A Time to Return – Why I Wrote It

A Time to Return was released this week! While I’m thrilled that the book is finally out, my true hope and prayer is that its message will be used by God to help others more fully follow Him through a deeper understanding of the tithe.

For me, since learning about the word tithe, it has never been limited to 10% of my income flowing to the local church. It represents far more than that. It’s the word I wear on my jersey day in and day out—whether I’m representing Tithe Lending or Tithe Foundation. It’s something that has completely captured my heart. It has given my work true purpose and meaning, becoming a lifeline that has led me into blessings I never could have manufactured on my own:

• The peace that comes with trusting the Lord.

• The comfort of knowing He is my provider.

• The assurance of things unseen, rooted in faith.

• The groundedness of obedience.

• The joy that flows from gratitude.

Returning to the Lord through the tithe opens our eyes to His presence in every part of life. For those who practice faithful tithing, it becomes obvious that this is not really about money. From the outside, it looks like it’s about money—but if we listen to the words of Jesus, and we learn from the tests that are ever-present in this world, we begin to see why this simple and often misunderstood principle helps us live fully devoted lives to Christ.

In the book, I walk through several of the Biblical tests that tithing helps us pass. Let me share one entire chapter here as a teaser for what’s inside:

CHAPTER 3 | The Ten Plagues—A Test of Pride

In the book of Exodus, God sends ten devastating plagues upon Egypt—not because He needed ten tries to free the Israelites, but because He was testing Pharaoh’s heart. Each plague directly challenged the authority of Egypt’s false gods, exposing them as powerless in the face of the one true God. This wasn’t just about freeing slaves—it was about confronting pride, rebellion, and misplaced worship. And each time Pharaoh was given a chance to humble himself, he refused. He clung to control, hardened his heart, and ultimately paid the price.

The progression of the plagues tells a story of escalating confrontation between divine authority and human pride. The first plague turned the Nile—Egypt’s lifeline and a symbol of their god Hapi—into blood. The second brought frogs, mocking the goddess Heqet. The third brought gnats, challenging the priests’ ability to perform their rituals in a state of ceremonial cleanliness. With each plague, God was systematically dismantling the Egyptian pantheon, proving that their gods were nothing more than carved stone and human imagination.

But here’s what strikes me most about this account: after each plague, Pharaoh had moments of apparent repentance. He would call for Moses and Aaron, promise to let the people go, and even ask them to pray for him. But as soon as the pressure lifted, he would change his mind and harden his heart again. This wasn’t just stubbornness—it was a pattern of spiritual pride that couldn’t bear the thought of submitting to authority beyond itself.

Pharaoh’s pride manifested in a very specific way: he kept trying to negotiate with God. He offered compromises—let the men go, but keep the women and children. Let everyone go, but leave the livestock. Go, but don’t go too far. These weren’t genuine attempts at obedience; they were attempts to maintain control while appearing to comply. Pharaoh wanted to give God just enough to make the problems go away, but not enough to actually surrender his authority.

The lesson is clear: when God tests us, He isn’t trying to take something from us—He’s trying to free us. Pharaoh’s downfall was pride. He believed he could maintain power, resist God, and still hold on to everything he valued. But in the end, pride cost him everything.

I know that test all too well. While my modern life looked different from ancient Egypt, the spirit of Pharaoh still lurked in my heart. Pharaohs saw themselves as divine guardians of order, masters of their own fate. I wouldn’t have claimed to be a god, but I certainly took pride in my ability to control outcomes.

Throughout my career, I prided myself on navigating complexity, solving problems, making smart decisions, and leading others through chaos. That ability opened doors and earned respect, but it also became a spiritual trap.

The corporate world rewards this kind of thinking. We’re taught to trust our instincts, rely on our expertise, and take credit for our successes. Performance reviews don’t include categories for “dependence on God” or “recognition of divine provision.” Instead, they measure our ability to deliver results through our own capabilities. Over time, this environment shaped my identity. I began to see myself as the primary architect of my success, the one responsible for generating the outcomes that mattered.

This pride wasn’t overt or obviously sinful. It was subtle, professional, and socially acceptable. I wasn’t boasting or being arrogant in obvious ways. I was simply operating from the assumption that my intelligence, work ethic, and decision-making ability were the primary factors in my financial success. This assumption felt reasonable, even responsible. But it was actually a form of practical atheism—living as if God’s role in my life was minimal and my role was maximum.

