Joy of Tithing

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 1 Corinthians 9:7

I want to take a step back this month and talk about something that has been on my mind for a while now. Tithing. The quick and fast explanation of what tithing is simple.

The Bible tells us we are to tithe or give 10% of our first fruits to Him. In those days it was 10% of their crop, or whatever they produced, was expected to go back to God first. Today that would mean that we are to give 10% of our income to God. Now, some people will say that means you give to the church 10% of your income, because in doing so, you are giving it to God and yes, I would agree. However, for some, giving a tithe or even 10% of your income is easy and for others this can be hard as they might be living paycheck to paycheck, or they may not even have that. Then there are some who will say that you must give 10% no matter what, that there are no exceptions to this, because it is the expectation. That if we give our 10%, God will provide for us in return.

Well, here is my take on this. You see, I want to tithe. It’s something I feel strongly about, but recently I have learned something important. You see, we are stretching our money so tight right now that really there is no room for extra, including tithing. Especially right now as we try to get back on our feet from my husband losing his job.

To understand my story, I need to start at the beginning.

On Jan 6th, my husband lost his job. I knew what this would do to us, and yet I knew God would take care of us. Immediately I went to prayer; I asked God to help us during this time and I asked for prayer from family and friends and even via my TikTok account. That’s it; that’s literally all I asked for was prayer. My faith was strong enough that I knew God would provide for us. I never had doubts. I also decided that I would give the first fruits of my book sales to God, completely and fully, no matter how much they were.

Fast forward, God provided. He brought angels into our lives who helped us with food, a bill payment, an unexpected truck repair and even a large amount to get us through the month of January and into February. When February came, my husband was offered two jobs. The first would have been 14-hour days, at 70 hours a week. My husband has worked 70 to 80 hours a week for the last, almost 20 years. Both he and his body can’t do those long hours anymore. So, this was something he had to consider seriously. The second job was for a company overseas that had opened a branch here near us. They needed a mechanic, and they were just getting moving here in the last couple of years. Of course, it came with some overtime, but it also meant that he was getting in on the ground floor, so to speak.

After some careful thought, my husband decided on the second job. So, we waited and waited and waited for him to get started. Unfortunately, because of the headquarters being overseas, that meant it would take longer for him to get started because there was no rush on the company’s end to get the letter of offer out to him right away. Which delayed any promise of a paycheck longer. Once again, after some prayer, God provided for us. We received a gift to get us through a little longer so we could pay our bills. Unfortunately, it was too late for our mortgage payment, but I took steps to buy us some time with that issue. At the end of the February, I got my first royalty check from Amazon. It was small, but that’s ok. I ended up giving the full amount to God by tithing to our church. Not long after came my husband’s first check. I knew exactly what to do with it. Besides paying bills, I also took 10% and gave it as a tithe and I felt joy and appreciation in doing so, to God for all He had done for us.

Our church started a new sermon series that talked about tithing. Who would have guessed? The second week, I realized that the checks we were getting would not last. However, that second week, I once again tithed 10%. I felt good about the tithe, and I trusted God was in control.

I knew God was blessing us at that point, but that my husband’s check size would not last. So, I had a quick conversation with my Pastor about it. In short, I was told that tithing has to be non-negotiable. I explained that at this point I had to put off a bill for another week, but tithing was important for me. It was important for me to show God that I appreciated all that He had done for us. I left that day, feeling confused and unsure. I was told to pray about it, and I did for the next couple of weeks. When the next week came, I gave that 10%, even though I missed service that day.

However, this last week was different. This last week, when I went to church, I knew I the 10% tithe was not possible. At least not this week, and something in my heart told me to wait and hold the last bit aside for a bill. As the Pastor talked about tithing, As I listened, I immediately second guessed myself and what I felt I needed to do. I felt guilty. His message appeared personal.

See in his message, he told a story about a woman he had spoken with two weeks prior and how she wasn’t sure how to make tithing work, even though she wanted to. He said that she explained her family’s finances were stretched so much, there usually wasn’t much left over. Sound familiar? I felt like he was sharing our conversation without mentioning my name, right down to the part where the woman started crying. Yep, I started crying. Hearing this made me feel awful.

The only money I had left was 10% of our income that week. Now I said that I was saving it for a bill, and that’s what I felt I needed to do with it. However, there wasn’t enough left over from his check for a tithe. This had become the situation that I was concerned about.

Despite that, something was telling me to hold on to it. I had this feeling that I needed to wait. Or maybe it was the small voice of God telling me to wait, but what I knew was that I needed to keep that money. That something was going to happen, and I would need it. Sadly, after the sermon, I felt so guilty, and I felt so bad, that I reluctantly went through with giving that last bit as a tithe.

There was no joy in my giving that day. In fact, I felt worse for doing it, as if I had disobeyed someone. Later that week, I found out why I needed to wait. Monday morning, I woke up sick. Which required me to be seen at the doctor’s (when I get sick, it requires antibiotics) and the only money I had was on my credit card. I was promising myself and God I would not use my card anymore. That visit cost me $125, and I still owe them another $97. To top it off, I had to spend a little money at the store for things like the antibiotics and food that I could eat. I bought the bare minimal, for me only. Now you may be asking about insurance, well we still don’t have that. Remember my husband just got back to work, so we are without insurance and that means I pay full price up front to be seen.

Then Thursday came. My son ended up sick with a 102 temperature. Which required me to go back to the store for more food and supplies (medication, tissues, etc.) for him now. That was another $85 out of my pocket and again it went on my card. When it was all said and done, I spent $217 on my credit card, which is exactly what I gave for my tithe.

Since that conversation with my Pastor and this happening, I have been struggling with the decision to give my tithe. I understand the Bible says to tithe 10%, but I also know this. God is in control. He knows what our financial situation is, and He has provided for us, even when I didn’t tithe regularly. That morning, I should have listened to my heart. I never should have given that money and now I owe more money on my credit card.

After some prayer and reading of the Bible, I have made a new decision about tithing. God knows us, He knows our hardships. Giving our tithe should not happen out of guilt or obligation. Instead, giving our tithe should happen out of joy and praise for what God has done for us.

However, I asked God to help me and my family to get out of debt and I am trusting Him to do that. So, from now on, I will let God direct my tithing. If that means that I give $20, $50, $75 or nothing, then that is what I will do. If I give more, it will be because God has made it possible for us to do so and because He has led me to do so. I am choosing to trust God in knowing when to give and how much. This way, I can still be a good steward of our money, as I have promised God that I would be. While we work to pay off some of our debt, put money away and give at the same time.

When we are making strides in our finances and if God leads me to do so, I will give more. I look forward to giving him 10% of our income when we are blessed with extra. I know that a time will come that He will expect me to give my 10% regularly and maybe even more and if that is the case, I will do so.

What about the idea that God will provide for you, if you faithfully give 10% of our earnings every week? I believe that to be true. However, God’s provision is not based on whether you give a 10% tithe every week. You see, I also believe He will provide even if you don’t, and I’ve seen it and experienced it!

Over the years, I have always given money to those who needed it, when I had it and sometimes when I didn’t. I have also given food, and each time God has directed me on when to act. As a result, God has always come through for me and my family.

God knows our hearts, and He knows our situations. He will tell us what to give, when to give and how much to give, especially if you are like us and struggling. As important as tithing is, I also believe we need to listen to Him. We just have to trust Him and listen and remember always that tithing should come from a place of joy and praise to the One who provides for us and not from a place of guilt and obligation.

Warmest,

K. M. Leffler