Should You Tithe on Your Gross or Net Income?
Gross or net? What does the Bible really say about tithing, giving, and living generously?
Most Christians know that giving is important. It's a way to show gratitude to God for all He has blessed us with and to support the work of the church. However, one question that often arises is whether tithing should be based on gross or net income.
In this article, we're going to look at what the Bible has to say about giving and tithing. We'll look at both the Old Testament and the New Testament in order to get the full picture of what the Bible has to say about finances.
Here we go.
What Is A Tithe?
Before we can discuss tithing on net or gross income, we need to be clear about what a tithe is and where it's found in the Bible.
A tithe is a tenth of one's earnings or produce, which was given to God as an offering. This practice was commanded by God in the Old Testament to the people of Israel.
We see this command in a number of places, including Leviticus 27:30, which says, "Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord."
We see the Israelites obeying this command in 2 Chronicles 3:15, which says:
"When the word spread, the Israelites gave liberally of the best of the grain, new wine, fresh oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance, a tenth of everything."
It's important to note that tithing was meant to be an act of gratitude and worship by the Israelites. It was a way for them to acknowledge that all they had came from God and to trust in His provision. It was also a way for them to express their joy in all that God had given them.
So, yes, the tithe was a command in the Old Testament to the people of Israel. But behind the command was a heart issue: worship.
It was quite possible for a person to give a tithe to God and yet not have it be pleasing to God. In Genesis, we see Cain bring an offering to God that was not acceptable to Him because it wasn't given with the right heart. In Malachi, we see God rebuke the Israelites for bringing tainted offerings and withholding their tithes.
All of this to say, while tithing is a command in the Old Testament, it's ultimately an act of worship and gratitude towards God.
What Does The New Testament Say About Tithing?
The New Testament is surprisingly silent about the issue of tithing. In fact, the word "tithe" is only mentioned a few times in the New Testament.
One instance can be found in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for tithing on their spices but neglecting justice and love for God.
Another mention of tithing can be found in Hebrews 7 which talks about how Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek, the high priest of God. This passage is often used to support the idea of tithing as a timeless principle.
But beyond these few mentions, there is no clear directive or command from Jesus or any of the apostles regarding tithing.
However, the Bible is NOT silent when it comes to the subject of giving. In fact, the New Testament highlights a different approach to giving – one that is characterized by generosity, sacrificial love and cheerful giving.
The Principle of Generosity
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul writes:
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
This passage tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. He loves a person who gives joyfully, not begrudgingly or because someone told them they had to give. God loves a generous heart.
Why?
Because that's how God is. God is generous to everyone. He gives without expecting anything in return. So when we give with a generous heart, we are reflecting the very nature of God.
Notice that this passage doesn't say anything about a specific amount that has to be given. Rather, it speaks to the heart behind the giving, emphasizing that God wants joyful givers.
The Principle Of Sacrificial Giving
In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus observes a poor widow who puts two small copper coins into the temple treasury. He then turns to His disciples and says:
"Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Jesus emphasizes that it's not about the amount we give, but rather the heart behind it. This widow gave sacrificially – even though she had very little, she still chose to give everything she had. Her giving really cost her something. And Jesus commended her for it.
This principle is also seen in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 where Paul describes the Macedonian churches. Despite their own poverty, they gave generously to support the church in Jerusalem. They gave out of their own need and not just out of their abundance. This sacrificial giving is pleasing to God.
Notice again, that there is no mention of any specific amount that must be given. The principle, however, is that giving should cost us something. We should feel it. The poor widow and the Macedonians certainly felt the effects of their giving. They may have had to go without certain things because they didn't have enough money to afford them after they gave to the church in Jerusalem.
In other words, God cares more about the heart behind our giving than the amount we give.
The Blessings of Generosity
The New Testament also speaks extensively about the benefits of cheerful giving. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul writes:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
When we give cheerfully and generously, we can expect to receive blessings from God. These blessings may not always be financial or material. God is able to bless us in a thousand different ways. But the promise is that God will bless us when we give generously.
We also see this principle in the teachings of Jesus. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
When we give generously and sacrificially, God promises to bless us abundantly in return. And this blessing is not just for our own benefit - it allows us to continue giving generously and impacting others for the kingdom of God.
Should You Tithe On Net Or Gross Income?
Now we come to the question at hand: should you tithe on your net or gross income?
Hopefully, the answer is clear to you by now. But if it's not, let's spell it out very clearly: The Bible doesn't tell us whether to tithe off net or gross. How much you give is a matter of the heart.
