How to Get to Tithing
In 2 Corinthians 8:12, we read this: For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For so many people the readiness is there. You have the desire to tithe, but getting there seems impossible. I have written this short article to help you get to what you already desire to do.
What is a tithe?
A tithe literally means a tenth, or 10%. If you earn $10, you give $1 to God's work. If you earn $10,000, you give $1,000 to God's work.
Is tithing for New Testament believers?
The short answer is yes. The original command to tithe is in the Old Testament. Leviticus 27:30 reads: Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD. Malachi 3:10 reads: Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. These are just a few of the many verses that point to tithing. Other verses to look up on your own are Genesis 14:18-20; Genesis 28:20-22; Numbers 18:21; Deuteronomy 14:22-23.
The principle that we follow as believers is that if something is repeated or affirmed from the Old Testament in the New Testament, then it applies to New Testament believers. In speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said these words: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others (Matthew 23:23). Jesus affirms that we are to practice justice and mercy and faithfulness, not in place of tithing but alongside of tithing.
How do I move from where I am to tithing?
- Step 1 - Look at your various income sources and determine your annual income. Figure out how much you have given over the last year.
- Step 2 - Write down your current giving as a percentage. (Example: Annual Income = $60,000; Annual Giving = $1,200; Percentage = 2%.)
- Step 3 - Each time you get a raise, put 50% of the raise toward your giving until you reach 10%. If you don't receive a raise in any given year, then simply stay at the level of giving you were at the prior year.
