"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." Proverbs 3:9, 10.


I started a new business, a retail store. It has not been going well but I want to tithe and do a double tithe for offering.


My questions is this. Do I tithe on the amount that I take in, or do I tithe after I have paid the employee, the rent, the utilities, etc.?


This month if I double tithe, then I won't be paying somone. Help!


I really want to do right concerning this issue.

Thanks in advance for your input.

I recomend G. Edward Reid's material on stewardship to gain the education to make choices based upon the weight of evidence.

quote:

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from website
G. Edward Reid
NAD Director, Stewardship

Ministry Description
We serve the NAD constituency with information and educational material to inspire our pastors and members to financial faithfulness. Books, videos, printed materials, and other materials are available through AdventSource. Seminars are available on the Biblical Principles of Money Management for both personal and church financial matters. Information on tithing and offerings and related matters are also available on our web site.

Bio
G. Edward Reid is an ordained minister and licensed attorney. He is certified as a teacher and counselor by Christian Financial Concepts.

Ed is a graduate of Southern Adventist University and holds Master's degrees from Andrews University (M.Div), and Loma Linda University (M.P.H.) and a Doctor of Law (JD) degree from Georgia State University. He has served the Church in teaching, pastoral ministry, evangelism, and departmental positions.

Ed has done considerable study on the topics of Christian Money Management and Eschatology. He is the author of five books, "It's Your Money, Isn't It?," "Even at The Door," "Sunday's Coming," "Ready or Not," and "Almost Home."

Elder Reid is married to Kathy Randolph Reid who is a registered nurse, a secretary, and homemaker. The Reids have two grown children, Andrew and Melissa.

Department Support Staff

Lori Bryan


Contact Information
Telephone: 301/680-6432 Fax: 301/680-8953
E-Mail: 74617.2103@compuserve.com

http://www.adventiststewardship.org/

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Hope this info & link helps your stewardship literacy, beyond just $$$.

[ July 27, 2002, 01:46 AM: Message edited by: Edward F Sutton ]

Kay, what is your increase? It's not your overhead, for that is going back into the business. Your increase would be your profit, after you pay your overhead. A lot of people who earn a paycheck from someone else tithe on the gross, the amount before taxes are removed. But in your own business, you must pay employees, rental space, utilities, as well as merchandise, all of which must be paid from whatever comes in.

Thank you Linda and Edward for replying to my question. So far, I have had no profit since I put all my money into the business and continue to do so.

Actually, I went into the hole this month. This is my first month. I know business will get better soon.

I beleieve God's promise that He will take care of me and business. Somehow, He will work it out.

Thanks again.

Linda is correct. One pays tithe on profit. Business expenses are not profit. So, one deducts them from gross income.

This is Sarah's husband, Markell. Jsut to avoid confusion.

If one only pays tithe on profit, would that also mean you'd pay tithe on your income AFTER taxes?

I seem to recall a verse on paying God, then Ceasar to support the idea of paying tithe of 10% of GROSS, not NET.

Just when I thought it was all figured out, I get thrown for a loop.

Markell:

The taxes that you pay go to provide services for you:
a) The roads on which you drive your automobile.
b) Fire and police services.
c) pensions such as FICA (Social Security as it is popularlyl know in the U. S.
d) sewer adn water
e) national defense.

If you did not pay for many of the services through taxes, you would pay for them directly. e.g. you would only drive on toll roads. Where I live a toll road has opened taht charges 20 cents per mile!

While tithe paying is a personal decision, and one is allowed to figure out ones profit, I personally pay titeh before taxes are deducted.