I‘m a relatively new Christian and have only begun tithing a full %10 of my gross income since the beginning of the year. This has been one of the best things that I’ve ever done and if you’re interested in the story of how I came around, read it here. But just the other day, I had a profound thought (at least for me): I have other streams of income that I’d never really even thought of. These include the employer match on my 401k, savings account interest, growth on retirement accounts, dividends from mutual funds, gifts, home value increase, and on and on and on…
As a Christian who wants to give the right amount, this is a troubling issue. Some of this income is difficult to even keep track of. For instance, how do you “know” the value of your home until you sell it? Is that when you should tithe on it? The same question arises around savings bonds. When should you give on investments, since they can always go down? So what should a Christian do to arrive at the “right” amount?
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Read The Bible
The Bible has a lot to say about finances. In fact it is mentioned more than many other subjects that we, as Christians, devote a lot more of our time to thinking about (e.g. abortion, gay marriage, evolution, etc). Now decide what you believe is required for Christians. Some believe that 10% is mandated, while others consider that to be an Old Testament anachronism. My reading of the New Testament is that it does require that we give and that we do it happily. I don’t see a specific requirement for giving 10%. Now…do I give 10%? Absolutely, but it has more to do with wanting to have a giving heart (more on this later) than anything else.
Seek Wise Counsel
I think the first person I would talk to would be my pastor. He or she is a trusted resource and I’m sure they’ll have an opinion on the matter. This is a spiritually important subject so take the time to search around for those people that can help you figure it out. Maybe there are other people in your church that you could ask questions, such as elders, deacons, or just people whose opinion you respect. Seek them out and find out how they handle this issue. Maybe they can point you to other resources as well. The point is that you should take the time to do a little research before you come to a decision.
Compare what you hear from your pastor or the other people you consulted with to what you read in the Bible. Remember, that while they’re important spiritual guides, they are still just human, no matter what their position. You’re the one who will have to live with you decision and deal with it’s spiritual consequences. Now, I’m not trying to scare you or anything, and I don’t think you need to be scared. But tithing does matter and it’s an important decision. You want to get it right and be at peace about it.
Pray
Ask for God’s help. It’s such a complicated matter that you’ll never arrive at a decision you can be 100% sure about without his help. I listed a couple examples of just how complex it can become so I won’t get into a bunch more here, but whenever you have issues that you need to work out spiritually, praying is always the best option. Do so often.
Examine Your Heart
To me, this is what’s most important. Don’t give begrudgingly or because you expect to be rewarded. Give because it’s God’s money and we wouldn’t have any of it if he didn’t give it to us. Give because God says to and because it helps you to become less attached to material goods. Give because it helps others and makes a difference in peoples’ lives.
I don’t believe that God expects us to hire an accountant so that we can keep track of exactly how much we need to tithe. Do you remember the Pharisees that Jesus criticized because they were giving tithes of all their spices but neglecting their families? This is just one example, but over and over He points out how they’re missing the point because they’re interpreting the law in terms of technical requirements rather than seeking God’s intention.
So What Is God’s Intention?
All I can tell you is what I believe, and I’m sorry if that’s not very satisfying, but who am I to tell you how to live your life as a Christian? Anyways, here it goes:
- I believe that God intends for us to give back a significant portion of our income
- I believe it needs to be an amount that we’ll miss, not just a few bucks here and there.
- I believe we need to do it cheerfully.
That pretty much sums it up for me. Here are some other reources that seek to answer this tremendously difficult question. These ought to give you a start on figuring out what you believe is right. God bless.
Why would you say that it needs to be an amount that you miss? Based on everything I read in the New Testament
1) I don’t see a call from Paul to tithe a 10% donation, but instead give as the Holy Spirit prompts (which could be 10% for some individuals, but is not for everyone)
2) We need to give to one another as we see needs open up.
I’m not interested in the 10% angle as much as I’m concerned about the nature of missing, but maybe I’m reading more into it than you’re intending.
Thanks for writing this up, though :)
You’re right. Paul doesn’t say anything about 10%. The TITHE included one tenth of all produce of land and herds was set apart under the Levitical law for support of the Levites and a tenth of their tenth went to the priests. There was TITHE regulations among other nations.
Review Gen.14-20; 28:22; Lev. 27:30-33; Num. 18:21-32; Deut. 12:17, 18; 14:22-27.
In the New Testament, Matt. 23:23; you will notice that the Pharisees tithed their mint, anise, cummin and rue.
I few weeks ago I was invited as an quest speaker at a local Church in Raleigh, NC. My topic was ” Where do you deposit your money? The answer was ” The First Nation Bank of Heaven”. (Matt: 6:20) Everything belongs to God. So whether you give 10% or 100%, give as your heart desires. For the Lord loves a Cheerful Giver.
The 10% is a benchmark to use as a guide and then give over and above the amount as the Lord propers or directs you.
God Bless You and I hope this information gives you better understanding what to do with God’s Money, Not Yours, or anybody else.
@ Randy: When I posted this on my site, I received the exact same reaction from one of my readers and I think I could have just chosen a better word. I don’t mean “miss” in the sense that you would regret giving it. Of course not. We need to gladly give and be thankful for the opportunity to give to God. I was trying to say that it shouldn’t be the last bit of change in your pocket. It should be meaningful.
@ GFish–That’s kind of what I thought about 401ks, but what if you have just a regular investment account? It could go down in value after you tithe on it.
What about a 529 that you open in your kid’s name? Do you tithe on something that’s not for you, or is that your child’s responsibility when they withdraw it?
Rules, rules, rules, as far as the eye can see. That’s the temptation…and there’s no way to know if we’re “right.” That’s why getting your heart straight matters.
Great, thoughtful post.
Randy Alcorn has a great chapter in his book “Money, Possessions, and Eternity” that touches on this subject as well. He also has a small book “The Treasure Principle” that is very helpful.
As far as the “extra” income items. It would make sense to me that one would “tithe” on their 401k growth during retirement, when you’re actually taking out the funds. If you aren’t working you don’t have income to tithe from from work, but you do have income from your 401k that grew over time.
If I tried to tithe right now from my 401k “growth” for this year I’d be asking for money back from the church my 401k has lost so much!
That being said, it’s easy to get caught up in the 10% rule that it becomes legalistic. Or you limit yourself to what you’re willing to give to God.
James, I can agree with that. Its giving with purpose.
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