Tithing in the Bible: A New Testament Verse Puts Money in Perspective

In Mark 12:41-44 , Jesus observes a poor widow giving her few remaining coins as an offering to the temple treasury, as well as the large sums of money wealthier folks put in. He declares: “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (NIV). We don’t know much about this widow, but I would venture a guess and say her willingness to give up her literal last coins was due to an unwavering faith in a providing and generous God. Some of us look at that story and know we do not measure up. We would rather give only when it is convenient; when our proverbial cup is already overflowing. My own past annual giving statements attest to this. Tithes were often the first line item to get reduced—or skipped entirely some months. I had lost perspective. Here are three things I learned on my journey to regaining a holy outlook on tithing. Periodically reflecting on why we tithe is healthy. God created us with agile minds to think deeply about the world around us, and ultimately, about its Creator. When curiosity is grounded in a healthy striving for godly obedience, more often than not, it bears good fruit. Reflecting on why we give and, more importantly, on how giving reflects God’s character helps us to be more intentional in this area of our lives. In Your Money Counts: The Biblical Guide to Earning, Spending, Saving, Investing, Giving, and Getting Out of Debt , author Howard Dayton asserts that giving should be premeditated. “Our giving should involve thought, planning and prayer,” he writes. Premeditated giving lends itself to reverence by refusing rote repetition. If you struggle with legalism, taking time to reflect on and pray about tithing and other means of giving can be especially helpful. Sacrificial giving puts priorities in perspective. I have an incredibly dear friend who is possibly the world’s cheapest person. She will eat nearly-rotten vegetables to avoid throwing them out. She bikes to work in outrageous weather to save money on gas and bus fare. Once when I had moved into an apartment and barely had any furniture, she re-purposed a broken futon bed frame into a coffee table because, she explained, it gave her anxiety to think of me spending money on a new table. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of my friend’s frugality. But when my father passed away unexpectedly, she dropped everything, bought plane tickets and came to see me. To sit with me. Just to be with me as my heart ruptured. And when I got married, she didn’t think twice about financing the insanely long trip to the wedding. In those moments where she made space for me and my joys and my burdens, I felt as if I were the most valuable person in the world to her. I don’t know what my friend and her husband’s budget looks like, but I would wager it would show me their biggest expenses revolve around loving and serving others. Does your tithing reflect a similar attitude on your part toward your church? Can your church tell that you are personally invested, financially and in other ways, in helping it carry out its mission to share the Good News and care for those in need? Tithing is just one of many tangible expressions of commitment to our local church. As Jesus put it, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, NIV). Tithing helps clear up our financial messiness. Financial experts say there are two types of people: savers and spenders. My husband is a saver. He rarely regrets purchases because he rarely buys things he doesn’t need. I, on the other hand, “need“ something about once per month. You can usually find me crawling back to the store, receipt in hand, explaining to an annoyed cashier why I can’t keep the thing I desperately needed just yesterday. Guess which category I’m in. But as I learned to plan my finances around tithing and generosity, I encountered opportunities to confront detrimental spending habits, with the goal of stewarding God’s resources better. If you do not feel confident enough to curb these harmful habits on your own, ask a trustworthy friend who is good with money to help keep you accountable. You can also join or even form a group at church for people who desire to learn about finances and how to steward God’s resources. It may seem embarrassing at first, but there is no need to remain in the dark about budgeting and properly managing your money. I am still on a journey of maintaining a healthy and holy perspective on tithing, and praying for a focused heart. I am praying specifically for a heart that delights in prioritizing the things God prioritizes, that delights in serving others when it is inconvenient, and that gives even when it hurts, knowing that it is for my joy and God’s ultimate glory. Some Advice When the struggle is really real: If you are in a position where you truly cannot provide the basic necessities for yourself or family, it is likely a season of receiving. I cannot stress enough the importance of being connected to a healthy local church. Most churches have some sort of mercy ministry (often funded by tithes). Ideally, members of the church will inquire about your well-being if they sense something askew. In reality, though, things work much better if you tell someone about your situation and ask for help. It is a humbling experience. I know because I’ve been there. Ask your church to show you the money: Some churches are fairly transparent about their finances. If you are not privy to at least a low-level understanding of how your church uses the funds it receives on salaries, member care, missions, and so forth, gently inquire as to where you can get that information. You might be surprised by what you find out. Resources Books: Financially Fearless: The LearnVest Program for Taking Control of Your Money by Alexa von Tobel (comprehensive money planning); God’s Economy: Redefining the Health and Wealth Gospel by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (more theoretical reading around money); Financial Peace Revisited: New Chapters on Marriage, Singles, Kids and Families by Dave Ramsey (a good, general resource) Websites: YNAB ( youneedabudget.com ) is great for detail-oriented, “high-touch” folks. YNAB offers free tutorials and an app; Learnvest ( learnvest.com ) is best for “big picture”-type people and offers personalized help, affordable financial planning, and an app. By day, Mel Stubbins is a researcher at a media think tank. By night, she is a freelance writer, chronic optimist, and serial tea drinker.

3 Things I Learned About Tithing

RELATED POSTS

This is Premium Content.

Share This Post

Share This Post

Related Posts

Recommended Stories

Popular Stories

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Share This Post

Add New Playlist

Add to Collection

No Collections

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?