When it came to my finances—especially giving—I wanted to stay in control. After all, it was my money. I had earned it, managed it, and multiplied it. Why should I hand over ten percent to God on principle? I figured I could give on my terms, in my time, to my causes. Surely my wisdom in giving would be just as effective as God’s command to tithe.

This reasoning felt sophisticated and strategic. I convinced myself that I could be more effective with my giving if I researched the causes, timed the donations for maximum tax benefit, and chose recipients based on my personal values and interests. The tithe seemed rigid and outdated compared to my thoughtful, customized approach to generosity.

But underneath this rational veneer was the same spirit that drove Pharaoh to negotiate with God. I was trying to maintain control over my resources while appearing to be generous. I wanted to give God enough to feel good about my spirituality, but not enough to actually surrender my financial autonomy. I was attempting to be both generous and sovereign—a contradiction that reveals the depth of pride in the human heart.

The irony is that my “strategic” approach to giving actually produced less generosity than simple obedience would have. When I controlled the timing, I delayed. When I controlled the amount, I gave less. When I controlled the recipients, I chose based on my comfort level rather than God’s direction. My pride, disguised as wisdom, was actually limiting my ability to be the generous person I claimed to want to be.

But I was wrong. That mindset, though logical on the surface, was rooted in the same pride that plagued Pharaoh. It took me years to realize that my desire to stay in control was actually keeping me in bondage. My refusal to submit to God’s instruction wasn’t just disobedience—it was self-deception. I thought I was preserving my power, but I was actually forfeiting peace.

The bondage of financial pride is particularly insidious because it masquerades as responsibility. We tell ourselves we’re being good stewards when we’re actually being controlling. We convince ourselves we’re being wise when we’re actually being fearful. We believe we’re being generous when we’re actually being selective. This self-deception can persist for years because it’s reinforced by a culture that celebrates financial independence and personal control.

But here’s what I discovered: the anxiety that comes with financial control is exhausting. When you believe you’re responsible for generating, protecting, and directing all your resources, the pressure is overwhelming. Every market fluctuation becomes a personal threat. Every unexpected expense becomes a crisis. Every financial decision carries the weight of your entire future. This isn’t freedom—it’s slavery disguised as autonomy.

I can now say from experience: there is freedom in surrender. Tithing isn’t about loss—it’s about trust. When I finally released my grip and honored God with the first ten percent of my income, I didn’t feel depleted. I felt liberated. The anxiety, the pressure, the illusion of self-sufficiency—all of it began to fade.

The freedom came not just from the act of giving, but from the acknowledgment that God was the true source of my provision. When I tithed, I was declaring that my income didn’t originate with my abilities but with His blessing. This shift in perspective transformed not just my giving, but my entire relationship with money. I began to see my resources as tools for worship rather than monuments to my success.

If you’re standing at that crossroads—where your pride meets God’s test—don’t wait. Don’t go the way of Pharaoh. Don’t cling to what you can’t keep and miss out on what only God can give. Pass the test. Choose freedom. Surrender to the One who’s not trying to take from you, but trying to lead you into something far better.”

That’s just one short chapter—but it illustrates why I believe the tithe is such a powerful spiritual test. It’s not about subtraction; it’s about surrender. And when we surrender, we discover freedom. To grab the book and read more about how the test of the tithe helps us in our daily walk with God click the button below.

-Mark 

The Tithe - A Guard for Our Heart?

Protection for My Heart

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

This verse isn’t casual. It’s not a suggestion to “check in” with your heart once in a while. It’s a clear, urgent instruction: “Above all else.” That means this is priority number one.

Why? Because everything in your life—every word, every decision, every action—flows from the condition of your heart. And that’s why God cares so much about it. It’s the command center of our soul. Jesus knew this, which is why He tied our hearts so directly to our treasure.

Let’s start by looking at how God designed the physical heart. Here’s a summary from Harvard Medical School:

“The heart beats about 2.5 billion times in a lifetime, pushing millions of gallons of blood to every part of the body. This flow carries oxygen, fuel, hormones, and essential cells, while also removing waste. When the heart stops, vital functions fail—some almost immediately.”
 

