Americans' charity toward their churches and other faith-based groups has been declining for the last decade and a half – down from 64% of U.S. adults in 2005 who gave to only 44% in 2020 and 2021, according to a Gallup poll released las week. That would include Christians tithing to their churches.
Christian author and apologist Dr. Alex McFarland contends Christian giving is in an even worse state than the Gallup poll would indicate.
"Studies show that over the last 25 to 30 years, really only about 5% of churchgoers tithe – and since COVID, that number seems to have even declined," he tells AFN.
The Gallup poll found that charitable giving to other causes shot up 10 points in 2021 alone. Three-quarters of Americans gave to non-church charities last year. McFarland explains that it's not that the Lord needs believers' money – but Christians are hurting themselves by not giving.
"People are missing a blessing," he emphasizes. "When you honor the Lord and you show that God is your source and that you trust Christ – that the same Savior you've trusted with your soul you're willing to trust with your finances – there is great blessing. God shows favor [and] increased prosperity when we obey him in our finances."
And faithfulness in giving, he argues, is an indication of an individual's spiritual health.
"I believe there's a direct correlation between Christian giving and the state of the Church in America," he concludes. "Tithing is not a financial issue. Fundamentally, primarily, tithing is a heart issue."
