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Welcome to
The Tithing Tree and thank you for taking the time
to explore our site. We hope that our vision will further
inspire you to open your heart to the many ways you can make
a difference in our world.
For many people, Christmas is meant to be a
time when we rest, reflect, connect and give thanks. However
many experience Christmas as a time of increased anxiety,
overindulgence and excessive consumerism.
Imagine if some of that money could be directed
to more useful causes.
This is the idea behind The Tithing
Tree.
Let's set the scene. It is Christmas day and a family is gathered
for the gift giving part of the day. However what we find
is different…
Assembled are all
the family members in a circle. They take turns to share
their gift. Sixteen year old Tessa's gift to everyone is
a goat for a poor Guatemalan family. Next, Grandma shares
her gift to everyone - a prosthetic leg for an amputee.
Then Dad explains his gift of financial support to Greenfleet
- an organisation that plant trees to counteract emissions
from cars.
Each person takes a few minutes to share what it is about
their chosen organisation that inspires them. Some family
members exchange a small token - a candle, a packet of seeds
to plant, or some homemade biscuits.
How realistic is this new model of Christmas
giving? Its happening in different ways, and to different
degrees, as families are reminded that the true spirit of
Christmas is to grow by giving (see Testimonials).
In the past, Christmas was the time when we CONSUMED the most,
it can now be the time when we CONTRIBUTE the most.
And the good news is that it's actually easier
to make one simple tithe and create change in the world, than
it is to get caught up in the Christmas rush finding presents
for everyone. You may feel that you would miss the act of
giving or exchanging presents. See Making
it Work for some useful suggestions and different
combinations of Christmas giving.
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What is Tithing?
'Tithing' [tie-thing] predates
feudal times when people were required to give 10% of
their earnings to the church. In a contemporary context,
tithing is a conscious choice to contribute financially,
or in other ways, to something you believe in.
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The Tithing Tree is purely an inspirational
site. We provide links but do not collect money on behalf
of any organisations or individuals.
This site is available to view all
year.
You can tithe on any occasion.
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