What is Tithing? – Do I Have to Give 10%?

In the world of finances, saving rates are extremely powerful. On the other hand, as Christians, we are called to give of ourselves to others. We should give back to God the “first fruits” of what we receive from Him as a tithe. But what is tithing? Do I really have to give 10% of my income?

This is my first crack at reflecting on tithing, so there will be much more to come. To start, I want to look at what was tithing in the Old Testament and what it looks like in the New. Then I want to suggest three starter tips for tithing.

What is a Tithe?

Let’s start with a definition. This word gets tossed around in various Christian communities, but what exactly is tithing?

Tithing is an Old Testament tradition, going all the way back to Abraham, of giving God a tenth of everything (Gen 14:20). Mosaic law made this more concrete, establishing tithes as an obligation of the Jewish people.

New Testament Examples

Jesus does not explicitly tell the apostles or his followers in the Gospels to tithe, but there are many examples of the early Christian communities supporting the Church financially. In Luke 8:3 there are women who follow Jesus and his apostles to “provide for them out of their resources”.

Also, St. Paul is able to leave his work as a tent maker because of the generous financial support from the communities that he teaches the Gospel to. He is able to live off of the Gospel and radically serve God full time. (Note, he doesn’t make a killing off the Gospel like a mega church, rather he intimately gets to know these communities and shares life with them. Then after sharing the mission, he seeks their support.)

Old Law vs. New Law

Jesus did not come to abolish Jewish laws or what the prophets said. Rather, he came to fulfill (Matt 5:17). Time and time again in the New Testament, Jesus himself or his apostles are questioned about why they don’t follow Mosaic law as strictly. Most of the responses tend to orient the laws toward what is Good and greater meanings of the intent of the initial law. The old laws are not abolished, but rather light is shed on them to reveal their purpose.

I picture the story of Salvation History, from Old to New like this, God is an extremely patient Father striving to love His children. Meanwhile, those children continuously are making ridiculous choices that are hurting themselves as well as their relationship with the Father. He will not force them to love and follow Him, but he also won’t stop pursuing their love.

Rules as an Act of Love

Thinking back to when you were a kid, you probably had some rules, or laws, in your parents’ household. For the longest time, you were not allowed to touch the stove. This law is as black and white as it gets. DO NOT….

However, as you got older, you were allowed to touch the stove when Mom and Dad were home. Whoa, abolishing the law? No, just shedding light on the intent of the law. Before, you could not tell when the surface was hot or cold, but now you are learning. Later, you were finally able to use the stove as you pleased. The intent of the law is still in place, that is to make you not touch a hot stove; however, now the law is put into different terms because before, you didn’t have the language or experience to understand when the stove was safe or not.

Beyond The Rules

We need to change our mindset on rules. Many see rules as negative restrictions, but there is such great freedom in limitation!

My chaplain in my missionary years would frequently describe the Christian life as a battle for Good. In this battle, the enemy is attacking us and we strive to stay alive. However, in Father’s words, “A good soldier doesn’t just avoid getting shot.” A good soldier, fights strategically and heroically for what is best for God, his brothers, and his country.

These Old Testament commandments are great for “not getting shot” or avoiding sin. But to live a beautiful Christ-like life, we don’t want to just avoid the bad. We want to strive for the good! The Old sets the foundation for an even greater new.

New Light on Tithes

If the “Old Law” said, “Give 10% of everything”. What is the even greater meaning of the law that will allow our souls to strive for greatness?

What was God hoping that His children would learn from this practice?

The Gospel tells us one story that is always a gut check to really reflect on.

The Poor Widow’s Contribution

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood. – Mark 12:41-44

In this story, Jesus does not tally up their incomes in order to compare who gave a higher percentage or passed some threshold of giving. Yet, he can tell that many give what they don’t need, and she gives everything, including what she needed.

This widow is so trusting in God that she gives up even what she needs because she knows that He is really the only thing that she needs. She knows if she gives her whole self to God, He will provide even more.

Now that Christians are not necessarily bound by the tithe of Mosaic law, what is the new interpretation? Earlier in the same chapter of Mark, Jesus says that the greatest commandment is first to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and second to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-34). I think if those two commandments come first and you are striving for those, you are already living a life that will inform the rest of your decisions, including your charitable giving.

So if giving 10% was the “old law”, I would imagine that God wants us to have had the practice of letting go, so that eventually we will be willing to give Him everything.

Giving Your Livelihood

Giving like the widow is a goal to strive for. It is extremely difficult to let go of something that feels like it is your security. At the same time, you must reflect on this. What is really your security? You can’t take any of your things or your money with you in the end.

On that note, here are my three tithing tips to get you started.

1. Intentionality – Why are you Tithing?

You can always adjust your giving amounts at a later time. What is important for any goal you want to achieve is to start somewhere because giving something is better than nothing. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

2. Make Tithing a Budget Item

Take your income and make one section of your budget roughly 10% of what’s coming in. This is your starting ground. Then, under that amount, make subsections for your various charities and giving areas. Some churches will claim that certain percentages should go to your church vs missions vs the poor, but like I said you can always adjust once you start allocating some chunk of money to giving back. Start giving somewhere, reflect and see how it feels, and if you are called to give more or less to one area, adjust.

It is tempting to spend all month, look at whats left, and then give. Note that the amount in this section of the budget is set. It is planned for and is made a priority.

3. Make it Fun

Just like anything else, spend where it is important to you, and don’t spend elsewhere. If you are passionate about a certain cause, give more there. You might want to consider the following: local or foreign, small or large organizations, and of course, what is their mission?

If you have a heart for service of the poor, consider giving more in that area so that your giving reflects you. Make it fun and do some research of where to give as well.

LAST BONUS TIP: I like to keep $25 in our budget free for “Random Spontaneous Giving” or RSG each month. How many times do you have a coworker mention someone’s GoFundMe for a great cause, you pass a group of kids fundraising for some event, or you see people collecting items for a drive. This bonus money can give you guilt free freedom to give in those situations that you didn’t necessarily plan for.

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Where are some of the places you give and why?