Many people of faith believe they should give something back, whether to the church or to charity.
Some give a little. Some give more.
This idea traces back to tithing in the Old Testament: a tenth of the land’s produce and livestock belongs to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30–33).
But the true meaning of tithing is less spiritual than you might think.
If we look at how it was established and its original purpose, we find it has both a strong social component and a psychological one.
Let’s take a closer look at each and start with the social side.
Tithing functioned as one of the earliest forms of social security. Its purpose was to support the priests, who owned no land (Numbers 18:21–24).
That detail matters, because priests were not just religious figures. They were the scholars of their time, responsible for preserving education, knowledge, and culture. In that sense, tithing helped sustain the intellectual backbone of society.
The psychological side is even more revealing.
Let me invite you into a quick thought experiment.
Think of how much money you make in a year. Multiply that number by three and imagine it being invested in the stock market. Try to feel that amount as if it were truly yours in the stock market.
Now imagine you open your inbox and see the market is down. You have lost 10%. What is your reaction? Do you act, or do you wait?
Next, take a deep breath, shake your body and imagine a second scenario. This time, you have lost 18%. What is your reaction now? Does it feel different? Are you more inclined to take action?
When you compare the two responses, you will likely notice a difference.
The reason is simple. The human mind can tolerate a 10% loss relatively easily. It registers, but it does not provoke a strong emotional response. Go beyond that threshold, and the reaction changes. Discomfort rises, and so does the instinct to act.
The ancient Jews seemed to understand this well.
Ten percent sits at a point the mind can accept without much friction. It is meaningful, yet still tolerable. Ask for more, and resistance appears.
So the true meaning of tithing is, first and foremost, psychological.
That is why it has endured for millennia: it’s the threshold the mind can accept with the least resistance.
Love and Wisdom,
Monica and Stefan
