Tithing:Test Me In This by Douglas Leblanc is book seven in the Thomas Nelson Ancient Practices series. The series takes a look at several aspects of many ancient religions with a slant towards how they apply to Christianity. In this book the topic is tithing. However, instead of a heavy, scholarly discussion about what tithing is and how it is to be acted out, Douglas Leblanc has decided to use his journalistic skills and set off across the country to tell the stories of several individuals that have made tithing an essential part of their lives.
I am not sure I would recommend this book to others as a book to learn about the practice of tithing. There is very little concrete discussion about what the ancient practice of tithing is or was. Occasionally there is some discussion of this, but it is brief and mixed inside people’s stories. Further, I find the theological messages within the book to be confusing and problematic. It is not the main message that you should tithe that I find problematic, but the overall sense that the book tries to to imply that if you tithe, God will grant you wealth. With that being said, I did enjoy reading the stories of those who Douglas Leblanc choose to interview. So, overall, I am not sure I would recommend this book unless perhaps it was in the bargain rack. I just don’t feel that in a series devoted to the ancient practices of religion that this book holds up its end of the deal.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
