Life.Church with Craig Groeschel

Episode: 5 Reasons I Tithe | This Is What We Do: Part 1

Date: November 23, 2025
Host: Pastor Craig Groeschel
Podcast: Life.Church

Episode Overview

This episode explores the biblical concept of tithing—returning the first 10% of one’s income to God—through the personal lens of Pastor Craig Groeschel. With humor, candor, and thorough biblical references, Craig breaks down what tithing is and isn’t, why common motivations might be off-base, and his own five compelling reasons for making the tithe non-negotiable in his life. The episode balances practical application, personal story, and encouragement, inviting listeners to reflect on generosity without pressure or manipulation.

Defining the Tithe

• Meaning of ‘Tithe’
  • Hebrew word: Maaser meaning “one tenth.”
    • References: Genesis 28, Leviticus 27, Deuteronomy 14:22
  • Tithing is returning the first 10% of what God entrusts to us, not a tip, donation, membership fee, or transactional payment in return for blessing.
  • It’s not technically “giving”; it’s returning what already belongs to God.

    “Technically, tithing is not giving, it's just not stealing. But I don't know if I should say that out loud or not.” (Craig, 03:16)

Why You Might Not Want To Tithe [04:04]

• Three Things Tithing Is Not About:
  1. Earning Salvation
     • You can’t buy your way into heaven. Salvation is by grace, not tithing.
     • Reference: Ephesians 2.

     “Don't tithe to earn your salvation. Don't tithe to appease your guilt.” (Craig, 04:04)

  2. Appeasing Guilt
     • Giving extra out of guilt isn’t biblical giving.
  3. Buying Blessings
     • Tithe isn’t a spiritual transaction (“if I give $100, God gives me $1,000”).

     “We do not tithe in order to get. We are giving to God because of who God is.” (Craig, 05:51)

Craig’s Five Reasons He Tithes

1. Tithing Teaches Me to Put God First [06:35]

• Declares God’s lordship and priority in life.
• Verses: Deuteronomy 14:23, Exodus 23:19.
• Illustrated with a stack of ten $1 bills: Giving God what’s first, not what’s leftover.

“It takes faith to give first, doesn't it? It doesn't take faith to give what's left over.” (Craig, 10:12)

2. It Reminds Me That God Is My Source [10:57]

• My job is not my provider; God is.
• Reference: 1 Chronicles 29:14 — “Everything comes from you, God, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
• I'm a steward, not the owner.

“If I were the source, I'd be afraid I'd run out. But if God is the source, There is no shortage...” (Craig, 12:06)

3. Jesus Told Me To Tithe [12:42]

• Jesus affirms the tithe in Matthew 23:23.
• Giving starts with tithing, but must be supported by treating people with justice and mercy.

“If Jesus said to tithe, that alone is enough for me, Case Coves.” (Craig, 14:26)

4. Tithing Breaks My Fear And Builds My Faith [14:26]

• Referenced Malachi 3: test God by bringing the whole tithe, see if He won't “throw open the floodgates.”
• Contrasts two cycles:
  • World’s Cycle: God supplies → We consume → We lack → We fear
  • Kingdom Cycle: God supplies → We return (tithe) → God multiplies → Faith grows → We are generous
• Personal story: Craig tithed, was unexpectedly gifted a car, and began a journey of unexpected provision (including first home purchase).

“God can do more with 90% and his blessings than we can do with 100% on our own.” (Craig, 21:26)

5. Tithing Connects My Resources to Eternal Impact [21:52]

• Not just paying church bills; investing in life-changing ministry—turning temporary income into eternal consequences.
• Paul’s teaching: “You will be enriched in every way so you can always be generous.” (2 Corinthians 9:11)
• The church’s giving enables global ministries, Bible apps, food banks, local and global partners.
• Story: LifeNet in Africa—tithing supports lifesaving maternal and infant care training, raising survival rates dramatically.

“When we give what God has given to us through the church... you’re investing in eternity. The souls of people and the word of God.” (Craig, 25:40)

Kingdom Impact Stories [27:17]

• Life.Church partners with 165 local and global ministries making measurable impact.
• Example: LifeNet partnership—20,000 mothers and babies saved in 5 years through skills provided by gifts from tithing.

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On motivations:

  “If any of [salvation, guilt, blessing] are your motives. Pause and don’t tithe. Don’t tithe to earn your salvation. Don’t tithe to appease your guilt.” (Craig, 04:04)

• On Jesus and tithing:

  “You should tithe. Yes... but don’t neglect the more important things.” (Craig paraphrasing Jesus, 13:37)

• On the supernatural math of generosity:

  “God can do more with 90% and his blessings than we can do with 100% on our own.” (Craig, 21:26)

• On ultimate significance:

  “There are two things that live forever. The souls of man and the Word of God.” (Craig, 25:40)

Audience Challenge & Pastor’s Heart [30:02 – end]

• No guilt or pressure—giving is not a requirement for God’s love.

“You can still go to heaven and not tithe. ...He still loves you.” (Craig, 30:18)

• Craig encourages listeners to ask themselves: Do you want to honor God with what He entrusts to you?
• Prayer for hearts stirred toward generosity, not out of obligation but as an act of worship and response to God’s grace.

“If he never did another thing for me, he's already done more than enough for me to worship him with my first and my best. That's why I tithe.” (Craig, 30:57)

Key Timestamps

• [01:27 – 03:16] – Defining the tithe: maaser, returning first 10%
• [04:04 – 05:51] – Motives for tithing: what it’s not
• [06:35 – 21:48] – The Five Reasons Craig Tithes (core section)
  • [10:12] – Illustration: Putting God first with your budget
  • [14:26] – The fear cycle vs. faith cycle
  • [18:07] – Personal story: first tithe, unexpected provision
  • [21:52] – Tithing as an eternal investment
• [27:17 – 29:21] – Real-life impact: LifeNet maternal health testimony
• [30:02 – end] – Recap, pastoral encouragement, prayer of salvation

Tone and Closing

Craig’s approach is lighthearted and accessible, full of humility and practical wisdom. He disarms defensiveness, openly shares his own past doubts and “dumb” mistakes, and ultimately grounds everything in love, grace, and a biblical vision for irrational generosity.

For Listeners: Takeaway

Whether you tithe or not, you are loved and welcome in the community. Craig’s encouragement is to examine your motives and let God lead your generosity, trusting that investing in God’s kingdom will yield both material and eternal dividends beyond what you can plan or predict.