A Pastor’s Heart on Tithing: Let’s Return to Faithful Giving

Hey church family,

This isn't an easy blog post for me to write, but I feel the Lord has placed it heavily on my heart.

If you’ve been around for any amount of time, you know I hardly ever talk about money. It’s just not something I like to focus on, because I never want anyone to feel pressured or manipulated. But as your pastor, I also can’t stay silent when I see a spiritual issue affecting our church’s health.

Over the past few months, we’ve felt the strain—ministries being limited, outreach being scaled back, and the weight of trying to do more with less. As your pastor, I don’t bring this up to make anyone feel guilty. I’m writing this because I love you and this church. And more than anything, I want to see us walk in obedience and blessing—not burden.

We’re in a season where our tithes are down. Many in the church have either stopped giving or never started. I know times are tough. I know the economy feels uncertain. But I also know this: God’s Word doesn’t change with the market.

Tithing isn’t about funding a building, paying a salary, keeping the lights on, or supporting ministries. Although it affords us all of them, it’s about fully surrendering our hearts to God. It’s about trusting Him enough to bring our first and our best—not our leftovers. Leviticus 27:30 (LSB) says:

“Now all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, belongs to Yahweh; it is holy to Yahweh.”

That word holy (set apart) hits me. The tithe is set apart. It belongs to Him. And when we withhold it, we’re not just holding back resources—we're holding back trust.

Some say tithing was for the Old Testament. But Jesus, in Matthew 23:23, said, “These are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.” He didn’t throw tithing out—He called us to give from a heart of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Church, I’m not asking you to give out of obligation. I’m asking you to give out of faith. To take God at His Word. To trust that when He says, “Test Me now in this…” (Malachi 3:10, LSB), He means it. He will pour out a blessing—not just in finances, but in your faith, your family, and your future.

We aren’t called to tip God. We’re called to tithe—to bring Him the first ten percent because He brought us everything. I’ve seen what happens when we walk in obedience. I’ve lived it. And I’ve also seen what happens when we hold back as a church body.

If every family in this church would step up in obedience—if we all gave what belongs to the Lord—we would never lack. Ministry would expand, needs would be met, missions would grow, and our faith would deepen in the process.

This isn’t about budgets. It’s about spiritual maturity.

As your pastor and brother in Christ, I ask you to return to faithful giving. Let’s honor God with our first fruits. Let’s be a church known for radical obedience, not reluctant generosity.

If you’ve never tithed before, start now. If you’ve stopped, return, not because of pressure but because you trust your Father in heaven.

I love you all deeply. I’m praying for you and our church. And I believe our best days are ahead—if we walk in obedience together.

With a full heart,
Pastor Jody