By Ezekiel Kimosop
There are two principal interpretations adopted by churches regarding the determination of tithing from income. Let me state at the outset that giving under the covenant of grace is a matter of personal conviction.
TITHE FROM GROSS INCOME
The first view holds that believers should tithe from their gross income or salary or earnings no matter how many deductions are made on the income by way of taxes and loans, statutory payments or expenses.
This is the conservative approach which is also applied to farm produce or animals. Those who subscribe to this view claim that no matter how much one spent in tilling their crop, or rearing their animals, one in every ten animals or bags of produce must be presented to God as a tithe.
Some Christian traditions consider this approach to be too punitive, unfair and legalistic.
The Bible speaks of the increase of the herd, suggesting that we should probably consider the actual increase or growth in computing earnings or income. For instance, one spends about Kshs 20,000 per acre in tilling maize. Should we overlook these expenses when determining the income during the harvest?
TITHE FROM NET INCOME
The second approach which is popular with liberal churches is to derive the tithe from the net income exclusive of all deductions such as income tax, statutory deductions and loan repayments.
The idea here is that one cannot tithe from what they have "not received" and should not be compelled to borrow for tithe.
This approach is rejected by conservative traditions who consider it as liberal and unbiblical because it ignores the moral obligation to give God what truly belongs to Him.
My concluding view is that believers should tithe "from the heart" and not by mechanical compulsion or coercion.
Whichever method is consistent with one's prudence is fine. The most important thing is to give God with a cheerful heart, knowing that whatever we do for him is never in vain for we shall receive blessings (Malachi 3:10-12; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
The believer should be faithful to God to give with consistency and love knowing that all things primarily belong to Him (Psalm 50:10-11) and that God attaches special blessings to those who faithfully and lovingly give.
Remember that the silver and the gold are the LORD'S (Haggai 2:8). We are merely stewards of God's resources at our disposal!
SHOULD WE TITHE FROM LOANS AND DONATIONS?
There is considerable debate concerning whether or not believers should tithe from loan income. one forum member once raised this question but I have not been successful in tracing my response to him.
Some church ministers insist that believers should tithe from practically anything they receive such that some believers are careful to tithe anything ranging from Sacco and bank loans to gifts and donations!
My considered view is that there is no moral justification for tithing from a loan or donations given for a specific need. The loan is a debt rather than a true income and since the believer regularly repays the loan from their disposable income which is already subject to tithe, it is unfair to insist on tithing from loans.
I believe that the demand for tithes from loans and donations is motivated by either ignorance or greed. However those who have the conviction to tithe from loans and donations are at liberty to do so.
Investment income or interest from loan investments, net of repayments debts, should however be subject to the tithe since they constitute legitimate earnings.
Again every believer should have their personal convictions on giving to God and should not be compelled into paying tithes or even making any church contributions against their wish.
Some believers claim that tithing is no longer applicable to the church. I have responded to this claim.
We should all lovingly give to God from an attitude of worship and gratitude. We should not be motivated by mechanical compliance or personal show or acclaim but by our love for Him who died for us.
Shalom
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2019
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