Robert Kiyosaki on Tithing

As far as tithing goes, we continue to donate a large percentage to charitable organizations. It's important to give. As my very religious friend says, "God does not need to receive, but humans need to give." Also, the reason we give is because tithing is our way of paying our partner -- God. God is the best business partner that I've ever had. He asks for 10 percent and lets me keep the other 90 percent. You know what happens if you stop paying your partners? They stop working with you. That is why we tithe.

Like much of what Kiyosaki says, there's a mix of truth and "say what?" in these comments. Here's my take:

1. God isn't some sort of spiritual income insurance that you pay off and you're promised to prosper.

2. Key difference between seeing God as a golden goose and a heavenly Father that you want a relationship with is your attitude. Consider the passage that says we should "remember" God since He helps us produce wealth. It doesn't say "pay Him off and then forget Him."

3. The purpose of tithing is to teach us to put God first in our lives. Again, it's not as simple as writing Him a check and forgetting everything else He says.

4. I believe that giving (with the right attitude) does make you wealthier. God does promise to "open the windows of heaven" if you tithe and make your 90% go farther than 100% without tithing.

5. But giving isn't the whole story. You need to look at the complete picture of what the Bible says on managing your money. If you do, you will become wealthy.

6. The whole relationship between giving and wealth is very unusual to say the least. It doesn't make sense that you'd become wealthier by giving (the math doesn't make sense) but in many cases this is what even non-Christian advisors advocate. There is a "power" in giving.

7. Scientific research has now shown that if you give, you will have a better life.

Those are my top-line thoughts. What's your take on the issue? Even if you're not a Christian or are "religious", do you think there's a link between giving and becoming wealthier?

http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2008/07/robert-kiyosaki.html