tithe at least 10% of my income

It’s a way of acknowledging all that God has given me (which goes way beyond material wealth) and a way of returning gratitude and love to Him. It helps other people come to know Him too and serves their needs, but for me, that is a bonus; first and foremost, this giving is an expression of worship and trust that He’ll meet my needs even though I seem to be giving away the means provided. It’s a way of trusting in God and not in money or myself. It can be fun. It’s kind of like flying, to trust in God to catch you no matter what.

This year I was in a car accident which sucked up a some of my money. I had an expensive computer repair to pay for (which cost even more than the car accident since there was no insurance). I paid the last of out-of-state tuition for graduate school. But I also got a raise—the first significant raise in almost five years—and a gift of money from my parents. I’ve also had some oddball opportunities to earn small sums that I would never have predicted would come my way. It’s amazing how there’s always enough money despite bad circumstances. People much wealthier than I are in debt up to their eyeballs while I don’t owe a dime (except a debt of love to my parents!). I believe that my situation is a testimony to God’s faithfulness—He makes a way when I can’t see one.

I can get tense or frustrated about money right along with the rest of the world, but when I focus on what matters, I have assurance and rest that it will all work out.

I’ve found a way to make this a regular habit, therefore I’m calling this DONE. It’s actually become a joy to take that first 10% of my paycheck out and decide where God can best use it.

Ever since I started tithing, there has never been a time that I couldn’t find a need that I could help meet. In fact, most of the time the need goes beyond my 10%, in which case I help as much as I can. At first, I was surprised how satisfying it was to do this, but now I expect and look forward to it.

This has to have been one of the best things I’ve done for my own personal growth in a long, long time.

I do it almost every week, and I’ve worked it out to be $20 a week and knowing that I’m helping a greater cause feels good.

I love the idea of tithing. I used to give my 10% to friends and family going on mission trips and things of that nature, but I’ve not had many people doing that lately, so the money is sitting there. I can’t decide if I should just give it straight to my church or if I should find a way that I would see more direct fruit from giving.

A question I often wonder about is whether or not giving money to a friend in need is considered tithing since it’s not necessarily giving back to God your firstfruits.

I make roughly $400 a week (300 something after taxes)... meaning I have to give about $40 a week to the church. That’s cool by me. I mean, it’ll be rough ‘cause I decided to give $250 to my parents every week until I pay them back which means I’ll only have a few dollars left for the things I need like food, toiletries etc… but I’ll get it all back, that’s how tithing works. But I’m going to start in the new year… or right after Christmas. Just ‘cause the cheques I’m getting right now are all for Christmas. It sucks though ‘cause I’m not in the christmas spirit yet and I just finished a christmas musical… Oh well… Hopefully it’ll come soon.

God has given me so much and tithing 10% of my income would be my way of saying thank you for everything Lord.