Meet David Green: The American Billionaire Who Believed In Tithing And Isn’t Shy About His Faith

Many have often argued about the role of tithing in business success, especially when it concerns Christians. Some have even asserted that paying tithes makes one go down the drain, citing it isn’t an expedient business principle. On the contrary, the life and success of American billionaire, David Green has proven otherwise.

Tithe payers consider a tenth of their earnings(revenues) a portion met for God. This idea seems to confound many business ethics. Ideally, it is unwise not to plow back the majority of your earnings into your business, while also saving a portion. This has been one of the reasons the principle of tithing has been greatly discouraged.

The story of David Green has been greatly inspirational to Christians who believe in tithing. There is barely a good story without storms. Green as a young man grew up in a home with financial challenges, but with the principle of tithing and his belief in God, had successfully weathered those storms.

Green was born to a family of Christians. His five siblings are either pastors or married to pastors. His father was a pastor who preached in small congregations. David recounts his mom leaving him with a legacy of tithing and giving, even though their father’s pastoral ministry brought little income home.

In 1970, David and his wife Babara Green took a bold step of faith to borrow a loan of $600 to finance the startup of Hobby Lobby – a arts and crafts store.

Nearly two years after its inception they opened a second store. According to Green, Hobby Lobby was established on the principle of honoring the Lord in all they do – by operating in a manner consistent with Biblical principles.

Today, according to him, this has been the secret of how he has successfully amassed over $7.6 billion in 51 years later.

Green once stated that God’s grace and provision have kept Hobby Lobby in business, and not his business philosophy or the large workforce of over 40,000 employees, thereby giving God all the credit.

Unlike many Christian businessmen, Green isn’t shy about his faith. He one time asserted that he had led about 15 of his managers to God, amongst several hundred employees. Green as a billionaire has been known to be all out for his savior – Jesus Christ.

Besides being very vocal for the gospel, Green and his family are regular tithe payers. He also donates the majority of his earnings to evangelical churches to propagate the gospel. As of 2012, Forbes reported that he had donated over US$ 500 million to Churches, making him the highest donor to churches in the United States.

However, In 2012 he faced a business-ending situation. As part of the Obamacare policy, Green was met to make provision for Abortion pills for employees, or risk paying a fine of $1.3 million daily. He opted against the decision to meet the demands of the health policy, claiming it was against his faith. Instead, he chose to pay the fine.

That decision alone could eventually make his company bankrupt at the time. As his usual dogma, Green remained faithful doing what he felt was right. He and his family chose to put their trust in God, and that according to him paid off greatly.

The case was taken to court, and in 2014, Hobby Lobby won four days before the payment of the daily fine could commence. 

Like John Rockefeller, the American wealthiest man in history; who consistently indulged in tithing, the life of Green has also proven that tithe payers are hugely rewarded by God.