Tithing is a biblical principle that teaches us to give away a portion of our income or possessions. The Bible says that God wants his children to tithe (give) at least 10% of their income to him.
Tithing is a practice that has been around since the time of Abraham. Tithing is believed to be a commandment from God to give a tenth of one’s earnings to the Lord. In other words, tithing means giving a percentage of your income to God.
There are several ways to tithe. Some people choose to give 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or even 100%. There are also some who tithe through church offerings, donations, or gifts.
The Ten Percent Rule
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded by Moses to tithe (give a tenth) of all they had. This was done as an act of worship and obedience to God.
However, the New Testament Church is not required to tithe. Instead, we are told to “Give according to what you have” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
What Does Tithing Mean?
Giving money in tithes is not a new concept. It goes back to the time when the first man named Adam gave a tenth of everything he owned to God. He did this because he knew that God would provide for him if he obeyed God’s law.
When Jesus Christ came into the world, he taught His disciples how to live a life pleasing to God. One of these commandments was to pay tithes. Giving a portion of our income to God is a way of showing our gratitude for what God has given us.
How Can I Start Tithing?
It may seem intimidating to start tithing. But it doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are five steps to help you get started with tithing:
1. Determine Your Income Level
What does your current income look like? Is it $100 per month, $1,000 per month, or more?
Once you know your income level, determine how much you want to give to God each month. You can use any amount between 0-10% of your total monthly income.
2. Make A List Of All Your Possessions
Now make a list of all the things you own. If you don’t already have a written inventory of your belongings, take a few minutes to write down every item you own.
Be sure to include items such as clothing, furniture, vehicles, electronics, jewelry, etc.
3. Calculate Your Monthly Expenses
Once you have made a list of all your possessions, calculate your monthly expenses. These could include rent, utilities, insurance, car payments, credit card bills, student loans, etc.
Add up all your monthly expenses and divide them by 12. That will tell you how much you should set aside each month to give to God.
4. Set Up An Online Account
Once you have determined your monthly expense amount, create an online account where you can deposit your funds.
Use a secure site such as PayPal or Square Cash. Both of these sites allow you to transfer money directly from your bank account to theirs.
5. Give Away What You Don’t Need
If you find yourself with extra cash after paying off your debts, consider donating it to charity instead of spending it on something unnecessary.
Remember, there are many organizations out there that are willing to accept your financial support.
Tithing is a great way to show your love and devotion to God. By following these 5 simple steps, you can begin tithing today!
Do Christians Have To Tithe?
Tithing is one of those topics that people either love or hate. Some feel strongly about giving 10 percent of their income to God while others think it’s just another way for churches to get rich.
The truth is, tithing is simply giving a percentage of your income to God. It’s a practice that dates back thousands of years.
And although the Bible says that Christians aren’t obligated to tithe, most Christians do so anyway. Why? Because they believe it’s important to honor God.
The Bible teaches that we should “give according to the ability that have received” (Romans 13:7). This means that we shouldn’t give if we don’t have enough money. Instead, we should give according to our resources.
Why Do Christians Tithe?
Many people who tithe do so because they believe in Jesus Christ. They understand that he was sent to die for us on the cross and that he rose again from the dead.
Therefore, they believe that God has forgiven them for their sins and wants to help them live a better life.
In addition, some Christians tithe because they believe that God expects his followers to financially support him through prayer, worship, and other acts of service.
What Does Tithing Go Towards?
This is a fair question for anyone who gives 10% of their earnings to a church to ask. After all, there are plenty of horror stories out there of organizations abusing the generosity of their followers and spending money irresponsibly.
When it comes to the Christian church, tithing generally goes towards very noble causes, helping to spread the word of the Lord and helping out with the practical problems the church faces.
For example, in order for a church to run properly, a priest needs to be able to work properly. Some of your tithe money will go towards the priest of your church, allowing them to afford to live while still working for the church.
Similarly, the physical building of the church can often be an expensive place to maintain.
Because they are typically such old buildings, a lot of physical problems like plumbing, heating, and general wear and tear can be a real issue that, realistically, only money can solve. Therefore, some portion of the church’s tithe money will go to simply maintain the church itself.
However, these expenses don’t cover all the tithe money that Christians give to their church. The rest of this money is regularly spent on missionary and temple work, as well as the global administration of the church in general.
What If I Can’t Afford To Tithe Very Much?
The Christian church exists on a system of equality for all of its followers. This is one of the reasons why a percentage system is better for tithing than churches asking for an equal amount from all people.
Every contribution given by followers is considered with equal merit, regardless of how much money it actually is.
The Lord understands how different people have different incomes and varying amounts of money available to them, so He is welcoming of any and all tithes and donations.
You should never be worried or anxious about the amount of money you are able to tithe. Similarly, you should never feel pressured to give more in tithes than you can afford to, just to keep up with some other people at your church.
Conclusion
Tithing is not something that everyone does. However, if you’re interested in learning how to tithe, then here are another five steps you should consider:
Understand what tithing means.
Decide whether you want to tithe.
Determine where you would like to give your tithe.
Set aside a certain amount of money each month to tithe.
Pay your tithe regularly.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a new habit, then start with tithing. It may seem strange at first, but after a few months of doing it, you’ll find yourself feeling happier and healthier.
I have been a devout Christian since I was a little girl, so I trust my knowledge can help more people learn and perhaps even join the religion that is Christianity.
In 2011, 75% of Americans identified as Christian. However, in 2021, that number dropped to 63%. That is a 12% decrease, and that trend is likely to continue. If more people aren’t informed about Christianity, I fear that we will suffer from fewer members and we will become a forgotten religion.
My hopes for this website are for it to be a useful resource where you can get all of your supplementary knowledge on Christianity in one place. Of course, your religion leader will be able to answer most of your questions, but when they’re not available, I’m here for you.
