“The Tithes That Bind”

Friday, March 25, 2016

My question regards the practice of tithing.  When my husband and I both worked, we gladly tithed 10% and more.  Now that we are down to one income, tithing 10% is not possible.  I invite anyone to look at my budget -- you will not find a clothing allowance, an entertainment allowance (although I do get the kids a happy meal when I go grocery shopping, mostly so I can unload and put away groceries in peace!).  You will not find a growing savings account or contributions to an investment plan.   The fact is, we've sacrificed a lot, so that I could stay at home with the kids while they are preschoolers.  Once they're both in school, we'll go back to being a two-income family.

My question, which I'm sure you've heard a million times, is should I tithe only what we are able?  I believe that God wants me to pay my bills.  I also don't think my church is going to pay my bills when I fall behind on them because I am tithing instead.

I'm looking for someone to give me an honest answer.  For what it's worth, as a single parent (before marriage), I did tithe 10% instead of paying my bills.  I fell behind on my bills.  I married my current husband with a mountain of debt which we are slowly emerging from.

Sincerely,
Ten Is Too Many

Dear Ten Is Too Many,

Tithing is an Old Testament commandment (Num 18:24), not a New Testament one.  Jews tithe; christians “lay by in store as we have prospered” (1 Cor 16:1-3).  God doesn’t give a specific percentage that christians should give back.  He commands that we prepare beforehand what we give (that’s the “lay by in store” part – 1 Cor 16:2).  He also commands that we be “cheerful givers” and that we give as we have “purposed in our hearts” (2 Cor 9:7).  Though tithing, which means ‘one tenth’, is a good rule of thumb for giving… it isn’t a command.

Any church that tells you that you have to give 10% is warping the Scriptures to increase your contribution.  You and your husband need to prepare beforehand what it is that you can cheerfully give.  Giving should be a sacrifice – but a voluntary one based off of thoughtful contemplation.

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