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My family are Christians and we own and operate a business, but I feel my folks are being too generous in paying tithes (1200 on behalf of the business, 200 on behalf of 1200 of their take home pay) to their church. With their mortgage payments, which their house is upside down, and their monthly health insurance of 1500 and climbing, they aren't really assessing on what they can actually give based on their personal and business finances.
I know this all sounds confusing, but they really have an odd way of managing their personal finance, which I feel that they are heading towards going off the cliff if they don't start carefully managing it.
I've brought it up with my mother, who seems clueless about it since my dad manages their finances, but I feel somewhat guilty for insisting that they scale back on their monthly tithes of 1400.
If one owns a business that is struggling to break even, should he pay tithes based on gross or net (profit)?
If one owns a business that is struggling to break even, should he pay tithes based on gross or net (profit)?
I think that is a matter between your parents and the Lord. I'm assuming your parents are mentally competent, if they are managing their own business, but even if you feel you need to be involved, I certainly don't think it's up to a bunch of strangers on the internet to be putting in their two cents worth!
My family are Christians and we own and operate a business, but I feel my folks are being too generous in paying tithes (1200 on behalf of the business, 200 on behalf of 1200 of their take home pay) to their church. With their mortgage payments, which their house is upside down, and their monthly health insurance of 1500 and climbing, they aren't really assessing on what they can actually give based on their personal and business finances.
I know this all sounds confusing, but they really have an odd way of managing their personal finance, which I feel that they are heading towards going off the cliff if they don't start carefully managing it.
I've brought it up with my mother, who seems clueless about it since my dad manages their finances, but I feel somewhat guilty for insisting that they scale back on their monthly tithes of 1400.
If one owns a business that is struggling to break even, should he pay tithes based on gross or net (profit)?
I would think it is out of profit (before tax). But then again, you give what you can. There is no rule carved in stone that you must give so and so much.
My family are Christians and we own and operate a business, but I feel my folks are being too generous in paying tithes (1200 on behalf of the business, 200 on behalf of 1200 of their take home pay) to their church. With their mortgage payments, which their house is upside down, and their monthly health insurance of 1500 and climbing, they aren't really assessing on what they can actually give based on their personal and business finances.
I know this all sounds confusing, but they really have an odd way of managing their personal finance, which I feel that they are heading towards going off the cliff if they don't start carefully managing it.
I've brought it up with my mother, who seems clueless about it since my dad manages their finances, but I feel somewhat guilty for insisting that they scale back on their monthly tithes of 1400.
If one owns a business that is struggling to break even, should he pay tithes based on gross or net (profit)?
Tithing has nothing to do with anything that has a single thing to do with spending an eternity with God in His Kingdom. It means nothing. What will this church do for your parents when or if they do go under?
I think that is a matter between your parents and the Lord. I'm assuming your parents are mentally competent, if they are managing their own business, but even if you feel you need to be involved, I certainly don't think it's up to a bunch of strangers on the internet to be putting in their two cents worth!
They are mentally competent... but I don't think they are being realistic about their budget. I agree with you that the amount of tithes is between them and the Lord, but on the other hand... I manage the business finance and I can see that paying the amount of tithes they are right now isn't helping the business.
Tithing has nothing to do with anything that has a single thing to do with spending an eternity with God in His Kingdom. It means nothing. What will this church do for your parents when or if they do go under?
My sentiments exactly. I told them to give what they can, not to feel obligated that they must continue to pay the same amount when the economy was doing well.
What will this church do for your parents when or if they do go under?
To me, what the church will do for his parents if and when they "go under" is immaterial. I know that I don't tithe based on what "my Church will do for me" but based on what "my God has done for me."
My sentiments exactly. R told them to give what they can, not to feel obligated that they must continue to pay the same amount when the economy was doing well.
Not being a Christian, I'm curious as to why your God would need money. Wouldn't your God want your parents to take care of themselves in this world and not put themselves in a position of need. This is one thing I could never understand, paying tithes to a church and minister is like trying to buy your way into your God's good graces when you're God has no use of money. Just my opinion.
So is it that you believe they feel obligated to pay, i.e. are being "guilted into it"? I wouldn't like that myself.
I think it has more to do with the fact that it is a small, but somewhat growing church. It's a nice church, but I just have a hard time seeing why my folks have to bear the burden of paying too much. It isn't even a local church, it's a church that is part of a network or whatever it is called nowadays.
I've been meaning to bring it up with my dad, but I don't want money to strain our relationship. My main concern is they have enough money put aside for themselves as they enter their 60's. And if we don't look after the business first, my sister and I will not be in any position to help our folks if it goes under.
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