Can a tithe be more that 10%?

Question

I keep hearing people say that they tithe more then 10%.

But, wouldn't anything over 10% be considered an offering and not a tithe?

Answer 1

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There's a believer born every minute! Praise the Lord!

Answer 2

You're technically correct, but I wouldn't make a big deal of it.  

Answer 3

A tithe is 10% of increase.

The ancient Jews used to give 25% of their income.

Answer 4

a tithe is 10%.  Anything else would be a "Love Offering".  

Answer 5

technically, yes. but I doubt your religious leader, or God for that matter, will be irritated at you for not clarifying what is what.

Answer 6

it doesn't matter how you're calling it as long as you give them your money

Answer 7

Tithing is not for today, it was a tax for the OT.  It's grace giving today

don't put yourself under that law.  Christ died to free us from the law.

In actuality it was a 22% tax if you want to be exact.

Answer 8

sure if they want to.

Answer 9

Your absolutely correct-a tithe is to be 10%, and only 10%; anything above that is an offering {ie: missionary work):

The Tithe is based on the Scripture in Malachi. 3:10 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."

An Offering-anything above the tithe, Jesus spoke of in Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

I believe that when Christians give with a cheerful heart, they can trust God to bless their giving. Paul says in 2 Cor. 9:6-7 "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

Answer 10

Does it matter what you call it?  It's still money to the church...  I've also heard it being called a 'seed'...

Answer 11

I'm not sure if any other churches do it, but Armstong's Worldwide Church of God used to get double and even triple tithes from the believers.

A tithe is only one-tenth, but the word is often used to mean "donation" (of any size). It's a bit like decimate which originally meant "to lose 10%" but now means to lose almost everything.

Answer 12

I believe that is true. 10% Is God's. Any thing that you give over that is your offering.

Answer 13

The Bible speaks of tithes and offerings....so I think that over and above the ten per cent, would be considered an offering....

Answer 14

You are correct. More than God requires is an offering.

Answer 15

Tithe means tenth, so a tithe is always 10%. The Bible instructs to give tithes and offerings (although a tithe is a type of offering Numbers 18:16). Anything besides the 10% is technically just an offering not a tithe (See Lev. 7 for examples). Whatever amount is given, it should be what you have purposed in your heart to give, and given cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Answer 16

The 10% is a minimum.  BTW, that was supposed to cover not only the church but also state taxes.

Answer 17

A tithe literally means a tenth and not only 'A' tenth but the first tenth.  

The New Testament says God loves a cheerful giver therefore we are free to give as we choose but cheerfully, not feeling that we are forced to do so. A tenth would still be a tithe whereas anything above that would be considered a free will offering. However, even the tenth is from free will.

I think that the most important aspect of giving is to do it willingly, lovingly and secretly. Do not let anyone know what you give. Ignore numbered envelopes given out by some churches and put what you want in the offering in cash.  If you give to Christian charities do so anonymously, no receipt required etc. What you do in secret God will reward openly but not necessarily in the way you expect.

I'm not too sure that God will be pleased with those who state that they give more than a tenth - that is boasting.

Answer 18

No, God specifically commands a tenth, not more or less than that.  Any-more should go for offering, like the church budget and missions, etc.  Cain brought veggies instead of Lamb at Gods Command.  You can see where it is wrong to do it our way instead of God's will?