Statistics suggest that between 60 and 80 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. While some enjoy secure jobs and ample savings, millions lack the funds to cover unforeseen costs or sudden emergencies.
According to available data, 72 percent of Americans are not entirely financially secure, and 26 percent never expect to be. The prevalent phrase used to describe this situation is “living from paycheck to paycheck,” signifying a lack of funds to cover future expenses until the next paycheck arrives.
It's interesting to note that over 2,000 verses in Scripture are devoted to handling money and resources. Additionally, Jesus spent over 15% of His teachings on financial matters. Despite this, many well-intended people follow practical financial wisdom while ignoring spiritual principles.
According to various articles, Christians today give, on average, 2.5% per capita for their tithe. During the Great Depression, Christians gave 3.3% per capita on average. This decrease in church giving can’t be chalked up to less financial prosperity. Despite having more disposable income, people still give less to the church today.
After nearly 400 years of slavery, the people of God had no idea how to handle wealth. They had to be taught how to shed the slave mentality and manage their time, talent, and treasure. Essentially, they were taught a framework that was first given to a person (their priest), then to their place of worship, and finally to themselves and the poor among them.
The first step was to give the Terumah (H8641), which was 1/40th (2.5%), offered to God as an "offering," essentially the first fruits of the harvest. For it to become Terumah, two things had to happen: it had to be lifted high (signifying the offering to God), and then it had to be placed into the hands of their spiritual leader (priest/pastor).
Next, they would take a tenth of what was left and give it to their worshiping community/church. Following that, they would provide the next tenth to themselves.
So they were commanded not only to give a tenth but also to save a tenth. They saved a tenth for their annual cycle of feasts (festivals), and whatever was left over, they would trade for silver and gold as an inheritance for their children's children. However, instead of giving it to themselves every third year, they gave the third tithe to the poor.
Occurrences of the word Terumah can be summarized as "offering" 26 times, "heave offering" 23 times, "oblation" 18 times, and "gift" one time. Numbers 18:24 specifies what the Terumah was but doesn't specify the fraction. Numbers 18:28 specifies a specific Terumah, a tenth of the tenth, a separate "offering."
So, what makes the difference? What causes financial freedom to happen in our lives, and how can we achieve it? The "guidelines for good living" found in the Bible teach a financial framework where you give a Terumah to your spiritual leader, a tithe to your church (spiritual community), a second tithe to your children’s children (savings), and a third tithe to the poor.
The law of gleanings (Lev 19:10) was intended to work this same way. As an example:
If a small field was 100 sq mtrs 10 X 10, and you draw a circle within it with the arc touching the sides of the square, then the area of the circle was to be harvested (and this provided the whole harvest from which the Terumah, first and second tithe came) then the area harvested would be 79% of the entire field. So, the 21% was for others. You could, of course, give more.
The side of a square = 10cm
Area of the square = 100 Sq Cm
Area of a circle = Pi R squared = 3.142857 X 5cm squared = 79 sq cm
Remainder = 21 sq cm
In the Scriptures, people were told to harvest their fields but not to harvest the corners. If a circle is drawn inside a square, it comprises roughly 79% of the area. Using the principles above, we're called to live in a circle in a square.
In the Scriptures, people were told to harvest their fields but not to harvest the corners. If a circle is drawn inside a square, it comprises roughly 79% of the area. Using the principles above, we're called to live on a circle in a square.
The math from the commands matches the illustration from agriculture. 2.5% is put in the hands of the spiritual leader; then a tenth is given to the worshiping community, and a tenth to yourself in savings, but one-third of that is given to the poor. Following the living margin framework above, it is almost the same percentage ... leave the corners and live in the circle.
To put it practically, if we used money, say $1,000, then executing the process:
A 1/40th would be $25. This is given directly to the one living amongst you and brings spiritual truths. It was given by first offering it to God as a wave (heave) offering and then into the hands of the spiritual leader. The remainder would be $975.
Then, the tithe was calculated. 10% of $975 = $97.5 (round to $98). This was to be given to the Levite (no inheritance - i.e., pastor/church)—remainder $877.
Then, the second tithe was calculated. 10% of $887 = $88. Remainder $789. The legislated savings scheme. It turns out that $789 is 79% of $1,000.
The law of the Terumah is one part of the laws of righteousness and generosity, so there is a relationship. The Hebrew word Sedak (H6662) is the word for generous, derived from the Hebrew word Sedaka (H6663), meaning righteousness.
Two thousand sixteen verses in the Bible associate righteousness with generosity. Here are a few: Psalms 37:25, Psalms 112:5, Isaiah 1:15-18, Luke 3:7, James 1:26, Deuteronomy 24:17, and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. So, we can see that the tithe has sound mathematical, physical, and spiritual principles.
