This is an article about the obligation to tithe, a stern subject. But, there is another side to giving; the joy of giving to do God's work. I might write an article about that someday. For now, I give you Paul's words, "Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor 9:7, NRSV)

Most of us grew up knowing that there are three things nice people don't discuss: politics, religion, and money. The good news is I'm not going to discuss politics. Some people just plain get angry when the subject of church giving comes up. I admit that I've had this thought myself, "Who are you to tell me what to do with my money?" But, this thought always comes back to me, "Who's money is it anyway?"

Here is a brief description of how St. Christopher's stacks up. We have about 60 pledging units, families and single people, supporting the parish. Based on pledge offerings through the end of June, I project annual pledge offerings may clear $90,000 even though pledges only came to about $85,000 during last year's every member canvass. That comes to an average of $1,500 in annual pledge giving. As a number that sounds pretty good and I understand it is somewhat higher than for the average Episcopal congregation. But, if $1,500 is a tithe, then the average pledging unit's income at St. Christopher's is just $15,000 per year. That is not easily believable.

As tithers we have some room to grow. Since tithing is proportional giving, all parishioners have an equal shot. I imagine that for some parishioners of higher than average means, tithing is especially hard because giving a tithe may seem like "so much money". Truly, it is still "harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle." (Matthew 19:24, TEV)

You may be asking, "What if everyone tithed? What would St. Christopher's do with all that money, anyway?"

It's a fair question, but it's not the right question for the faithful Christian contemplating their stewardship. First, though, I'll answer the question. In a word (or several); ministry, mission, and outreach. Today, St. Christopher's impact on our community and the world is crippled because our income does little more than pay the bills and assessments. No matter how big or rich, St. Christopher's will never run short of ministry, mission, and outreach needs to be met. Today, we barely scratch the surface.

"Why tithe?" Throughout the entire revelation that we have in scripture and nearly 2000 years of Christian tradition, the tithe remains the standard. To be a faithful to God, one must tithe. Malachi, the prophet, in the last book of the Old Testament, speaks very clearly quoting God saying, "But you ask 'What must we do to turn back to you?' I ask you, is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. 'How?' you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings. A curse is on all of you because the whole nation is cheating me." (Malachi 3:7b-9, TEV, emphasis added) Those words, "yet you are cheating me" are pretty strong. Just as if God were a disgruntled employee working in a spiritual sweatshop.

It is remarkable that so many people accept the tax burden with casual resignation; 19% Federal and 3% state at a taxable income of $35,000, plus 7.65% FICA and Medicare, 6% sales tax, property tax, and so on? Yet many are faithless when it comes to paying for the work of our faithful Father in heaven.

To tithe does not necessarily mean that everything goes to or through St. Christopher's. God's work, is a broad target. I have known parishioners in the past supporting more than one congregation. Jan and I support other Christian mission and outreach work both directly and through fund raising programs at work. It's OK to do that.

What members contribute to the work of the Church is strictly between the giver and God. We have no "pledge police". Horror stories of that kind of activity at other times and other places are common. But, you should know that some clergy consider parishioner giving a serious matter of pastoral concern. It has been said that, "for the lack of clergy attention, some parishioners have forfeited their souls for the sake of their pocketbooks." That's an old saying and don't believe it for a minute! Jesus saves us from our sins, including faithless giving.

Sometimes, people are trapped by their finances. Not everyone can adopt the tithe at the drop of a hat. People become committed (sometimes trapped) by financial obligations made over many years that cannot be ignored. For those people of faithful intent but modest present means, the journey towards tithing begins with the decision. Every journey begins with its first step. I once took my first step on that journey. I thank God for those faithful stewards who guided me along that path.

Reference: with liberal references to an article by Ralph F. Wilson, Does Your Church Run a Spiritual Sweatshop?

Scripture references: Exodus 27; Leviticus 1-7, 10, 16, 27; Numbers 18; Deuteronomy 24, 26, 27, 31, 33 ; 2 Chronicles 31; Nehemiah 10, 12, 13; Malachi 2, 3; Matthew 23; Luke 10, 11; 1 Corinthians 9, 16; Colossians 4; 1 Tim 5; James 5