[Oberon]

We are both committed Christians but we were debating whether it was correct to tithe on the gross or the net?

Two pieces of advice:

1. Don't give out of legalism, but out of your heart to give.
2. Don't behave as though giving is a burden... it's not. It's an opportunity to share in God's work.

That being said, in this house we pay the church before we pay the government.

[candeee]

If you are self-employed, you can choose who to pay first. Otherwise, the gov't takes the money - in effect you never had it in the first place and thus it could not be considered your "first fruits." How can the amounts that go to social security taxes be considered an increase to you? You can not choose to keep it and you never touch it. If you eventually start collecting social security payments, then you would have an increase or first fruits.

[SanAntoneBlue]

Well put.. couldn't have said it better.