How to Tithe

by Contributor

So what is tithing? So often, Christians forget that some terms are not understood by everyone. We take for granted that everyone knows what tithing, baptism, salvation, and born-again means. This article will try to explain tithing.

Step 1

The first thing you should know about tithing is that it is 10% of everything you have. This includes: money, time, blessings, talents, connections, etc. This 10% is God's share of all He provides for you. After all, everything we have belongs to God. * Deuteronomy 26:12 ~ When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.

Step 2

TITHING MONEY: Ten percent (10%) of all money you receive is to be given back to God. This includes your wages (before ANY deductions), gifts of money (birthday, Christmas, wedding, baby shower, etc.), Child Support, money from investments, inheritance, etc. Luke 21:1-4 ~ As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, he said, THIS POOR WIDOW HAS PUT IN MORE THAN ALL THE OTHERS. ALL THESE PEOPLE GAVE THEIR GIFTS OUT OF THEIR WEALTH; BUT SHE OUT OF HER POVERTY PUT IN ALL SHE HAD TO LIVE ON. A retelling of the Widow's Offering is also found in Mark 12:41-44.

Step 3

TITHING TIME: Because none of us are promised tomorrow, our time is a gift and should be tithed. Ten percent of your time should be given to doing God's work. How? 1. Prayer and Bible Study. Spend time each day in prayer for others as well as yourself. Have a relationship with God. Spend time being quiet in His presence. Read His Word. 2. Volunteering. Give 10% of your time doing something for someone else without receiving anything in return. This should be done with a pure heart and not to gain praise or recognition. * Romans 12:12-13 ~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Step 4

TITHING BLESSINGS: If you receive an abundance of something (garden vegetables, clothing, baked goods, etc.) you should share it. There may be a single mom or dad at church with growing children who could use that extra food or those extra clothes. * Psalm 41:1-2 ~ Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth.

Step 5

TITHING TALENTS: Maybe you are great in Math. Volunteer to tutor (for free) someone struggling in Math who can't afford a tutor. Maybe you can really cook. Make extra and take to a shut-in or single parent family once a week. Offer to babysit for a single parent on the weekend so they don't have to pay extra for weekend babysitting. What are you good at or love to do? * Romans 12:6-8 ~ We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Step 6

TITHING CONNECTIONS: Give to others in need. When we see someone in need, we are called to help if we are able. If we can not help but know someone who can, we need to to put those resources together with the need. Maybe you know someone wanting to sell their car just because it's an extra car they don't need and there's a single mom who is going to lose her job it she doesn't find dependable transportation. Maybe the guy with the car would be able to work out cheap payments or even give her the car as a tax write off. You never know until you ask. * Mathew 25:44-45 ~ Then they will answer him, WHEN, LORD, DID WE EVER EVER SEE YOU HUNGRY OR THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NAKED OR SICK OR IN PRISON, AND WOULD NOT HELP YOU? The King will reply, I TELL YOU, WHENEVER YOU REFUSED TO HELP ONE OF THESE LESS IMPORTANT ONES, YOU REFUSED TO HELP ME.

Step 7

OTHER TITHING: Anything else that you have. Maybe you have a horse. Maybe you could give kid's who can't afford to ride a horse, free riding lessons. If you have a large garden, you could donate some vegetables to those less fortunate than you. Look around. There are MANY ways you can tithe. * 1 Peter 4:10 ~ Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Step 8

MORE SCRIPTURE SUPPORTING THIS ARTICLE: Proverbs 21:13 ~ If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. Philippians 2:3-5 ~ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus * Philippians 2:14-18 ~ Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Step 9

HELPFUL TIDBITS: 1. When church tithing, most churches provide tithe envelopes for your convenience. 2. You cannot out give God. If you are faithful in your tithing, God will be faithful to you (again, I am not just talking about money). 3. Everything we have belongs to God anyway. 4. Your church offering is anything over the 10% you tithe (again, I am not just talking about money). 5. Tithing is part of stewardship. 6. For your convenience, many churches and charities now are able to take online contributions.

Items you will need

  • A Bible
  • Desire to understand tithing


  • Your children will follow your example. They will give 10% of all they have.


  • Be sure to have all the insurance lined up and any permits you need if you donate big items. Check local laws before jumping into any major projects.

Photo Credits

  • frazzlednanny

About the Author
