When Claudia and I were doing our monthly budget recently, the topic of tithing came up. Do we tithe even when money is short in a particular month?
We’re commanded in the Bible to tithe, not because God needs our money but because it’s not ours in the first place. We’re only stewards of what we’ve been given here on earth. It also talks about those who give, will be blessed in abundance.
Claudia and I decided that we would tithe even though we were going to have to pull from our savings to do so. We didn’t want to fall into the trap of expecting things not to work out, but to have faith and think big. This doesn’t mean that we go so far as to be naïve but we are believing and expecting the best. We are moving forward, thinking outside the box. We’re moving so that God can steer us. When an object is in motion it is easier to steer than when it’s just sitting still.
The day after we did our budget, I got two unexpected jobs at work. We also found out that fixing our computer was only going to cost a fraction of what we were first told.
So, are these only coincidences that could have happened on any other day? Should I write them off as only fruits of my labor and due diligence?
I choose to believe that they’re not coincidences. I choose to believe that because we have shown a small step of faith, we have been blessed for it. I choose to believe that because we believed and expected the best, our minds were open to new ideas and we were more creative in looking for ways to make it work.
What about you? Did you ever find yourself in a similar situation? What are your thoughts on generosity even in those tough times?
Even though I don’t “tithe”, I believe that it makes us look at things differently when we give back to God…FIRST. It’s not always easy, but it’s an excellent reminder that the money isn’t ours to begin with. I know people who just reach in their wallet when the plate is passed on Sunday, but that’s like giving God the crumbs rather than the best food in the house. I agree with you all. God does bless us when we keep things in perspective, and give back to Him as we’ve been blessed…FIRST.
Ryan, this is something I struggle with. I don’t view tithe as giving my FIRST fruits. I know we’re supposed to but it’s so easy for me to think of my money as being mine. I’m too often one of those people that are begrudgingly giving money. It’s something I’ve gotten much better with but it’s still a challenge.
I totally understand! What’s hard to accept is that if we can’t give back to God cheerfully, he’d just as soon we just kept the money.
That’s a great point, Ryan. Someone on 48days.net just commented the same thing (2 Corinthians 9:7).
oh i loved this! i gotta say, i love reading you guys’ posts. They are so inspiring! a few sundays ago after you posted about running Mike, i got so motivated to run – i went for the best run i’ve had in a long time! (except i, of course, kept my shirt on haha) And i’ve often pulled quotes from here and copied them down for inspiration. I love what you guys are doing! This post was awesome because it’s something that i’ve thought about lately. When i was in ywam i was so generous with giving money, it didnt even cross my mind and I never fell short. Now that I’m home and living on my own and paying my bills I watch my money much more closely and yet somehow it always feels tight. And i think “oh i really should start giving more again…” So this is the good kick in the butt that i needed:)
keep up the good work guys! 🙂
Hey, Crystal! Thanks for the comment and I’m glad that you’re enjoying the site!
Wow, so you’re more stressed about money now that you have more. Seems backwards, right? I can totally relate though! I think we get caught up with life and our focus is at a different place than, say, when you were in YWAM.
Or, why do you think that is?
Happy to give the kick in the butt, btw.
Love this! So challenging. It is so easy to be caught in the poverty mentality EVEN when we have plenty of $. I love your choice to tithe and then expect things to work out…to be positive. I am even more blessed by your generosity to me after reading this post!
Hey thanks, Char. My pleasure!
I think it’s so easy to have a negative view of money no matter how much you make. Money and lots of it isn’t bad, it’s the LOVE of it that is the root of all evil.
Well, I agree with the tithing even in the rough spots, because God is bigger than the bank account, of course. 🙂
I feel like this act of obedience and surrender brings blessings in every part of lives, if we will let it. A couple of weeks ago I was freaking out about this or that, and I felt God wanted me to be still and just surrender it all – like God was saying, ‘I will fight these battles, you just follow me.’
Which is part for me, because I’m a little bit of a control freak.
Well I did, and that same day, I got a raise in one of my hourly, I got a really encouraging note from someone I had been in conflict with, and Integrity music retweeted one of my articles. Boo yah.
God is cool like that.
Thanks for sharing, Sarah. It makes such a difference when we keep our priorities in line and give back first.
