Tithing and Giving

From my earliest years of being a Christian I was aware of the need to give to God for his works, and the biblical example of the tithe (one tenth of what your income) was a standard I tried to meet. It can be very hard seeking to make ends meet whilst trying to give a tenth to Gods’ work. Particularly when we can see around us those that are able to have more holidays, more money for nice things, better houses etc because they do not follow this standard.  

Yet Jesus again assumed that his followers would give to his work. Matt 6:2 says “When you give” – not if. Jesus assumed his disciples would give. Indeed practicing and devout Jews would give a tithe and gifts that could amount to one sixth of their income.

If we look once more at what Christ has done for us, giving his life whilst we still rejected him, with no thought for himself. Jesus took the risk and paid the price for us. Faced with such generosity can we reject the needs of his work. It is not as if Jesus benefits from the money we give, rather he seeks it to spread the good news, and offer help to those with greatest need.


To Jesus however the issue was more about how to give (privately and secretly) which we must also take to heart. To give it the Lord is to do his work, to give to be noticed is to trumpet ours – not the way Christ would have lived. Our giving should be a consequence of the love, kindness and concern for others that Christ showed whilst on earth, but it also breaks the control that materialism has over us, always striving for more and better things which is a temptation to bring the focus back to me.

If you have an example to share that may help and encourage others, please do respond with a comment.