by MarkYou may be familiar with the principle of tithing–giving a certain percentage of your earnings to those in need. You may have also heard that what you give will come back to you twice-over, three-times over, seven-fold, or ten-fold. Different traditions have different formulas.
Some people swear by it. Others just end up swearing as their financial obligations mount. Which begs the question: Does tithing really work to increase abundance, or is it a bunch of new-age nonsense? Do you give in order to succeed, or because you’ve already had some success?
What If the Loaves and Fishes Run Out?
My spiritual teacher, who was visiting recently from Jerusalem to teach here in the U.S., loves to cook, and had prepared some food. He started handing out portions to folks, and my friend was one of the first to get some. She had received a generous portion, but she became increasingly anxious as the portions became smaller and smaller with each additional serving.
It soon became clear that some people wouldn’t get any at all.
Since he -IS- after all, her spiritual teacher, she began to ask her heart what was going on. Why should she get so much when others received so little? Her heart showed her, in a flash that we are all links in the chain of giving. Just because she got a larger piece doesn’t mean that she should keep it all.
The teaching was about wakefulness, responsibility, and the true nature of generosity. She had to participate in the giving and not just the receiving.
Tithing Is Not Charity
Charity is defined by Merriam-Webster as “generosity or helpfulness… a gift… benevolent goodwill.”
A tithe, on the other hand, is “a… part paid… as a tax.” “obligation… small tax or levy.”
The Sufi teachings say this: to give generously in charity is a great thing. But before charity comes an obligation. If you receive abundantly, you owe some of what you received to those less fortunate. Why do you owe this? Why can’t you just keep it? After all, you worked hard to get it.
The tithe is a recognition that we are all interconnected, that none of us is independent. It is impossible to amass any amount of wealth solely on your own efforts. Tithing is recognizing the contributions that others have made to your success. By paying this obligation, you recognize that you aren’t the source at the beginning of wealth, and you aren’t the stopping point at the end of wealth. You are in the middle. Letting some of the wealth you receive flow downstream is the best way to assure that you stay in the flow.
So how do you tithe? How much? When? And is it only about giving–what about the receiving back ten-fold? How does that work?
Keys to Playing the Middle
- There is no vending machine.
Wouldn’t it be nice if life worked like a vending machine? Put in a prayer, get out a candy bar? Put in a donation, get it back doubled? Although some people would have you believe this is true, it ain’t.
Our relationship with the Divine, and the world around us, is more complex–it IS a relationship. And no relationship works like a vending machine. It has more subtlety to it. This means when you give, give whole-heartedly, from your natural generosity and not simply as a strategy to try and force an outpouring of abundance.
And… just keep your eyes open… I wonder what you notice does come back?
- Yes, you do have to do the dishes.
Tithing is a spiritual obligation that comes when you receive abundance, to acknowledge your place in the middle of the flow. No one can take 100% credit for what comes his or her way in terms of wealth, and tithing is simply the inspired action that grows out of acknowledging this healthy humility.
However, this obligation is not like your parents forcing you to do the dishes or mow the lawn. If you’ve ever experienced the joy and happiness that comes from giving a gift, then you already know how enriching tithing is. Marshall Rosenberg, author of the inspiring book Nonviolent Communication, says that human beings are happiest when they are trying to make life more wonderful for each other.
- If you ain’t got it, you can’t give it.
I’ve seen people make donations by borrowing on a credit card, only to feel crushed under the weight of this debt later. Remember that tithing is not about you being the source of the giving. It’s merely acknowledging that you are in the middle. You can’t give what you don’t have.
How much to give? Different traditions have different formulas. The Sufis teachings suggest an annual tithe of 2.25% of all you own free and clear. This means that Sufis total up what they have, subtract what they owe, and give 2.25% of what’s left to help support those who are poor. Many often give more than that, but that’s the minimum.
If your business is feeling stagnant and you don’t have a tithing plan in place, it might be time to add this part of the flow to your giving and receiving.
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16 Comments... Care To Join Us?
I thoroughly enjoyed your post, most especially the story of your friend who was given so much food. This was the idea in the early church and also a subject that Paul touched upon – equality in giving. Giving more if you have more and thus helping out those who did not have to anything to at all give.
You also very right that giving should be from your natural generosity born out of a relationship with God and not a strategy to try and force an outpouring of abundance. That unfortunately is not the message in today’s church – people give so that the Lord would bless them, they tithe so that God would rebuke the devourer and so on. This leads some people to give out of fear because they have been guilt tripped into doing so while others give with ulterior motives brought about by the erroneous assumption that when they give tithes and offerings, God is obligated to wipe out all their debts. A concept encouraged by these televangelists who live to make merchandise of God’s people.
