Allow me to share my understanding of tithing — sort of a  layman’s point of view. How it is important to me personally and to the community.

I’ll present this reflection in two parts:

• The importance of tithing on a Personal level
• The importance of tithing on a Community level

Let me start by calling tithing “God’s Covenant.”

I’m a graduate of BCLP 10, Batch 10 of BCBP. In 2024, I had the privilege of serving as part of the governance team. In those few months, I came to understand the inner workings of our community much more deeply.

Back when I was just a member, I used to think that the most important directorates were Mission and Formation—of course, aside from the Chapter Head. It’s only now that I realized there are actually three pillars. Alongside Mission and Formation is an equally important pillar: the Treasury.

It’s the Treasury that breathes life into the programs and plans of the community. That’s how vital the role of a Chapter Treasurer is—it keeps the programs and plans of the community alive and kicking.

Tithes on a Personal Level

Let me start by asking you: Why do you give tithes?

If we follow this formula: [INCOME] – [TITHES] – [SAVINGS] = MONTHLY EXPENSES

…then it shows clearly that God comes first before everything else.

Now, that’s fine when your income is stable or positive. But what if it’s not? What if you’re experiencing a shortfall?

Let’s be clear—God won’t hand you cash directly from heaven. But He will move through people, situations, and circumstances to meet your needs. That’s why we need to be constantly aware of His presence. And how do we stay attuned? Through daily prayer, by staying connected with Him, and by fulfilling our commitments thru the commitment card—like the ones we declare during National Thanksgiving.

Another question: Is it mandatory to give exactly 10%?

Just Give what you can. But ideally, give from the heart, not just from your excess. Remember the story of The Widow’s Offering in Mark 12:41-44. She gave out of her poverty, and her gift pleased the Lord more than all the others who gave out of abundance.¹

Tithes on a Community Level

In my early years with BCBP, I already knew tithing was important. But it was only when I joined the governance team that I saw how crucial it truly is.

Every time a directorate plans a program, the first question they ask the treasurer is: “May budget ba tayo?” That’s when I realized—tithing is not just important… it’s VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

Let me make an analogy:

Imagine a five-star restaurant. The chef may have a world-class recipe, but without fire, the dish can’t be cooked. Same goes for the community. No matter how noble the plans of the Chapter Head and the governance team, if there’s no tithing—those plans remain just ideas on paper.

Even if there is fire, but some ingredients are missing, the dish won’t taste as good. Yes, we get to taste the dish that the chef cooked, but there seems to be something lacking, the taste is different. 

This also holds true for community tithes. While the Governance Team will undoubtedly contribute, what happens if not everyone participates? The consequence could be the underfunding and incomplete realization of the various directorate programs² which include:

• Instead of two CLPs, Mission might only be able to run one.
• Formation might invite local speakers instead of national ones.
• Programs & Services might distribute leaflets instead of putting up billboard.
• The Communications and Digital, instead of  Laptop, baka typewriter nalang muna ang bilhin. 
• Family and Life and other ministries,  may have to shelve their initiatives due to lack of funds.

But imagine this: what if there is fire, and all the ingredients are there—even the secret ones?

Imagine, the kaleidoscope of flavors bursting in your mouth once you taste that dish! Your brain will be on overdrive processing such sensation, the rich, explosive taste of that dish!

Now imagine: what if 100% of us tithed regularly?

Imagine the possibilities for Kalibo Chapter. The impact on our programs. The support for our ministries. The growth of our mission. It will be like a well-cooked meal, prepared with love, complete in flavor, and ready to nourish everyone.

Honestly, the Chapter Head and I are in the same boat—we’re both living on a prayer. Relying on God’s provision. But God will not descend from heaven to hand Chapter Head Gerome the money. Instead, He uses people—He uses us.³

Wouldn’t it be beautiful to allow ourselves to be the people God uses? Through regular tithing, we not only express our gratitude and trust, but we also empower the community to fulfill its vision and mission.

Lastly, let me share with you this verse:

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

Malachi 3:10

Mind you, this is the only time God allowed us to test Him.

So, what do you think, should we try and test Him?

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1. Jesus’ explanation was that “They (the rich) all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” The rich gave from their abundance, a portion that they wouldn’t miss, while the widow gave her entire livelihood, a true sacrifice. ↩︎
2. Member support will allow the various ministries to do more. A sample of accomplishments from last year is referenced here after consistently hitting 100% of member Tithes. ↩︎
3. Read CH Jerome’s take on Tithing here. ↩︎