Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce. Proverbs 3:9
What is tithing? Tithing is allocating 10% or more of your household income to Christian giving. Giving among american Lutherans averages about 3% of household income. Is tithing required by Scripture? No. Many will ask, "then why tithe?" When considering whether you wish to tithe, below are some considerations:
- Tithing recognizes and celebrates that this is God's Earth. All that we have and use belongs to God, "The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof," Psalm 24:1
- The tithe supports the ministry of God's people. The work of the gospel, whether pastors, associates or missionaries, calls for stewardship and support.
- Tithing can counteract the consumptionistic mentality of our culture. Our society continually bombards us with the message we 'need' to consume more and more. Jesus warns, "Take heed and beware of all covetousness for one's life doesn not consist of abundance of possessions," Luke 12:15. the tithe, taken off the top, can serve to help lessen our need for consumption and consumerism.
- The tithe can begin to celebrate the total self-giving of our Lord Jesus. Christ has given himself for us 100% and we belong to him 100%.
