A young couple without much income was working out a budget. The discussion turned to whether they should tithe to the church on their gross income (total income before any taxes or deductions) or net income (what is actually received after taxes and deductions are withheld). Unsure how they should follow obediently, they made an appointment with their pastor to ask him.
The pastor assured the couple that they should tithe off their gross income. Somewhat annoyed by what he perceived as their rigorous attempt to follow the letter, he bolstered his case, asking, "Well, would you rather God bless you off the gross or the net?"
And that was that.
Or is it? A pastor annoyed by strict interpretation of the tithe in his congregation ought to take a look in the mirror. It is likely that he is the one who incites the legalism, preaching the tithe as law, explaining it by strict and legal assertions, and bolstering it with strong condemnations. No wonder his congregation would attempt to follow it to the letter rather than giving by grace.
Rather than ask whether to tithe on one's gross or net income, ask instead when biblical tithing was ever 10% of any income!
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