To Tithe or Not to Tithe

by Linda Eldridge

There are many different concepts of tithing, some say it's a strict 10 percent of gross receipts, some say it's an indefinite or definite portion of your income, some say it's 10 percent of your net income, and some say the church is just trying to get your money! Often these definitions are attempts to hold on to as much of your money as you can!! So when asking What is a tithe?, ask first: Why am I asking? Jesus had an answer that simply said, Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.

For me, tithing is simply a part of my spiritual practice, knowing that I am giving back to my Source. The Source is usually my church, or if I feel spiritually fed by another source, then the tithe goes there. It always makes me feel more connected to my Source, more connected to Spirit, more connected to God to tithe. I am not paying for anything; rather, I am participating in my spiritual life in a physical way. If I truly believe that I am a spiritual being in physical form, then my physical wealth is a result of my spiritual practice, is it not? I want to give back to my spiritual source, knowing that as a result my life experiences more abundance in every way, and therefore express more God (Good).

I know one thing for certain, and this is the same fact that every tither knows: I lead a more abundant life, both physically and spiritually when I am tithing. I simply have more money and more good in my life. During those times when I felt I could not afford to tithe because I had too many bills, my financial life and my happiness both suffered. When I start tithing again, life is good again! Is it magical? Seems like it. Is it mystical? I'm certain it is.

This is part of the great paradox that says that the more we give away, the more we have. If you truly want something in your life, then give it away! Sometimes it goes beyond explanation. If you give a smile, you will get one; to have a friend, be a friend; to hurt yourself, hurt another; to receive love, give love.

Just before I started tithing, I went into a bookstore and told the cashier that I wanted a book on prosperity, but I couldn't afford it! I heard my words and laughed. I got it. During the same time period, I listened to the very powerful tapes by Edwina Gaines, and began tithing. My life has never been the same.

My life is richest when I am tithing. My life is happiest when I am tithing. Yes, it is a discipline, and I believe it is a discipline of mindfulness. Further, if tithing 10 percent brings such abundance, just think what tithing 95 percent would do!! If the principle works, it works regardless of the numbers. So the amount you tithe depends only on the amount of good you think you want to receive.

May you have only good and more good in your lives!!