After a friend retired he chose to tithe time to his church.
That meant he spent a year in a church office organizing paperwork, clearing out a lot of junk, helping sort through accumulated information, and set up a new computer system.
It’s amazing to see the changes his tithe time wrought in the organization!
What does it mean to tithe time?
He donated ten percent of his normal work hours the year after he retired to the church.
He kept regular office hours.
If questions arose he could answer, he did so.
When people asked him to get rid of junk from closets, he made the arrangements.
Our friend organized plumbing jobs and worked with the various people in charge of activities at his church.
His presence was invaluable when the secretary got injured and was out for two months.
As a responsible (former) business executive, none of this was hard. Indeed, he enjoyed himself immeasurably.
Why bother to tithe time?
Obviously, our friend had skills his church needed. He already volunteered for other tasks, but this was in addition.
(Unsplash)
He used it as a gift to God, in thankfulness for his success in the working world.
(And his wife didn’t mind having him out of the house that first year of adjustment.)
We know other people who have given time to their church rather than money.
They may not have much money they can give. Perhaps their spouse doesn’t approve of them donating money to their church.
Maybe they, too, want to give back to God in gratitude for what He has done in their lives.
Why ten percent?
Ten percent is the traditional tithe many people advise.
Another concept is giving back the first fruits of your profit to God.
(This is not the same thing as tithing. See an explanation here.)
Throughout the Old Testament, God asks His people to give the best, the first fruits, of whatever they receive, earn, or grow.
Verses abound. Here are two:
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.
Proverbs 3:9 ESV
and
The best of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.
Exodus 23:19 ESV
Does God need our money or our time?
Of course not.
But, like anyone, He appreciates being recognized for all the good He has done in our lives.
Giving Him 10% of our earnings, time, or even produced goods, honors Him.
It also demonstrates we trust our entire life to Him.
David’s example
Before David became King of Israel, he spent years evading King Saul’s rage.
While hiding in a cave one night, he mentioned how much he would love to have a sip of water from a favorite spring.
13 And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, . . . 15 And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!”
16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the Lord
17 and said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.
2 Samuel 23:13-17 ESV
David recognized where his safety and that of his men came from.
It came from God. David was not “too important” that his men should risk their lives for something he fancied.
So, he poured it out, gave it back to God, as a sacrifice.
It wasn’t time or something David produced. It was a gift and he used it to honor God, not himself.
Time tithing and volunteers
Many churches have members who volunteer their time. Most also donate money to their church.
COVID, of course, has cut down on many of those hours people can volunteer.
But, they can take papers home to sort, say, or items to cut out for Sunday School.
Our church put on an entire “COVID-friendly” VBS using volunteers who did their tasks and planning at home, alone. (The telephone and Zoom helped).
Another church member cooks for elderly members–five days a week!
We’re so grateful for her time tithe, and her willingness to check in on our friends–every day!
If you volunteer at your church, you may be tithing your time as well!
Thank you.
Tweetables
What does it mean to tithe time in a church setting? Click to Tweet
If you can’t afford to tithe financially, can you give your time? Click to Tweet
God’s a semi-palindrome
for dog, and they’re my life,
give my strays forever-home,
and could this be the tithe
I offer to the Lord above,
caring for these, the least,
and offering my heart and love
to what are more than beasts?
They each have personality,
know friendship and know fear,
know danger, and the safety
that they have found, right here.
As I write this, two dogs share a meal
in harmony, to show my tithe is real.
A contractor friend at my church tries to set every Wednesday aside for helping others. That’s a 20% tithe! Not everyone has the gift of helps, but other ways we can give are to be available as a listening ear; help an older person with their phone/computer applications, or to manage their finances, etc. We’re part of the Body of Christ, and should be aware of the needs of others.
Good topic, Michelle.