Tithing Rewards Both Spiritual and Financial

Many churches of various denominations emphasize gifts of "time, talent and treasure," allowing some members to meet their biblical obligation with volunteer hours or other services.

One of the five pillars of Islam is zakat , which calls for contributing 2.5 percent of income. In the Jewish faith, the tradition of tzedakah focuses on "giving to be just or right" and not on meeting a specific goal for giving, said Rabbi Fred Reiner of Temple Sinai in Northwest Washington.

Kenneth Page, stake president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints churches in the District and Southern Maryland, said Mormons must tithe 10 percent of their "increase." The church lets individuals decide whether to tithe gross or net income.

Of the 4,500 members in the 12 churches that Page's stake includes, about 50 percent tithe at least 10 percent and an additional 25 percent give something above a regular offering. Page said tithing is considered a commandment just as much as not stealing and not lying are.

Many African American ministers believe the custom is so strong among their congregations because of the historic role of the church in social and political activism and because of generations of family tradition.

"People have grown up in the church, and they trust the church, and that goes a long way in terms of fundraising," said Rodney Jackson, president of the National Center for Black Philanthropy in the District.

Long before government programs were put in place to help the poor and the needy, black churches were responsible for assisting their congregations with everything from food and shelter during Reconstruction to legal help during the civil rights movement.

Money dropped into the offering plate wasn't just for the building fund. Black churches paid to help poor and disenfranchised citizens at a time when no other help was available, experts said.

The Rev. Granger Browning of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington said about 70 percent of his 15,000 members tithe, in part because they can see the good work the church is doing for the homeless, poor and addicted in the community.

"If you can convince them of a need, persons are very generous -- even those who are not wealthy," Browning said. "Especially older persons, senior citizens. They will always give to churches, and that has helped as the churches have been called to give as the government cuts back on some services."

But that view of tithing -- as biblical obligation and community service -- has given way in some churches to an emphasis on giving under the belief that the members will prosper financially in return.

"What we are seeing is more giving, but I wouldn't attribute it only to people adhering to the principle of tithing," said the Rev. Bucas Sterling, pastor of Kettering Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro. "There is also an increase in what is called 'prosperity ministry,' the approach that says the intention of God is for all of his children to be financially well off. Materialism is being promoted, in a way. The whole idea is that God wants them to have money."