The Purpose of Tithing

I've written a lot about tithing over the past several months including the following pieces:

• The 21st Century Tithe 

• Questions about Tithing

• The Tithe is for Today

• Tithe versus Offerings, What's the Right View? 

• Tithe or Pay Off Debt -- Which One Should You Do First?

All of this, and I don't think I've used the following verse that explains the purpose of tithing. Here's Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (TLB):

"You must tithe all of your crops every year. Bring this tithe to eat before the Lord your God at the place He shall choose as His sanctuary; this applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives."

That last sentence is worth repeating:

"The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives."

Of course, someone who puts God first in their life will have much more evidence than their checkbook to show for it. Their time, their activities, their decisions, their attitude, and on and on -- everything about them -- will reflect that they put God first in their life.

On the other hand, in my opinion, someone who has all of the outer trappings of a follower of God but who doesn't tithe (or give 10%, if you prefer), isn't really 100% sold out to following God. Why not? They aren't putting God first in their finances -- a major portion of their life. But according to Deuteronomy, if they do tithe, they will learn to put God first in [all areas] of their life.

Now I'm sure I'll get people wanting to comment on this post that the tithe isn't for today, that it's an Old Testament law, and on and on. Before you leave some sort of comment like this, please read the tithing posts I've listed at the top. They address these issues. Then, if you feel otherwise, you can leave a comment on the appropriate post about whether or not you agree with me.

Comments

[frontporchmom]

I am a single mother of four. My ex is a backslidden man. I continue to tithe. Most think I am nuts. I feel it is wrong not to. He does not tithe anymore-which is very sad to me. I love the Lord and this is part of the reason why I tithe. I also feel the Lord has protected me and my children many many times. He is my protector since my ex has left us. I refuse to date or get invovled like my ex has--- so I rely on the Lord for many things....including being my "husband". Tithing helps keep me in line with my priorities in life and it keeps me humbled.

[CJ]

We started tithing earlier this year, for just the reason you stated: To put God first in our lives. And it's sometimes hard to write that check each month--it's the next biggest payment we have, after our mortgage--but I wouldn't have it any other way. The Lord has already proven to us what He said in Malachi 3:10:

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

I wrote a post on the value of giving on August 13 of this year. Check it out if you like.

-CJ

[Will]

I look at Tithing much in the same way Charity works.
Within the Jeudeochristian beliefs. God created all, he owns all. We're mere stewards. A tith: or a 10th merely acknolege this Lordship.
From a worldly perspective: those who aren't religious might see the advantage of tithing as a way of more efficiently redistributing your wealth and good fortune to those less fortunate more efficiently; as opposed to raising more taxes as a means of forced donations to causes I may not ever wish to be in any way charitible.

[Thomas B]

I am not fond of religion at all, I do however give about 15% of my income to charities (non religious). Simply because I feel it is the right thing to do. If our government gave even 5% of the budget to good causes, we would live in a radically different world. The world we live in currently is largely shaped by the the fact that 50 % of the US budget goes to militarization.
Just an opinion to add to thoughts on tithing.

[vsa]

Thomas B., please examine the IRS 1040 instructions. You can Google for this if you want or head directly to the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.

Towards the end of the instruction booklet, there is an explanation with pie charts showing U.S. Government annual expenditures. Your claim that the Federals spend 50% on "militarization" is bunk. The actual amount spent is MUCH less. The bulk of federal money is spent on welfare and social entitlement programs.

Also, you seem to forget that the "militarization" is spent on national defense and homeland security. Folks are out there making sure that you are going to be safe from war and terrorist attacks.

If the federal government scaled back its entitlement programs (which promote a culture of dependency) and returned that money back to taxpayers (like you and me!) we might all have more money to give to what we each deem as "worthy causes." Then, our nation WILL be in a much better place.

(Change starts small, at the local levels, and rarely at the global level.)

