Do you know the benefits of the tithe and giving back? The concept of sharing our blessings is a teaching that we often hear as children. Sadly, we do not practice this very much. As we grow older, we don’t often encounter such generosity from other people either. This is mostly due to financial reasons but also due to having a poverty mindset.
In fact, generosity in the form of a “tithe” or a giving fund should be a habit. The tithe should be part of our monthly budget. Here are some reasons why we should develop and maintain the practice of tithing.
An Attitude of Gratitude
Giving is an opportunity for us to share our blessings. It is an act of giving where we are also able to acknowledge and appreciate our own blessings. Whenever we give off ourselves to others (whether thru our time, money or in kind); we also feel a certain fulfillment. We feel an assurance that the world is not so bleak and gloomy after all.
Giving to another also carries with it a wish, a hope. You can even say that giving back is form of prayer. It is a prayer that things will become better for that person or organization that we intended to help out. In these moments, we also become grateful. We are able to be thankful that our own situation is not worse off. We feel gratitude that we are still capable of giving back. This is one of the benefits of the tithe and giving back.
Paying It Forward
The practice of tithing is a way to give back. We do it in exchange for all the kindness and generosity that other people have shown us in the past. It can also be a form of paying things forward. An advance to give thanks for the generosity and kindness of other people that we will encounter in the future. As you give; it gives the recipient the opportunity to grow. They can develop themselves into someone who can be capable of giving back the same way you did for them.
When you practice tithing, the amount you give helps the recipient to expand their options in their own self-development. When they succeed; they will also become capable of giving back to others the same way that you helped them along the way.
Turning Feelings Into Reality
When you are truly sharing your blessings, it should not be with a heavy heart. Tithing is as simple as giving away a certain amount to a charity, a person in need, or even a tip to a kind waiter. You should do so with a light heart and even a smile. If you can do that, then you are truly helping without expecting anything in return. That is how you act when you feel truly “blessed”.
You know that you attract more of what you focus on. If you feel generous, grateful and blessed; you will continue to attract more opportunities that will make you feel this way. Wouldn’t you want to feel this way most of the time, even all of the time? This will definitely help you get out of a poverty mindset.
These are some of the reasons of why you should have a tithe fund. These are the benefits the tithe and giving back. This is the kind of mindset and attitude you should have when giving. The next question is how much to give. In your monthly budget, it is recommended that you set aside 10% of your income as tithe. You will find this recommendation in the Bible as well.
Your tithe fund is where you get money to tip waiters, the stylist and her assistant at your favorite hair salon, the kind taxi driver, etc. This is also where you can take out cash for gifts or when a relative needs to borrow some cash.
Remember that a tithe is different from an offering. You can consider an offering as something extra aside from the tithe.
Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2019.10.22.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash.
