Giving and tithing

Talking about giving for may Christians inevitably leads to talk of tithing. For some tithing is the golden rule of giving, crystal clear from the Old Testament teaching. For others the silence of the New Testament in positively teaching tithing is a sign that tithing is not binding on Christians.

The issue is complex and sometimes heated but let's cut to the chase! A lady once said, 'We do tithe in this church; we give about 10% of what we should give!' She was not far from the truth. The reality is that the majority of Christians do not tithe, in fact do not give half a tithe. So rather than arguing whether everyone or no one should tithe lets ask what are the are the core principles behind tithing and apply them to our giving.

• Tithing is a challenge for most people so giving should stretch us, should ask something of us. If it is nominal, tipping God like we might a waiter it has ceased to be meaningful.
• Tithing offers clear guidance and removes ambiguity in giving. Our giving should be planned, it should be determined outside of what we feel on the day or when we consider what to give. Otherwise giving will always be driven by emotion and filtered through a sense that we have little to give because of all the other important demands on our income.
• Tithing is about proportionate giving. Our level of gift should reconnect our income and lifestyle choices with our giving. Proportionate giving is not just about a percentage of income but the relationship of giving and lifestyle.

One thing seems clear. To tithe on minimum wage requires the kind of sacrifice that is not required on a six figure salary. The biblical standard of giving cannot be a standard that asks more of the poor than the wealthy. For many tithing is a place to start giving not a place to settle.