As Premier's end of financial year appeal begins, Woman Alive's editor Tola Doll Fisher tackles the tough topic of money, giving and tithe and explains why donating to the Church and Jesus-focused causes is so important to her.
The word tithe seems to make people feel uncomfortable. After all, we are in a cost of living crisis and it seems an easy thing to cut down on. So to be clear, in no way am I trying to shame anyone, after all I had a tithe sabbatical for a good few years after my divorce when my single income was suddenly required to cover all my outgoings. As anyone without a partner knows, a sole income household is often barely enough to put a roof over your head never mind to keep the heating on. It’s a hard decision to make.
Tithe is explained in literal terms by Wikipedia as follows: "After the separation of church and state, church tax linked to the tax system are instead used in many countries to support their national church. Donations to the church beyond what is owed in the tithe, or by those attending a congregation who are not members or adherents, are known as offerings, and often are designated for specific purposes such as a building program, debt retirement, or mission work."
I’ve supported organisations I’ve seen first-hand do the incredible work of Jesus in an extraordinary way.
And look, I get it, maybe you’re a lay person reading this and you’re really not that bothered about fixing some ancient church roof. But if you’d much rather give your money to another worthy cause you believe in, then do it! When I’ve been in between churches, I’ve supported organisations I’ve seen first-hand do the incredible work of Jesus in an extraordinary way. And after I lost my daughter, I sponsored a child via Compassion for several years.
In neglecting to tithe, it’s the blessing from giving that we miss out on. "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,' says the Lord Almighty. 'Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,' says the Lord Almighty." Malachi 3:10-12.
In Matthew’s Gospel, there is some scripture that at first glance appears to dismiss the need for tithe: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." Matthew 23:23. But as the last sentence explains, it is the attitude of the givers that Jesus is condemning here, not the giving itself.
In neglecting to tithe, it’s the blessing from giving that we miss out on.
We know that God sees and values the inner workings of our heart so the intention of your giving is much more important than the amount. I’d even go so far as to say – although many church leaders would argue with me – that this includes whether you choose to give to your church or to another worthy cause.
During lockdown, with churches closed, many people found value in tuning in to Premier Christian Radio and it remains a comfort to thousands of regular listeners. If you’re reading this and you’re thinking about how much value you get from listening to Premier, then you can give here. Giving may make us uncomfortable and it often comes at a very real cost. But if you feel led, as I did, by the Holy Spirit to make that compromise, we have to trust that God knows what He’s asking of us and will ultimately continue to provide.
I’d love to hear any stories of your giving that has resulted in something miraculous from God! Email: womanalive@premier.org.uk or leave a comment below.
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