I however would not use the word tithe because that suggests a mandatory 10% that most churches nowadays demand with many of them making it a condition for membership. Giving according to how the Lord has prospered you is what the bible teaches. Tithing aside, I agree with you.
Loved your article, Mark! One thing, though – the thought that tithing is a way to give to the needy or give to those less fortunate or giving out of obligation is old-school thinking. It’s what keeps people leery of the word “tithe.”
Your friend demonstrated the true intent and nature of tithing by her actions – rather than her thoughts of “oh no, someone’s going to do without. The true intent of tithing is to give where you are spiritually fed, to give from the generousity of your heart because you’re guided to do so because you have been given so much. Not because others have so little, but because you feel so incredibly blessed by what you have that you just naturally desire to share it.
And a tithe isn’t just what you give monetarily. A true tithe (how the great master teacher gave) is a tithe of your words, your actions, your thoughts, your talents, your possessions, your treasures – putting God and gratitude first in everything….
When you get into the true nature of tithing – WOW! Everything changes in your life; you begin to see the incredible gifts in everything and your level of peace and security begins to build so that there is no part of you that is closed off.
What was it Anais Nin said: “I want to unfold. Let no part within me remain closed. For when I am closed, I am false.” Something like that….
Peace and prosperity,
Paula Langguth Ryan
author, Giving Thanks: The Art of Tithing
I loved this:
“Tithing is a spiritual obligation that comes when you receive abundance, to acknowledge your place in the middle of the flow. No one can take 100% credit for what comes his or her way in terms of wealth, and tithing is simply the inspired action that grows out of acknowledging this healthy humility.”
I belonged to a church a few years back and they treated tithing as an obligation to the church itself… going so far as to say that GOD wanted us to give money to the church.
That was the last time I attended that particular church.
Those couple of sentences resonated so much with me, Mark because I love the idea of taking Divinely inspired action when it comes to tithing.
Jenn Givler´s last blog post..My new Green Smoothie addiction
Isn’t it funny, Jenn, how groups that are supposed to preach trusting God are teaching fear of lack? I read a great article by a reporter in a Charlotte paper a few years back. He went with a friend to a church and the minister said, “don’t tithe here unless you’re spiritually fed here because our good doesn’t come from what you put in the basket. Our good comes from God. And so does yours!” They’re an awesome, thriving church… and so are their members!
Peace,
Paula Langguth Ryan
Oh my gosh Paula – I love that… no wonder they thrive!
Jenn Givler´s last blog post..My new Green Smoothie addiction
@Tony- Great response! since I’m not Christian, I’m not as aware of what’s going on in the Christian world around tithing, so thank you for pointing it out. Someone emailed me today, “Dude! Tithe means 10%, not 2.25%!”
I don’t have a better word for that obligation of giving other than “tithe.” it carries the meaning so well, even though it is associated in Christian minds with the 10% rule.
Any suggestions?
@Paula- Thank you! What a great contribution to the conversation!
I would challenge your comment about “old school.” I happen to think there is a lot of wisdom in old school thinking, and that’s why it’s been around for so long.
I think we do need to give to folks who need. The flash that my friend got was guidance, but it was guidance that was founded in the insight that others would do without if she didn’t share.
I believe that it is an obligation upon us. My spiritual teacher is very strong about this, that it is our obligation to take care of the poor. Yes, we want to be spiritually fed, but part of what is inspiring it is the Divine quality of compassion that sees that others are doing without.
The obligation is an important part, because sometimes our egos “don’t wanna” give.
And, I absolutely agree with the spiritual connection and openness that is/can be nurtured through that obligation.
@Jenn- I don’t blame you for not going back there. In my community, donations/membership fees to support the community are considered to be different than “tithing” or what in Islam is called “zakah”- which is maybe the word I should’ve used above.
Zakah, or tithing, is for the poor and needy. Then, additional money can be given to support the community as needed.
@Paula again- That’s a great quote!
Well, Iused to be a Christian … and I associate the word tithe with 10% and OBLIGATION!
I loved your post’s message … “give willinging, give without obligation” or at least that’s what I read
As a Two on the Enneagram I often too easily give with ’stickies’ unconsciously attached. That is, I give hoping inside that ‘abundance’ or love or something will karmically come back.
When I am able to give authentically, from the heart, whether that be 2.25% or 25%, then abundance does flow back.
