Confessions of an Ex-Tither

My suggestion would be to give your regular tithe/offering each week, once you find your church, and take a little extra from the money you have saved up. That way, you can get rid of your surplus, but not in such a lump sum that it draws attention to yourself.

 

Take it and help out someone who really needs it.

Take out a portion of it for tax purposes, if you can't claim it for using it that way. Dunno if that's possible or not.

I can't imagine having so much that you're worried about people noticing and talking. Make sure you give extra thanks for that before you give it!

 

Give it to the Baptistboard !!!

 

Give cheerfully and abundantly to wherever you feel the Lord can use it.

 

Send it to me.

 

BroChris,

That is admirable - and I pray that God will guide a couple of families like yours my way as He grows His church through me.

May I suggest taking a small portion - call it a tithe of the tithe - and take your family out for a weekend celebration of Who God is?

God bless you brother.

 

I really was kidding about sending it to me. Sometimes the humor is just not there. oops!

 

Regardless of how you handle it, I think you should join a church in which financial matters are kept confidential.
I don't know that you would draw attention to yourselves, anyway. Maybe you could write a note that it is a one-time large gift because of special circumstances.
People in my town have given large lump sums quite often when there have been large retirement and severance packages in local employment.

Karen

 

I would explain it to the Pastor of the new church, and ask his advice....

You are to admired....

 

Send it to TBN...Just kidding!

What about missions, or missionaries?

 

Seems to me that you're worrying too much about what other people will think. Why not just write the check to the church you join and forget about it?

You don't owe the pastor or anybody else and explanation for what you give.

And any attention drawn to you over the gift will probably last about two seconds.

 

I would say missionary, you know it would go to good use.

 

I agree with Tom Butler - don't worry about what people may think. If you find a local church that you feel called to, then give the whole lump sum at once. Or find a missionary or two to give to - that's a good idea, too.

I'm treasurer at our church, and there have been a couple of times where people have given big amounts. It raises no red flags.

 

Give it to your local City Mission. That way, it will not only be helping to spread the Gospel, but it will be helping to feed and clothe the poor in your own locality - a double blessing for those who receive it, for sure!

 

Your image of humility will depend on alot more than this... and you have already shown tremendous humility in what you've said here.

There is somewhat of a fine line between drawing attention to yourself and being a good example... it depends mainly on your intent. Yours appears to be obedience and not pride.

I'd just tell the pastor, tell him you don't want alot of attention, and let him use his discretion. More than likely, it would be best just to be completely open and honest about it with your new church... if you can't be then maybe it isn't the right church after all.

 

This is not the thread to discuss this point, I'm going to start a thread on whether the tithe goes to the local church or do we have the right to pick and choose where it goes?

Please don't get into it here, let's wait for the new thread.

 

The new thread is up: "Tithing--to the Church, or Pick and Choose?"

Release the hounds!

 

We wouldn't feel funny about giving the total amount to our "new" church. If you feel an explanation is necessary due to the large amount, alert the treasurer in private. Pastors generally don't want to know, nor do they need to know, the amount of $ members are tithing.

You are to be commended for hanging on to your tithe while you search for a new church.

 

Duh, how about, "Pray about it?"

Don't listen to us on the board (unless you want to send it to me). Listen to God.

Specifically I would ask God to lay upon your heart where he wants the money to go. It might be a missionary you know or a charity you are familiar with, or a family you know is in trouble. If it is really "God's money" then let him help you spend it.

I know you want the tax break, but that should not be determining factor. If it is then keep enough to offset the tax break like Gina suggested.

We started doing this several years ago with our Christmas offering and every year God shows us somewhere new to spend it. Trust me on this. God will show you a need and when you give it will be really cool.