The christian duty of offering (tithes) is currently a grey topic. Some churches enforce it, some encourage it, Some gives the exact 10%, some gives more, some believe we don't need to give exactly 10% (evidencing the fact that it's a figure suggested by Paul), and some believe we don't need to give at all because it's a voluntary action rather than commandment. So when do we tithe?
For those who are still studying and receive money as pocket money or support from parents, do we need to tithe? When pastors get paid a salary by the church, does he also need to tithe? Where does the tithe money go anyway? However to keep this entry under 2000 words, I'll just consider tithing in general.
The foundation of tithing (or offering) is that God has provided or been a blessing in our lives and that reciprocity (giving back) should be naturally flowing from our hearts. However the ideology behind this is that the money doesn't go to God, but to his unfinished work on Earth, through the church. Since most churches are funded primarily, if not completely, on the tithes of its members, it raises the question of whether a particular person should tithe using the financial health of the church as a criteria on how much to tithe at each opportunity.
For some people with financial troubles or strains, tithing would be much more challenging, and some even go as far as to view it on the same level as tax ('God's tax'). In a fairly unforgiving world tied up by legalism, politics and diverse range of moral benchmarks, many would fall into the realm of self-justification and say that tithing is optional. Whether their attitude or rationale is acceptable only God can judge, because God doesn't view wealth the same way as we do, and even between humans, views on wealth and offering are also different.
Each person's 'wealth' is formed differently. Some value time, some family, some money. Tithing in the money sense could be easy to one who doesn't care about money, but if they were asked to give up something that they do hold of high value, that is where they will be tested.
For the Christians with stronger passion, and daring to take their relationship with and faith in God to a higher ground, they would say that they place their future and faith in God so giving isn't a matter of difficulty by the world's standard because they place their trust in God. This is a very admirable way to view matter, and I have full respect for those who would throw away a luxurious or comfortable lifestyle to serve God's will.
Then we have Christians that have more in their mind, because they believe that God made them responsible of the things given to them. They are not wrong either because God called us to be stewards of his world. So how can one discern whether they should offer it back to God or use it wisely on other things?
To me, I think the approach to solving this dilemma has already been exemplified in the bible. Jesus said that the old women who gave her very limited, but entire wealth is greater than the rich man who pour his spare gold coins into the offering box like sand on the beach. And on the same notion, the first Christians shared everything they owned (Acts) and gave to each other as they had needed. Tithing is relative to situation of the person rather than the absolute value or format of their giving.
1. Tithing needs to be to God's work, not God's people.
Christians typically give to God through the church, but if we find the church is using the money unwisely or putting it to wrong use, should we still give? Imagine a church that would spend $25,000 to convert their 80-inch projector screen to a 90-inch when they could have rented a few houses to provide shelter and bibles for nearby homeless people.
I personally believe that the action of tithing is not limited to just the bags that are passed along the pews or the collection boxes at the entrance. If we are committed to giving 10% we can give it to any aspect of God's work, and many people already do that. Some say that doing God's work is more than doing humanitarian work, but that's still something. We as Christians don't earn our righteousness. It is a gift given to us through Christ. If we donate to disaster relief or support a child in a third world country, it is because God has loved us and blessed us financially, and as a response we want to pass that love on to the needy.
2. Tithing needs to be cheerful and wholehearted.
God is pleased with the cheerful giver. It is a very cliché verse to bring up but nonetheless true. Since as Christians we are already recipients of salvation through Christ, and there's no way to earn anything else, then why do we give like we have to? Tithing in any form is a worship to God, and a reminder to ourselves of who is the Lord of our life. It is a tax we freely and willingly give, not one we are obliged to give. Churches should not impose guilt onto Christians that don't give.
Besides, if we take the perspective that God created all things, then when we give we are just giving back what he gave us. We never had true ownership, we only have the free will to choose to give it back; again a simple concept that is often overlooked by certain churches who may accidentally convert this reality into a view that we are giving what formerly belonged to us.
3. Tithing is not a competition
There are churches that are very proud of the material wealth of the church: surround sound, 90-inch projectors, top-end musical instruments and PA equipment. They say that it is a symbol of God's blessing and favour for the generosity of church members' tithes to God.
Giving is not a competition, but rather a repository for greater works. One who willingly gives much and one who willingly gives little still gave, and what they give is collected by the church to take care of God's family and expand God's kingdom. When Jesus brought up that observation he was referring to the submissive and complete faith of the widow contrasted with the show-off attitude of the rich man. Yes, the widow gave 'more' in the relative sense, but who are we to say that the rich man should give more? If he gave more, like all his wealth, but was still filled with his show-off attitude, what is the difference?
4. Tithing needs to be wise and with conviction
If you do not know what the church (or organisation) you gave your offering to God, it is equal to
Similarly, don't tithe simply because everyone else is or isn't doing it. It needs to be a conviction from the Spirit within of what you should give, how much, to whom, and when. In fact, when God asks us to be good stewards it was meant on the macro and micro-social levels. How we spend our non-offering money is equally important to how the church uses our our offerings. Every dollar we waste is a dollar we could have given. This wisdom is important when we consider tithing.
As a student I do not earn much, but I can offer to God my results, by serving in his people in small ways, by being a light in the world. I do hope I can get through this year because it will not only be a milestone in my life and a lifelong impacting experience, but a chance to glorify God when at the end I can say that "my source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone". I believe that line of witness is a greater offering than any material wealth we present to His altar.
After all, God sees the heart behind the action.
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