In the early days of my speaking career, I was living at home with my parents, trying to recover from my business failure. I had always known about tithing, and I kept fooling myself with, “Once I start earning enough, I will tithe.”
Realizing my career was not taking off anytime soon, I had a talk with God. I got down on my knees and asked for help. With my request I made a vow to God that I would tithe no matter what, and if he would help me with my career, it would be greatly appreciated. To me it was faith. It is funny now, because it is so clear to me what happened.
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Tithing when you have no money did not make sense at the time. I put my trust in Him. I also realized that if He did help, He would earn more too. That sounds like a win-win. I have been tithing ever since. Several years later I was able to quit my day job as a telemarketer. Seven years later I bought my first house. The only way I can explain it is through God. Period.
Ecclesiastes 5:4
“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.
He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.”
After going through Dave Ramsey’s course, Financial Peace, I learned a new perspective about money. None of it is mine! It is all God’s, and I just get to be a steward of some of it for a while. I am reminded of the parable of “The Three Talents.” Maybe back then He did not give me more because I could not have handled more. Maybe I tithed because I needed God’s help, not because I could afford it. Now, I guess you could say, I couldn’t afford not to tithe.
Can you afford not to tithe? Are you being a good steward of what you do have? Please share your thoughts below.
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I believe that ‘tithe’ is not particularly money. I remember the song “Money is the root of all evil”. Some organizations, fortunately not all, have made it a thriving business raking money out of those who join it and call it “tithe”. I know from personal experience that some of those leaders of such organizations have built mansions for themselves, purchased luxury vehicles for their children who do not have to do a day’s work, and their families go on vacations travelling business or first class…
Tithing can be giving one’s time to someone who needs to be cared for, providing food to those who do not have anything to eat and have no means of earning, showing the way to gainful employment to such people, finding shelter to the homeless, visiting prisoners and helping them to get back on the correct path maybe through meditation or by creating positive vibes in them.
God does not need MONEY… He does not need mansions, luxury vehicles, first class travel nor exotic vacations.
What you have said is true, HOWEVER, just a couple things to consider.
1. Not every non-profit handles their money that way. There are many, many reputable organizations that use all donor funds to help others. You just have to do your research before giving (and I highly encourage everyone to do so!). There is a Consumer Reports for charities, by the way. That might be a start.
2. While yes, tithing can include all areas of life, Jesus also had a ton to say about money and financial generosity as well. In fact, the gospels record more of his words about money than words on heaven and hell combined! Unfortunately the phrase “money is the root of all evil” is a mis-quote. The actual verse is “the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Money is neutral. It’s what we do with it, and how much we let it control our hearts and lives, that is the problem.
I would encourage you to keep doing what you are doing with tithing your time, etc. but not to neglect the financial aspect as well. It really does bring blessing, in more ways than one!
Darren,
We met at a Toastmaster’s event in St. George, UT. Thank you for highlighting this important topic. Too many people do not understand tithing, and therefore fail to take advantage of it. It was never about money, its all about faith. Decades later, I’m still surprised that I can do more with 9/10 ths tithed than 10/10 ths untithed. It is not always about the bottom dollar either,as being healthy and not having doctor bills, or the old car still working past 250k miles, is better than money in the bank with lots of bills. Let us keep trusting in the Lord.
Gregory
Darren, I am so pleased you have the courage and conviction that you are willing to risk and have such a strong faith in our Lord that you speak out about your beliefs! I wish more people would.
I’ve been tithing since my first paycheck. I tithe because I trust God, and I selfishly tithe because I have found out…….the more I GIVE the more I receive! Receive not just money, but receive an overflowing of blessings in every area of my life. God is good! Thank you for spreading that message.
Darren, I think tithing is one of the ways a believer shows his trust in god. As you rightly put it, it was never ours in the first place. My grandma of 90 years still tithes from her family pension – She says god has blessed me so that I can bless others. And how the church or organization makes use of our tithes is not our problem as they are solely answerable for their actions. But if we sow in good soil, it does bear fruit and flourish.
God Bless
Brindha
Hi Darren,
Tithing is the way to go!!
Listening to your story on tithing is inspiring. It is great to know that “Success” for you is tied to “God” Success”. Tithing is a principle of “God Success” which seem to be missing in the lives of so many persons who rise to prominence in the World.
I have great respect for you and admire your courage to stand for “righteousness in obedience to the word of God in a world where Godly principles are mocked and belittled”
The reason I find your commitment inspiring is because I myself have been inconsistent in my tithing and have definite reaped the consequences of my decision over the past year, even though I have been thought the tithing principle from a very early age. I commend your commitment.
My dream is to become a professional speaker, spend more time with my family and friends, give more to the kingdom and do more in the kingdom of God. I realize that a re commitment to the principle of tithing is one of the ways to begin the process.
Keep being bold and telling your story..All the best. Stay faithful.
Good Bless
Ken
Tithing belongs to the place you choose to Worship. Offerings are for the poor and for giving of your time to others. Tithing does not release us from serving. Tithing is a faith thing, and being a good servant of what God has given us. After all it is all God’s any way. We all, rich or poor, get 168 hours a week to live; if you want to go by the 10% rule then approximately 14 hours a week is to be given to God. What are we doing with that time!