So is the tithe to be based
on GROSS or NET pay?

What? How people will argue about anything.

Consider the Pharisee in the temple who looked down on everyone around him. Read Luke 18:9-14 carefully. He compared himself to others as he stood before God, not looking up in reverence nor down in humility, rather side to side in comparison (sound familiar?). The others did not do it "his way", thus they were lowered in his eyes.

Are "gross-pay-tithing" believers more righteous than "net-pay-tithing" believers? And what about those who don't give 10%?

What was Jesus' perspective? "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's" (Luke 20:25). [For a full discussion of "Rendering unto Caesar", click here.]

What does Jesus' comment mean? In present day America (and most other communist or socialist societies), we "render unto Caesar" during our working years and then Caesar "renders" unto us in our retirement years.

Why not simply say to yourself, "Whatever money is deposited into my bank account, I will give 10% of that."?

If one chooses that way during all the "working" years while "rendering unto Caesar", then one does not tithe on the taxes paid, and later, in retirement and collecting income from "Caesar" after all the years of taxation, then one pays the tithe on "whatever money is deposited into my bank account". That solution is simply one where the distinction is a matter of timing.

Look again at the Pharisee, particularly Luke 18:12. Although God was displeased with him because of his arrogance, he did know "the rules" and what did he say? He said, "... and I give a tenth of all I get." So, if you insist on having a "rule", look at the one who knew "the rules"... the one who gave a tenth of "whatever money is deposited into my bank account."

What is the real issue? The fact that this is even a point of argument among believers indicates that we have a far more serious problem of the heart... that was the same problem with the Pharisee who always compared himself to others and probably argued with them because their practices did not match his perspective.

What does your heart tell you?