We can read of all these amazing miracles in the bible like, the parting of the Red Sea, lame people walking, and water being turned unto wine. But then we think, “God, I know you did all these great things like that in the bible. But you see, I have this car repair. Now I know you’ve never dealt with one of those before.”
[…] a HUGE encouragement for Claudia and me! Just the other day I got an email from someone who read my post on tithing and suggested a great resource on the topic. I checked it out and it was really helpful in bringing […]
I really wouldn’t want to come across as a wet blanket but I really do not think that the bible commands the New Testament church to tithe. There is simply no scriptural evidence for this.
Our main failing in much of today’s church is to create doctrines based on personal experiences and the problem with this is everybody becomes right as the bible is no longer the standard. You would have already guessed that I do not tithe but I can give you instances upon instances of God coming through for me and my family.
My wife and I have 2 cars between us and my wife’s was written off in an accident. We really did not have any money to buy another and were totally dependent on God. And through God’s help, we were able to pick up another car which was a lot better than what she had before for peanuts and it gets better: our energy company gave us a refund on our bills because we had overpaid in the last year and it was not small money.
I could spin these experiences any way in order to support my personal convictions and I will doubtlessly win converts along the way but I know that God did come through for me because I tithed or because I did not; He came through for me because I am His child.
According to the bible, the tithes were the tenth part of agricultural produce and livestock from the land of Israel alone. The tithe was a form of taxation for ancient Israel quite akin to the taxes we pay to respective governments today.
Giving in the New Testament does not take the shape of a mandatory 10% minimum for it to be accepted instead we are encouraged to give anything we can afford with no minimums and maximums. This will be accepted if it has been given willingly and cheerfully.
God bless.
Tony,
I think that you did very well in presenting that. The new law that we’re under now is referred to as the “law of liberty” (vs. the old “law of ordinances”). That doesn’t mean that we can do anything we want today. It means that God has given us the free-will and opportunity to serve him from our heart! We’re still commanded to “give as we’ve been blessed”, but God cares more about the fact that we’re giving it in the right spirit/have the right attitude than what the actual percentage of our income it is that we’re giving. I do think that 10% is a good example for us to aspire to (or even exceed), but definitely not mandatory.
Hey Tony,
Thanks for your comment here!
I like your story of how God provided when you needed a car! With the tithing, we aren’t saying God won’t take care of His children if we don’t tithe, but, we are deeply convinced of the promise that we will be blessed abundantly if we do. I don’t want to be just taken care of. I want to be blessed abundantly by an abundant God!
I’m willing to follow the 10% and above guideline and test God’s provision. I’ve been both places…both giving the 10% and giving whatever I chose when I felt like I could afford it. I’ve definitely found more peace, joy and provision when I give the 10% first.
Ryan,
I do like your response but I don’t think you fully understood my comment. The mind set if many Christians with regards to tithing is that without it God will not rebuke the devourer, bless one etc. There is also the misconception that the bible calls the tithe 10% of something. Now if none of these things exist in the bible, then their practise within the church can be called questionable.
You were spot on when you said God looks at the heart but man has devised a so called 10% minimum as something to aspire to or as the starting point of giving. Giving does not have to be at least 10% before God accepts it. And this 10% guide cannot be found anywhere in the bible. It was never taught by the apostles nor practised in the early church. This is evident in Paul’s charge to the church in Corinth – 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 2 Corinthians 8
Claudia,
Much of what is taught about the tithe in today church unfortunately cannot be found in the bible. 10% is not God’s condition for blessing the New Testament believer, we are already blessed by virtue of the covenant established in the blood of Christ.
We most certainly cannot judge the accuracy of any doctrine by our feelings as feelings could be misleading instead the word of God is supposed to be our guide. The question is does the bible say that God set the 10% as the condition for blessing the New Testament church?
Tony,
You are right, we cannot judge what is right or wrong just by our feelings, thanks for the reminder! Your challenge to dive deeper into scripture is a great one, I will indeed.
Absolutely love this, Michael! Sure, God may not hold it against you if you don’t tithe, but by not tithing, you may be keeping some of His blessings at bay! God’s math works differently from ours 🙂
I was already intending to continue tithing on my lower and actually not really steady income, but you’ve confirmed that direction to me. Thanks!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Will. Take a look through some of the other comments, there’s been quite a dialogue here.