Let’s break that down. Here’s what we learn from the physical heart:

1. It delivers life-giving nutrients to every part of the body.

2. If it fails, the body shuts down—instantly in many cases.

3. Poor habits (diet, inactivity, smoking) can damage it.

4. Buildup of harmful “gunk” (plaque) can clog the flow.

5. Healthy habits practiced early help prevent future issues.

6. Even if we’ve gone down the wrong path, course correction is possible.

Now let’s consider this: If the condition of our physical heart is that critical, what about our spiritual heart? The principles are the same. And if left unguarded, both can be damaged—by poor inputs, by neglect, by compromise.

The Spiritual Heart Mirror

Jesus' teaching on treasure and Solomon’s instruction in Proverbs both emphasize that your spiritual heart is the source of life. If it’s clogged—by greed, distraction, bitterness, or misplaced trust—the flow of your spiritual life is disrupted.

And here’s the good news: just like with your physical heart, there are healthy habits that protect and restore your spiritual heart. I believe tithing is one of the most powerful of those habits.

How the Tithe Mirrors Healthy Heart Habits

1. It’s Spiritual Exercise

Think of the tithe like a workout plan. You don’t get in shape by exercising once a year. It’s consistent, intentional, and builds over time. When you tithe regularly—whether from a salary, wages, or business—you are practicing discipline that strengthens your heart toward God.

As your income grows, your giving grows. And just like building muscle, the impact compounds. It aligns your priorities, shapes your habits, and trains your heart to put God first.

2. It Brings You Close to the Body

Where your treasure is, your heart will be also—and so will your presence. When we tithe into our local church, we become more connected to that community. We begin to care more. We show up more. We serve more.

Over time, it becomes a natural rhythm: giving, worshipping, growing, living life with others who are also aligning their hearts with God’s. Your heart grows toward the Kingdom when your treasure flows toward it.

3. It Turns the Physical Into the Eternal

In John 6, Jesus tells us His flesh is real food and His blood real drink. This wasn’t about physical nourishment—it was about eternal sustenance.

Likewise, when we tithe, we take something physical—a paycheck—and turn it into something spiritual. It’s not just charity. It’s worship. It’s declaration. It’s acknowledgment that God is our provider. And when we give, He uses it to impact eternity.

4. It’s a Prescription for Spiritual Flow

When the physical heart has blockages, doctors prescribe medications, new diets, or even surgeries to restore flow. Spiritually, when we’re clogged—by worry, pride, self-reliance—the tithe acts like a prescription to restore our connection to the Source.

By returning a portion to God first, we re-establish a proper flow in our spiritual lives. The result? Clarity. Peace. Purpose. Alignment. We stop hoarding and start trusting. We stop striving and start resting in God’s provision.

Final Thoughts

God doesn’t need your money. He wants your heart. And He knows how tied those two things are.

If everything in life flows from the heart, then we should be eager to guard it. And few practices protect the heart better than the consistent, faithful, joyful act of tithing. It cleanses, realigns, restores, and refocuses us on the One who gives us life in the first place.

So, guard your heart. Not just with words, but with your worship. Let your giving be part of your spiritual fitness routine—a habit that keeps your heart pumping strong for the Kingdom of God.

-Mark

Need to Be Refreshed? Freely Give!

Last night, we had an incredible evening with our Tithe Foundation community. The growth we’re experiencing isn’t just exciting—it’s 100% fueled by the Holy Spirit. I’ve never had more joy than identifying opportunities to support our amazing nonprofit partners and watching the Body of Christ come together to provide exactly what’s needed in their ministries.

What’s most striking about this mission of generosity is that it doesn’t feel like a burden to anyone involved. Instead, these nights of giving have become some of the most joyful moments we share. We’re not gathering to receive, but to give—and somehow, that act of giving fills us in a way no paycheck, promotion, or award ever could.

There’s something deeply spiritual about freely giving. It connects our hearts to the Father, who has already given us everything, including life itself. Scripture confirms this truth:

• "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." — Proverbs 11:25 

• "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” — Acts 20:35 

• "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." — 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 

Fulfillment, refreshment, and joy aren’t hidden from us. They are made plain in Scripture, and we see them play out in our lives when we give freely.

So here’s my encouragement to you this weekend:

• If you’re feeling discouraged, drained, or just sluggish—find someone to bless as quickly as possible. Shift your focus outward and love your neighbor freely. Your mood will shift, I’m sure of it.

• If you’ve had a blessed week, let your cup overflow. Pour into someone else’s life. Adding momentum to the good things happening in your life will never be something you regret.

Freely give, just as you have received. There is real power in using our time, talent, and treasure—especially when we use them for another.

-Mark