One question that I've heard a lot over the past several years is, "Should I tithe?" It's a valid question and one that everyone should have an answer to. I know that the topic of giving/tithing brings up statements like, "They are just trying to steal your money," "The church is trying to get rich," or "I grew up in a church where they always begged for money and hated it." All of these statements can be true for some people. There have been, and will be ministers who try to get rich or essentially steal your money. There will also be situations where churches only focus on money and seem to always be begging for it and guilt you into giving. These occurrences are brutal and unbiblical, but they aren't the norm. By far the majority of Pastors aren't getting "rich" or skimming off the top. And by far the majority of churches try to handle money in a biblical way. I think a lot of times these excuses get thrown out there so the individual doesn't have to deal with the fact that they don't give money and aren't generous at all.
For instance, I've had a couple of people say that to me that go to our church and I've always replied by saying that our books are open to anyone who has questions about any cent that comes into this place. You know how many people in the last 6 years have taken us up on that? One. (unless I've missed hearing about somebody else).
So what that tells me is that the issue about tithing, or lack thereof, goes to something else. That something else is truly examining how we handle our finances, and having to take a look at our hearts.
What is tithing?
Tithing is a concept in the Old Testament where the people were commanded to give 10% of everything that the earned or grew. The word actually means "a tenth part"In reality, there were a couple of other tithes that were in the law as well that pushed the percentage more towards giving 25%. This money would go back to the temple/Tabernacle. The purpose was not simply to support the ministry that was happening and giving back to God. There is a larger purpose. On the last post I said my view of my finances changed when I realized that everything I have or have ever earned is God's. Because of that understanding I began to look at giving generously as a joy because I'm responding to the grace God has given me. Isn't it interesting that we have no problem tipping a good waitress 20% or more but the thought of doing half of that for God is just ridiculous? Or how about the fact that we pay everyone else in our life (cable, internet, electrical, etc...) but fight against giving to God?
Do we still need to give 10%?
This is debatable amongst a lot of people. For me, I think it's a great place to start. I do believe that should be a minimum for everyone but it's an open handed discussion for me. For some people that have never given on a regular basis and have handled their finances in such a way that they can't, start with what you can. I will say this though. If 10% was the minimum in the Old Testament and all God did was raise the bar in the New Testament, I feel like we should have our sight set on being more generous rather then fighting for less. 2 Corinthians speaks of God loving a cheerful giver. Why wouldn't we be cheerful to give back to God?
Where should I tithe?
You should give to wherever you call your home church. That is the place that you should support and pour into. Yes, you can absolutely support other organizations and missionaries as well, but where you get your teaching, where you find your community, and where God has placed you should also be where you give your money.
What does my tithe go to?
Your generosity is critical to what churches are able to accomplish. Your generosity goes towards paying the staff of the church and towards all of the ministry that happens through a church. So anything that happens with children, students, and adults is all supported through a congregations generosity. You will find that the most generous churches also see the most impact, have an incredible culture of giving and sacrifice, and always pushing to do more for God's kingdom.
Some practical steps you could do:
1. Set aside money from your budget as the first thing that you do each month and give
2. Have a monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly amount set up through your bank and use autopay
3. Take a good look at your bank and credit card statements. Jesus says in Matthew 6, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." You'll get a good look at what you really value. (I do this at least twice a year and it rocks my world every time).
4. Set goals to be more generous. What Lacy and I have found is that as our faith and understanding of God's grace has increased, so has our desire to be generous. A few years ago we decided that we would try and get to a point where we give away 25%. We were in a much better financial position when we made that decision but even as things haven't been so "cushy" we've never wavered on that goal. We try and make decisions financially around that because that's important to us. (Let me make it clear that we are not there yet, and it's a goal that we incrementally are working towards, and I'm in no way prescribing this for anyone else. I'm also not remotely saying that with any kind of boasting so please don't take it that way.)
5. Read. 2 great books to read through would be The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, and Money-God or gift by Jamie Munson.
Without question, Christians should be the most generous people on the face of this earth. And this shouldn't be out of guilt, but out of joy. I've never met someone who began to give on a regular basis and hated it. Maybe there is someone out there that is this way but I've personally never had that experience. I've always found that as people begin to reorganize their finances, and work towards being generous it becomes a freeing experience and their relationship with God becomes stronger. We begin to find so much more joy in giving and less from receiving and all of the sudden we see that the verse in Acts 20 (It is better to give then receive) really is true.
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