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October 29, 2021Looking at my list of organizations and agencies that I’ve given to, it seems like a LOT! As I was writing them I could hardly believe how long that list seemed. But what was as shocking to me is the fact that, after giving to this parish and these other organizations over several weeks, I am not poorer.
When I started tithing, I tried to read up about it; I was especially curious to hear from people who tithe as a spiritual exercise, to hear how it had affected their lives and faith. One thing I kept reading was “Start tithing and see what God will do!!”
I’ll admit this put me off a bit. I am cautious about faith veering into superstition; a sense that God is reacting to my actions, for good or for ill, and if I just can get the moves right (or the words, or the postures, or the motivation), then God will reward me; specifically, financially. I felt like the people who said this kind of thing were implying that if I tithed, pretty soon I’d be finding dollar bills growing on the tree limbs in my yard, and I’d open my door to find bags of cash on my steps in the morning.
But the more stories I heard (from real people), the more I came to see that no one was really getting financially rich because they are tithing. Instead, they are being changed by the practice of giving generously. Like in my own experience, people say that their vision has grown wider, that their compassion for others has grown. I have heard people say that they’ve become more aware of the needs of people around them, and more aware of the good work that is being done in their community. And I have heard people say (and have felt this myself) that they feel more connected, more active, and more of a contributor to their churches and communities.
I have actually heard stories from people who said they took a risk and decided to tithe, and later found that they had some increase in their own finances, but… no one that I’ve met has won the lottery. What I’ve heard from tithers is that they received back, in one way or another, at least what they’d given.
No one yet has told me that they were driven into poverty or debt by giving 10% to their church, or to charity. I’ve only heard that people have been richer, spiritually, and secure, financially.
I don’t necessarily think that God has a grand refund plan for anyone who decides to tithe, but I can’t deny that everyone whose tithing stories I’ve heard could describe themselves as richer.
