St. Agnes Church Tithing Online

At the beginning of every year, we distribute offering envelopes in this Parish, as a means of enabling members of the Parish to have a systematic means of tithing. Tithing (the giving of one tenth or ten per cent of one’s income to God) is a biblically based practice that is expected of all baptized Christians.

In the Book of Leviticus we read that there were many reasons that God’s people made offerings to God. They made offerings generally (Leviticus 1), but also to effect peace among themselves (Leviticus 3), and as an act of penance for their sins whether intentional or unintentional (Leviticus 4 and 5). Whatever the reason, they could only offer the best:  young males without spot (Leviticus 22:15-25).

In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses passes on God’s command to His people about tithing. He instructs them to offer of their grain, wine, oil, and herds (Deuteronomy 14:22-28) – no matter how they make a living, because it is done through God’s grace and mercy, He is entitled to a tithe. Deuteronomy 26:1-15 outlines the actual act of tithing, and demonstrates that tithing is based on God’s saving acts, and His provision for His people. Not only should tithing be done as a result of God’s goodness, but Deuteronomy 28:1-14 also pronounces various blessings on those who are faithful to paying tithes: blessings on city, country, children, livestock, for travelling, and on all that you set your hand to.

In the Book of the prophet Malachi the people are accused of robbing God by not paying their tithes. God responds by assuring the people that if they are faithful in their tithing, He will richly bless them.

“Will anyone rob God?  Yet you are robbing me!  But you say, “How are we robbing you?”  In your tithes and offerings!  You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me – the whole nation of you!

The New Testament also supports the principle of tithing. Hebrews 7:5-6 affirms the command that the priests receive from the people tithes offered to God.  In Matthew 23:23 in His rebuke of the Pharisees, Jesus Himself tells them that they should tithe, as well as exercising justice, mercy and faith. It is evident from the Biblical witness that tithing is an integral part of Christian life. Not only is it commanded by God, but is seen as a sign of gratefulness for God’s blessings.

But in the New Testament, we see God becoming man through the work and witness of Jesus. He came to give us the perfect example of what it is that God expects us to do. Jesus’ life was a life of complete LOVE and it went to the ultimate level, where He gave His life for us. This is in the most important thing anyone can do. He gave LOVE, He showed LOVE, He lived LOVE.

So as God’s children we ought to respond to this Love, by living a life of LOVE, where we give and give and give. This also includes our financial means. We ought to respond to God’s LOVE by giving generously, because God gives to us generously.

Please in 2021 let us examine ourselves and respond to God’s LOVE and faithfully GIVE BACK to God in response to HIS LOVE in our stewardship envelopes.