First, I loved the "meme with a message" format, so I think you've found a good idea. I'd keep going with it for a while and see how it plays out.
Secondly - while the 10% amount isn't specifically, overtly spoken of in the NT, I think we need to look at two things. First, Paul says that those who do not provide for their families are denying the faith and are worse than infidels/unbelievers (1 Tim 5:8). So if tithing 10% of the income actually is creating that sort of strain in a household (which yes, I can see that), then don't do it. Figure out what you CAN give faithfully, and do so. God does not want anyone to give under compulsion (2 Cor 9:7). If someone is being pressured by a pastor or elders, then leave that church - they do not have tge Holy Spirit!
On the other hand - let's remember the widow who gave two copper coins (Mark 12:42). She didn't give 10%. She gave EVERYTHING. Jesus commended her, and said she'd given far more than what the Pharisees had given, even though by "dollar amount," they'd put a lot of money in the Treasury. But she put ALL she had to live on. She had nothing else.
Here's another perspective on the topic. Some have been outspoken about the lack of generosity of believers. One study of the giving patterns among American Christians found that the median level of giving is less than 1% of their pre-tax income and 20% give nothing at all to the church, parachurches, or nonreligious charities. The study also found that poor Christians give more than middle-income Christians as a percentage of their income. Moreover, the study projected that if serious Christians in the USA (those who attend church at least a few times a month) gave 10% of their after-tax income, it would raise an extra $46 billion (in 2008, not adjusted for inflation), enough to eliminate world poverty. Good grief!
(See Christian Smith, Michael Emerson, and Patricia Snell, Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money (2008), New York: Oxford University Press)
I've known so many people who are up to their necks drowning in debt who continue to tithe religiously (including myself at a much younger age, before I got convicted about it). If you're in debt, that money isn't yours to tithe, it belongs to your debtors. One of the reasons we're told to avoid debt in the first place if we can.
What a good (and probably much needed) word from the Lord! I was "that mom" painstakingly tithing my spousal support while my children were sometimes deprived of needed food or clothing. My motive was to please the Lord, but my children were experiencing the opposite of Matthew 7:9. What's the expression now? "The math wasn't mathing".
Later on when I was directed to "well-known Christian financial program" I would leave and cry in my car at just how tone deaf the teaching was to people in that situation and finally stopped attending. I remember Larry Burkett having more grace, in the way you are expressing.
Thank you for this! We shouldn't have to go through it to learn it.
I come to substack to read with my laptop muted, part of my quiet morning. If I see a video referenced I save it for later. I keep the activities separate. My mind also reversed the meme: the prosperity preachers are the beggers I want out of here.
I do understand because Jesus came to take our debt that we aren’t under the Old Testament law of tithing but I do believe we are to give whether it’s financially or our time or our gifts.
Definitely something to think about. I also think about where Jesus talked about the poor lady who gave all which was much more in sacrifice than the wealthy who “gave” more.
His sheep hear His voice. Search the Scriptures to find truth.
The True Teaching of Tithing and Why It Still Applies
Tithing is not a man‑made tradition; it is part of the Father’s covenant economy. The Christos affirmed this when He said, “These you ought to have done, and not neglect the latter.” See Matthew 23:23…His words show that giving was never abolished. Instead, He corrected the heart behind it—calling His people to combine obedience with justice, mercy, and faith.
The Covenant Pattern of the Tithe
🟫 Years 1, 2, 4, and 5 — The Shared Tithe
In these years, the worshiper brings the tithe from their increase and shares:
• with their household-according to Deuteronomy your household keeps most of the tithe as an act of worship before the Almighty.
• in worship before the Father
• and with their pastor, the one who labors in the Word - Give a portion of the tithe to your shepherd if he is a proven shepherd.
This follows the command, “Do not neglect the Levite,” meaning we honor those who serve spiritually.
🟩 Years 3 and 6 — The Poor Tithe
These are the special years of compassion, where the tithe is set aside for:
• widows
• orphans
• strangers
• and the vulnerable
The Father built justice into His economic system so that no one in the community is left behind.
---
The Father as Provider
The Christos taught plainly:
“You cannot serve God and mammon.”
This means:
• we cannot worship the Father while trusting the world’s economic system
• we cannot cling to fear, scarcity, or financial anxiety
• we must choose the Father’s economy over the world’s economy
Believers stand on His word.
We give by faith.
We hear His voice.
We follow His instructions.
And because He is faithful, He breaks every chain of poverty, debt, and financial bondage we have stepped into.
We can bring forth the principle that was set forth from the beginning under the Prophet Moses and affirmed by Christ. We do not have to have a temple and a Levitical priesthood to keep the principal active in our lives.
The Blessing of Alignment
Third John 2 reveals the Father’s desire:
“Beloved, I desire that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”
This is not worldly prosperity—it is covenant wholeness.
When we honor the Father’s economic system:
• He multiplies what we give
• He restores what was lost
• He provides beyond natural means
• He brings us out of financial captivity
• He establishes us in His abundance
Tithing is not about money—it is about alignment, trust, and faithfulness.
It is choosing the Father’s economy over the world’s economy.
You are wrong. Tithing is one of the most important principle in a christian's life, without God's grace and mercy we are nobodies and we have absolutely nothing, everything we think we own hinges on God's grace including our lives and source of livelihood.. so why always make such a big deal over giving back 10% from something you do not even own in the first place?
First, I loved the "meme with a message" format, so I think you've found a good idea. I'd keep going with it for a while and see how it plays out.