Giving has three parts: the first fruits, the tithe(s), and freewill offerings. (Romans 11:16) So the benefit is that this method cared for the needs of the Levite (pastor/church), the physical needs of the poor, and enforced savings for you and your family. This framework, instituted by God, looks like a perfect (agricultural) income system, and if we used this principle today, we would call it a great "tax" system.
To expand upon this and further understand, the first part calculated was the Terumah, which was calculated at 1/40th and given into the hands "of the ones living amongst you bringing spiritual guidance." After Terumah was taken, one-tenth was designated as the ma’aser rishon, or the first tithe given to the Levite (today, this could be your local church).
After the first tithe was taken, another tenth was separated, either the second or third, depending on the year of the sabbatical cycle. In the first, second, fourth, and fifth years, it was for you (the tither) to save, sort of an enforced savings dictated by God. In the third and sixth years, it was to be given to the poor.
The Living Margin Way
Weekly Cycle
The key to being free is becoming more effective with what you do.
● Spiritual: Start of Week
● Service: Middle of Week
● Social: End of Week
* Modify to your family and/or community schedule ** One day of spiritual observance and abstinence from work
Monthly Cycle
The key to blessing is to give away what you can’t keep.
● Terumah - 2.5% to your spiritual leader
● First Tithe - 9.75% to your church community
● Second Tithe - 5.85% to your savings and/or used for festivals
● Third Tithe - 2.9% given to orphans and widows
Annual Cycle
The key to sustainability is to gain what you can never lose.
● Feast of Unleavened Bread - Passover: Celebration of God’s deliverance
● Feast of the Harvest - Pentecost: Celebration of God’s provision
● Feast of Ingathering - Tabernacle: Celebration of God’s glory
The central theme in the living margin correlates with the three interwoven spheres of relationship that comprise our lives: God, others, and self. We take notice that God is our King and our judge. Therefore, we take time to reflect consciously and carefully on what we are doing, why, where we are heading, and who we are as human beings made in His image.
First is the Tefillah (prayer), when we turn to God. The wondrous privilege of conversing with God, whether to express praise or thankfulness, repentance or petition, opens our hearts to the Almighty and acknowledges His sovereignty over us. We confess our radical dependence upon Him and our desire for Him.
Second is the Tzedakah (charity), in which we concretely express love and concern for the well-being of others. In a consumer-driven society, we must examine where our loyalties lie and whether we’re giving into the lives of those God has given into our hands for care and kindness.
If so, then we are giving life and hope to others, building loving and abiding relationships, and allowing God’s light to shine into the darkness of the poor, the needy, and the brokenhearted.
Finally, the Teshuvah (repentance), in which we examine ourselves with our innermost being, is expressed by our outward deeds. Now is the time to consider how we progress towards the goal set before us and deepen our relationship as we serve the Lord. Where we fall short, the gift of repentance enables us to realign with our true selves as children of the Father and heirs to the fullness of life in Jesus.
God set apart festival seasons for His people to reflect upon the essential things in life. The annual succession of biblical feasts represents a sanctification cycle, where God sets divinely appointed times (mo’adim) for celebrating with His covenant people.
These moadei-Adonai, “set times of the Lord,” recur in seasonal cycles: spring (Passover), summer (Pentecost), and fall (Tabernacles). Each festival has its unique rhythm and character, corresponding with annual agricultural harvests and crucial events in Israel's redemptive history.
The Living Margin beautifully encapsulates the spiritual essence and significance of the pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish tradition and their relevance to the Christian faith. Each festival—Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)—offers profound reminders of God's redemption, revelation, and creation.
Spring: Passover (Pesach)
Passover marks the beginning of the religious year and commemorates the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery. This festival is a time to remember God's redemption through the sacrificial lamb, which Christians see as a foreshadowing of Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice offers spiritual redemption from sin.
Summer: Pentecost (Shavuot)
Pentecost occurs fifty days after Passover and celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. For Christians, it also marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, which empowered the early church and signified divine revelation and guidance. This festival is a reminder of God's ongoing revelation and provision of spiritual nourishment and empowerment.
Fall: Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)
The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, is a joyous celebration that remembers the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and God's provision. It coincides with the final harvest of the agricultural year, prompting gratitude for God's creation and His continuous blessings. While this festival is less emphasized in traditional Christian observance, it is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of rejoicing in His provision.
Spiritual Significance
These festivals are not merely historical commemorations or agricultural events; they are deeply spiritual occasions that draw believers into a greater understanding of God's character and His actions in history. Each festival emphasizes different aspects of God's relationship with His people:
Passover (Pesach): Redemption and liberation through the blood of the Lamb.
Pentecost (Shavuot): Revelation and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): God's provision and faithfulness, prompting gratitude and joy.
Sanctification Cycle
The cycle of these festivals reflects a process of sanctification, setting apart these times for reflection, celebration, and spiritual growth. Participating in these appointed times reminds believers of essential truths about God's character and covenantal relationship with His people.
Redemption: Celebrated in Passover, focusing on God's deliverance from sin and bondage.
