3 min read

My Tithe Is Obligated

Updated: Feb 8, 2021

One of my partners called me one day asking me if I tithe from my business revenue or my revenue. He was genuinely concerned about it. He didn’t want to be wrong in this area of his life. This was a big deal…to him.

Not to me. I see tithe differently. I see it as me helping build the kingdom. I love giving to my church because I know it’s growing.

But the minute I let thoughts of “legalism” kick in, that’s when giving stops becoming fun and starts becoming a chore…a conviction…another area of my life to worry about…like I need more things to feel guilty about.

As entrepreneurs, do we tithe from our businesses, or personal?

Do we give after taxes or before taxes?

Should I have an excel spreadsheet with the exact calculations of my tithe to make sure I’m not 1 penny short…or else….

In my study of money and God, the tithe conversation is always a hot topic.

Whenever I see the old testament, it makes the tithe seem like an obligation…or else!

But when I see Jesus talking about the tithe in the New Testament, I know the anti-obligation.

The bible says

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” Luke 11:42

When you’re thinking of tithing from your business or personal, or pre or post-tax, don’t make the mistake of falling into the obligation of pride or obligation tithe. As an entrepreneur, God is entrusting you with a lot of money that, Jesus himself is asking for you to keep in mind that being just and loving God is what’s important, and your business revenue is used towards that.

In Luke 18:9-14 we read:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

If we entrepreneurs become so concerned about keeping the law, we neglect our calling to love and church and tithe become an obligation and another potential opportunity for guilt.

Godpreneurs are cheerful givers, motivated to come alongside our church family and help them build and grow in the same way our businesses are growing!

Give to be HAPPY that you’re helping another Godpreneur (your pastor) build something great!

The bible says

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work". 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Imagine if all of us Godpreneurs were moved by love and not by the size of the check we give our churches. We should all pray for Godpreneurs worldwide to have our hearts guided by God to make joyful, cheerful, wise and FREE decisions for the resources God has given us!

Godpreneur Rule: Godpreneurs cheerfully give from our business resources.

Amen.

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