I Want to Be Free!
Do you want financial independence? Imagine the freedom it would give you! The problem is, freedom isn’t always what it seems.
When God created the world, He gave humans dominion. That means they were to manage the world, but God would still own and maintain it.
We can see this Owner/manager relationship clearly in the story of the Garden of Eden. Genesis tells us that God reserved one tree exclusively as His and told Adam not to eat its fruit. This would violate his management responsibility and would be an act of disobedience and rebellion. It would signal a refusal to recognise God as Owner. But although the tree was a restriction, it was also a great blessing. It symbolised our power of choice—no tree, no choice.
Today there are two choices: The freedom of independence or God’s way, the freedom of dependence.
Freedom of Dependence
Today we don’t face a decision about fruit on a tree, but there’s another test. God has challenged us to give Him back a tenth of our income, or increase. Often called “tithing”, you’ll find it mentioned in the book of Malachi (Malachi 3:8-11). Tithing has the same purpose as the tree. It keeps the Owner/manager relationship clearly defined. Tithing reiterates our freedom of choice.
The freedom of dependence is God’s plan. He never intended that we should have problems—social, health or economic. The Owner would provide everything we needed. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear… Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25, 27).
When you recognise God as Owner and your role as a manager, you have the promise of the freedom of dependence—dependence upon a God Who has promised to supply all our needs. If God is our partner at all times and under all circumstances, we’ll be free from worrying over the uncertainties of life.
Tithe or Tax
Some people think tithing is just a way to support ministers or the church. But if this were true, then it would be a tax. It would make God a tax collector.
But tithing isn’t for God’s benefit. Frankly, He doesn’t need the money. Tithing is for our benefit. It demonstrates that we trust Someone higher than ourselves. It recognises God’s ownership and our dependence. When we recognise that God is in charge, we can have greater confidence to live and work without fear or uncertainty.
This feeling of trust and confidence in God is renewed and strengthened every time you set apart your tithe. “Tithing does something for you spiritually”, says R.T. Kendall in his book Tithing. “It does something for you that cannot be explained in terms of material returns. It sets you on a course to become more than you have been—more what God wants you to be. Tithing is so essential to your development as a Christian that nothing will be its adequate substitute.”
Putting God First
Putting God first is not easy. Putting Him first when it comes to money is even more difficult. Our needs and our wants demand satisfaction. And so often we satisfy those things before anything or anyone else, including God.
But we must be careful not to treat God like a cat waiting under the table for scraps. God doesn’t want our “leftovers”—whatever remains after all our bills have been paid. He wants what He calls the “first fruits”. That’s the first 10 per cent of our income.
“The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives” (Deuteronomy 14:23, TLB). Tithing is about putting God first and trusting Him to meet our needs. Jesus said it best: “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things [food, shelter and clothing] will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV).
Tithing is an act of trust. It doesn’t take much faith to give God whatever money is left after we’ve paid for everything else, but it does take faith to give money off the top.
Experience has taught many people that a real miracle of the tithing occurs. They find that the remaining 90 per cent of their income will have more buying power than the 100 per cent. It’s irrational. It’s illogical. Yet many people testify that the miracle of the tithe occurs and continues to occur.
Have a Go!
Why don’t you give God a go? God challenges each one of us: “Put me to the test.”
God still offers that freedom of dependence. It’s just one of the blessings that you can experience. He also promises to open the floodgates and to rebuke the devourer (Malachi 3:8-11).
Inflation and the high cost of living don’t take God by surprise. He’s aware that they devour your income. “Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over…” (Luke 6:38, TLB).
No Desk Audits
The principle of tithing can be summed up in 10 words: “Bring one tenth of your income (increase) to God’s storehouse.”
You don’t need to be a certified practicing accountant to understand that. There’s no need for volumes and volumes of complicated and confusing rules and regulations. God isn’t concerned about loopholes, about tithe avoidance or minimisation schemes. In order for us to properly understand the true principle and reap the rich blessing of tithing, God allows each of us to assess the income upon which our tithe is calculated.
“Of the means which is entrusted to man,” says Ellen White in Testimonies volume 5, page 149, “God claims a certain portion—a tithe, but He leaves all free to say how much the tithe is… They are to give as they purpose in their hearts.”
Sometimes the question “What is my income, my increase?” may not always be clear cut. God leaves that decision up to you. Determine your income honestly and prayerfully, and God will honour your decision.
God’s Treasury
When God established the Israelite nation, sanctuary and priesthood, He reaffirmed the tithing principle: “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30). God directed that the tithe should support the tribe of Levi, which performed the priestly function and cared for the religious needs of the nation (Numbers 18:21-24).
The Levites gathered all the tithes of Israel (who in turn brought “a tithe of the tithe”). At the storehouse area, appointed officers redistributed the tithe to the priests and other Levitical attendants who ministered directly in the service of the Temple. This communal involvement provided a coordinated support for the Temple personnel who were engaged full time in their spiritual ministries.
Paul saw a parallel to the Levitical system for Christians, writing, “In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).
In these financially tight times, it would seem foolish to neglect a financial system that has proven so effective over the centuries. It’s worth a try.
Besides, it has the blessing of God.
Tithing Guidelines
Here are a few guidelines to help you calculate your tithable income. They are guidelines, not dogmatic, hard and fast regulations that are binding on church members. It’s up to you to decide, after careful thought and prayer, what you should tithe. Most are counsel guidelines that represent the consensus opinion of a group of laypeople and ministers.
A. Tithe
Tithe is l0 per cent of your personal income.
B. Personal Income
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- Personal income can be defined in the following ways:
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- For employees: salary or wages
- For self-employed individuals: net profit from the conduct of business or profession
- For investors: net rental on investment properties, interest and dividends
- Windfall: an inheritance, or insurance payments that are received instead of income
- Capital appreciation of assets: property, shares, business superannuation payment or benefit, or a combination of the above
C. Gross or Net Income? (Salary and Wage Earners)
In determining whether you tithe your gross or your net income, you should keep in mind the principle of the freedom of dependence. Tithe is intended to remind us that God is the Creator and, provided He is first in our lives, that we can depend upon Him to supply all of our daily needs (Matthew 6:33).
Some argue that it’s impossible to survive financially if tithe is calculated upon the basis of gross income. However, we know that “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
The decision to tithe your gross or your net income is up to you—the Scriptures and Ellen White are silent on this issue.
D.Business Income
When determining personal income for business, you should apply consistent accounting principles each year. You should also decide whether tithable income is your business’ net profit or net profit after tax. In making this decision, the principles in section C above may be helpful.
Regardless of the decision that you make, always consider the manner in which your income has been calculated. Some adjustment may be required where, for example, the nature of your business may be such that expenses that would normally be regarded as “personal” in nature may be able to be claimed as business deductions. In some circumstances, it may also be possible for someone to be living quite comfortably without receiving any taxable income.
The net profit of a personally or closely held company or business may also be personal tithable income. While legal structures are significant, situations may occur where income is being received without any tithe being paid.
E.Fringe Benefits
Fringe benefits are benefits provided instead of income and can generally be negotiated as part of a salary package. As such, while not received as income, they should be considered when calculating your tithable income.
How’s Your Fiscal Fitness?
When was the last time you considered your motives for giving? The only acceptable offering is one generated by the pure motive of love. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16). And He keeps on giving, and giving, and giving. Love and giving go hand in hand.
When you contemplate God’s amazing love for you, your immediate response will be to give—generously and cheerfully. Remember, you can “Give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”
by Ken Long
