Tithe & Offering Calculator
How to Calculate Your Tithe
Calculating a tithe is a straightforward mathematical process, but it holds significant personal and spiritual weight for many individuals. Traditionally, a tithe is defined as one-tenth (10%) of one's income given to their local church or a charitable organization. However, the practical application often raises questions regarding what numbers to use and how to handle different pay frequencies.
The Basic Formula
The standard formula for calculating a tithe is:
Tithe = Income × (Percentage ÷ 100)
For example, if you earn $1,000 and wish to tithe the standard 10%, the calculation is 1,000 × 0.10 = $100.
Gross vs. Net Income
One of the most common debates regarding tithing is whether to calculate based on Gross Income (before taxes and deductions) or Net Income (the actual amount deposited into your bank account).
- Gross Income: Calculating on the gross amount includes money that goes toward taxes, social security, and health insurance. Many view this as tithing on the "first fruits" of one's labor before the government or other entities take their share.
- Net Income: Calculating on the net amount is based on the spendable income you actually receive. This approach is often taken by those who believe taxes are a separate obligation to the state.
There is no universally strict rule for this in modern contexts; it is largely a matter of personal conviction and financial capacity.
Offerings vs. Tithes
In many traditions, a distinction is made between "tithes" and "offerings." While the tithe is the baseline percentage (usually 10%), an offering is any amount given above and beyond that percentage. Our calculator allows you to input a fixed offering amount separately to see your total charitable contribution per paycheck.
Budgeting with Irregular Income
If you are a freelancer or have irregular income, calculating tithes can be more dynamic. Instead of a fixed monthly amount, it is often easier to calculate the tithe on every invoice or payment as it is received. This ensures that your giving scales directly with your actual earnings, preventing financial strain during leaner months.
Using This Calculator
To use the tool above:
- Enter Income: Input your earnings for a specific period.
- Select Frequency: Choose whether this income is Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly, or Annual. This helps projected annual totals.
- Set Percentage: The default is 10%, but you can adjust this to 5%, 15%, or any percentage you feel led to give.
- Add Offerings: If you plan to give a flat amount on top of the percentage, enter it here.