AHOSKIE – Tithing is long-standing practice among church members to contribute one-tenth of their earnings in an effort to help maintain the church.

However, as one local church has discovered, tithing is more than just money.

For the second straight year, members of Charity Baptist Church, located on Hill Street in Ahoskie, have participated in a “Tithing for Ten” program. During a candlelight ceremony held Dec. 16, church members each walked to the altar where they placed one, non-perishable food item and then set aside nine other items on the floor adjacent to the alter.

“At that time, each person stated that the one item placed on the altar was for our Lord and Maker while the other nine items were for them,” said Shirley Thompson. “Afterwards, all of the items (10 each from those participating) were collected and we are using them to arrange 10 gift boxes of food that will be donated to 10 needy families just in time for Christmas.’

Thompson added there was another avenue that church members used to offer a tithe to this outreach effort.

“Some chose to donate a monetary gift equivalent to 10 percent of their earnings,” she said. “That money was used to purchase one turkey for each of the 10 families.”

“The Lord doesn’t ask for much, only one-tenth of our earnings,” stated Edgar P. Williams, Pastor of Charity Baptist Church. “We are presenting these gifts as the Wise Men did during the birth of Jesus.”

Thompson said the church members nominated families that would benefit the most from the food baskets.

“They write down a name and we have a committee to look over those suggestions and select 10 recipients,” Thompson remarked. “We try to give the baskets to families rather than just one person. That way more people benefit from this.”

Thompson and other church members agreed this annual donation to those in need was in the true spirit of Christmas.

“God gave us his one and only son at this time of the year; we wanted to continue that by giving something as well,” she stressed. “The church is more than just these walls and a roof. We need to go out into our community and reach out to those who need this the most, and at the same time share the love that Christ has for all.”

Each of the 10 families will receive 19 canned goods, plus a full size frozen turkey and fresh collards. Delivery is scheduled for this week.

“We’re doing God’s work; this is what he wants us to do. We want to continue this Tithing for Temn program every year,” Thompson concluded.