Christian Investors - How do you tithe?

[Kyler Cook]

Hey Friends,

As a Christian I am curious how other believers go about tithing on their income. I believe the Bible gives clear direction that we are to tithe on a tenth of our gross income. However, I’m confused about how it relates to small business income. Gross profits before expenses work differently inside of a real estate portfolio (including appreciation) and I’m wondering how you go about honoring God with your increase? Thanks!

[Dave Foster]

@Kyler Cook Most AWESOME thread I've seen on BP - ever!!!  Many different ways to interpret things from a scriptural lens.  Here's my 2 cents on how God has called me to live.

1. Tithing and charitable giving have been hijacked by the government and the church.  Giving for a tax write off is giving to receive and that's not offering first fruits.  In the same way, so many churches want to guilt you into giving directly to their institution (mostly because they have initiatives they feel are important).  Nothing inherently wrong with that but the Tithe is God's not the church's.  There's a distinction.

2. Part of that distinction is that we're called more often than any other call to give to widows and orphans, the disadvantaged and those in real need.  This can be a great departure from the tithe to pay for gyms, lobbyists or stained glass windows.  

3. It seems like a better question isn't how much do I need to tithe but how little can  I keep? 

4. There's no right or wrong in budgeting  or giving.  The right or wrong is in your attitude and agenda.

In the boom years leading up to 08 our income was very unpredictable but pretty lucrative. We had a hard time budgeting our giving (welcome to REI). So we tithed what we knew was coming every month as a fixed base. Then we committed to bank 10% of everything else (a tithe above a tithe I guess) and pray separately for places to give. It was so fun!! We bought cars for single moms, dug wells for orphanages, bought gifts for AIDS camps in Jamaica and in early 2008 we were both told to give it all for 6 months to a couple we had known for a long time who had suffered some catastrophic setbacks. but as the end of 6 months came neither my wife or I could figure out where we were going to give next. The family go the last check and that was also the last time we ever had any tithe above a tithe. The market crashed we lost several zeros But what a fun ride trying to out give God.

Look for the opportunities to give and where He wants you to give.  The rest is all noise level.