Tithing is an Expression of Love and Gratitude for God

I have learned many tremendous lessons in Christian Science since joining this church. One of the lessons that I’m very grateful for involves tithing. Tithing is contributing 10% of one’s income on a regular basis to one’s church. For most of us, that amount can seem like a big sacrifice or even financial hardship. For most people, it would represent a great leap of faith. I have learned in this church that while tithing is practical giving, more importantly, it is an attitude; it shows a deep trust in God for providing for all of our needs and great gratitude to Him for His provision.

We learn in Christian Science that God is the source of all good, including our income, and that there is no limit to his goodness. I have also learned in Christian Science that giving, as God directs us, fits us to receive more of God’s goodness. It’s like the Covenant between God and the Israelites; He took care of them as long as they did what He wanted them to do. This principle applies to all of us; as long as we’re taking care of His church, He will take care of us. So this kind of giving can never impoverish us; it can only bless us. We don’t do it for that reason, but it does bless us when we give cheerfully and willingly to God’s church. I have experienced years when it’s been easy to tithe, and I’ve experienced years when it has been very difficult to tithe. Several years ago, my family and I had no income. I had to ask myself, “Does that mean I don’t give anything to the church?” The answer was no, “That’s not what it means. You have savings.” I continued to contribute to the church, and as it turned out, before we ran out of savings, our business turned around, and I quickly recovered everything I had lost.

I know that it was God’s provision for being faithful to giving to his church, and I’ve never forgotten that, and I will never forget that experience. Still, it’s a great lesson for me that gratitude is a great safety. It’s essential for our spiritual growth, and to tithe each week willingly and cheerfully really is great progress in that spiritual growth. Hence, I’m grateful for all the lessons I’m learning in this church in Christian Science and grateful to Christ Jesus for showing us how to live our lives. I’m thankful to Mary Baker, who was ready to discover the Science of Christianity and how it is practical and applies to every one of us.