Language Lab: What Is “tithing”?

Language Lab: What Is “Tithing”?

Bible Blast: Read Malachi 3:6-12

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)

Tithe literally means “one-tenth,” so giving a tithe means you’re giving 10 percent of something. God was asking the people for 10 percent of their income and their livestock. What does this mean for you and me today? Most of us don’t have land or livestock! But we may earn money from an allowance or babysitting. Most churches today teach that we still need to be tithing 10 percent of our income to the church.

God doesn’t ask us to tithe because he needs the money. He wants us to grow as givers. He knows we need money to live, but he also promises to take care of us if we make a habit of giving, instead of storing up stuff and being selfish with our money and belongings. God has given us many Scriptures about the importance of giving, such as Proverbs 11:24-25: “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

About ten years ago my church sent out a challenge to tithe 10 percent of the money we made. My husband and I made a commitment to do just that, but it was scary. When it came time to write that check, my hand was shaky. But out of obedience, I sent the check in. Just a couple days later, I received a check in the mail for the exact same amount! God showed me how he takes care of my family and me when we’re obedient to him.

The Bible speaks so much about money; actually about one-fourth of the Bible deals with money, tithing, or giving. Two-thirds of the parables that Jesus told were about money. As you study what God says in the Bible about money, you’ll see it’s very different from what the world will tell you.

The world says, “Get as rich as you can.” But God says, “Give it away to those in need, and I’ll take care of you.”

Girl Gab: Mom, talk to your daughter about your family’s habits of tithing. Daughter, do you get an allowance or money for babysitting? Ask your mom how you can begin tithing 10 percent of that to your church. If you make $10, you can give $1 to your church. God’s not interested in how much you give. He wants to see your obedient heart.