- The Optimalist
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- Tithing and barbershops
I grew up super religious.
A big part of that religion was giving 10% of your income to the church.
It’s in the Biblical New Testament, after all.
But as I got older, I realized something: tithing doesn’t have to be about money.
It can be about talent.
Yesterday, I decided to test this theory.
Here’s the story:
I recently moved to a new area and needed a new barbershop.
My brother recommended this hole-in-the-wall kind of place run by an 80-ish year-old guy.
He’s been cutting hair for over 60 years but recently retired to this city last year and opened the shop to stay busy.
He’s amazing at what he does, but when I searched online for the shop—nothing.
No website, no Google profile, nothing. It was like the place didn’t exist.
In fact, my brother had to give me directions just to get there (“Turn right at the Dunkin’ Donuts and it’s right across from the fire station”).
So, I asked the owner of the shop about it.
He said, “I don’t know anything about computers or the Internet. I just cut hair.”
That’s fine, but he was sitting by himself in the barber chair when I showed up, no other customers in sight.
That’s when I realized I had an opportunity to help this guy get more business.
Tithe my talent.
I went home, spent a couple of hours, and made him an online presence.
I bought a domain on Squarespace for $14
Designed a log in Canva
Coded up a simple website in NextJS and hosted it on Vercel
Created a Gmail account and linked it to a Google Business Profile listed on Google Maps
Got my brother to give him a Google review and then added my own review
Then, I printed him a laminated cheat sheet with login details and a QR code for Google reviews, so his customers could easily leave feedback.
When I handed it to him today, the look on his face was well worth the work last night.
It was just a couple of hours of work for me, but for him, it could mean the difference between struggling to find customers and potentially being as busy as he wants to be.
People can find him now.
Big Idea
Tithing isn’t about money.
It’s about sharing your gifts with the world.
Your talent can change lives in ways you might not even realize.
If you can help someone with your skills and knowledge, that’s a moral imperative.
How to do this
If you want to start doing this too, here’s how you can start:
Find someone who needs help. Look for a local business, a friend, or even a stranger who could benefit from something you’re good at.
Offer your expertise freely. Don’t overthink it—just focus on solving one problem for them.
Make it simple. Even small actions can have a big impact. A website, a lesson, a kind gesture—it all adds up.
Feel the difference. There’s a unique satisfaction in giving something only you can offer.
In a world obsessed with making money, giving away a piece of your talent can be a superpower.
It’s a great way to ground you in the digital age and help you find your purpose.
So, get out there and tithe your talent.
It’ll feel better than you think.
Cheers,
Swanagan
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