Chris MaddoxMPIHardwick FlooringRay Marler For Henry CountyDothan PCDustin FowlerGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryE&J Clean Up LLCDothan Tree ExpertsCannabisDothan LivestockDMGGoldin MetalsFlowers HospitalSolomon ChevCannabisLast Call SpiritsGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryKennedy HireLast Call SpiritsFarm Stores DothanKennedy Land & TimberCherry & Irwin Personal Injury AttorneysDothan Tree ExpertsCannabisGreg FaulkTri State Parking LotDothan Tree ExpertsThe PlantCannabisMarler Probate Judge




A Little Bible Q & A For Your Day


Viewed: 2792

Posted by: Eddie Ingram
Date: Apr 15 2016 10:43 AM

Hey Everybody.

Hope your week has been a good one.  Here is a little Q & A for your day.  Have a great weekend!

The Question:

Dear Brother:  Would you please explain what God expects about my contribution, how much I should give each week?  And should I give based on my gross wages or net pay?


The Answer:


I know many will point to the "tithe" of the Law of Moses, and argue that God expects us to give 10% of our income.  But I believe that sorely misses the point.  First, the tithe which Israel "gave" was not a gift, it was a tax.  It was not used for evangelism nor benevolence, but only to support the tribe of Levi.  Israel, under the Old Law, gave a great deal (up to twenty percent), in addition to the tithe.  But we live under the New Testament today.  The truth is, the Lord does not designate a percentage we are to give today.  No one, based on the Scriptures, can tell you how much you should give.  But there are many Scriptures that should help us to decide how much.


Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:19,33).  Our emphasis must be on spiritual things, not the material things of this life (see also Col. 3:1-4).  That should always be our first consideration when we decide what to give.  The apostle Paul wrote, "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper” (1 Cor. 16:2).  Note that each one is to give “as he may prosper.”  That means that the more you prosper, the more you give.


The Scriptures also state, "Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7).  We are to give cheerfully, not grudgingly, recognizing that God has first given it to us.  Also, each must "purpose in his heart" what to give; that means no one can decide for you.  Each must decide for himself how much to give.  In other words, it is not up to me to tell you how much to give.  You must decide that for yourself.


I cannot answer the question about "net pay" or "gross wages."  That depends entirely on how the books are kept, and it varies greatly.  For instance, the "net pay" means to some what the "take home" pay is - after all tax deductions, retirement, insurance, union dues, etc., etc.  On the other hand, the gross pay is before any of those things are taken out - and we have to pay taxes, and maybe one or two of the other things.


Just remember to put the Lord first in your life, and then it will become easy to put Him first in your budget.  And I am convinced that is the secret. Make out a budget, on paper or just in your mind, and put the Lord first in that budget - before retirement, before house payment or car payment or anything else.  You will find if you put these "essentials" ahead of the Lord in your budget, you won't have much (if any) to give to Him.  Put Him first in everything in your life, and that includes giving.


I hope this helps.


Mitch Robison


Enon Church of Christ


1366 Enon Road


Webb, AL 36376


[email protected]




Family First Funeral Home

<- back



Greg FaulkDothan Tree ExpertsCherry & Irwin Personal Injury AttorneysChris MaddoxMarler for Probate JudgeKennedy HireGoldin MetalsGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryWiregrass ElectricGoldin MetalsRay Marler For Henry CountyHarley DavidsonDothan Tree ExpertsLast Call SpiritsGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryNantze SideDothan Pest ControlFarm Stores DothanDothan Tree ExpertsFerhguson WreckerCannabisSolomon ChevFun ZoneDMGTri State Parking Lot