Tithing
/ˈtaɪðɪŋ/
nounB2
Definition
Tithing means giving 10% of your money or income to a religious group, church, or charity. It is often seen as a duty or tradition in many religions to help support religious leaders and community work. People do this to show faith, thankfulness, or support for their faith community.
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See It in Action
Religious practice of giving one-tenth of income
- •Many churches encourage members to practice tithing to support their work.
- •In some religions, tithing is seen as a commandment or important rule.
- •Tithing helps pay for church buildings, charity, and clergy salaries.
Historical or cultural system of support
- •In medieval times, peasants paid tithes to the church as part of their duties.
- •Tithing has been part of many cultures as a way to share wealth fairly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "tithing" like "giving," but it is a special, fixed amount—exactly one-tenth of what you earn or have.
- ✓Picture dividing your money into ten equal parts and giving one part away to help others or your church.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you want to share a part of your earnings to support something important to you.
- ✓Sounds like "TIE-thing" → imagine tying a small bag with one-tenth of your money and handing it to your church.
- ✓In stories or history, tithing is often shown as a way people help their community or church by sharing part of their income.
- ✓NOT like "donation" (which can be any amount)—tithing is always the same fixed part: one-tenth.
- ✓NOT like "tax" (money taken by government)—tithing is voluntary and given for religious or community reasons.
Try Other Words
- •Offering: money given voluntarily to a religious group (Use when the amount is not fixed, more general)
- •Donation: gift of money to a cause or charity (Use when giving is not tied to a fixed percentage)
- •Contribution: something given to help a group or cause (Use in formal or general contexts, not always religious)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "tithe" (meaning one-tenth) + suffix "-ing" (indicates action or practice)
- •Etymology: From Old English "teogotha" meaning "tenth part," related to giving a tenth
- •Historical development: Used since medieval times for the practice of giving one-tenth of income to the church
- •Modern usage: Mostly used in religious contexts today, especially in Christianity and some other faiths
- •Key insight: The word connects to a fixed portion (one-tenth) and the action of giving it regularly
Reflect & Connect
•How might tithing affect the way people think about money and sharing in their community?
•Can tithing be seen as both a personal choice and a social responsibility? How do these ideas work together?
Fill in the blanks
1.Tithing means giving ___ of your income, usually to a church or religious group.
2.People practice tithing to show ___ or support for their faith community.
3.Unlike a donation, tithing is always a ___ amount, specifically one-tenth.
4.In history, tithing was often required by law, but today it is usually ___.
5.When someone talks about tithing, they are usually referring to money given ___.
6.Tithing helps support things like church buildings, clergy, and ___ work.
7.Some people feel good about tithing because it connects their money to their ___.