My daughter and I were having a conversation a few days ago about tithing. She had recently spoken to a young lady who said she stopped going to church because no one could explain to her how tithing went from fruits/vegetables and such to money. Before you go there, this young lady’s point was, why the churches of today are so focused on money when tithing wasn’t originally this. **Disclaimer, these are just my thoughts. ** Well, this is where my issue comes in because so many of our millennials are leaving the church in record numbers because they cannot get answers or understanding to things that matter to them. Personally, I was never taught how to tithe or how to know where and when to sow seeds; even though I was raised in the church. But, I do know that tithing changed to physical money when we, most of us, stopped basing our eating on what we harvested in the field. We work, therefore, we receive a paycheck that equates to money. So, the overall issue of tithing should not be whether it is money or harvest because your harvest is money.
Now, we move from this argument to the question that everybody has, yet not often asked, “How much am I really obligated to give?” Well, the bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” In other words, will I go to hell if I don’t tithe 10%? The short answer is no. What you tithe is between you and God and this is why you have to ask Him and let Him lead you because He can equip you with the ability to “tithe” more than 10%. The other question, “Do we have a responsibility to care for those over us?” Yes. The bible says in 1 Timothy 5:17-18, “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Taking care of the worship places and those who lead them is a part of our ‘owe’ to God but what you give and when, is between you and God. Think on it like this. In your home, you pay bills. When you have other adults who live there, you often times, expect them to chip in on said bills in order to ensure the house runs. Well, in church, the leader is the head and he, along with you (members) have a responsibility to ensure the house runs. Thus asking you to tithe. Plus, you cannot get upset when your opinion does not count, on how the house should be taken care of, if you are not putting anything into said house.
Lakisha, the Author 