It also occurs to me that I sometimes get back what I really need but fail to recognize it as the abundance that it really is.
Thanks for the provocative conversation, LL
Lyle T. Lachmuth – The Unsticking Coach´s last blog post..When Your ‘Real’ Job Interfers With Living Your Dream
Mark, thank you so much for a really helpful post. Especially this part:
“Why do you owe this? Why can’t you just keep it? After all, you worked hard to get it. The tithe is a recognition that we are all interconnected, that none of us is independent. It is impossible to amass any amount of wealth solely on your own efforts. Tithing is recognizing the contributions that others have made to your success.”
I’d never considered that there is a difference between tithing (or zakah, or whichever term you want to use) and charity before, but I like the thought that it’s not (or should not be) a sort of high-handed giving but a humble acknowledgement that we are all interconnected. I think we need as many reminders of that as possible.
)
Thanks for making me consider a distinction I’d never seen before!
Mark, you are not a Christian? My word, thats a big surprise! Not many Christians understand what it is to give and you have portrayed giving in a superb way.
Out of curiosity though, which religion do you belong to?
Tony Isaac´s last blog post..Study to show thyself – Tithing and the parable of the talents
@Lyle- I’m so glad you liked it, and, ahh… the Two’s struggle.
I’m glad to be provocative- thanks for joining the conversation!
@Michelle- That is such an important distinction, isn’t it? It struck me, too, when I first heard of it. I’m glad you jumped in to highlight that piont.
@Tony- Nope, though I have a deep reverence and love for Jesus. I was born Jewish and still consider myself Jewish. My daily practice, my current teachers, and my orientation spiritually is through Islamic Sufism. Muslim.
It’s been an interesting journey for me, and it’s been one of the deepest and most beautiful moments in my life when I saw/felt/experienced the teachings and presence of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as the same exact pathway.
I don’t mean to dismiss the theological differences, but for me it’s really clear that the Qur’an, Torah, and Gospels are all in agreement. Which makes all the strife in the world all the more puzzling.
“Tithing is a spiritual obligation that comes when you receive abundance, to acknowledge your place in the middle of the flow. No one can take 100% credit for what comes his or her way in terms of wealth, and tithing is simply the inspired action that grows out of acknowledging this healthy humility.”
Mark, I love this post, which is so filled with wisdom about the true nature of our relationship to giving and receiving. We receive what we need because we belong to the family of God. We give for the same reason.
Thank you.
Hiro Boga´s last blog post..Barefoot Business
Hi Mark,
I just couldn’t stay away from what you’ve written and I have read it over and over again.
Something you said escaped my attention the first time I read this post and I just spotted it now – I am not the source of wealth, God is! That is so very true. I can’t give what I don’t have. God gives me and does not expect it to end with me. The way I have received, I should give likewise. This is brilliant.
I thought of a word you could use instead of tithe – Freewill Giving or Love Offering! What do you think?
Tony Isaac´s last blog post..Study to show thyself – Personal Gain Christianity
Hi Mark, good post – lots of good food for thought.
I got caught in the 80s trying to tithe to get… didn’t work.
Later when I began to experience more abundance but also some real dips in income, a spiritual teacher of mine told me “tithe only if you can do so from gratitude.” So that’s been my guide. If I’m grateful I give, if I’m afraid or needy around money in that moment I don’t.
Mostly now I give and tithing or giving on a regular basis does seem to be part of keeping the flow open for me – not magic, I don’t mean that, but part of what works.
Love and blessings,
A
Anne Wayman´s last blog post..See Me In The UK!
@Hiro- For some reason, that term “the family of God” always strikes a deep, resonant chord with me. I’m thinking because it speaks to everyone being included, no one being left out.
@Tony- I love that it resonated so strongly with you- and I’m honored that you felt drawn back to it over and over.
The only reason your words don’t resonate with me is that I do feel there is a sense of obligation present in this. My parents made it clear to me, when I was young, that sharing was not optional. My sheikh has made the same point. While it’s true that we have a choice as to whether we participate in that, the obligation is one that I think it nourishing to the heart when taken on sincerely.
@Anne- Great wisdom to share from your past. And, I agree, giving when one feels needy or stuck is not the moment to give. An opportunity to face neediness!
Hi Mark,
Didn’t quite understand what you meant by obligation. You kinda lost me there
Tony Isaac´s last blog post..Study to show thyself – Do firstfruits refer to tithes?
Hi Tony- it’s basically what I wrote in the article above:
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