A friend of the webmaster wrote this article for a secular site found on the web. With his permission, it is used to enlighten and set the captives, who are not yet or inconsistent tithers, FREE. The full title of this article is: Tithing is Not Just for the Religious: How Giving Brings out the Best in All of Us.

OK, for you non-religious types, don't panic. I'm not going to push you into a pew and shove a collection basket in your face. This will all be done on a completely voluntary basis. But why tithe? And what does it mean anyway?

Tithing is an ancient concept used by the religious and secular. It was initially established by God to require the first 10% of all increase be paid to He who has given man and woman everything, life even. And if the first of the one's fruits were not given to Him who has given us all and He is paid last, then it is like setting a plate for the guest of honor after dinner has been eaten in hopes that there may be scraps left over.

But how does this apply to us? Even the non-religious? How is this going to help me, you ask?

Well, if that's your question then you need not finish this chapter. Rather the question should be, how is this going to help others? And here is the secret to tithing.

Who you tithe to or give 10% of your income is inconsequential. It is the giving that matters. Consider these statements that focus on the universal truth behind giving or just another way of saying love.

"Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get--only with what you are expecting to give--which is everything."-- Katharine Hepburn

"The most important thing in any relationship is not what you get but what you give.... In any case, the giving of love is an education in itself."-- Eleanor Roosevelt

"Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice."-- Woodrow T. Wilson

"Love stretches your heart and makes you big inside."-- Margaret Walker

"Knowledge is gained by learning; trust by doubt; skill by practice; and love by love."-- Thomas Szasz

"Love cures people -- both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it."-- Dr. Karl Menninger

"Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others."-- Brian Tracey

"You aren't wealthy until you have something money can't buy."-- Garth Brooks

"It seems to me that true love is a discipline..."-- W.B. Yeats

OK, that last one I put in there for the kids. It appears that real love and an understanding of its sacrifice and long suffering is lost in all the gloss of half naked forms on the covers of magazines, in movies and television shows. It is a sad state of affairs that lust is seen for the more sacred, eternal love of merit that lasts longer than the desire to simply possess another's body. I digress.

But let's summarize the quotes. Love is not getting or having one's needs met, it's meeting the needs of another without concern for one's own; love, interestingly enough, is an education; self-sacrifice; it helps you grow; greater love or the capacity to love is learned by loving; love cures the giver and the receiver; it is more valuable than any sum of money ever earned or to be earned.

This giving if done right yields exponential benefits. It is not like the taking of money. One takes and it ends. With giving it not only enhances the giver but the receiver and those who come in contact with him or her and then those people do the same ad infinitum. But once again, the catch is that you as the giver can't focus on reward. The focus must solely be on giving. And as you do this great blessings come into your life.

And this tithing can be done in many ways. You can give to a charity. Give to a church. Donate your time. Give to a school. Give to a profitable organization. Give to your neighbor. Or maybe even give to your family, children, or spouse. Doesn't matter where you start. Just start. And as you continue to give you will be self-informed as to where it's best to give, how often and who to.

© 2009 by Jeff Brown:  Jeff teaches writing and owns Inner Projection, a business dedicated to student success in all areas of life. He is a Motivation, Self-Improvement and Success Expert.