How to add Tithing and Almsgiving to your life.

Looking to implement a giving program in your household as a Christian? Here are 3 tips to get started. 👇

Tithing is a teaching with Jewish roots that causes some angst, depending on your perspective. Although we will explore the basis for the tithe at a high level, the purpose of this post is to discuss the effect it has on us, our finances, and how to successfully implement a giving program if you desire to follow this teaching.

The concept of giving offerings shows up in the Bible as early as in the first family. Later in the book of Genesis, Abraham shows the first instance of a voluntary offering to a priest figure in the form of 10% of battle spoils. Many years later, we encounter a second recorded instance of a tithe by Abraham’s grandson Jacob. Over four hundred years later, the Israelites get a code of laws to govern their new nation. In this new set of rules, the concept of a tithe is central to fund three critical aspects of the country: support the Levites, maintain the Temple, and care for the poor.

Today, tithing has a profound impact on people’s hearts beyond the dollars and cents. When you set aside part of your earnings as a priority to care for your local church, representing the Levites and the Temple in our prior section, and for those in need, it helps you manage your money differently. Suddenly, thinking of others becomes a primary concern in your home life.

If you are a Christian looking to get started implementing a giving program in your household, here are three different approaches:

Cold turkey - Starting with your budget next month, you calculate 10% of your take-home pay (or gross pay if you are feeling courageous!) and start giving it to your local church.

Start with your bonus - If you are privileged to have a year-end bonus, taking 10% will be less painful because most people do not know how much their bonus will be; hence they can’t spend it in advance.

Ramp-up over some time - Consider starting your tithing journey by setting aside 1%, and increase it every month by an additional 1% until you get to 10%.

Don’t forget that tithing is an act of thankfulness, not compulsion. It is a way to thank God for His provision, remind yourself that He gave you the strength to earn a living, and teach your kids that caring for others is a priority in your family. If you are curious about what else the Bible has to say about tithing, take a look at these passages: Deuteronomy 8:10-18, Proverbs 3:9-10.

How has tithing changed your approach to money and to God?

Evan Frazier is a Benedictine College graduate with a degree in Religious Studies and over a decade of experience in financial planning. With a passion for finances and a commitment to aligning himself with Church teachings, Evan is a trusted advisor for his clients. When he's not working, he spends his time with his four children and attending St. Francis in Castle Rock, CO. Send your questions to Evan@Tekwisefinancial.com.