A QUESTION OF TITHE: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

 

A Question of Tithe: What Would You Do?”

By Ikechukwu Frank

The room was dimly lit, the ceiling fan creaked slowly above, and I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. My spinal cord injury at the C4-C5 level had altered every aspect of my life. The vibrant man I once was now watched the world from a bed, where even the smallest movement had become a miracle. As I quietly prayed and pondered, “When will God heal me?”, a soft chime from my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. It was a WhatsApp message.

There it was—an alert. Someone had credited my account. Attached was a screenshot of a payment receipt. I was confused. I hadn’t rendered any paid service recently. I messaged the sender, a young lady who had been following my online teachings. “What is this money for?” I asked.

Her reply was humble and clear, “Sir, that’s my tithe. I sent it to you because I am being spiritually fed through your platform.”

I was stunned. “No, no,” I replied. “You are supposed to pay your tithe in your local assembly, the church where you are fed.” But her answer shocked me. “Sir, I’m being fed by your messages too. That’s where God led me to give my tithe.”

Immediately, my heart stirred. I asked her to send me her account number so I could refund the money. But she refused, saying, “No sir, it’s a seed to God, not a gift to you. Do with it what the Spirit leads.”

I thought deeply. If it were you, what would you do?

The Concept of Tithing: A Divine Ordinance

Tithing, the act of giving one-tenth of one’s increase to God, has been a longstanding spiritual discipline rooted deeply in Scripture. It is not merely a church tradition—it is a covenant principle.

> “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.” — Leviticus 27:30, KJV

In essence, the tithe is not ours—it is the Lord’s. It is a form of worship, a recognition that all we have comes from Him.

Dimensions of Tithing: More Than Just Money

Tithing encompasses several dimensions:

1. Spiritual Dimension – A form of obedience and submission to God.

2. Covenantal Dimension – A reminder of our relationship with God and His faithfulness.

3. Ministerial Dimension – A provision for those who labor in the Word.

4. Communal Dimension – A channel to support the work of the church in the community.

The Bible says:

> “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” — 1 Corinthians 9:14, KJV

The Key Question: Where Should the Tithe Go?

Traditionally, it is taught that one’s tithe should be paid to their local assembly—the spiritual storehouse.

> “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house…” — Malachi 3:10, KJV

But what happens when someone feels led by God to tithe somewhere else—perhaps to an online ministry that deeply feeds them? That is the tension in this story.

The Dilemma: A Heart for Obedience or a Rule?

It’s easy to respond with law. “Your tithe must go to your local church.” But God’s ways are sometimes deeper than institutional order. While God establishes order, He also examines the heart.

The young lady had not given the tithe to a man but to a platform through which God had richly blessed her. That in itself shows spiritual sensitivity. The key principle is this: Was her giving led by God? Was it done in worship and faith?

> “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7, KJV

The Responsibility of the Receiver

When I received the money, I immediately wanted to return it. It was not a service fee. It was not a donation. It was her tithe—a holy thing.

Here lies another question: Can I, as a minister, accept a tithe from someone who is not under my pastoral covering?

My conscience was uneasy, not because the money was dirty, but because I didn’t want to be perceived as taking advantage of anyone. I offered to pay the tithe into my local parish on her behalf, to ensure the tithe would go to the church. She agreed, but she insisted it still belonged to the platform that fed her soul.

> “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” — Proverbs 22:1, KJV

The responsibility of a true servant of God is not to enrich himself but to preserve the integrity of the ministry.

The Importance of Being Led by the Spirit

Sometimes, divine instruction overrides structure. The widow at Zarephath gave her last meal not to her synagogue but to the prophet Elijah. And what followed was supernatural provision (1 Kings 17:8–16).

Was it wrong for the widow to give to a prophet rather than to a priest in the temple? No. She was obeying God’s specific instruction.

> “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6, KJV

Adages of Wisdom

"He who waters others will himself be watered."

"The heart that gives to God never lacks what to give again."

"A gift given in obedience brings a harvest in season."

"Where your spirit is fed, your seed is sown."

The Dilemma Deepens: Should I Pay Her Tithe into My Church?

Here’s where many people get stuck. If she doesn't attend my church, and I pay the tithe to my pastor, am I acting righteously or just shifting spiritual accountability?

If the tithe is the Lord’s, then the key is to ask: “Lord, what would You have me do with this?”

The money should serve the purpose of God—not personal gain, not denominational loyalty, but divine assignment.

> “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV

If I pay her tithe to my parish, I must be sure I’m doing it as a steward, not for reputation or tradition, but out of conviction and integrity.

Conclusion: What Would You Do?

So, dear reader, if you were in my shoes—lying on your bed, unable to move freely, waiting on God for healing, and someone sent their tithe to you because they believe they are being spiritually nourished by you—what would you do?

Would you reject it? Accept it? Transfer it to another church?

This experience taught me that God is bigger than our institutions. While structures are important, sensitivity to the Spirit is paramount. The kingdom of God is not bureaucracy—it is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17).

> “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” — Psalm 37:23, KJV

I chose not to pocket the money, nor to disrespect her conviction. I prayed, and as I was led, I sowed the tithe into God’s work—trusting that the One who sees all would reward both the giver and the steward.

Final Thoughts

When dealing with holy things like tithes, remember:

Be transparent: Let there be no shadow of doubt in your actions.

Be accountable: Whether online or offline, integrity is currency.

Be Spirit-led: Not all decisions are black and white.

Be thankful: God still uses broken vessels for glorious purposes.

So again, I ask you:

If it were you, what would you do?