Comments on: Tithe or Pay the IRS? http://www.debtreductionformula.com/blog/tithe-or-pay-the-irs/ Reduce Expenses + Increase Income + Discipline = Get Out of Debt Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:37:31 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jane http://www.debtreductionformula.com/blog/tithe-or-pay-the-irs/comment-page-1/#comment-53747 Jane Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:28:24 +0000 http://www.debtreductionformula.com/blog/?p=262#comment-53747 Ryan, thanks for your advice. I am a Lutheran and through many years as a stewardship leader and coach have come to understand giving as a "faith practice" that draws us closer to God -- in the same way that prayer is a faith practice that draws us closer to God. Therefore, the proper amount to give is an amount that causes us trust God as we spend each penny of the blessings we have received. For some of this -- the number might be much more than a tithe. Afterall, from those who have received much, much will be required... But please comment on this: Prior to the tax changes of former President Reagan, giving to the church and other 501(c)3s was 100% deductible and came off the top of one's income before calculating tax owed. This was true even when fililng the IRS short form 1040A or EZ. I don't give to get a deduction -- but as a young woman it seemed that the previous method truly respected first fruits giving. Before the government taxes were calculated, before withholding even, my gifts went to God. Changes to the federal tax code restricted charitable deductions to those who filed long form 1040, widened the deduction to included giving to any non-profit organization -- even if not qualilfied as a charitable 501(c)3 entity. Also the changes turned the church giving into a deduction that affected the amount of the tax, but was never 100% off the top again. This has certainly been a boon to non-charitable organizations and their donors -- but it seems that the concept of separating out first fruits from the government's greedy hands was lost and for those who do not own a house, filing a long form is difficult to do successfully under current IRS criteria. Ryan, thanks for your advice. I am a Lutheran and through many years as a stewardship leader and coach have come to understand giving as a “faith practice” that draws us closer to God — in the same way that prayer is a faith practice that draws us closer to God. Therefore, the proper amount to give is an amount that causes us trust God as we spend each penny of the blessings we have received. For some of this — the number might be much more than a tithe. Afterall, from those who have received much, much will be required…

But please comment on this:
Prior to the tax changes of former President Reagan, giving to the church and other 501(c)3s was 100% deductible and came off the top of one’s income before calculating tax owed. This was true even when fililng the IRS short form 1040A or EZ. I don’t give to get a deduction — but as a young woman it seemed that the previous method truly respected first fruits giving. Before the government taxes were calculated, before withholding even, my gifts went to God.

Changes to the federal tax code restricted charitable deductions to those who filed long form 1040, widened the deduction to included giving to any non-profit organization — even if not qualilfied as a charitable 501(c)3 entity. Also the changes turned the church giving into a deduction that affected the amount of the tax, but was never 100% off the top again. This has certainly been a boon to non-charitable organizations and their donors — but it seems that the concept of separating out first fruits from the government’s greedy hands was lost and for those who do not own a house, filing a long form is difficult to do successfully under current IRS criteria.

]]> By: Ryan Healy http://www.debtreductionformula.com/blog/tithe-or-pay-the-irs/comment-page-1/#comment-41641 Ryan Healy Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:04:18 +0000 http://www.debtreductionformula.com/blog/?p=262#comment-41641 That's okay to disagree, Paula. My perspective: paying the IRS is not the same as storing up wealth for yourself. (Luke 12:21) Also: Does seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness mean giving money to pastors? Is God's kingdom made up of expensive church buildings? What does God's kingdom really look like -- and how do we seek it? Questions to ponder. Ryan That’s okay to disagree, Paula.

My perspective: paying the IRS is not the same as storing up wealth for yourself. (Luke 12:21)

Also: Does seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness mean giving money to pastors?

Is God’s kingdom made up of expensive church buildings?

What does God’s kingdom really look like — and how do we seek it?

Questions to ponder.

Ryan

]]> By: mimipaula1 http://www.debtreductionformula.com/blog/tithe-or-pay-the-irs/comment-page-1/#comment-41503 mimipaula1 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:23:27 +0000 http://www.debtreductionformula.com/blog/?p=262#comment-41503 I disagree with your advice, Ryan. I would rather owe the IRS, a man-made organization, than owe God, who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. I need God's blessing on ALL of my money; if I give to God FIRST, He will make a way for me to pay my IRS bill. If I pay the IRS bill first, there is no option for them to bless and multiply my money so that I can tithe. Luke 12:31 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The IRS doesn't give out promises like this one! I disagree with your advice, Ryan. I would rather owe the IRS, a man-made organization, than owe God, who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. I need God’s blessing on ALL of my money; if I give to God FIRST, He will make a way for me to pay my IRS bill. If I pay the IRS bill first, there is no option for them to bless and multiply my money so that I can tithe. Luke 12:31 says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” The IRS doesn’t give out promises like this one!

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