Christians are asked to be faithful stewards. Many churches have stewardship committees, and drives that fall on certain Sundays during the year. Some in the Church would offer a definition of stewardship that could comprise of one’s time, talent and treasure. According to Ralph W. Klein the biblical concept of stewardship is “…about generosity and hospitality – God’s generosity and hospitality first, and therefore also ours.”[1] Stewardship is then rooted in our relationship with our God, and our God is both gracious and generous. The biblical witness to what Stewardship means for us as servants of the Most High is a response to what God has provided us with.
Another church word that is often connected with stewardship is tithe. Tithe literally means a tenth; and in the Old Testament Israelites were expected to give a tenth of what they had. According to Klien, in the Old Testament we find different types of tithes that the Israelites were instructed to follow.[2] According to Deuteronomy 14:22-23, one takes the tithe and celebrates (eats) their portion with their household in the presence of God. The second tithe, found in Deuteronomy 14:28-29, is designed to support the Levites, resident aliens, orphans and widows. In other words, this tithe that takes place every three years seeks to provide for those on the margins of society. The third tithe is located in Numbers 18:20-32, this tithe supported various ranks of temple clergy who “…carried out their ministries in connection with the tabernacle and later the temple.”[3] The Levites who received this tithe were also expected to tithe what they had just received from the Israelites.
What do these various Old Testament understandings of tithing have to do with a Christian understanding of stewardship in the 21st century? Some Christians give many reasons why it is unnecessary and sometimes impractical to follow the prescribed tithing obligations in the Old Testament. Christians in the 21st century, however, are not disconnected from the relationship with God and story of creation and salvation that we share with the Israelites.
God is gracious and generous and as children of God we are expected by our Lord to be generous with what God has given us. The Old Testament outlines three different kinds of tithing; which do we follow? Would it be outrageous for Christians in a postmodern American context to try to follow all three types of tithes that are described in the Old Testament?
I am open about my inadequate math skills, but I believe that if we followed an Old Testament guideline, that would total thirty percent! The first tithe to part with would be the easiest sell for people to follow. Take ten percent and celebrate with your household! How fantastic would it be to have a meal or a family gathering in which you celebrate and gave thanks to God? How would such a return to the Lord impact the faith formation of both you and your household?
Then we take another ten percent and give it to the poor. In this case, it would be directly serving a food bank or pantry of sorts ensuring that the marginalized would “have their fill”. How would intentionally setting aside a portion particularly for the poor affect your understanding of justice in the community? How would it impact your relationship with those on the margins? The final ten percent would then go to the congregation we belong to in order to support its ministries and clergy. This is the tithe that we are probably most familiar with as Christians. Many congregations through the tithe offered provide outreach to the poor, support clergy and maintain the building space. What would it mean for individuals and faith communities if they were receiving a tithe that went straight to social outreach (food pantry soup kitchen etc…), with another tithe that supported the clergy and building with a portion of that also going to the poor?
I understand that thirty percent would be a hard sell to many, but a returning to the Lord on this scale would truly be a spiritual discipline. This act of stewardship constantly reminds us that we are connected to something much bigger than ourselves. God’s generosity towards us and expected response frees and connects us with others. In other words, stewardship forms community. With God at the center, our return to the Lord brings our household together in celebration. With God at the center, our return to the Lord reminds us of those who are pushed to the margins who lack resources to provide themselves with daily bread and our God calls us to share and be connected with them. With God at the center, our return to the Lord provides further ministry and witness of God’s love for the world through the congregation. If we use the Old Testament as a model and guide to our giving, then our return to the Lord calls us to put God first by being gracious with our household, the poor and faith community. With God at the center, our return to the Lord provides us with an intimate connection to God and neighbor which provide for us a glimpse of the Kingdom of God.
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