In the church, I have often heard discussion about whether we should teach what is called “tithing,” or the practice of giving 10% of one’s income to the church. I think it is valuable to teach about it as a spiritual discipline, but not in a heavy-handed way. I really feel that it is best when spiritual disciplines are practiced as a joyful responses to God’s love as opposed to stodgy rules that are imposed on us.
And if those who can tithe do tithe to the church, the church could do a whole lot more besides paying staff and maintaining a building. In fact, in the early church, offering was taken, not to pay the pastor or keep up facilities, but to help the poor. Many churches and religious organizations today are also great humanitarian agencies and generous giving to the church can make a big difference in the lives of others.
Still, it is possible that a tithe may be too little in some cases…
The rest of this essay, More to Give: Joyfully Sharing from Abundance, is over at Life & Liberty. Please click the photo above to read more of my thoughts on joyfully moving beyond a tithe.
Jennifer Clark Tinker 