Do you tithe 10%

[Exception Collection]

What I recall from filing taxes this year is that I can't itemize anymore, AFTER I entered all the deductions.

A downside to not having a state income tax. Still, I'd rather not have a state income tax. Or a city income tax.

You can deduct sales taxes instead if there isn't an income tax.

 

[csb]

Our total sales tax is 6% (4%state, 2%local) and our property tax percentage is 9.5% assessment ratio to 76 mills (so tax on our $188,000 house is $1357.36).

And deducting sales tax was included in last year's fun-o-rama of entering mortgage, charity, child care, taxes...

 

[mudpuppy]

Sales tax tends to be a lot less overall than income tax.

I'm paying 4.35% state income tax, 1% local income tax, 6% sales tax and 43 mills on 50% of assessed value (to convert to a standard value, csb is paying 7.2 mills on 100% assessed value while I'm paying 21.5).

csb, I think it's safe to say you live in a low-tax state, so therefore you don't have as many federal tax deductions.

 

[Boomer01 PE]

I used to go to a Baptist church where the pastor constantly talked about tithing and giving more. It wore me out! We have since found a non-denominational church where tithing still goes on, but is rarely if ever talked about. I feel like this is the right approach for churches and will lead to more members and therefore more tithes. Our church is pretty large and has opened up other locations and additional service times. We do not tithe 10% and typically give $10-20 each time we go.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

csb, I think it's safe to say you live in a low-tax state, so therefore you don't have as many federal tax deductions.

SC's the same way, and our mortgage interest is low. Itemized is maybe 50% of the standard deduction.

 

[rktman]

I used to go to a Baptist church where the pastor constantly talked about tithing and giving more. It wore me out! We have since found a non-denominational church where tithing still goes on, but is rarely if ever talked about. I feel like this is the right approach for churches and will lead to more members and therefore more tithes. Our church is pretty large and has opened up other locations and additional service times. We do not tithe 10% and typically give $10-20 each time we go.

Please do not lump all Baptist in this category. I'm a Christian and I attend a Baptist Church. I've been in both scenarios you mention (both in Baptist churches). A good pastor will realize that tithing is a relationship matter between man and God. He will teach what the Word says on the subject and then moves on.

An inexperienced or cranky old pastor will (perhaps unintentionally) guilt people into giving. This does not work, especially long term.

The Bible says to give a tenth of your increase to your local church. If you are not a member of the church, you need to examine why you're not a member before you worry about giving to it.

If you can't or don't feel good about it, pray about what you can do but don't give out of guilt.

I believe the Biblical verses on tithing (when read in context), say the blessing comes from cheerful giving.

 

[csb]

csb, I think it's safe to say you live in a low-tax state, so therefore you don't have as many federal tax deductions.

SC's the same way, and our mortgage interest is low. Itemized is maybe 50% of the standard deduction.

Aw yeah, *******!

(Sorry, it just felt like I needed to yell that for some reason.)

 

[goodal]

I used to go to a Baptist church where the pastor constantly talked about tithing and giving more. It wore me out! We have since found a non-denominational church where tithing still goes on, but is rarely if ever talked about. I feel like this is the right approach for churches and will lead to more members and therefore more tithes. Our church is pretty large and has opened up other locations and additional service times. We do not tithe 10% and typically give $10-20 each time we go.

Please do not lump all Baptist in this category. I'm a Christian and I attend a Baptist Church. I've been in both scenarios you mention (both in Baptist churches). A good pastor will realize that tithing is a relationship matter between man and God. He will teach what the Word says on the subject and then moves on.

An inexperienced or cranky old pastor will (perhaps unintentionally) guilt people into giving. This does not work, especially long term.

The Bible says to give a tenth of your increase to your local church. If your not a member of the church, you need to examine why you're not a member before you worry about giving to it.

If you can't or don't feel good about it, pray about what you can do but don't give out of guilt.

I believe the Biblical verses on tithing (when read in context), say the blessing comes from cheerful giving.

well put.

 

[csb]

I'm Catholic; we do everything out of guilt.

 

[engineergurl]

because if you don't, you'll go to hell

 

[snickerd3]

I'm Catholic; we do everything out of guilt.

I'm just starting to get over the whole catholic guilt thing. The RCCs here are much more conservative than the church I grew up in.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

I'm pretty sure when it comes to Catholicism, everyone ends up in hell...

 

[engineergurl]

I get the Catholic guilt revamped every time I talk to my mom on Monday and she asks how the service was at the Baptist church I go to...

 

[snickerd3]

I'm pretty sure when it comes to Catholicism, everyone ends up in hell...

jsut the opposite...as long you confess and say you are sorry everyone can go to heaven

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

I'm pretty sure when it comes to Catholicism, everyone ends up in hell...

jsut the opposite...as long you confess and say you are sorry everyone can go to heaven

Confessions can lead to jail time...

 

[engineergurl]

nope, the dude in the closet is sworn to not tell on you...

 

[Sapper PE LS]

nope, the dude in the closet is sworn to not tell on you...

I thought there was a clause about some things like if a person were to confess about murdering somebody or raping somebody then they have to tell the police... is that not true?

 

[engineergurl]

I think it's their duty to try to convince the person to turn themselves in, but I thought they were still sworn to not tell...

 

[EM_PS]

I'm pretty sure when it comes to Catholicism, everyone ends up in hell...

jsut the opposite...as long you confess and say you are sorry everyone can go to heaven, as long as you're catholic

fixt

 

[Flyer_PE]

I'm Catholic; we do everything out of guilt.

Eastern Orthodox are masters of guilt too. I'm too shameless to convert.