It's about your relationship with God and your willingness to give back to Him out of gratitude for all that He has given you. If you want to tithe off your gross income, go ahead. If you prefer to tithe off your net income, that's fine too. The important thing is that you are giving cheerfully and generously from a grateful heart.
God doesn't hold us accountable for giving a specific amount to Him. After all, it's not like He needs the money. He owns everything. He does hold us accountable regarding how we give to Him.
The Importance of Giving Regularly
In addition to the amount we give, consistency in our giving is also important. God desires us to give regularly and consistently, not just when it's convenient or when we have extra money.
In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul says, "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." This verse shows us the importance of giving regularly and planning for our giving.
When we give consistently and sacrificially, God sees our faithfulness and obedience, and He promises to bless us in return.
Giving regularly also demonstrates our trust in God as our provider. By consistently giving a portion of our income back to Him, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and that He will continue to provide for our needs.
Final Thoughts
The act of giving isn't just about the amount or percentage we give. It's also about our attitude and consistency in giving. We should always remember that we are giving to God out of gratitude for all that He has blessed us with, and trust in His promise to bless us in return.
So whether we choose to tithe off our net or gross income, what matters most is a cheerful and generous heart towards God. Let us continue to honor Him with our giving and experience His faithfulness and blessings in our lives.
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Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.
With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it’s no wonder why over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church.
Most Christians know that giving is important. It's a way to show gratitude to God for all He has blessed us with and to support the work of the church. However, one question that often arises is whether tithing should be based on gross or net income.
In this article, we're going to look at what the Bible has to say about giving and tithing. We'll look at both the Old Testament and the New Testament in order to get the full picture of what the Bible has to say about finances.
Here we go.
What Is A Tithe?
Before we can discuss tithing on net or gross income, we need to be clear about what a tithe is and where it's found in the Bible.
A tithe is a tenth of one's earnings or produce, which was given to God as an offering. This practice was commanded by God in the Old Testament to the people of Israel.
We see this command in a number of places, including Leviticus 27:30, which says, "Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord."
We see the Israelites obeying this command in 2 Chronicles 3:15, which says:
"When the word spread, the Israelites gave liberally of the best of the grain, new wine, fresh oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance, a tenth of everything."
It's important to note that tithing was meant to be an act of gratitude and worship by the Israelites. It was a way for them to acknowledge that all they had came from God and to trust in His provision. It was also a way for them to express their joy in all that God had given them.
So, yes, the tithe was a command in the Old Testament to the people of Israel. But behind the command was a heart issue: worship.
It was quite possible for a person to give a tithe to God and yet not have it be pleasing to God. In Genesis, we see Cain bring an offering to God that was not acceptable to Him because it wasn't given with the right heart. In Malachi, we see God rebuke the Israelites for bringing tainted offerings and withholding their tithes.
All of this to say, while tithing is a command in the Old Testament, it's ultimately an act of worship and gratitude towards God.
What Does The New Testament Say About Tithing?
The New Testament is surprisingly silent about the issue of tithing. In fact, the word "tithe" is only mentioned a few times in the New Testament.
One instance can be found in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for tithing on their spices but neglecting justice and love for God.
Another mention of tithing can be found in Hebrews 7 which talks about how Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek, the high priest of God. This passage is often used to support the idea of tithing as a timeless principle.
But beyond these few mentions, there is no clear directive or command from Jesus or any of the apostles regarding tithing.
However, the Bible is NOT silent when it comes to the subject of giving. In fact, the New Testament highlights a different approach to giving – one that is characterized by generosity, sacrificial love and cheerful giving.
The Principle of Generosity
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul writes:
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
This passage tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. He loves a person who gives joyfully, not begrudgingly or because someone told them they had to give. God loves a generous heart.
Why?
Because that's how God is. God is generous to everyone. He gives without expecting anything in return. So when we give with a generous heart, we are reflecting the very nature of God.
Notice that this passage doesn't say anything about a specific amount that has to be given. Rather, it speaks to the heart behind the giving, emphasizing that God wants joyful givers.
The Principle Of Sacrificial Giving
In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus observes a poor widow who puts two small copper coins into the temple treasury. He then turns to His disciples and says:
"Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Jesus emphasizes that it's not about the amount we give, but rather the heart behind it. This widow gave sacrificially – even though she had very little, she still chose to give everything she had. Her giving really cost her something. And Jesus commended her for it.
This principle is also seen in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 where Paul describes the Macedonian churches. Despite their own poverty, they gave generously to support the church in Jerusalem. They gave out of their own need and not just out of their abundance. This sacrificial giving is pleasing to God.
