After a long conversation with a co-worker about different churches and their appeals to their congregations for tithes, we came up with a question that neither of us had the answer to:

Is time spent doing good works in the name of God the same as giving money (tithing) to the church?

Talking points:
- The government values each volunteer hour $18.05.
- Are money and time interchangeable? For example, if I made $100,000 per year and volunteered 554 hours (554 * $18.04 = $10,000) that year; would my 10% tithe commitment be fulfilled?
- What is the point of your tithe? Is it to further the spread of the word of God? If you do that on your own, how much is enough?
- Would a church be better off if each member volunteered 50% of their tithe and gave money for the other 50%?
- My time is not at a premium. It is easier for me to volunteer 5 hours on a Saturday than cut a check for $90.25 to the church. If time an money are interchangeable and the time spent "hurts" less, is it less? What about those with less time?
- I gain greater joy building a house for a Christian organization like Habitat for Humanity than I do cutting a check to the same charity. Which should I do?
- If the time -> money conversion doesn't apply to tithing, and everyone has 8,760 hours a year, is volunteering 10% of that time (876 hrs.) a sufficient tithe?

Discuss. Scriptual references are a plus.

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

I hope than in your 876 hours of donation you figure in 1/3 of that would be donated sleeping.

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Is time spent doing good works in the name of God the same as giving money (tithing) to the church?

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No.

Also, tithing is not the same thing as giving money. Go read the OT to define tithing. You will not find it with regard to the NT church and believer.

Give what is on your heart to give.

Malachi 3:8: Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, `How are we robbing thee?' In your tithes and offerings.

9: You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me; the whole nation of you.

10: Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.

Regarding money, I think at some point you have to decide do you or don't you want God involved in your finances. If the answer is "yes" then open up that clutched fist and seek His will for you in regard to how you practice stewardship over the money He has made it possible for you earn.

You can make the same argument regarding "your" time and talents.

Just as texasag73 has cited in Malachi, God says for us to test Him on this. It is hard to think about this with my earthly mind...to think how I can make it through this life as a single Father on just 90% with child support for two kids, buying things for the kiddos, savings and 401k, benefits, insurance etc.

But then I step back and hand it over to God...tell Him I know and believe its His to begin with and ask Him to lead me in being a good steward with all He's provided me...it then becomes easy. Its easy when I trust God and believe that He will provide for my family and me. It becomes fun because I am testing God just has He said to do in Malachi. I look forward to being able to give God what is His to begin with!

I believe the saying goes something like, "I'd rather live on 90% WITH God's blessing than 100% without it."

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But then I step back and hand it over to God

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No you don't.

You hand it over to a religious organization.

Big, big difference

Personally (not necessarily Biblically), I prefer giving my time over giving money to American churches. I'd say a hefty percentage goes into keeping the Sunday dog-and-pony show alive. To me, that is not a sound investment.

So in your wisdom you've dealt God out of your finances. And you're using the dog-and-pony-show characterization as your rationale.

I'm not taking you to task on this - what you do with your money means nothing to me. I'm just pointing out something that probably needs to be said.

Keeping in theme with this thread's original question, why does God need your money? Or does He? Who benefits from a Godly approach to financial stewardship?

Don't get me wrong, I still give direclty to missionaries. If I do give to an American Church (which is rarely), I make sure to earmark it for a specific purpose.

A friend of mine who just reads this board and comments every now and then had this to say about the topic:

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(As for tithing time,) I don't think you can find any scriptural basis for it, especially when you try to equate time with money. But it does make sense in a stewardship context. Just as we are given material possessions, we are also given a limited amount of time. We can use that time for our own benefit, or we can use it for God's benefit. If Jesus is our perfect example, then we ought to be giving 100% of our possessions, and 100% of our time, to hasten the onset of the Kingdom of God on Earth.

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"Gifts" can be interpreted in a number of ways. All that I have can be called a "gift from God," so giving that back, in whatever percentage, can be considered "gifts." I also have talents that are "gifts" and I can use those talents to do work in God's name, therefore giving my gifts to God.

Either way, I feel that the spirit of the Word is to give your gifts until it feels good and the joy you recieve is a God sent response to doing the right thing.

If the greatest commandment is to love, then do or give in a manner that reflects the greatest love, which is to God.

I hope that makes sense.



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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

NO! The church needs your money.

Who benefits from a Godly approach to financial stewardship?

http://stjude.org/

One of the most worthy charities on the planet. Sick kids with deadly cancer get free treatment. If you don't want to send your money to your church, I highly recommend this one. They will even do a painless monthly charge on your credit card in whatever amount you choose...

Stubb has it correct. If you are looking for a "legalistic" view of tithing, then I'm sure you will find it here. It is not about that, though. It is about your heart and its motivations. By asking this question, it sounds like your heart may not be in the right place. I could very well be wrong on that...I am just going by what I read. It does not sound like you are willing to give God your any of your money or TRUST in Him to make sure your financial situation will work out. God can do His work regardless or your time or money, but He desires your heart's True motivation. Also, check out what the OT has to say about "firstfruits" in Exodus 23, Exodus 34, Leviticus 2, and 2 Chronicles 31. These people gave the BEST of their crops, not the leftovers.

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Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
-2 Corinthians 9:7

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