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I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently.

A staff member of the local church I attend was casting vision for the tithe on Sunday and mentioned “tithing the first 10% of your increase.”

Something about that didn’t sit well with me.

It’s biblical language:

You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭14‬:‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The word “increase” is noteworthy. I don’t think most people in our congregation would say they’re “increasing” financially in any real sense (growing, gaining, making greater in size).

(I don’t need to explain the mechanics of why that is to anyone on Nostr lol)

When we casually use phrases like “10% of your increase,” there’s a risk it comes across as patronizing to those who are barely scraping by — not because of poor stewardship, but because of systemic economic realities that erode their provision.

My concern is that without greater clarity around terms like tithe, increase, provision, etc., the church risks saying things it can’t really defend — and unintentionally placing burdens on people it’s meant to encourage.

Any thoughts on this,

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freeborn | ἐλεύθερος | 8r0gwg 3mo ago

A lot of thoughts, yes (ha), but the short version is:

- we're not under the Mosaic covenant so there's not a 1:1 between those specific laws and ours

- however, the general principle of giving, of 'the workman being worthy of his wages' obtains

- the NT encourages: a) giving; b) voluntarily; c) generously; d) cheerfully; e) regularly; even f) sacrificially (yet not irresponsibly)

Whether 'increase' is revenue or profit is debated; whether 10% is the ceiling or the floor, the idea is that we should be intentional and settled in our conscience about whatever amount we give. The purpose is gratitude, not merit; the use is for the expansion of the gospel and the (judicious) assistance of those in need amongst us (to all men, but especially the flock).

When we think about what the tithe represents it's rather insidious that the State 'takes' our firstfruits without our consent--but this is a side conversation and gets into our political philosophy.

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Discussion

DRE 3mo ago

Yeah the State taking 20-50% via taxes and then another ~10% via inflation is a different dynamic than people tithing in 1900 before all these taxes.

In a way it’s more about practicing the virtue with intention than checking a box

Pelican6 3mo ago

Jesus asked “Whose image is this?” When looking a denarius. And said then give back Cesear what is Cesears and to God what is God….Taxes ain’t new

DRE 3mo ago

No one said they were. My comment was about the degree.

freeborn | ἐλεύθερος | 8r0gwg 3mo ago

Right--they're not new--but they have always been associated in Scripture with slavery or people who aren't the rightful landowners. (Hence my handle, which is taken from Matt. 17:24-27).