Notice again, that there is no mention of any specific amount that must be given. The principle, however, is that giving should cost us something. We should feel it. The poor widow and the Macedonians certainly felt the effects of their giving. They may have had to go without certain things because they didn't have enough money to afford them after they gave to the church in Jerusalem.
In other words, God cares more about the heart behind our giving than the amount we give.
The Blessings of Generosity
The New Testament also speaks extensively about the benefits of cheerful giving. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul writes:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
When we give cheerfully and generously, we can expect to receive blessings from God. These blessings may not always be financial or material. God is able to bless us in a thousand different ways. But the promise is that God will bless us when we give generously.
We also see this principle in the teachings of Jesus. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
When we give generously and sacrificially, God promises to bless us abundantly in return. And this blessing is not just for our own benefit - it allows us to continue giving generously and impacting others for the kingdom of God.
Should You Tithe On Net Or Gross Income?
Now we come to the question at hand: should you tithe on your net or gross income?
Hopefully, the answer is clear to you by now. But if it's not, let's spell it out very clearly: The Bible doesn't tell us whether to tithe off net or gross. How much you give is a matter of the heart.
It's about your relationship with God and your willingness to give back to Him out of gratitude for all that He has given you. If you want to tithe off your gross income, go ahead. If you prefer to tithe off your net income, that's fine too. The important thing is that you are giving cheerfully and generously from a grateful heart.
God doesn't hold us accountable for giving a specific amount to Him. After all, it's not like He needs the money. He owns everything. He does hold us accountable regarding how we give to Him.
The Importance of Giving Regularly
In addition to the amount we give, consistency in our giving is also important. God desires us to give regularly and consistently, not just when it's convenient or when we have extra money.
In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul says, "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." This verse shows us the importance of giving regularly and planning for our giving.
When we give consistently and sacrificially, God sees our faithfulness and obedience, and He promises to bless us in return.
Giving regularly also demonstrates our trust in God as our provider. By consistently giving a portion of our income back to Him, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and that He will continue to provide for our needs.
Final Thoughts
The act of giving isn't just about the amount or percentage we give. It's also about our attitude and consistency in giving. We should always remember that we are giving to God out of gratitude for all that He has blessed us with, and trust in His promise to bless us in return.
So whether we choose to tithe off our net or gross income, what matters most is a cheerful and generous heart towards God. Let us continue to honor Him with our giving and experience His faithfulness and blessings in our lives.
podcast transcript
Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.
With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it’s no wonder why over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church.
Most Christians know that giving is important. It's a way to show gratitude to God for all He has blessed us with and to support the work of the church. However, one question that often arises is whether tithing should be based on gross or net income.
In this article, we're going to look at what the Bible has to say about giving and tithing. We'll look at both the Old Testament and the New Testament in order to get the full picture of what the Bible has to say about finances.
Here we go.
What Is A Tithe?
Before we can discuss tithing on net or gross income, we need to be clear about what a tithe is and where it's found in the Bible.
A tithe is a tenth of one's earnings or produce, which was given to God as an offering. This practice was commanded by God in the Old Testament to the people of Israel.
We see this command in a number of places, including Leviticus 27:30, which says, "Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord."
We see the Israelites obeying this command in 2 Chronicles 3:15, which says:
"When the word spread, the Israelites gave liberally of the best of the grain, new wine, fresh oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance, a tenth of everything."
It's important to note that tithing was meant to be an act of gratitude and worship by the Israelites. It was a way for them to acknowledge that all they had came from God and to trust in His provision. It was also a way for them to express their joy in all that God had given them.
So, yes, the tithe was a command in the Old Testament to the people of Israel. But behind the command was a heart issue: worship.
It was quite possible for a person to give a tithe to God and yet not have it be pleasing to God. In Genesis, we see Cain bring an offering to God that was not acceptable to Him because it wasn't given with the right heart. In Malachi, we see God rebuke the Israelites for bringing tainted offerings and withholding their tithes.
All of this to say, while tithing is a command in the Old Testament, it's ultimately an act of worship and gratitude towards God.
What Does The New Testament Say About Tithing?
The New Testament is surprisingly silent about the issue of tithing. In fact, the word "tithe" is only mentioned a few times in the New Testament.
One instance can be found in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for tithing on their spices but neglecting justice and love for God.
Another mention of tithing can be found in Hebrews 7 which talks about how Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek, the high priest of God. This passage is often used to support the idea of tithing as a timeless principle.
But beyond these few mentions, there is no clear directive or command from Jesus or any of the apostles regarding tithing.
However, the Bible is NOT silent when it comes to the subject of giving. In fact, the New Testament highlights a different approach to giving – one that is characterized by generosity, sacrificial love and cheerful giving.
