Tithing

Every Sunday my mom writes a $50 check to a ministry she feels led to support.

Sometimes it’s our church, sometimes it’s a local youth outreach, and other times it’s publications like Our Daily Bread or Christianity Today.

My mom considers her weekly checks to be her tithe.

Tithing is somewhat of a controversial and confusing topic in the Church today.

We ask questions like, Is tithing an option for Christians, or does God demand it? Can I give my tithe only to the church I attend? Is the traditional idea of giving 10% of my income a hard and fast rule, or is it more of a metaphorical example Jesus provided for us, like forgiving 490 times? If I am to give 10% of my income, is that 10% of my net income or my gross income?

Personally, I think we tend to be like the Pharisees and make tithing too legalistic.

Tithing should be an act of thanksgiving for all God has provided for us, a way to humble ourselves before our Creator and Provider. It is also a way to show God that we trust Him to continue to provide for us in the future. Tithing is, in essence, one way to worship God.

If tithing becomes simply a legalistic ritual, how can we truly worship God with it?

I don’t think we need to always give exactly 10%. I think we should trust God with what He has provided for us and give as much as we can. I don’t think we need to give only to our local church either. We should give to whomever God calls us to give.

Only when our tithing becomes a true act of worship will God bless us for trusting in His provision.