I was no more than 5, which would have made my brother 3, when my mother decided it was time for us to have an allowance. Knowing her, it was more to learn about money than to start saving for college (though she thought about that too).
The allowance would be a dime, paid weekly, in pennies. That’s because from the outset, we were to tithe.
She supplied small jars; one was for God, the other, everything else.
I’d like to think that I wasn’t concerned that now I only had nine cents, but I probably was. Nor do I remember wondering why God would need anything at all when he already owns everything. Or how my one penny per week was going to make much of a dent.
No matter; it was part of the stipulation.
And it stuck. That is, when the allowance came at all. She’d get behind, and things being what they were, it was hard to catch up. But whenever it happened, the ten percent principle was always part of it.
As time went by it was ten cents out of every dollar, then a dollar out of ten. When I started earning bits of money, it was ten dollars out of every hundred, and so on.
Where the money would go was up to me. The church offering plate was an obvious one. But even in my rebellious years, when I turned my back on church, the principle was engrained and I found causes that could use my ten percent.
Skip ahead though a whole lifetime of interacting with money one way or another every day. Early in our marriage Anne and I set up a separate checking account called “tithe.” Money goes there first, even if we don’t yet know where it will be given. Options are always arising, and it’s nice, when they do, to already have something set aside.
It’s the same with cash. In my wallet I have a separate section where ten percent of any folding money is already cordoned off, ready for the spontaneous moment when I see a need.
I’m not saying any of this to brag; please don’t take it that way. The fact is, I’ve never made a lot of money, but I’ve never gone broke. I pay for my cars with cash. My children all went through college without debt. We live in a fine house. And we always seem to have enough for what we want to do. And that’s on ninety percent!
It’s a great principle: Let your money go and it looses its hold on you.
It also comes back.
It’s pennies to heaven, something my mother instilled at an early age.
And to any who have not yet discovered its wisdom, I know what she would say: “It’s never too late to start!”
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
12:25 pm
What a life lesson, Hyatt. All faith-based, too, and who knows how those pennies were multiplied down the line? I like the idea of the separate jar and separate compartment in your wallet. I’m sure you’ve gathered some amazing spontaneous giving stories along the way! I’ve always thought of tithing as a token of loosening one’s grip on income and possessions. Not only does it work in a generous sense, but creates a whole new level of freedom and trust in the One who is the giver of all things.
12:53 pm
You always do such a great job at giving us the details! It is in the details that a person learns to actually do what is being asked! Now, we have always tithed too, but I love this extra cash idea for whatever comes up daily too now! I love this! Thank you again Hyatt, for the pearls that come straight from God straight through you! Amen! Blessings! Lisa
1:42 pm
Wow. Great lesson. I need to instill this to my boys. Thanks so much Hyatt.
5 years old. That was a while ago. :)
Pastor Adam Barton
Akron, Ohio
4:44 pm
Great title Hyatt…one that I caught my attention even though I didn’t seem to have a spare minute today. We tried something similar with our boys, and added a third jar where 10% went for savings. Your mom must have done a much better job than I, as our boys seemed to have forgotten it for now. Hopefully they’ll come back to it. I really liked your idea of keeping 10% of your folding money ready for a spontaneous giving opportunity. I think I’ll start doing that today!
10:09 pm
When giving our son and his wife a date night once, 5yr old Luke was getting ready for bed and threw his clothes on the floor (as 5 yr olds do.) When I asked if there was somewhere he was to put them he said with such joy, “Yes! If I put them in the hamper everyday Mommy will give me a quarter and I need quarters to give to God!” My heart melted! I love the wallet idea! Thanks again Hyatt.
5:00 pm
I remember well when you and Anne gave me money for tires when I needed them desperately. You said the money was set aside for helping in times like that. I thank you both again for that. It was a HUGE help at the time.
8:58 am
This is such a beautiful reminder. I was so afraid to give back 10% of my income to God. But when I started doing that, God has multiplied His blessings into our lives. He’s so faithful. We can never out give God. All we have belongs to Him anyways, right?