The Principle of Generosity
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul writes:
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
This passage tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. He loves a person who gives joyfully, not begrudgingly or because someone told them they had to give. God loves a generous heart.
Why?
Because that's how God is. God is generous to everyone. He gives without expecting anything in return. So when we give with a generous heart, we are reflecting the very nature of God.
Notice that this passage doesn't say anything about a specific amount that has to be given. Rather, it speaks to the heart behind the giving, emphasizing that God wants joyful givers.
The Principle Of Sacrificial Giving
In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus observes a poor widow who puts two small copper coins into the temple treasury. He then turns to His disciples and says:
"Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Jesus emphasizes that it's not about the amount we give, but rather the heart behind it. This widow gave sacrificially – even though she had very little, she still chose to give everything she had. Her giving really cost her something. And Jesus commended her for it.
This principle is also seen in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 where Paul describes the Macedonian churches. Despite their own poverty, they gave generously to support the church in Jerusalem. They gave out of their own need and not just out of their abundance. This sacrificial giving is pleasing to God.
Notice again, that there is no mention of any specific amount that must be given. The principle, however, is that giving should cost us something. We should feel it. The poor widow and the Macedonians certainly felt the effects of their giving. They may have had to go without certain things because they didn't have enough money to afford them after they gave to the church in Jerusalem.
In other words, God cares more about the heart behind our giving than the amount we give.
The Blessings of Generosity
The New Testament also speaks extensively about the benefits of cheerful giving. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul writes:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
When we give cheerfully and generously, we can expect to receive blessings from God. These blessings may not always be financial or material. God is able to bless us in a thousand different ways. But the promise is that God will bless us when we give generously.
We also see this principle in the teachings of Jesus. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
When we give generously and sacrificially, God promises to bless us abundantly in return. And this blessing is not just for our own benefit - it allows us to continue giving generously and impacting others for the kingdom of God.
Should You Tithe On Net Or Gross Income?
Now we come to the question at hand: should you tithe on your net or gross income?
Hopefully, the answer is clear to you by now. But if it's not, let's spell it out very clearly: The Bible doesn't tell us whether to tithe off net or gross. How much you give is a matter of the heart.
It's about your relationship with God and your willingness to give back to Him out of gratitude for all that He has given you. If you want to tithe off your gross income, go ahead. If you prefer to tithe off your net income, that's fine too. The important thing is that you are giving cheerfully and generously from a grateful heart.
God doesn't hold us accountable for giving a specific amount to Him. After all, it's not like He needs the money. He owns everything. He does hold us accountable regarding how we give to Him.
The Importance of Giving Regularly
In addition to the amount we give, consistency in our giving is also important. God desires us to give regularly and consistently, not just when it's convenient or when we have extra money.
In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul says, "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." This verse shows us the importance of giving regularly and planning for our giving.
When we give consistently and sacrificially, God sees our faithfulness and obedience, and He promises to bless us in return.
Giving regularly also demonstrates our trust in God as our provider. By consistently giving a portion of our income back to Him, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and that He will continue to provide for our needs.
Final Thoughts
The act of giving isn't just about the amount or percentage we give. It's also about our attitude and consistency in giving. We should always remember that we are giving to God out of gratitude for all that He has blessed us with, and trust in His promise to bless us in return.
So whether we choose to tithe off our net or gross income, what matters most is a cheerful and generous heart towards God. Let us continue to honor Him with our giving and experience His faithfulness and blessings in our lives.
VIDEO transcript
Most Christians know that giving is important. It's a way to show gratitude to God for all He has blessed us with and to support the work of the church. However, one question that often arises is whether tithing should be based on gross or net income.
In this article, we're going to look at what the Bible has to say about giving and tithing. We'll look at both the Old Testament and the New Testament in order to get the full picture of what the Bible has to say about finances.
Here we go.
What Is A Tithe?
Before we can discuss tithing on net or gross income, we need to be clear about what a tithe is and where it's found in the Bible.
A tithe is a tenth of one's earnings or produce, which was given to God as an offering. This practice was commanded by God in the Old Testament to the people of Israel.
We see this command in a number of places, including Leviticus 27:30, which says, "Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord."
We see the Israelites obeying this command in 2 Chronicles 3:15, which says:
"When the word spread, the Israelites gave liberally of the best of the grain, new wine, fresh oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance, a tenth of everything."
It's important to note that tithing was meant to be an act of gratitude and worship by the Israelites. It was a way for them to acknowledge that all they had came from God and to trust in His provision. It was also a way for them to express their joy in all that God had given them.
