, and goodness knows that’s key as well.
But tithing as it’s traditionally thought of is money given directly to a church or religious organiztion. And it’s extremelly important, even if it isn’t as fun or fulfilling as giving to a hungry child directly, or spending time with the homeless, or sponsoring a teenager to go on a mission trip.
To me it’s important to give monetarily to your church–maybe not 10%, but at least as much as you receive in return. When i go to church I get free food and drinks, Bibles, literature, teaching, engaging discussions, and even entertainment. There are parties, picnics, and concerts. I am taught by people with very expensive educations (masters, PH.d’s etc) who must be paid. It costs money to keep the lights on, run the plumbing, etc. All of this is funded by tithes and tithes alone.
2 Living Almost Large // Oct 11, 2007 at 8:25 pm
I fully know what tithing is. However, I suggest instead of tithing time donation of equal value so that people in debt can get out of debt faster.
Zagat is the same thing. And so I question if you already tithe, do you do more than tithe as well?
3 Fabulously Broke in the City // Oct 13, 2007 at 1:37 am
I totally see what you mean…
I once volunteered for Goodwill for a number of summers, and I kept going back because they said: We don’t need any more clothes, donations or money. What we need is PEOPLE, and their TIME to go through and sort all of this stuff, tag it, and throw it on the racks…!!!
Same sort of idea I suppose.
4 Kim // Jun 27, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I see the validity of your argument. It would be more practical to offer donations of time rather than money, especially if one is finacially strapped.
I think that the topic of tithing is more a spiritual question rather than a question of practicality, and, unfortunately, spirituality and practicality don’t always mesh.
Those who donate tithing believe that the law of tithing was set in place as a sacrifice, not a means to “pay back” the church for amenities used. God issued a commandment to give of our abundance, something that is difficult to do, especially if you need the money, and especially if you work hard for what you earn.
As a tithe-payer, I know there are many times when I’ve felt a struggle to pay tithing and meet all my other finacial needs. I offer service to my church, but I feel that is an entirely separate law to fulfill, namely, the law of service.
Basically, the point of tithing is that it’s supposed to be hard to do. If it wasn’t hard, the point of it all would be moot.
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