Take the 10% Pledge

At first, the pledge seemed unnecessary — the Bible already talks about a 10% tithe.

But most theologians agree that the tithe isn’t binding in the New Testament.

Without a clear, committed standard, our giving becomes fuzzy and optional. Like setting a weekly running goal, even if we don’t hit 100%, it gives structure to our growth.

Jesus said not to show off our giving (Matthew 6:3). Read more here.

But if we don't tell others about it, they won't hear about it or realize it's possible. Julia Wise's Giving Half article has inspired hundreds.

You can still take a pledge to give and do so anonymously (i.e., between you and God).

The Giving What We Can pledge seems focused on secular giving.

But you can pledge and give to whatever charity you believe does the most good. This may be a secular charity saving lives. This may also be a Christian missions charity.

The pledge simply helps you be intentional, not prescriptive.

10% is perhaps a very small amount. Doesn't everything belong to God?

But 10% is a wise and stretching standard across life stages. Students or the unemployed may adjust down; wealthy professionals and empty nesters might commit to more. What matters most is not how much you give — but how much you keep.

One can always take a trial pledge for a fixed amount of time. One can also make a pledge to give well over 10% away.

Earning to Give is a strategy where Christians pursue higher-earning careers with the explicit goal of giving away a substantial portion of their income to do good.

You don’t need to be wealthy to make a difference — but if God has given you talents that could earn you more, you may be in a powerful position to give more.

A typical American earning $60,000/year and donating 10% to an effective charity like the Against Malaria Foundation could help save dozens of lives across their lifetime. Those with especially high earning potential could do much more—saving many hundreds of lives, or supporting even more ambitious goals.