What is Tithing?

by Pastor Tim Dowell

When someone asks, "How much should I give?," the correct answer is, "A tithe."  Of course, that begs the question, "What is a tithe?"  Let's see if we can make some sense of it

Technically speaking, a tithe is one tenth (10%) of the first fruits of your crops.  That having been said, ours is no longer an agrarian culture, so we understand the tithe to be one tenth of the first fruits of our fields of labor.  Simply put, one dollar for every ten dollars of income.  

That seems like a lot!

You're right... and you're wrong.  It does seem like a lot when we think of it as our money to give.  We have all sorts of economic demands on our income and to give 10% of it to a church seems counterintuitive.  

As we grow in our faith however, we come to understand that it's not our money to give.  It's God's money generously entrusted to us to care for.  Think about it.  Would we have any income if it weren't for the talents God has given us to make money with?  Would we have any income if it weren't for the health God has given you to work with?  Every penny we receive, just like every breath we breath, is a gift from God to be used for God's glory.    .  

As we begin to recognize that it's not our money to give, but God's money generously entrusted to us to care for, 10% seems like a small amount.  It's a token that God calls us to give as a demonstration that we understand that God has provided for us.

What if I don't tithe?

To be honest?  You'll be in good company.  Honoring God's call to tithe is something that precious few people do, but the fact that most people shortchange God doesn't make it right.  We are called to be faithful in our relationship with God, and if you take that call seriously, you will honor God's call to tithe.  You'll be amazed at how the God who promised to provide for all your needs will be faithful in doing so.

Can I grow into it?

When you think about it, isn't that how our entire faith life works?  Do any of us spontaneously become perfect followers of Jesus?  No, our faith relationship is something we spend a lifetime growing into.  That having been said, some areas of our faith life are easier to grow into than others.  It takes a lifetime to grow into loving your neighbor as yourself, but deciding to be faithful in tithing is a decision you can make right now.  Don't put off the easy parts of growing in your faith!

Will I be in trouble with God if I don't tithe?

Yes and no.  Willfully failing to honor God's call to tithe is no different than willfully failing to meet any of God's expectations.  It's sin.  Just as spitefully talking about a co-worker behind their back is a sin and dishonors God, failing to be faithful in our giving dishonors God.  Thumbing our nose at God is sin plain and simple, and the Bible tells us we will be held accountable for sin.  That having been said, our salvation (forgiveness for sin and the hope of eternal life) is not bought with our tithe or with our good behavior.  If it was, we would all be doomed!  Our salvation is God's free gift to us, through our faith in Jesus' death in our place on the cross.  So, coming up short in our tithing is like coming up short in meeting any of God's expectations.  It's wrong, it dishonors God, and we'll eventually have to answer for it, but it does not compromise our salvation.