Why I Tithe

Even though tithing is a clear command in Scripture, many Christians (if not most) do not tithe.  Why?  I'm sure the answer to that question depends on the individual.  But let me give you the reasons I tithe.  My hope is that if you are struggling to tithe, this blog post will encourage you to be obedient to God.

First, I tithe because the Bible is my authority.  I believe that the Bible is God's word (2 Tim 3:16-17).  As God's word, it is truth without any mixture of error.  Therefore I must believe it, and I must obey it.  To disbelieve the Bible is to disbelieve God; to disobey the Bible is to disobey God.  I believe what the Bible says about tithing; and accept the Bible's teaching on tithing as binding on my life.

Second, I tithe because the Bible commands it.  To tithe is to give the first ten percent of your income to the local church where you attend (the word "tithe" means a tenth).  Tithing is commanded in the Old Testament (Mal 3:10); and tithing is affirmed by Jesus in the New Testament (Mt 23:23).  Some say that tithing is no longer required under the New Covenant, but the New Testament does not specify that.  Many of the commands in the OT are still binding, such as the Ten Commandments.  As well, tithing was practiced by Abraham before the law was even given, which implies that tithing transcends the Old Covenant (Gen 14:20).  On top of all that, tithing was practiced by the early church, which is evidence that the apostles taught them to tithe.

Third, I tithe because I believe that everything I have belongs to God.  The Bible teaches God owns it all (Psalm 24:1.  It says that I am not my own, because I was bought with the price of Christ's blood (1 Cor 6:20).  I don't merely owe God the first ten percent, but everything.  He has the right to require an offering of 100% if He wants.  My money belongs to God; I am only a steward.

Fourth, I tithe because I love God.  I love the Lord because He created me, saved me, redeemed me, adopted me, gives me abundant life, provides for me, and works everything out for my good.  Because I love Him, I want to please Him (Jn 14;15).  I don't tithe because I have to; I take joy in tithing because that's what my God and Savior desires, and I love to please Him.

Fifth, I tithe because I fear God.  I don't deny that sometimes I fear that I won't have enough money to adequately provide for my family, but I fear God more (Mt 10:28).  As God's child, I know He will swiftly and effectively discipline me when I deliberately disobey Him (Heb 12:6).  I would rather be poor than fall into the hands of the living God (Heb 10:31; Heb 12:28-29).  As I've said before, I can't afford to NOT tithe. 

Sixth, I tithe because God promises to bless me.  The Bible is very clear that God promises a HUGE blessing for those who are faithful to tithe (Mal 3:10-12).  The New Testament promises great blessings for giving to God (Mk 10:29-30; Lk 6:38).  I believe that living on 90% with God's blessing is much better than living on 100% under God's discipline.

Seventh, I tithe because I love the local church.  Where do tithes go?  They fund the work of the local church, and what better place for your money to go?  The local church is a much better investment than the car dealership, or the mortgage company, or Walmart, or the mall, or Starbucks, or Disney!  The church is the bride of Christ, the body of Christ, the family of God, the temple of God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.  It is not perfect, but it is the hope of the world.  Investing in the local church has eternal returns.  I regret a lot of purchases, but I've never regretted investing in the local church.

Eighth, I tithe because it's easy.  I had the privilege of being raised by Christian parents who tithed my whole life.  As well, I married a godly woman who also was raised by Christian parents who always tithed.  Lydia and I have been tithing since our first paycheck, and have never stopped.  We tithed when we had less; and we tithed when we had more.  So today, tithing is easy.  It's a habit.  10% seems so small.  Every month we save and invest more than three times as much as we tithe.  That's why we are passionate about teaching our kids to tithe even as children.  The earlier you start, the easier it is. 

Ninth, I tithe to set the example.  As a pastor my calling is to set the example for my church (1 Tim 4:12).  My life is to be a visible sermon.  I hope my tithing is an inspiration to others.  I don't tithe because I'm wealthy.  I am a pastor, not a doctor, lawyer, or insurance agent.  I'm the pastor of a small church -- we're not Saddleback or North Point.  I'm bi-vocational -- I have to work two jobs to provide for my family.  We are a single-income family -- my wife is a full-time homemaker, not bringing in any income.  We have six children -- and they demand meals every day.  Yet we have always tithed, even when we were poor seminary students.  And God has always blessed us beyond our imagination.  If we can tithe, you can tithe.

Tenth, I tithe because it helps me to put God first in my life (Deut 14:23).  Without money, I can't pay for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, transportation, etc.  I need money.  As a result, money is the hardest thing to surrender to God.  As a result, when I tithe, I am surrendering to God His number one competitor for my heart.  And by doing that, surrendering the rest my life to God has become much easier.  Scripture teaches that your heart follows your money (Mt 6:21).  When you tithe, God becomes supreme in your life.