Thinking about tithing time

I've been considering the idea of a time tithe. Not really as a strict, legalistic issue of giving to God every 10% that I have, but more as a disciplined practice that I can instill in my day to remember that all the time I have is a gift from God.

That led me down a few rabbit hole questions:

1 - How much do I tithe?

There are (not very many) resources about tithing time, with some advocating tithing the portion of time we're awake (24 hours in a day - 8 hours of sleep = 16 hours; a tithe would be 1.6 hours) and some advocating for tithing all 24 hours (a tithe would be 2.4 hours). I see this question as being the same as 'do I tithe my pre-tax or after-tax income?'. Honestly, I don't think it actually matters. God doesn't need our money, and He doesn't need our time either. As long as I do what the Spirit leads me to do and I feel peace about it, then it's all good. Personally, I believe it's all God's so I'd tithe based on 24 hours: 2 hours and 20 mins a day.

2 - Isn't the Sabbath a tithe?

It could be. There's a calculation I found online to advocate for the Sabbath being a tithe:

24 hours in a day X 7 days in a week = 168 hours in a week.

24 hours in a day - 7 or 8 hours of sleep = 16 to 17 waking hours = one day in waking hours

16 to 17 waking hours is 10% of 168 hours, therefore taking the Sabbath is technically a tithe of the week (accounting only for waking hours).

The calculation makes sense. But if I were to look at what the tithe is used for (support for the Levites, upkeep of the temple), I don't know if that's what I use my Sabbath for. Personally, I use my Sabbath like the 2nd tithe (the one for festivals and celebration). Also, to tithe in a lump sum after a whole week (when my 24 hours get given to me daily) would be like me trying to tithe after getting 3 months worth of pay. It would be difficult!

So personally, I'd probably tithe daily and actually give the hours away, to 'the Levites' or for the 'upkeep of the temple'.

(Note: see Deu 14:22-29 for all things about tithing)

3 - What do I do during that time?

Hmmm, this one is something I'm still pondering. But along the lines of what the financial tithe is used for, I'd say caring for the Levites would translate to loving my neighbour as myself. So perhaps, the coffee chat I have with a friend who is in need of a listening ear would count as a tithe. Being generous with my words, my actions, and in this case, my time - it would count as an act of tithing. After all, tithing is an act of giving that's planned.

Another use of the tithe is 'upkeep of the temple'. For me personally, I translate this as taking care of my relationship with Him, whatever shape and form that may take. Quiet time, prayer, bible study, etc. I think. As I said, something I'm still pondering.

4 - Doesn't ALL my time belong to God?
YES! In the same way ALL my finances and everything I have belongs to God. But He has given it to me to manage and use as I see fit. Similar to how I want to manage all my financial resources wisely but can intentionally set aside a portion to give away, I want to also intentionally set aside a portion of my time back to God.

5 - Am I going to practice it?

At this stage, I'm not quite decided. I'm going to evaluate my activities and track the time I spend on things I would consider as a part of my tithe. Depending on what activities 'qualify', I might already be tithing without knowing it (especially since I would count my quiet time as a tithe - there's an hour already). But then again, I might not be - an hour of quiet time is less than half of the 2.4 hours required daily!

Watch this space; I will have to write about it once I have some data collected 😁