Should I Tithe on my Gross or Net?
Published by H T Paul Davis in Bible Questions · 25 February 2019
Should
I tithe on the net or gross of my income?
Is it better to tithe on the
Gross or Net? I have been asked this question many times. As a pastor for many
years, but also with many years experience in accounting - I recommend tithing
on the Net plus add back personal non-tax or deferred income deductions. If a
person tithes on their gross, they will be duplicating paying tithes on Social
Security or Retirement income when they later begin to receive it. Also it would
be a nightmare to try determine which Social Security was already tithed on
when contributed, and how much represents the employer/government share or the
increase in the retirement portfolio from actual investment earnings
I have heard recommendations to
tithe on gross, but remember, Jesus said "Render unto Caesar that which is
Caesars and unto God that which is Gods". Jesus plainly states that taxes
are Caesars. They do not represent any increase. Tax refunds should be tithed
on when tithing on the net, however. The problem with tithing on taxes
including Social Security is that you will be paying double tithes when you
begin receiving Social Security. Also to tithe on Federal Income Tax means that
you accept ownership of the obligation - taxes are being used to pay on illegal
government program, abortions, to support gay agendas, liberal programs,
clandestine operations. We should pay taxes because that is in keeping with the
spirit of the what Jesus said - but let Caesars be Caesars.
Shouldn't the ministry
advise their Social Security and retirement people not to pay tithes on 1/2 of
their Social Security if they have been paying tithes on the gross for years?
If they have paid on the gross before, then they have already paid tithes on
their Social Security and retirement contributions. The only increase is the
1/2 paid by the employer and the value of the investment earnings over the
initial contributions. If we are going to teach tithing in a "legal"
sense then we need to be honest with our saints. However, I believe it always
best to teach tithing as a principle - it is God's best plan for supporting the
ministry, widows, and orphans. But it should be done with the
"willing" and "cheerful" heart. I only broach the subject
of Gross or Net because it has been asked many times over the years and this is
an honest answer based on accounting principles