What Is Tithing?
In Biblical times, tithe meant one-tenth. It means the same thing now, but we just seem to prefer the term one-tenth.
My husband and I use the word tithe and we practice it, every week, without fail. What exactly is tithing? Giving one-tenth (10%) of your income – that’s gross income – to God. And if the word God is not in your dictionary, or if you prefer another term, then give one-tenth (10%) of your gross income to a place that has inspired you. Let me explain:
For those of us who don’t belong to an institutionalized church, temple, etc., yet still receive inspiration from other sources – well that’s where you tithe. According to Catherine Ponder’s wonderful series of books, “The Millionaires of the Bible” you are not supposed to give that tithe to a problematic family member or a friend. I’d call that enabling, not tithing. Instead, Catherine says to give them a book explaining how they can attract or manifest that money into their lives (more on that in another article).
Anyways, our inspiration has come from several different sources (though all in the end are from above) so we kinda take turns weekly on who and where the 10% that week goes. Inspiration can come in many, many guises. One of them is the unconditional love we receive every minute from our wonderful husky/basenji mix dog. He came into our lives two years ago by the grace of God when I “just happened” to stop by our local animal shelter. Animal shelters are a wonderful, wonderful place to tithe.
There are a few other places we send to, but you’ll know in your heart where you want your money to go . Another great place is your local library, maybe a local (nor not so local) retreat. Just remember to make sure the place you’re sending your money to is really a legitimate cause. Ask yourself, “What inspires me?”
With that said, I’ll just touch briefly on the rewards of tithing. Okay, forget it – try as I might, I can’t do it briefly, because my rewards are endless! My life has overflowed with everything since I began to tithe. I heard this would happen, and it wasn’t skepticism that I felt at first it was “Let’s see about this!!! And I’m here to say it’s all true. It’s true that when you tithe some sort of magic happens; good things, vibes, and money come to you, and they come fast! Seriously. Perhaps the phrase “What goes around, comes around” was a reference to tithing as opposed to Karma. Hmmm.
But that’s not the reason to tithe. Check it out for yourself. Ten percent seems like a lot at first, but as they say, “You can’t afford NOT to tithe”. Start slowly – again with the baby steps – give 5% or what you can. It’ll grow. It always does. You’ll be like the Grinch, but in a good way.
Happy tithing!
I tithe where and when I can. But I’d like to think when I help my friends out or give to places it still counts.
Of course we help our friends – and it counts. But as far as being an “inspirational tithe” I’m not sure HOW it counts. Sorry I don’t write the rules, but I do know that kindness counts, always. P.S. You have lucky friends!
I think that tithing puts your money where your heart is and that is when the blessings occur. For a long time my husband and I were tithing to support friends doing missionary work. But we have also come to believe that tithing should be first and foremost to our local church. We still support our friends but that is above and beyond our local church tithe. We are not rolling in the dough but we see that God has been faithful to care for us and in turn we are faithful in our giving. Thanks for giving attention to the topic of tithing. I think it is an important and relevant topic.
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Hmmm… While tithing is certainly a worthy aim, I think our aim should be higher. In the Old Testament, tithing was a command. In the New Testament, Jesus consistently calls us to a higher standard–a heart standard: “It hath been said… but I say unto you…” Jesus moved the goal from not murdering to not hating, from not having illicit sex to not lusting, etc, etc. I think he does the same with tithing. We should give freely out of a generous heart and if our giving is only 10%, I wonder whether our heart is truly in tune with Jesus’ words: “Freely you have received, freely give”
Although a tithe is 10% of your gross income, you dont just give it any place that “inspires” you! It’s God’s and it goes to your local Church. Tithing is an act of obedience for Born Again Christians.