Giving & Tithing
Once a Christian has reached a prayerful decision to give back to the church in recognition of God's blessings to us, the question then becomes 'How much to give?' The best answer is, 'whatever God moves you to give', with the understanding that while God rewards those who share freely of His gifts, he does not require giving to the point where the life and livelihood of the giver and their family is impacted.
A balanced approach to financial stewardship is described by many as the 80-10-10 rule -- giving 10%, saving 10%, and spending wisely 80% of their income. Some families find that they can even live on less, and thus increase their percentages of savings and giving.
Ways to increase your giving
Do it gradually. Lutheran churches have encouraged their members to consider the concept of Growth Giving, by increasing their giving by one percent of their income every year as they prayerfully consider their pledge for the coming year. Download this chart to evaluate what a one percent increase will mean from your current income and giving level.
Another method would be to increase your giving by one dollar each week. For instance, if your current giving level is $20, give $21 next week, $22 the week following, and so forth. Eventually you will reach a tithe or whatever goal you feel that God is calling you to give.
What is Tithing?
Tithing refers to the practice of giving one tenth of one's income for the work of God (the words "tithing" and "tenth" have the same roots). The Bible records many accounts of man giving thanks to God through tithing of their possessions. This offering was understood by the Israelites to be a response of gratitude and an obligation; Jesus and the apostles assumed that the tithe was a healthy guide to one's stewardship; and Paul follows the same logic in emphasizing that believers should give proportionately, as God has blessed those who believe in him (see I Corinthians 16:2 and II Corinthians 9:6-12). Nowhere in the New Testament is tithing repudiated.
Some Christians do not tithe because they have been taught that they are not under the law, but under grace. While this is a true statement, God did not institute the tithe to bring us under the law, but to get blessings to His children. We're under grace that we might establish the law; not turn from it. Jesus said that He didn't come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-19). Because He fulfilled it, we are to establish it.
Christians understand tithing to be a loving freely chosen response to God's gracious provisions for life - God's grace! Tithing is understood by many Christians to be a very helpful discipline of one's faith life.