Revelation: Highlighted in Pentecost, emphasizing the giving of God's word and Spirit.
Provision: Rejoiced during the Feast of Tabernacles, recognizing God's continuous blessings and care.
Living Margin Framework
Incorporating these principles into daily life through a "living margin" framework encourages believers to evaluate how they fulfill God's purposes, manage time, and use their talents and resources. This framework promotes a cycle of freedom, blessing, and celebration, inviting believers to enter God's presence daily and advance His Kingdom on earth. This holistic approach nurtures spiritual growth and aligns our lives with God's rhythm, leading to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven existence.
References: Nehemiah 12:44, Nehemiah 10:35, Exodus 25:2, Numbers 31:41, Proverbs 3:9,Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 14: 28-29, Deuteronomy 24:17-18, Psalms 37:25-26, Isaiah 1:15, Luke 3:7-9, Luke 19:1-6, James 1:26, Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32-35, Malachi 3:6-12, John 12:32, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 1 Corinthians 9:6-15, Deuteronomy 8:10-18, Deuteronomy 26:1-12. Numbers 18, Numbers 31, Deuteronomy 14, Deuteronomy 26, Leviticus 27, 1 Corinthians 16, 2 Corinthians 9, Acts 2, Acts 4.
The Living Margin Giving Framework
Using a mathematical and symbolic approach, the living margin framework integrates ancient scriptural principles with a modern financial context. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how these principles are applied to a sum of $1,000:
1. Initial Allocation to Spiritual Leadership
Calculate 1/40th (2.5%) of $1,000:
0.025×1000=25
$25 is given to the spiritual leader.
Remaining balance: 1000−25=975
2. First Tithe
Calculate 10% of $975:
0.10×975=97.5
Rounding to the nearest dollar: $98 is given to the worshiping community (e.g., church).
Remaining balance: 975−98=877
3. Second Tithe
Calculate 10% of $877:
0.10×877=87.7
Rounding to the nearest dollar: $88 is allocated to a savings scheme.
Remaining balance: 877−88=789
Summary
$25 to the spiritual leader.
$98 to the worshiping community.
$88 to savings (with a portion given to the poor).
The remaining $789 is 79% of the original $1,000, aligning with living within the circle inside a square.
Visual and Conceptual Summary
The circle in a square metaphor illustrates living within certain financial boundaries, while the corners (or the portions outside the circle) are designated for various forms of giving and saving. This approach encourages disciplined financial stewardship, ensuring that a portion of resources is always set aside for spiritual, communal, and personal growth and helping those in need.
Living Margin Biblical Exploration of Giving
This detailed exploration into the Biblical principles of giving illustrates how ancient practices align with spiritual and practical modern-day applications. The framework in the Scriptures combines righteousness (Sedaka) and generosity (Sedak) to create a comprehensive giving system that addresses various community needs and encourages personal financial discipline.
Breakdown of Scriptural Giving Framework
Terumah (First Fruits)
1/40th (2.5%) of total income is given to those providing spiritual guidance.
Calculation for $1,000:
0.025×1000=25
$25 is given as Terumah.
Remaining balance: 1000−25=975
Ma’aser Rishon (First Tithe)
10% of the remaining balance: This tithe is given to the Levite, comparable to supporting one's local church or place of worship.
Calculation for $975:
0.10×975=97.5
$97.5 (rounded to $98) is given as the first tithe.
Remaining balance: 975−98=877
Second Tithe (Ma’aser Sheni)
10% of the remaining balance: In the first, second, fourth, and fifth years, this is for personal savings, while in the third and sixth years, it is given to the poor.
Calculation for $877:
0.10×877=87.7
$87.7 (rounded to $88) is allocated as the second tithe.
Remaining balance: 877−88=789
Summary of Allocations for $1,000
$25 to your spiritual leader (Terumah).
$98 to your church community (first tithe).
$88 to savings (second tithe) or to the poor, depending on the year of the sabbatical cycle.
$789 remains for personal use, aligning with living within the circle, representing 79% of the initial amount.
Scriptural Support
This framework is supported by numerous Biblical references, emphasizing the integration of righteousness and generosity:
Psalms 37:25: "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
Psalms 112:5: "A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion."
Isaiah 1:15-18: Highlights the importance of seeking justice and aiding the oppressed.
Luke 3:7: John the Baptist instructs on sharing with those in need.
James 1:26: Encourages practical expressions of faith, including generosity.
Deuteronomy 24:17: Commands to care for the marginalized.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7: Stresses the blessings of cheerful giving.
Practical Application
Support for Spiritual Leaders: Ensures those who provide spiritual guidance are cared for.
Community Support: The first tithe supports communal worship and the functioning of religious institutions.
Personal Savings and Charity: The second tithe promotes financial discipline and charitable giving, addressing individual and societal needs.
This structured approach creates a balanced financial system rooted in ancient wisdom, fostering a culture of generosity, righteousness, and prudent financial management.