My tithing journey began in 2013 after being re-baptized. I didn’t do it perfectly and am still growing and stretching my tolerance toward generosity. The older I get though, the more I realize that even those early, imperfect beginnings of tithing set me up for financial success in ways that I’m still benefiting from today.

The first seed that sprouted in my heart was simply a desire to help people financially. I would set aside my 10%, and a stranger would cross my path. Something about them would prompt me to give to them. Many times, it was a homeless person; other times, it was someone I noticed walking down the street. Sometimes, people would ask me for money directly, and I was always happy to give, knowing I had cash set aside for that purpose.

Over time, I settled into this sort of generosity. I vividly remember when God decided it was time for me to level up. One day, while walking into Walmart, a woman with a 10-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old daughter asked me, in extremely broken English, for some items. I told her that Jesus and I would be happy to help, and upon hearing His name she smiled big and said ‘Love Jesus’. Not that this was a requirement for me but we bonded based on that even though we couldn’t say much else to each other. We walked in together and she grabbed a cart.

The first aisle we went down was the meat and poultry section. She would pick up an item, look at me, and ask with her eyes if she could get it. I would nod, and we’d move on. We went through most of the grocery section and then to the home section. Everything they asked for, I nodded yes. Eventually thoughts of what the total would be started to creep into the back of my mind—even though I had some tithe money and a good amount in savings. By the time we reached the line for the register, the cart was packed to the top and bottom, and a small part of me regretted saying yes to so much. 

We hadn’t talked much so far but while waiting, I learned they were from Romania and that eight of them were sleeping in one room. The mom also asked what my name was, and when I said “Bianca,” her and her eldest daughter’s eyes lit up. She enthusiastically showed me a bracelet on her wrist, spelling out “Bianca.” It turned out her daughter shared my name. Coincidence? No, I don’t believe in coincidences. Every ounce of regret I felt about spending so much money that day melted away in that moment. Suddenly and joyfully this interaction lifted my tolerance for giving into the hundreds.

A short while later, I came across Malachi 3:10:
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” I decided to be more intentional about giving my tithes directly to a church and testing God just as He said I could.

For the next four years or so, I tithed to my church somewhat consistently—10% of my net income every paycheck before doing anything else with my money. I say “somewhat” because, every so often, I would stop for two to four months but tell myself I’d catch up eventually. Giving God my financial leftovers and making Him wait wasn’t what He wanted, and He always knew how to get my attention. Something would go wrong financially in my life, and I’d instantly know from the Holy Spirit that it was because I’d been careless with my commitment to tithing.

After about the fifth “slap on the hand,” I started tithing to a church every paycheck without missing it. My next request to level up came during a Bible study. I still remember the internal turmoil I felt when I was told that tithing on my gross income was proper. I resisted for a few weeks but eventually started and have never once thought it was a bad idea. Josh didn’t tithe before we started dating either. At the time it would be $300 for him to tithe on his gross and I told him the same thing. Once he starts he’ll never ‘miss’ that money, he’ll never think “I wish I had kept it.” I know he feels that way now because when we prompted his brother to start tithing he told him the same thing. 

Sometime after this, I heard a sermon that profoundly impacted how I viewed tithing. The pastor said, “I want to be able to tithe 90% and live off 10%.” I thought to myself, “That’s pretty radical, why not?” So the seed to gradually increase my tithing percentage was planted and became a goal. 

After a few years, I had a conversation with a close friend who was learning about the difference between tithes and offerings. I realized then that my initial introduction to generosity was technically offerings, and God had used that to lead me to tithing. Now, He was circling back to offerings so that I could do both. That became my goal just before getting married: to not only increase my tithes over time but also introduce consistent offerings.

So how do my husband and I tithe currently, and what are our goals? You can read more about that in ‘Bianca and Josh’s Financials: Updated Annually’.

Influences: 

–              The Bible Project Does A Good Christian Tithe 10%? (It’s Not That Simple)
– Verses (Malachi 3:10-12, Luke 12:16-21, Luke 6:38)
Tithing and Generosity Tips

1. Give First: Set aside your tithe before spending on anything else. Honor God at the start and watch everything else work out. 
2. Just Start: Just begin and make giving a regular habit. Whether it’s 5%, or 10%, consistent giving over time will lay the foundation for financial blessings and growth in generosity.
3. Embrace Growth: Be patient with your generosity journey—mistakes happen, but stay committed.
4. Gradually Increase: Challenge yourself to increase your giving over by responding to moments when God leads you to give beyond your comfort zone.
5. Test God’s Promise: Trust that He will bless you when you faithfully give. I’ve noticed these blessings can come in so many forms. A car lasting longer than it should, a raise unexpectedly, a bill paid off by someone else, insurance giving you a great payout, etc. 
6. Encourage Others: Share the benefits of tithing with friends and family. Don’t keep Malachi 3:10 to yourself!
7. Plan Together: If you’re in a partnership, agree on a giving strategy.
8. Reflect: Notice how generosity positively impacts your life and the lives of others. I don’t want to be like the lepers who didn’t come back to say thank you after being healed. 

Thanks for reading a story from Childfree Christians—choosing joy, purpose, and a whole lot of freedom.