Secondly - while the 10% amount isn't specifically, overtly spoken of in the NT, I think we need to look at two things. First, Paul says that those who do not provide for their families are denying the faith and are worse than infidels/unbelievers (1 Tim 5:8). So if tithing 10% of the income actually is creating that sort of strain in a household (which yes, I can see that), then don't do it. Figure out what you CAN give faithfully, and do so. God does not want anyone to give under compulsion (2 Cor 9:7). If someone is being pressured by a pastor or elders, then leave that church - they do not have tge Holy Spirit!
On the other hand - let's remember the widow who gave two copper coins (Mark 12:42). She didn't give 10%. She gave EVERYTHING. Jesus commended her, and said she'd given far more than what the Pharisees had given, even though by "dollar amount," they'd put a lot of money in the Treasury. But she put ALL she had to live on. She had nothing else.
Who of us is willing to be as that widow?
Here's another perspective on the topic. Some have been outspoken about the lack of generosity of believers. One study of the giving patterns among American Christians found that the median level of giving is less than 1% of their pre-tax income and 20% give nothing at all to the church, parachurches, or nonreligious charities. The study also found that poor Christians give more than middle-income Christians as a percentage of their income. Moreover, the study projected that if serious Christians in the USA (those who attend church at least a few times a month) gave 10% of their after-tax income, it would raise an extra $46 billion (in 2008, not adjusted for inflation), enough to eliminate world poverty. Good grief!
(See Christian Smith, Michael Emerson, and Patricia Snell, Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money (2008), New York: Oxford University Press)
I've known so many people who are up to their necks drowning in debt who continue to tithe religiously (including myself at a much younger age, before I got convicted about it). If you're in debt, that money isn't yours to tithe, it belongs to your debtors. One of the reasons we're told to avoid debt in the first place if we can.
Anyway, everything you said is 100% correct.
What a good (and probably much needed) word from the Lord! I was "that mom" painstakingly tithing my spousal support while my children were sometimes deprived of needed food or clothing. My motive was to please the Lord, but my children were experiencing the opposite of Matthew 7:9. What's the expression now? "The math wasn't mathing".
Later on when I was directed to "well-known Christian financial program" I would leave and cry in my car at just how tone deaf the teaching was to people in that situation and finally stopped attending. I remember Larry Burkett having more grace, in the way you are expressing.
Thank you for this! We shouldn't have to go through it to learn it.
Well delivered, well considered message. Your message, and your format, are welcomed words for this Christian spirit. 🕊️
Well said!
😂😂😂 too funny… but also too true
I come to substack to read with my laptop muted, part of my quiet morning. If I see a video referenced I save it for later. I keep the activities separate. My mind also reversed the meme: the prosperity preachers are the beggers I want out of here.
I liked the meme. It worked well
I do understand because Jesus came to take our debt that we aren’t under the Old Testament law of tithing but I do believe we are to give whether it’s financially or our time or our gifts.
Definitely something to think about. I also think about where Jesus talked about the poor lady who gave all which was much more in sacrifice than the wealthy who “gave” more.
His sheep hear His voice. Search the Scriptures to find truth.
The True Teaching of Tithing and Why It Still Applies
Tithing is not a man‑made tradition; it is part of the Father’s covenant economy. The Christos affirmed this when He said, “These you ought to have done, and not neglect the latter.” See Matthew 23:23…His words show that giving was never abolished. Instead, He corrected the heart behind it—calling His people to combine obedience with justice, mercy, and faith.
The Covenant Pattern of the Tithe
🟫 Years 1, 2, 4, and 5 — The Shared Tithe
In these years, the worshiper brings the tithe from their increase and shares:
• with their household-according to Deuteronomy your household keeps most of the tithe as an act of worship before the Almighty.
• in worship before the Father
• and with their pastor, the one who labors in the Word - Give a portion of the tithe to your shepherd if he is a proven shepherd.
This follows the command, “Do not neglect the Levite,” meaning we honor those who serve spiritually.
🟩 Years 3 and 6 — The Poor Tithe
These are the special years of compassion, where the tithe is set aside for:
• widows
• orphans
• strangers
• and the vulnerable
The Father built justice into His economic system so that no one in the community is left behind.
---
The Father as Provider
The Christos taught plainly:
“You cannot serve God and mammon.”
This means:
• we cannot worship the Father while trusting the world’s economic system
• we cannot cling to fear, scarcity, or financial anxiety
• we must choose the Father’s economy over the world’s economy
Believers stand on His word.
We give by faith.
We hear His voice.
We follow His instructions.
And because He is faithful, He breaks every chain of poverty, debt, and financial bondage we have stepped into.
We can bring forth the principle that was set forth from the beginning under the Prophet Moses and affirmed by Christ. We do not have to have a temple and a Levitical priesthood to keep the principal active in our lives.
The Blessing of Alignment
Third John 2 reveals the Father’s desire:
“Beloved, I desire that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”
This is not worldly prosperity—it is covenant wholeness.
When we honor the Father’s economic system:
• He multiplies what we give
• He restores what was lost
• He provides beyond natural means
• He brings us out of financial captivity
• He establishes us in His abundance
Tithing is not about money—it is about alignment, trust, and faithfulness.
It is choosing the Father’s economy over the world’s economy.
You are wrong. Tithing is one of the most important principle in a christian's life, without God's grace and mercy we are nobodies and we have absolutely nothing, everything we think we own hinges on God's grace including our lives and source of livelihood.. so why always make such a big deal over giving back 10% from something you do not even own in the first place?