I don’t think I ever see myself preaching a lot on tithing. Why? Because I’ve never been good at practicing it. Truth be told, my money handling has not been the best over the years. And my tithing record, well, let’s just say that I owe God so much in back tithe that I’ll never catch up. Praise God that my salvation isn’t based on my tithing. 

So why bother then? Because our tithes are how the church pays it’s bills, so that we can sit in an air conditioned sanctuary in the heat of the summer, and in a warm sanctuary during the cold winter months. Tithes and offerings are what makes the various ministries of the local church possible. They also are used to help your church reach out to the community. And, because we are commanded in scripture to tithe. If we want to be legalistic, and follow the levitical law, then ten percent is actually the bare minimum. Then there are even more tithes and offerings on top of that. I use to feel like I just couldn’t keep up. Besides, I just don’t have enough money to tithe. That was my attitude for years. It was like saying, “God, I need to pay everybody else first. Then, if there’s anything left over, I’ll pay you.”

Again, then why bother? Why am I even talking about it? Because, I’m learning something new. And as I’ve been trying to put it into practice I can honestly see where God is truly working. Ten years ago I began to try to tithe faithfully. I didn’t start out at ten percent.I started with just trying to do a couple dollars out of each check. Then I slowly worked up to five percent, of net; then ten percent, of net. Then I stepped out and moved to ten percent of my gross pay. And God has blessed those efforts.

Now, I’m still not rich. God hasn’t just rained money down on me. But He has made sure my needs are met. I remember talking with an older pastor once about tithing. The first church he pastored only paid him $100 a week. He said that he and his wife tried to live on that $100, and there just wasn’t enough money. But when they tithed ten dollars, the ninety dollars left was somehow just enough. I’m finding that same principle works for me. I can’t fully explain it. But I do know this, when I give God what he asks for first, somehow, I’m able to budget the rest just a little bit better. 

Now, I’m no super saint. There are times I still struggle to pay my tithe; especially when the pay check is smaller than I expected. And, I even have to admit that there have been times I held back. But God brings me back around, gets me back on track and we move on.

Something that has helped me is how I view tithing. I use to see tithing as a duty. Now, I see it as a privilege. And those weeks that I see bigger pay checks, I no longer thinking “I have to tithe more.” Now, it’s “I get to tithe more.”

If you are not in the habit of tithing, I challenge you to begin. Now, some may not agree with my next suggestion, but baby steps are better than none at all. If you are just starting out tithing, I don’t think it has to be ten percent. Unless that’s how you feel God is leading you. (In that case, listen to God.) But if you’re just starting out tithing, start small. I promise that you will see God working in your finances, and eventually He’ll challenge you to increase your tithe.

And if you have no income, then tithe your time. Also, use your talents. One of the best testimonies I heard was from a young lady who is a single mom with no job. She wanted to tithe something. She likes making special chocolate dipped strawberries. She got orders for chocolate covered strawberries, and turned her skill into income. She was so excited to be able to tithe. The excitement she had was priceless.

So, what’s your attitude toward tithing? You might think that you can’t afford to tithe. I can honestly say that based on my experience, you can’t afford not to tithe. Do you see tithing as simply another obligation, or bill, that has to be paid? Or do you see it as an opportunity to give, and be a part of helping to build God’s kingdom? Who really comes first, God, or the bills, or you? It sounds so cliché, but more and more I see is true, you can’t out give God.

So, step out on faith. Take baby steps if you have to. But take the challenge. I dare you.