God Has First Claim on Keyes

Kenneth S. Keyes of Florida, leading Realtor of the South, started tithing in the middle of the depression when things blew up in his face. He gave to God not with the idea that it would help him make more money but because he believed God had first claim on his life.

As God prospered his real estate business, he organized seven different corporations which sell and lease real estate, provide mortgages and manage property. In 1938 Keyes decided that his corporations would tithe also. Today the tithed moneys of all Keyes companies go into a foundation which has a charter provision which stipulates that 56–2/3 percent of all funds must go to evangelical Christian causes.

Keyes has increased his personal giving from the tithe of the founding years up to 30 percent today—which he has maintained for many years. On top of that, whenever his net worth exceeds one million dollars after these deductions, he gives more to bring his net worth down to one million—a figure he never intends to exceed.