More Thoughts on the Truth About Tithes

A few days ago, I posted The Truth About Tithes. I was surprised to see that this one post pulled quite a few viewers compared to other posts. It made me think a little more on the subject.

One of the things that worried me when I thought about tithes earlier in my life was wondering where to donate or place the tithes. Is it enough, I wondered, to send the funds to an established charity? Is it what God intended if I tithe to an individual?

When I checked on this in the Bible, it appears that the tithe is to go to God directly. He tells us to bring to him, nobody else, one-tenth of our products. This was good enough for me. Whenever I tithe, I donate the proceeds to an established church.

Charities have their own place in my life. They are a different part of God's instructions to us, to take care of the poor, the sick, the elderly. He seems to be telling us that we can't get away with just tithing. Or that we can't get away with just charity work. Or that helping one neighbor is just not enough.

I take all of this to mean we need to always be aware of how and where we can help. Each person helps in their own way, to their own ability. For some, charity work is physical assistance while for others it means financial help.

Tithing is different. The one-tenth required is to be from the proceeds of our work, our toil, our hands. This might be money, or it might be other kinds of proceeds.

Today's world is very complicated. What was once a simple request of our Father to his children becomes a puzzling dilemma for some. For some, like me, it is simple. I have no problem tithing directly to an established church to further their work in spreading the word. I will also keep aware of other ways I can serve him.

Father, forgive our confusion in today's world and fill us, please, with understanding of how you wish us to tithe and where to place the proceeds when we have some.