What good does the tithe serve?

As a spiritual discipline the tithe serves three primary purposes.

First, it contributes to our spiritual formation. Every time we make this financial contribution we remember God creates us, blesses us, and cares for us. Our returning 10% of God's abundance reminds us of the divine covenant promise expressed in a variety of ways throughout the Bible, but expressed most intimately in the words of Jesus when he said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

In many Episcopal Churches, when the representatives of the congregation offer the people's tithes, the congregation reaffirms this fundamental truth: "All things come of thee Oh Lord, and of thine own have we given thee."

Second, the tithe provides the material basis for holding the covenant community together. Among other things a covenant community must pay the priests and the staff of the church. It must maintain buildings; provide the material for worship; supply crayons and construction paper for Sunday school children; and develop means to communicate with parishioners whether that is using the telephone, the post office, or the Internet.

Finally, the tithe provides the covenant community the means to reach out to others. When it does this it functions as God's covenant partner in blessing. This outreach may help someone spiritually or emotionally. It may also allow them to eat and find shelter.

Thus the tithe encourages personal spiritual growth; it provides for the strength of covenant community; and it allows the covenant community to reach out to others.