So, yes, the tithe was a command in the Old Testament to the people of Israel. But behind the command was a heart issue: worship.
It was quite possible for a person to give a tithe to God and yet not have it be pleasing to God. In Genesis, we see Cain bring an offering to God that was not acceptable to Him because it wasn't given with the right heart. In Malachi, we see God rebuke the Israelites for bringing tainted offerings and withholding their tithes.
All of this to say, while tithing is a command in the Old Testament, it's ultimately an act of worship and gratitude towards God.
What Does The New Testament Say About Tithing?
The New Testament is surprisingly silent about the issue of tithing. In fact, the word "tithe" is only mentioned a few times in the New Testament.
One instance can be found in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for tithing on their spices but neglecting justice and love for God.
Another mention of tithing can be found in Hebrews 7 which talks about how Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek, the high priest of God. This passage is often used to support the idea of tithing as a timeless principle.
But beyond these few mentions, there is no clear directive or command from Jesus or any of the apostles regarding tithing.
However, the Bible is NOT silent when it comes to the subject of giving. In fact, the New Testament highlights a different approach to giving – one that is characterized by generosity, sacrificial love and cheerful giving.
The Principle of Generosity
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul writes:
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
This passage tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. He loves a person who gives joyfully, not begrudgingly or because someone told them they had to give. God loves a generous heart.
Why?
Because that's how God is. God is generous to everyone. He gives without expecting anything in return. So when we give with a generous heart, we are reflecting the very nature of God.
Notice that this passage doesn't say anything about a specific amount that has to be given. Rather, it speaks to the heart behind the giving, emphasizing that God wants joyful givers.
The Principle Of Sacrificial Giving
In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus observes a poor widow who puts two small copper coins into the temple treasury. He then turns to His disciples and says:
"Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Jesus emphasizes that it's not about the amount we give, but rather the heart behind it. This widow gave sacrificially – even though she had very little, she still chose to give everything she had. Her giving really cost her something. And Jesus commended her for it.
This principle is also seen in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 where Paul describes the Macedonian churches. Despite their own poverty, they gave generously to support the church in Jerusalem. They gave out of their own need and not just out of their abundance. This sacrificial giving is pleasing to God.
Notice again, that there is no mention of any specific amount that must be given. The principle, however, is that giving should cost us something. We should feel it. The poor widow and the Macedonians certainly felt the effects of their giving. They may have had to go without certain things because they didn't have enough money to afford them after they gave to the church in Jerusalem.
In other words, God cares more about the heart behind our giving than the amount we give.
The Blessings of Generosity
The New Testament also speaks extensively about the benefits of cheerful giving. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul writes:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
When we give cheerfully and generously, we can expect to receive blessings from God. These blessings may not always be financial or material. God is able to bless us in a thousand different ways. But the promise is that God will bless us when we give generously.
We also see this principle in the teachings of Jesus. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
When we give generously and sacrificially, God promises to bless us abundantly in return. And this blessing is not just for our own benefit - it allows us to continue giving generously and impacting others for the kingdom of God.
Should You Tithe On Net Or Gross Income?
Now we come to the question at hand: should you tithe on your net or gross income?
Hopefully, the answer is clear to you by now. But if it's not, let's spell it out very clearly: The Bible doesn't tell us whether to tithe off net or gross. How much you give is a matter of the heart.
It's about your relationship with God and your willingness to give back to Him out of gratitude for all that He has given you. If you want to tithe off your gross income, go ahead. If you prefer to tithe off your net income, that's fine too. The important thing is that you are giving cheerfully and generously from a grateful heart.
God doesn't hold us accountable for giving a specific amount to Him. After all, it's not like He needs the money. He owns everything. He does hold us accountable regarding how we give to Him.
The Importance of Giving Regularly
In addition to the amount we give, consistency in our giving is also important. God desires us to give regularly and consistently, not just when it's convenient or when we have extra money.
In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul says, "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." This verse shows us the importance of giving regularly and planning for our giving.
When we give consistently and sacrificially, God sees our faithfulness and obedience, and He promises to bless us in return.
Giving regularly also demonstrates our trust in God as our provider. By consistently giving a portion of our income back to Him, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and that He will continue to provide for our needs.
Final Thoughts
The act of giving isn't just about the amount or percentage we give. It's also about our attitude and consistency in giving. We should always remember that we are giving to God out of gratitude for all that He has blessed us with, and trust in His promise to bless us in return.
So whether we choose to tithe off our net or gross income, what matters most is a cheerful and generous heart towards God. Let us continue to honor Him with our giving and experience His faithfulness and blessings in our lives.
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