G. Brian Manning writes about the time when his five-year-old son had just graduated from wearing bow ties to neck ties. He was so proud to be dressed just like his Dad.

However, one Sunday morning, his son clutched his tie tightly, and asked with a panicked whisper, “Dad, why did the pastor say they’re going to collect the ties and offering?”

You can understand how a five-year-old might become confused about the biblical principle of tithing. However, as we become older we don’t have much of an excuse to remain ignorant on the subject.

“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”—Leviticus 27:30.