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Nuts & Bolts: Stewardship
Frequently Asked Questions about Tithing
What does the term "tithe" mean?
What good does the tithe serve?
Where do we get the idea of the tithe?
Why should I tithe?
Do people really tithe?
If I am not ready to tithe but I want to make a financial contribution, is my contribution still valued?
Is my contribution tax-deductible?
If I am not ready to make a pledge am I still welcome to participate in the life of the community?
How do I make a pledge?
Stewardship: What is the bottom line?
What does the term "tithe" mean?
The tithe is an ancient spiritual discipline. It means to give 10% of one's income back to God through one's parish.
What good does the tithe serve?
As a spiritual discipline the tithe serves three primary purposes.
First, it contributes to our spiritual formation. Every time we make this financial contribution we remember God creates us, blesses us, and cares for us. Our returning 10% of God's abundance reminds us of the divine covenant promise expressed in a variety of ways throughout the Bible, but expressed most intimately in the words of Jesus when he said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
In many Episcopal Churches, when the representatives of the congregation offer the people's tithes, the congregation reaffirms this fundamental truth: "All things come of thee Oh Lord, and of thine own have we given thee."
Second, the tithe provides the material basis for holding the community together. Among other things a parish must pay the priests and the staff of the church. It must maintain buildings; provide the material for worship; supply crayons and construction paper for Sunday school children; and develop means to communicate with parishioners whether that is using the telephone, the post office, or the Internet.
Finally, the tithe provides the parish the means to reach out to others. When it does this it functions as God's covenant partner in blessing. This outreach may help someone spiritually or emotionally. It may also allow them to eat and find shelter.
Thus the tithe encourages personal spiritual growth; it provides for the strength of parish; and it allows the parish to reach out to others.
Where do we get the idea of the tithe?
This question is impossible to answer. When we read about the tithe in ancient texts it is already an ancient spiritual discipline. In other words the ancient texts draw from an even more ancient oral tradition that lies beyond the purview of history. A brief survey of religious traditions suggests the worldwide scope of the tithe.
Someone speaking from an Indian tradition (Sikhism) has said, "Tithing is a multitude of things: An institution older than thought, a covenant in every religion, a lesson taught in every spiritual discipline. It is given to us in terms of a "law," a "mandate," a "command," and yet we are at liberty to choose to obey or not, and we are equally at liberty to reap the vast rewards of tithing as well - or not."
In Sikhism, the tradition of Dasvandh (das = tenth, vandh = giving) is mandated in the Sikh scriptures. Bhai Gurdas counts the tithe among the seven virtues of a Sikh.
In Islam the act of charity, Zakaah, is a part of the "Five Pillars of Islam." The Qu'ran teaches that wealth will never be decreased by charity. "Whatever you spend [as Zakaah] He replaces it, and He is the best of Providers." Qu'ran, Chapter 34: 39.
Although Buddhism is not a systematized tradition, it also participates in the spiritual intention expressed in the tithe. "If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving and sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of selfishness overcome their minds." Itivuttaka Sutra.
In the Christian tradition (as well as Judaism), Abraham is already acquainted with this spiritual discipline when he makes his tithe in Genesis 14. The Old Testament continues the tradition of the tithe through the teaching of Moses.
The Book of Leviticus mandates the tithe (Lev. 27:30-33) at least in part to support the ministry of the Levites (Num. 18:21-24). At least one of the prophets associated the failure to pay the tithe with "robbing God" (Mal. 3:6-12).
The Old Testament teaches faithful people will practice acts of charity over and above the tithe, especially in the care of widows and orphans. This vision of the world sets the tithe in a context that includes generosity in the service of social justice. In so far as God is the creator of all things, God has provided abundantly for the whole of creation.
The ministry of Jesus assumes both the tradition of the tithe as well as the Biblical commitment to social justice. He called people to participate in the spiritual intention of the tithe and not its outward form only. He goes so far as to encourage some to "give everything" and follow him.
Why should I tithe?
- Tithing is an ancient pattern of giving to God through covenant communities by faithful people throughout the ages, regardless of cultures and income levels. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism all have maintained a consistent tradition of faithful giving. To trace the Biblical tradition of tithing see: Genesis 14:17-20, 28:16-22; Leviticus 27:30; Proverbs 3:9-10 Malachi 3:7-15; and Matthew 23:23
- Tithing expresses through the material substance of your life your reverent covenant partnership with God.
See: Deuteronomy. 14:23
- Tithing brings God's wisdom and discipline into your finances and helps you break the power of materialism in your life.
