giving back

Benefits of The Tithe and Giving Back

Benefits of The Tithe and Giving Back

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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.

Posted by H.J. Rangas in Financial, 0 comments
Celebrating Christmas

Celebrating Christmas

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Christmas is an annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ every December 25. For many, it is the most wonderful time of the year. But more than the Christmas parties, decorations, lights, gift-giving and festivities, Christmas is all about traditions. But did you know that there are also some unique ways on how other people celebrate this holiday season? Here are some fun facts in celebrating Christmas.

1.Christmas at KFC in Japan

Millions of people in Japan celebrate Christmas with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. It all started way back in 1974 when KFC launched a marketing campaign called Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii. In English, it means Kentucky for Christmas. Getting a KFC dinner means placing your order weeks in advance otherwise, you will have to wait in line for hours just to get a bucket of KFC chicken.

Image Credit: Business Insider

2.Krampus Tradition in Austria

Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon beast-like creature which was created as a counterpart to St. Nicholas. For Catholics, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and magical gift-bringer. He is more commonly known as Santa Claus around the world. Santa rewards nice children with gifts during Christmas. Krampus on the other hand, beats children into being nice.

Krampus appears the night before the feast of St. Nicholas. Men dressed up as Krampus and roamed the streets of Austria. They wore masks with animal skins holding long sticks with bells tied to them so that children can hear the clanking through the darkness. Their purpose is to create fear among the children.

3. Norway Hides All Brooms on Christmas Eve

In Norway, some people hide their brooms on Christmas Eve. This is because they believe that evil spirits and witches come out on Christmas Eve and look for brooms to ride on. Thus, they hide their brooms before going to sleep lest they get stolen.

But whatever way you celebrate Christmas, let us not forget its true meaning. Christmas is a celebration of God’s love to mankind. It is the season for love and great joy.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

– John 3:16-17

Merry Christmas everyone!

Posted by A.L. Jonas in Spiritual, 0 comments