The first New Testament "Tithing Parable" is told by Jesus in Matthew 25. He tells the story of three men who each receive differing amounts of money from their Master. To one is given $5,000 - to another $2,000 - and yet to another $1,000. The servants who receive the larger amounts double their investment, but the one receiving the least amount simply digs a hole and buries it in the ground, driven mostly be fear and the knowledge that his Master demands much from all his servants. When you read the Master's response in verse 27, he disciplines the servant for not putting his money in the bank to draw interest. The point - the Master demands an interest from how his money is invested.
This is what it means to tithe. A tithe is 10% of what you make given back to God. God commands us to tithe our 10% and live only on 90% of what we earn, which is a more explicit way of saying that God demands interest from the money we are given to invest: and all the money we make is possible only because of the God-given skills and abilities we are given by God with which to make money. Hence, it all is God's. What matters is that we return the interest - 10% - back to God when we make money. So, how can we practice the tithe in a practical manner? There are diverse views.
Some churches teach that all 10% of our tithe should go to your local church, and anything you give beyond that 10% is real giving and should be to chartible causes. Other churches, like the United Methodist Church, advocate splitting your 10% tithe between church and charity, but how you split it is up to you. Still, the Roman Catholic church advocates more explicit direction - 5% to church and 5% to charity. This is often called the "Catholic Tithe". My advice, as a United Methodist pastor, is to invoke 2 Cor 9:7 and make up your own mind on what you give-giving cheerfully.
In today's economy it is difficult for people to give what they do not have, and some cannot tithe due to economic restraints and expenses that outweigh revenues. In the body of Christ, those who can help those who cannot; so in your church, where ever you worship, if you can give more than what is required, do so; so that you may help make up the difference for those who cannot do what is required.
That is not fair - you say! God never said life is fair. God did tell us to bear one another's burden and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
