Bishop RE Howard, General Overseer - Church of God of Prophecy

Those who learn tithing and giving as a young child
most often become lifetime tithe givers. Tithing is a
scriptural principle and a Christian discipline that we need
to teach our children. In the same way we teach children
to pray, to worship, to read their Bible, and to memorize
Scriptures, we teach them the joy and the blessings of
tithing and giving.
After a presentation on tithing and giving, a ten-year-old
boy asked his parents if he could withdraw the $255 in his
savings account and give it to the Lord. This sensitivity to
the Word and the Holy Spirit began a giving process in his
local church. Ultimately, the church built a new building
debt-free as a result of a “tsunami” of giving that was set
forward by this child’s pure gift.
Another child, who heard that not tithing was robbing
God, asked her parents, “Why are we robbing God?”
The Sunday lunch table conversation took on a serious
tone as the parents talked through this with the child.
In this case, the family thought it best if they would
just begin to tithe.
22 WWM APRIL 2010
As we all know, children have powerful, anointed
experiences with their Lord. Tithing must be part of their
development and growth in their personal relationship
with the Lord.
Saving and other biblical principles of personal finance
should be taught as well. Understanding that the Scripture
supports saving and condemns hoarding can be beneficial
in shaping a child’s financial understanding. Knowing
that Scripture always casts debt in a negative light can
help a child grow up and live with minimum debt. These
principles will do nothing but bless those who embrace
them at any age.
A great way to begin is to label three jars—one as “Ten
Percent to God” (tithe), one as “Ten Percent to Savings,”
and one as “Eighty Percent to Me.” If from an early age we
practice these principles of giving, saving, and budgeting,
we will be blessed and more joyful.
When children receive gifts, allowances, or payment for
chores, the money should be paid in cash in easily divided
denominations to enable the child to take out the tithe