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I’ve written a good bit of material designed to free people from the idea that the tithe is something they must do under threat of a curse from God. The giving standards in the New Testament are very different (and actually much more challenging) than those in the Old Testament. The teachings and example of Christ guide us into a mindset of giving that’s based on love for God and others – not just promises of blessings or threats of a curse.
But I also understand why some people like to use the tithe as their standard of giving. It’s simple, straightforward, and gives you a guideline you can start using right away. (Assuming, of course, that you don’t try to set up a ton of rules to help you figure out how to tithe just right.) Freewill, sacrificial, generous giving motivated by love just isn’t quite as easy to figure out as a flat 10%.
I came across a concept that I think can be helpful as a starting point – a way to think and pray about giving that will help you figure out what God wants you to do in your situation while also protecting yourself from lifestyle inflation. It’s called graduated tithing. The name aside, I think it can be a good way to think about your giving. Coming up with your own plan gives you an opportunity to consciously seek God’s will for your giving. Let’s look at it in more depth.
The Graduated Tithe
I first came across the idea in an article that Craig wrote at Money Help for Christians. The concept of the graduated tithe seems to have originated with Ronald Sider in his book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity.
Ron explains it this way. First, you start with a base amount. His family decided on a base figure that includes the current poverty level for his family’s size, plus costs for Christian education and college expenses, plus taxes, plus genuine emergencies. His family tries to give 10% of that base amount. Then, for each $1,000 of income above that base amount, they give an additional 5%. An example will help you see what I’m talking about.
Let’s say you choose a base amount of $40,000. Here is what your graduated tithe (or giving system) would look like:
| Income | % to Give | $ to Give | Total Income | Total $ Given | Total % Given |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | 10% | $4,000 | $40,000 | $4,000 | 10.0% |
| next $1,000 | 15% | $150 | $41,000 | $4,150 | 10.1% |
| next $1,000 | 20% | $200 | $42,000 | $4,350 | 10.4% |
| next $1,000 | 25% | $250 | $43,000 | $4,600 | 10.7% |
| next $1,000 | 30% | $300 | $44,000 | $4,900 | 11.1% |
| next $1,000 | 35% | $350 | $45,000 | $5,250 | 11.7% |
| next $1,000 | 40% | $400 | $46,000 | $5,650 | 12.3% |
| next $1,000 | 45% | $450 | $47,000 | $6,100 | 13.0% |
| next $1,000 | 50% | $500 | $48,000 | $6,600 | 13.8% |
| next $1,000 | 55% | $550 | $49,000 | $7,150 | 14.6% |
| next $1,000 | 60% | $600 | $50,000 | $7,750 | 15.5% |
| next $1,000 | 65% | $650 | $51,000 | $8,400 | 16.5% |
| next $1,000 | 70% | $700 | $52,000 | $9,100 | 17.5% |
| next $1,000 | 75% | $750 | $53,000 | $9,850 | 18.6% |
| next $1,000 | 80% | $800 | $54,000 | $10,650 | 19.7% |
| next $1,000 | 85% | $850 | $55,000 | $11,500 | 20.9% |
| next $1,000 | 90% | $900 | $56,000 | $12,400 | 22.1% |
| next $1,000 | 95% | $950 | $57,000 | $13,350 | 23.4% |
| next $1,000 | 100% | $1,000 | $58,000 | $14,350 | 24.7% |
After you reach a total income of $57,000, you’ll be giving away 100% of any additional money you earn. If your income was $75,000, you’d be giving $31,350 under this system – a little over 40%. At $100,000, you’d be giving away $56,350 or just over 56%.
To use the graduated tithe (or giving system, I just like that better), you’d want to update your base amount every year. This will help account for changes in your personal situation, taxes, and most importantly – God’s will. He may lead you to give more in some years by choosing a lower base amount or to give less by choosing a higher base amount.
A Few Caveats About the Graduated Tithe
I share this idea with you not to enforce a legalistic standard but to offer an alternative that will help you focus on giving more and not becoming greedy as your income rises. If you decide to use the graduated tithe, you should be very careful if it makes you begrudge giving and takes away the joy of sharing. If you don’t have love and give cheerfully, it’s not going to matter how much you give. In that case, you’re going to have to seek God’s heart and ask Him to help you have His love develop in you.
Also, you should use this example as a guide – not a law. If your family is in a situation where this can’t work for you right now, then adapt it to fit God’s will for your giving. You’ll need to go through this planning process with a lot of prayer and request guidance from the Holy Spirit, but it can be something that helps you give generously in your situation.
I really want to emphasize the fact that you need to seek God’s will on this. You shouldn’t use the tithe, the graduate tithe, or any other giving system as a replacement for prayer and discernment. God will guide you as you seek to please Him. Make that your primary goal and He’ll help you figure out what the right amount is for you.
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the graduated tithe? Let me know in the comments below!
This article was included in the Carnival of Personal Finance as an editor’s pick!