Less Than Ten Percent Tithe
April 16, 2008
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Posted by Ray Fowler
Oh, the irony: Less than ten percent of adults in the United States tithe. The latest report from the Barna Group focuses on Trends in Tithing and Donating. Here are some of the results:
In 2007, the research revealed that just 5% of adults tithed. Not surprisingly, some population groups were more likely than others to have given away at least ten percent of their income. Among the most generous segments were evangelicals (24% of whom tithed); conservatives (12%); people who had prayed, read the Bible and attended a church service during the past week (12%); charismatic or Pentecostal Christians (11%); and registered Republicans (10%).
Interestingly, Christians gave the most of any one group of donors, and evangelical Christians gave the most of any Christian group.
Christians tend to be the most generous group of donors. An examination of the three dominant subgroups within the Christian community showed that evangelicals, the 7% of the population who are most committed to the Christian faith, donated a mean of $4260 to all non-profit entities in 2007. Non-evangelical born again Christians, who represent another 37% of the public, donated a mean of $1581. The other 42% of the Christian population, who are aligned with a Christian church but are not born again, donated a mean of $865. Overall, the three segments of the Christian community averaged donations of $1426.
Categories: Church, Finances
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I have been tithing 10% of my income for most of 2008, as I fully understand that God is our sole provider of all things. I should also point out that I am the sole provider of a four person household (two boys under 10). We are doing well with regards of having our NEEDS met, and thank God for my job with benefits and our affordable home; but there is not an abundence of money for lifes little extras. Keep in mind, I am quite content and thankful for all we have. I also am proactive in managing our expenses with a planned personal expense budget. In light of the economic crisis, I have been trying to put all “extras” (which isn’t much) into our line of credit (LOC), just in-case we are forced to use the LOC to help us get through this year — we have no savings. In doing so, I now tithe less than 10% and sometimes don’t tithe at all, because I would have to take money out of my LOC. I read/hear mixed messages about paying off debt as it relates to tithing. I have been praying and reading His word for God’s direction with this. I would also like to hear other perspectives from a Christ centered viewpoint — should I reduce the dollar amount I am using to pay off the LOC in order to give God 10% of my income?
Victoria – Thank you for visiting and posting your question. These are difficult times financially, and it sounds like you are doing your best to navigate them well. I applaud you for putting your trust in God as your provider, for being thankful and content with what you have, for using a budget to manage expenses, and for giving to the Lord as an act of worship.
As far as choosing between paying off debt or giving to God, I firmly believe we should still give to the Lord first, and then take care of our other obligations. The Bible teaches regular, proportional giving in keeping with our income. (1 Corinthians 16:2) I believe this starts with a tithe. But you need to work this out between you and the Lord. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says that “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Here are a couple of messages I have preached on giving that you may find helpful as you work through these issues.
Christian Finances in Troubled Times
Called to Contribute
All the best!
Ray Fowler