The Natural Law of Tithing

Christian denominations teach conflicting doctrines on tithing.  The extremes range widely, from super casual to a neurotic state of oppression. 

Under Mosaic Law, the tithe was mandatory, a kind of tax.  Each family held the responsibility to provide a livelihood to the Levite families who were not given a potion of the Promised Land.  This “family” acted as priests, teachers, and administrators.  They in turn, tithed their income.  Tithing made them a corporate entity.  They built a nation together.

This simple concept, however, was rather complicated.  The biblical documentation did not detail the rules well enough to know how to “do it right.”  Not everything was tithed.  Not every year had the same tithe or had the same reason for tithing.  Also, tithing was not the only type of giving.  They were to be generous so that everyone who lived in their area prospered.

However, the Israelites did not act as one people.  They insisted on being tribes and city-states.  Once they became a kingdom, additional taxes were applied.  Abuse of power produced internal conflict, which added to the Israelites repeated rejection of Law.  They spent their tithes on themselves or gave it to idols.

Many Christian denominations comply with the teaching of tithe.  However, some groups go to the extreme.  They require a disclosure of all income “for accountability.”  Noncompliance ends in expulsion from the congregation.  Bureaucratic legalism rules.  At some point, policy rejects mercy.

Other denominations insist the Mosaic Law is defunct, therefore tithe is not held.  They say that keeping any of the Law rejects God’s grace and imposes the consequence of Law.  However, having no guidelines is just as confusing as too many.  The people never know how much to give or even what part of their income/property/estate is tithed.  Despite donating generously to organized charities, too many believers put a few bucks in the plate to dissuade guilt.  The people never learn to support their local congregation.

The middle road varies greatly and often swings back and forth between the extremes.  Without a dogmatic requirement of tithe, most preachers must continuously beg to pay wages and fund building upkeep.  Announcements embellish the necessary weekly pulpit fundraisers.  These speeches either coax through greed (God must bless a giver), or inflict fear (God cannot bless a non-giver).

If prosperity comes without giving or disaster comes while giving, then people become deaf to the pleas.  Misuse of funds produces distrust.  Frustration leads to not giving.  Dictatorial disagreement and non-biblical seduction divide the church.  We spend our money on ourselves or give it to “a worthy cause.”

I have struggled with this problem my whole life.  You see, I am dyslexic.  Numbers are stressful, even something as simple as 10% causes anxiety.  So, God gave me another way.  He sends me a person in need.  He puts a number into my head.  I give that amount.  Simple.  I must not worry if that person spends the money wisely or not.  That is not my job.  The first few years I kept a record of these gifts.  Oddly enough, the yearly amount always exceeded ten percent, just slightly.  There was so much relief, that I stopped calculating the numbers.

However, the weekly fundraisers continue to inject fear of “doing it wrong.”  I sow into the flock, but rarely into the corporate entity.  Every Sunday morning, the war of extremes wage in my head.  I regularly calm myself with, “The church is the people.” 

A friend recently gave the announcements.  He described giving in a different light, and it fits well with my belief that we learn about God through His creation.

He said we should not think of the tithe as a tax, a punitive law filled with eternal judgment.  Instead, look at giving as a natural law of nature that God set at the beginning of time.  Natural laws cannot be broken.  In giving back, we acknowledge that our very existence came from Him.  We share our excess so others benefit from our blessing.  We hope that they too will pass on that blessing.  The “natural law of giving” is a progression of blessing.

This natural law does not dictate percentage: it shapes the soul.  Ten percent is a simple number of division and useful because of its simplicity.  God made it easy.  If regulations complicate simplicity, then the regulations are wrong.  If God gives you a different percentage or way to calculate, then use that number.  The number is not the issue.  What is important is the act of giving.

The Bible presents a wonderful aspect of giving: joy, lots of joy.  Giving joyfully reduces our natural tendency toward selfishness and greed.  Giving allows you to express God’s love for you and through you.  Giving brings people together to build a beautiful place of worship.  Giving supports those who dedicate their life to provide a worship environment.  Giving to the poor offers them joy.  We give to make the world a better place.

Give as God gives, with joy.