Hi John,
Isn’t there a provision made for gifts to God’s ministers? Do you cover this in the book, and how is it different from alms? I know I’ve read or heard you say that sometimes God’s people are allowed to give gifts to their pastor beyond what is required for tithes & offerings – not necessarily monetary, but actual gifts.
Also, I had this thought last night: regarding our “income”, it seems that would be considered net, while “increase” seems like it would be considered gross (or profit, minus business expenses). May just be semantics, but it seems like there is a difference.
I have always loved how you explain how tithing is not a ceremonial commandment, but a moral one. God is the employer, and if we don’t render our tithes to His servants, we are in effect robbing God of the money He has set aside to take care of his “employees” earthly needs! That is really good 🙂
Vince
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Hi Vince!
Question #1:
As for gifts to ministers, of course anyone may offer a minister a gift, but the minister is on shaky ground if he receives it. I do cover that issue, as well as “alms”, in the book on Tithes and Offerings
I try not to make a big deal out of it, but personally, I prefer that the people who bring me their tithes and offerings not give me any gifts, whether it be a Christmas gift, birthday gift, or whatever. Recently, as you know, most of the congregation gathered for my birthday. I was surprised with a few gifts, and if I had known there was going to be any gift-bringing, I would have sent an email ahead of time asking everyone not to do that. Of course, I appreciate the love behind such gifts from the sweet people in my life, but in the kingdom of God, it seems to me that it would be more in order for me to give them gifts, not vice versa. Actually, I do that when I feed them the word of God, and with gifts such as that, we should all be content.
Question #2:
Technically, “gross income” is the total amount of money you earn before anything is taken out, and “net income” is what is left for you after all deductions are taken out. That is standard terminology for describing income. Biblically speaking, your “increase” is what you earn that really does increase your wealth on earth. That is your “net income” because that is what is left for you to spend as you will, after all deductions are made.
Thanks for the questions.
Pastor John