Much has changed

It seems I am unable to find any relevant data for the Canadian landscape in regards to giving to the church and so must be satisfied with the assumption that the trend below our border is the same trend we are experiencing in ratio to other spiritual directions that have been measured i.e. church attendance/membership, Bible reading etc.The data I am about to share with you came from the Barna Research Group.

Tithing in 2007

Whether they believe in the principle of tithing or not, the research revealed that just 5% of adults tithed.

Not surprisingly, some population groups were more likely than others to have given away at least ten percent of their income. Among the most generous segments were evangelicals (24% of whom tithed); conservatives (12%); people who had prayed, read the Bible and attended a church service during the past week (12%) and charismatic or Pentecostal Christians (11%).

Several groups also stood out as highly unlikely to tithe: people under the age of 25, single adults who have never been married, liberals, and downscale adults. One percent or less of the people in each of those segments tithed in 2007.

Among all "born again" adults, 9% contributed one-tenth or more of their income.

The study also showed that Protestants were four times as likely to tithe as were Catholics (8% versus 2%, respectively).

Tithing Since 2000

The percentage of adults who tithe has stayed constant since the turn of the decade, falling in the 5% to 7% range. The Barna tracking reported that the proportion of adults who tithed was 7% in 2006 and 2005; 5% in 2004 and 2003; 6% in 2002; and 5% in 2001.

I believe that people are genuinely interested in learning about and applying God's perspective on finances.  Yes, I have run across many others who are not, but my goal has always been to share the full biblical picture to inform and correct our faulty view of the world. Hopefully you will find some of that here.

May you be encouraged by the power of the Scriptures that are cornerstone to this journey.

It is remarkable that something so central to the teaching of Scripture is so neglected by schools dedicated to teaching the Scriptures and preparing students to train others.

For the first two years of my ministry I have been a Christian Education Coordinator in the church and for the past 30 years in fund development and financial planning for Christian ministries.  I have found these truths to be rock solid.

I pray your heart will be touched and your life changed as mine has been.