Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

“So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 
2 Corinthians 9:5, 7a

Purposeful, thoughtful, and prayerful – does that describe your giving?

When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, times were tough. Jerusalem was experiencing a famine, and Paul was preparing the believers in Corinth for a special offering to help out. But Paul didn’t want this offering to be casual; whatever spare change happened to be on hand was kind of an afterthought. No, Paul wanted them to give purposefully, taking the time to think, plan, and pray about their gifts.

There’s nothing wrong with impulse-driven, emotional giving, but if we are more generous and faithful, then it will take prayerful intentionality. So, to help us out, God gives us a starting point: the tithe.

A tithe is 10% of what we earn. The first question I’m inevitably asked is – before or after taxes? I often chuckle because our taxes are just another bill. Like groceries, utilities, or a mortgage, our taxes are just the expense of life and living in our country. So, the tithe is 10% of what we earn.

Abraham set the example of this kind of giving (Genesis 14:20) when he offered a tithe to appreciate God’s blessings. We as believers are to follow this example, but it’s only the first step. It’s the starting point of faithful giving. Why?

• Tithing acknowledges God’s ownership of all we have. We are simply managers of God’s financial resources, which have been entrusted to us.
• Tithing is an act of TRUST that God will meet our needs.
• Jesus spoke on the importance of the heart behind tithing (Matthew 23:23).

The tithe is the starting line in living and giving generously. It’s about planning, praying, and being intentional, not just in how we live day-to-day but in how we use ALL the financial resources God has entrusted us.

How will you be more faithful and purposeful with your giving in 2024 and beyond?

Tomorrow, look for Livings & Giving: Part Three.

See you there!