Tithing: Trusting God with What We Have
When we hear the word tithing, it can sometimes feel like a difficult or even uncomfortable topic. It brings up questions about money, priorities, and sacrifice. But at its heart, tithing is not really about finances—it’s about trust.
Tithing is a spiritual practice that invites us to place God first in every part of our lives, including how we use what we’ve been given.
What Is Tithing?
Traditionally, tithing means offering a portion—often ten percent—of our income back to God. In the Old Testament, this was a way of acknowledging that everything ultimately comes from Him.
Today, while the Church does not strictly require a specific percentage, it still calls us to give generously and intentionally in support of the Church and those in need.
A Matter of the Heart
Tithing is not about meeting a quota or checking a box. It’s about the posture of our hearts.
When we give, we are saying:
“God, I trust You to provide.”
“Everything I have is a gift.”
“I want to be part of Your work in the world.”
Even small, consistent giving can be deeply meaningful when it comes from love.
Why Tithing Matters
1. It Strengthens Our Trust in God
Letting go of a portion of what we earn can be challenging. But it reminds us that our security does not come from money—it comes from God.
2. It Supports the Life of the Church
Our parish depends on the generosity of its members to continue its mission: celebrating the sacraments, serving those in need, educating our children, and building community.
3. It Helps Others in Need
Through tithing, we become instruments of God’s love for others—especially the poor, the struggling, and the forgotten.
4. It Frees Us from Attachment
Giving helps loosen our grip on material things and refocuses our hearts on what truly matters.
Starting Where You Are
If tithing feels overwhelming, start small. The goal is not perfection—it’s growth.
Choose a percentage that is realistic for you
Give consistently, even if the amount is modest
Pray about your giving and invite God into the decision
Over time, generosity becomes not a burden, but a joy.
A Parish Family Effort
Tithing is not something we do alone—it is something we do together as a parish family. Every gift, no matter the size, helps build up the Body of Christ right here in our community.
A Prayer for Generosity
Lord, all that I have is a gift from You.
Teach me to give with a grateful heart,
to trust in Your provision,
and to use what I have for Your glory.
Help me to be generous in love and in action. Amen.
Tithing is ultimately an act of faith. It is a quiet but powerful way of saying: God comes first.
And in that trust, we often discover something unexpected—that we receive far more than we give.
