Hi Russell, Thank you for your comments on my post regarding charitable giving. The information you presented is interesting and more in-depth than anything I've really looked into. I've tweaked my post slightly based on your comment. For me and my working definition, I do not consider tithing to be equivalent of a tax for being a believer. My "tithe" is a freewill offering. I'm free to give, or not to give, anything I wish; however, from the Old English origins of the word, I now tithe based on 10% of my income. My overall point in the post is to encourage folks to truly examine what financial blessings have come their way and to prayfully consider what they give back. The percentage truly doesn't matter; 10% is quasi-historical/traditional and, through the Spirit, the amount I was drawn to as a beginning of the conversation. Part of my job at a Catholic campus ministry at a large public university involves stewardship and helping college students discovering that God is the god of all aspects of their lives, including financial. This includes making them aware that those freewill offerings are needed to keep the church doors open, but more importantly, to continue the good works of the church. Thank you for visiting my site and for leaving a comment. God bless!