A Case For the Modern Tithe

byTheGunslinge

112 followers

Updated 5 years ago

The practice of tithing reaches back to ancient times when God's holy people were required by law to give one tenth of their pay or enrichment to the temple or synagogue where they worshipped. Modern day Christianity picked up the practice, encouraging tithing rather than mandating its protocol. If you wonder what tithing is all about, and why on earth anyone would consider giving away one-tenth of their income, you may be interested to read on.

Was it Ever Really Ours to Begin With?

If we brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out when we leave it, what belongs to us, by right? Wealth? Our hard-earned pay? Anything that we accumulate along the way? It's worth giving some thought to this question, regardless of your faith denomination or worldview. If everything we have and hold is merely on loan to us for the short time we are here on planet earth, who does it really belong to in the bigger picture? I'm going to take the position, for the sake of this conversation, that it all belongs to God, and that when we tithe, we are simply giving back to him a portion of what's already his, in gratitude for his provision and blessing.

More About the Tithe in History

When Israel was building the second temple, many of the builders noticed that even though they had sown seed and planted fruit trees, the work of their hands failed to deliver the kind of results they had once experienced. When they sought God for answers about this problem, he replied, "Will a man rob God"? The people of Israel had forgotten about the tithe and had gone for many generations without honoring God with the first fruits of their labor and their fields. God was calling his people back to the tithe, and in the next few passages of the Book of Malachi, he would make an intriguing invitation that still calls out to readers nearly 2,500 years later.

The Timeless Invitation

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me", God bargains,"and see if I won't open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing you can't begin to contain it".

I don't know about you, but that is an invitation that I find very hard to resist. Are you unsure whether God will notice your tithe? Do you wonder if he will reward you for giving him a tenth of your income? Test him. Test him and see.

It's Awkward, But I Have to Ask

When I'm approached by a friend or family member who shares their personal story or situation about a current or ongoing money problem, I'll inevitably ask, 'Are you tithing"? I typically get a look of confusion over my question, often because few people know what the word 'tithe' means, but more often because the practice sounds so archaic and it actually seems to surprise people that I would suggest such a thing.

"Why would I do that?", is the usual the response.

"Because God can do more with the 90% left over than you can do with the 100%", is my best reply.

When Less is More

In God's crazy economy, he promises to bless the 90% we hold on to when we trust him with the 10% that he lays claim to. Now, I know that's a radical thought for most people, but I know quite a few Christians who have stepped out in faith and seen God do amazing things in their finances- things that just aren't possible.

I'm a believer in the modern tithe for two reasons:

1. In the 12 years that I've bene tithing, God has enabled me to raise two children on my own, after losing my husband to cancer. He has been a generous, caring provider, withholding nothing from us that we have asked for.
2. It's all his, but he only asks for 10% of it back from me.

Be Gentle, Reader

Certainly, this is a point of conflict that's going to put a few people on edge and cause me to fall out of favor in their sight. I'm just here making a case for what I believe is one of the best business practices an individual can apply in today's economy. It's not a command- God only invites you to 'test him'. See if he won't do what he promises to do. I've seen him work miracles in my finances, time and time again, and I invite you to imagine what he would do for your financial future if you stepped out in faith, by tithing.