See: Matthew 6:19-21, 24-34; Luke 12:16-21; I Timothy 6:6-10,1 7-19 Ecclesiastes 5:10.
- Tithing serves as a practical reminder that God blesses you abundantly with every good thing and helps you to maintain perspective in a commercialized and materialistic world.
See: I Chronicles 29:11-18; Psalm 24:1-2; Psalm 50:10-12.
- Tithing allows you to experience God's care in ways you would not otherwise experience.
See: I Kings 17; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:7-15; Haggai 1:4-11, 2:15-19; Luke 6:38; Deuteronomy 28; Philippians 4:15-19; Mark 12:41-44.
- Tithing encourages your spiritual growth.
See: Deuteronomy 14:23; Proverbs 3:5-6; Malachi 3:8-10; Haggai 1:4-11, 2:15-19 II Corinthians 8:5.
- Tithing helps you maintain an eternal perspective.
See: I Timothy 6:18-19; Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrew 6:10; III John 8; I Samuel 30:22.
- Tithing strengthens the ministry and stability of your parish and enables it to reach out to others.
See: Acts 2:42-47, 4:32; II Corinthians 9:12-13.
- Tithing provides the means to maintain the livelihood of the clergy and staff of your parish.
See: I Corinthians 9:9-11,14; I Timothy 5:17-18 III John 5-8 Philippians 4:15-19; Galatians 6:6; Luke 8:3; II Kings 4:8-10.
- Tithing maintains church buildings in good repair providing a place for people to worship, study God's Word, seek counsel and enjoy the fellowship of faithful community.
See: II Chronicles 24:4-14; Exodus 35,36; II Kings 12:2-16; I Chronicles 29:2-19; Ezekiel 1:4-6.
Do people really tithe?
What people do with their money is a very personal thing. We cannot know how many people honor and practice the tithe as a spiritual discipline. We teach the tithe. We encourage the tithe. We model the tithe. How much people give is a matter of prayer.
However we can say this. The average pledge in our church last year was $4,600. Many people, especially people new to faith, often treat their contribution to the church as just another charitable donation, similar to their support of the United Way or their local PBS station. We often see many new pledges of $1040. (Take $20.00/week multiply by 52 weeks/year.)
We arrive at our average pledge figure by taking the amount of money given by many "charitable givers" adding that to the amount of money given by our "tithers" and dividing by total number of people who pledge.
Many people in our congregation honor the tithe by pledging 10% of their income. Others have made a commitment to work toward a tithe by increasing their pledge over a period of two or three years.
Note that people do not tithe casually. Their commitment grows out of profound conviction of the power of God at work in the world and in their own lives.
If I am not ready to tithe but I want to make a financial contribution, is my contribution still valued?
Absolutely.
When a person makes a financial commitment to our parish, no matter how modest, we receive it as a sign of a person's desire to unite with our community and a make a commitment to its mission. We celebrate every pledge as an act of faith on the part of the contributor and as a gift of God to our community.
If I am not ready to tithe but I want to make a financial contribution, will I be treated differently than other people in the church?
Absolutely not. Your pledge is a confidential promise you make with this parish. Only two or three people (who take responsibility for the financial operations of the church) will ever know the amount of your pledge.
We hope and pray people will discover our parish to be a supportive home wherever they are on their journey of faith. Our generation struggles under great spiritual confusion. It takes time for people who are new to faith to discern how God truly works in the world.
The tithe is just one spiritual discipline among others we all must learn as we mature as human beings.
Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Yes it is. You will receive a contribution statement quarterly and at a the end of the year to satisfy IRS requirements for documentation of your tax-deductible contribution.
If I am not ready to make a pledge am I still welcome to participate in the life of the community?
By all means. You are the reason we are here. We are here for you. When you need help or support in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@sttims.org.
How do I make a pledge?
If you would like to make a pledge to St. Timothy's Church please contact our Finance Administrator, joanna@sttims.org. She will see that you have everything you need.
Stewardship: What is the bottom line?
The bottom line is that God as Creator is the ultimate source of material wealth. He gave you life, talent, and ability. In so far as most people live faithful lives and practice fair dealing in their relationship with others, God is even the source of a healthy economic environment that allows business to flourish.
When you live your life as a faithful steward of God's creation, you recognize that God calls you into divine partnership. You have a role to play in safeguarding the material health of the Earth, the political and economic health of your society, and the spiritual health of your community, your family and yourself.
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