Tithe

What is tithe?

Tithe is 10% of your income, or increase.  Wikipdia defines tithe as - one tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to a government.  Any amount other than 10% is not tithe, it is offering.

Why do we pay tithe?

In the Old Testament God required His people to bring the tithe, the first 10% of their increase to the temple for the priests and their families.  Since the priests were required to work at and care for the temple, they did not farm, so they did not produce their own food, so the people brought 10% of their produce and livestock to provide for the priests and their families.

In the New Testament Jesus explains that even though you pay tithe, you are still expected to give love and justice.  Tithe does not purchase salvation. See Luke 11:42 Today, most of us do not farm, grow our own food or have livestock.  We measure our increase by dollars.  So, for every dollar we make, we give 10 cents to the church.  For every hundred dollars we give ten dollars.  That is 10%. We are promised that if we pay our tithe, God will bless us financially.  See Luke 6:38

Just like in bible times, this tithe goes to the support of the pastor of the church and his family.  Most pastors do not have a full time job outside of the church, but they still have to buy food, clothes, housing, a car, etc.  That is why we pay tithe, so our pastor can dedicate his time and his talents to the Lord's business, and be available to minister to those who need him.  Another way of looking at it, is this:  The pastor provides a service.  Why should we not pay for that service just like we pay for any other service?

Summary

You may decide that you don't want to pay tithe, maybe you decide you just want to give $5 offering every week.  That offering is appreciated, but the offering goes to the church, not to the pastor.  Your $5 offering might be used to help pay for toilet paper in the church restroom or another needed expense, and this is good, but it is not tithing.  We are supposed to pay tithe, and then give an offering as well. They are two different funds.  You can't pay your electric bill and then wonder why your water got turned off.  It is the same concept.  You can't give an offering and then wonder why the pastor don't have money to feed his family.