The Mediating Role of Trust and Commitment in Tithing Behavior among Church Members in Rwanda

Joseph Sebahire
Adventist University of Africa (AUA)
Email: sebahirejoseph@gmail.com

Abstract: This study examines the mediating roles of trust and commitment regarding the relationship between organizational practices and tithing behavior among church members in Rwanda. Anchored in stewardship theory, rational choice theory, the theory of planned behavior, and resource-based view, the study adopts a quantitative cross-sectional design using survey data collected from 480 baptized members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Sequential mediation analysis using multiple regression indicates that church practices and member engagement significantly predict tithing behavior. These effects are partially mediated through trust and commitment, indicating that organizational practices influence giving both directly and indirectly through relational and attitudinal mechanisms. The findings extend nonprofit management literature by identifying trust and commitment as key psychological pathways through which managerial practices shape financial behavior in faith-based organizations. Practical implications for church leadership and nonprofit governance are discussed.