Tithing is a powerful discipline that directly counters our natural drift toward self-prioritization. The word "tithe" means a "tenth." In the Ancient Near East, a "tithing" was an acknowledgment that the land, victory, and resources ultimately belonged to the god/king. A tenth was enough to show honor, but not so much that it would destroy the giver. This tradition existed long before Abraham, who did not acknowledge an earthly king or a local god, but rather recognized the One True God to whom all he owned belonged, and it was continued by Jacob and Israel as the nation grew. Jesus never calls for the end of this kind of generous recognition. Instead, in His many teachings on money, He calls His followers to an even greater life of radical, open-handed generosity. The goal is not hitting a precise number. The goal is a heart that is increasingly open-handed — participating in God’s work as Christ’s life flows through us. Learn More...