Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 3/3/2008

Question
I believe entirely that we should pay our tithes. But i want to know how and whether i am doing it right. For instance i get 10,000 cedis (Ghana currency)is right if i pay 1,000 cedis? I have also heard that about net and gross income, please what do they mean? and on which one do i have to pay tithes?

Answer
Bro John,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! I pray that you are well, and that you would continue to walk in the blessings of Almighty God!

I was thrilled to read of your commitment to following the Biblical principle of tithing. As to your example of 10,000 cedis, yes 1000 cedis would be your tithe. To simplify the formula, tithing is 10% of your income. So if you only made 1000 cedis, then 10% tithe would be 100 cedis. And so on...

Now as to whether tithe should be paid on the "net" or on the "gross" let me explain. In America, most people who work are employed by someone else (a company, business, government job, ect...) In America those people who work for someone else have taxes taken out of their paycheck before they even receive it. This is called the "net". It is the amount of money left over after taxes. The "gross" on the other hand is the amount of money you receive before taxes are taken out. So within the churches in America, the question arises as to whether a Christian should give tithe on the "Gross" (before taxes, or on the "net" after taxes are taken out. The answer is on the gross amount because all (in America) pay taxes eventually (those who only receive a gross amount for a paycheck will pay taxes on their income, only they are responsible to pay it themselves).

So my friend, I am not familiar with the way that people who work in Ghana get payed. If you receive a check with no taxes taken out, then you simply give the 10% of that amount. However, if the government does take out taxes before you receive you paycheck, then you should give your tithes in the amount before the taxes were taken out. Let me give you an example that may help you understand...

If you work one week, and the government of Ghana does not take taxes out before you receive it, when you do get paid at the end of that week you receive your paycheck of 20,000 cedis, you tithe is 2000 cedis.

However, if you work one week, and the government of Ghana does take taxes out before you receive it (let's say 20% of your check is taken out in taxes, which would be 4000 cedis), when you do get paid at the end of that week your paycheck would be 16,000 cedis instead of 20,000 cedis, but your tithe is still 2000 cedis. So...

Gross is before taxes, and net is after.

Here is a copy of from our articles of faith addressing this very issue...

The Bible teaches us that it is the will of God for every Believer to have more than enough to meet their needs, to have enough left over to bless others and to give into the work of the Lord. I believe poverty, debt, and lack are a curse. We believe as Christians are obedient in tithing to the local church, sowing financial seeds into ministry, giving of their first fruits, and blessing the needy they will reap a harvest. Provision is having an adequate supply to fulfill the vision (destiny) God has given the Believer, and prosperity is anything more than what meets your needs.

Mal. 3:8-12; Gen. 8:22; Gen 14:20; 1 Kings 17:10-16; Neh. 10:35,37; Prov. 3:9; Lk. 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6; Gal. 6:7; Phip. 4:10 ,14-19


Bro John, I do hope that this makes sense. Please let me know if this helps or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1/