[Bill Henderson]

Giving is not a matter of reaching a certain goal or a per cent. The response for giving should be a response from the heart. Do what your heart tells you to do. If your heart is good, you will know the amount!

[John K]

First, let me state that I have been tithing since I first learned the principle of tithing 20+ years ago, and I can't begin to tell you how blessed I am as a result.
Obviously in today's world, at least here in the U.S., we tithe with our finances, not cattle and sheep. So, here's my question.
When God established the tithe, did He intend for the tithe to be sufficient in supporting the financial needs of local church? Here is the reason that I ask.
Our church is looking to purchase a new and larger building. Once our current building is sold, it is estimated that we, the local church body, will need to come up with at least another $300,000 - $400,000. Our Pastor, (and I agree), will not take out a loan, so the additional money will have to come in the form of generous offerings, as our church is not very big.
I have been told that approximately only 20% - 30% of the regular attending adults in our church tithe. My thought is this...if all of the regular attending adults tithed, we probably would have enough and would not have to take up a big offering to make up the difference. That is why I ask the question - did God intend for the tithe to be sufficient to financially support the local church.

[Chaka Rosemin]

I have experienced the blessings of God from tithing. However, I've also experienced the curses of not tithing. As a single mother with 2 children, I know God has blessed me. When you tithe it should be unto the Lord. You do not tithe because of the Pastor. Remember the pastor will be blessed whether you tithe or not. Just like you are faithful to God with your praise and worship, do the same with your finances. GOD WILL MAKE A WAY. Once you have put that tithe up, DO NOT GO BACK IN AND TAKE ANYTHING OUT OF IT. That 10% is holy unto the Lord. Do not let the devil try to put that doubt in your mind. God honors faith and faith honors God. When you rob God, the devourer will come in and rob you....People may say God knows my heart, so he understands if I am not tithing. He does know your hearts, but he also knows about that income. You are not fooling God when you decide not to tithe. I remember when I started robbing God by not tithing, that devourer came in like a flood and all I could do is fall on my face, repent and turn from my wicked ways. I made a vow unto the Lord that I would never not tithe. We are to tithe off of all of our income, not just the salary. We should tithe 10% off of child support, disability, goverment funds, grants and all of the above. I can only tell you what I know, when you bring the tithe into the storehouse so there is meat in the Lord's house, God will open up the windows of heaven and pour out that blessing. God is so Sovereign, but he also chastises those whom he loves. Be not deceived for God is not mocked as a man SOWETH SO SHALL HE REAP. Do not pass that poverty curse from generation to generation. Tithe no matter what. Before the tithe gets to the church, God will already honor your faith and bless you. No it may not happen tomorrow, it may take a couple of months for that window to open. Believe God and he will do just what he says. To sum this all up, make sure you tithe. Even off of that income-tax check. Tithe unto the Lord, do not worry about what everyone else is doing. Just make sure your 10% is going to God. He will bless you, and when he does get ready. In order to receive that miracle, it takes discipline and faith. When you give God, make sure it is your best and not the worst.
Be blessed for this New Year.

[Dee]

I believe in tithing also. And when I was single, I always tithed, I never once forgot to tithe, but when I married my husband, who is a bit stingy,things changed. And he don't want to let go of that money. He handles all the money now and I don't get to tithe. I know what God has done for me in the past, when I did tithe. and I have tried to explain this to him, but he just laughs about it. What do I do when I do not have any control over my money and I can't spend it in the way I want to? But my heart is in tithing and I want to do it. How can I convince my husband to let me at least tithe? I don't want him to tithe, because if your heart isn't in it, there is no use doing it, but he could let me do it. I love giving back to God, I could write a book on how he has blessed me in many many ways. And my husband has seen the hand of God many times to, but he can't let go of that money. So what does a person do when they can't give, but really wants to give?

[Laura]

Dee, you can give whatever portion is yours to give. You must get some money for yourself. Maybe God will let him see how it works for you.