Tithing itself is not a difficult concept, but it has raised some difficult questions as our society has grown more financially complex. For example, many Christians wonder if they should tithe on their Social Security benefits. Some people say that during their working years, they gave God a portion of the paychecks from which their Social Security deductions were taken. Therefore, they think they’ve already satisfied the giving requirement on their Social Security benefits. If these people were average givers, they gave God about 3 percent of their income, according to research by Empty Tomb, Inc. Some may have given 10 percent. But regardless of what they gave, God still owned what was left. Bottom line, we can’t argue from a your share, my share perspective when dealing with God, because His share is 100 percent.
Also, consider that the money contributed to Social Security is quickly exhausted. In my book, Whatever Happened to the American Dream, I noted that "the average Social Security recipient draws out all his or her contributions in the first four years of retirement." To illustrate this point, we created a fictional character named Jim, who plans to retire on his 66th birthday, December 31, 2003. Jim began his working life in 1960, after college. We based his annual salary each year on median income figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. In 1960, Jim's annual income was $5,434. In 2001, it was $40,136, and so on.
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give . . .
for God loves a cheerful giver."
During his working years, Jim earned a total of $926,153. A certain percentage of his income was deducted for Social Security. We’ll use the current deduction of 6.2 percent, giving him a total employee contribution of $57,235. Based on payment calculators at Social Security’s Web site, Jim will receive a monthly benefit payment of $1,501.90. At this rate, he’ll get back his entire contribution in 39 months, or three years and three months. Beyond that, he’s receiving money deducted from someone else’s paycheck, money that he has not given to the Lord. Jim could withhold tithing until 39 months have passed and deprive himself of the joy of giving and its attendant blessings. Or he could recognize God as owner and provider, and tithe on his Social Security income from the start.
Without a doubt, the latter option is best. "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)
