Simply put, tithing is the act of donating 10% of income specifically to God through the church. The word “tithe” translates to one-tenth. It’s a commandment from the Old Testament, first mentioned in the book of Leviticus:
- “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord. If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord.”—Leviticus 27:30-32
Tithing was a commandment for the early Israelites under the Levitical law. It served multiple purposes, but it also reminded them that their earthly possessions did not belong to them. Learning about what tithing is in the Bible reminds us that all good things come from God, so everything we have is ultimately His. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” When we remember that everything ultimately belongs to the Lord, it becomes easier to hold our possessions loosely and be more generous with them.
Examples of Tithing in the Bible
There are beautiful illustrations of what tithing is in the Bible. In the Book of Mark, Jesus witnesses a widow give all that she had in the temple:
- “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’”—Mark 12:41-43
The New Testament church was built on the idea of extravagant generosity. In Acts, the early believers united to sell their possessions and divide them among anyone who was in need. This is one of the greatest examples of tithing in the Bible: giving away what God has given us. The believers recognized that their possessions belonged to the Lord, so they were willing to sell them to bless others and see God’s kingdom advanced.
- “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.”—Acts 2:44-45
Does Tithing Still Apply Today?
The Old Testament set the standard for what tithing is, but believers are not required to follow it since we do not live under the Levitical law. When Jesus came and died for our sins, He established a new covenant that freed us from the law. Now, He calls us to first love God and to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). Generosity is one way we can actively follow Jesus’ call to love God and each other.
God calls us not to ask, “How much am I required to give?” but rather, “How much can I give?” True generosity comes from a fullness of spirit and joyful gratitude. It’s one way we practice obedience and communicate our love for Jesus. Practically, tithing deepens our relationship with the Lord in three ways:
- Helps us practice obedience and trust.
- Supports the ministry and outreach of the local church.
- Expresses gratitude to God for His blessings and provision.
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Do I Have to Give All My Tithe to the Church?
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”—Malachi 3:10
The verse from Malachi has been interpreted by many to indicate that all tithes should first go to the local church. However, there is much debate regarding the accuracy of that interpretation. Some have read that verse to speak directly toward the nation of Israel, calling them back to a focus on God, who will bless the nation based on their dedication to Him. This interpretation would suggest that it is more descriptive and not prescriptive in how we are to live today.
Verses about tithing in the Bible teach that your gifts should align with your heart, how God is leading you, and what your local church recommends. The money you give to a church is used for a variety of ministries, such as community outreach, mission trips, investing in the next generation, and of course, the necessities of keeping the lights on and the bills paid. Your generosity allows the local church to be faithful to what God has called them to do.
If there are ministries you believe in or causes you are passionate about, then make giving to them a part of your routine along with your gifts to the church. Blessing those who are helping others is always a good decision, and the gift is ultimately in the act of giving.
How Much Should You Tithe?
Many Christians have adopted the biblical example of tithing 10% of their income. The reality is that tithing 10% may cause severe financial distress for many people, while it would hardly feel like a sacrifice for others. While we can’t tell you what is right for your situation, here is some advice you can use when determining how much to tithe.
- Pray about it. If God wants a specific from you, He will let you know. Trust that He will guide you in what tithing should look like for your life situation.
- Examine your own heart. If the concept of giving 10% gives you anxiety, it might be time to evaluate what you are holding onto. Tithing requires sacrifice. Give enough to stir your heart, and trust that God will have the rest.
When thinking about how much you should tithe, remember that God wants your heart far more than any amount of money. Through generosity, we can release our grasp on money and instead draw near to Him.
What Next?
Ultimately, the act of tithing exposes the condition of our hearts. Generosity cannot earn us salvation. Instead, our love and commitment to Jesus inspire us to give generously. At Abundant Life, we define generosity as giving away what God has given us. The time, talents, and treasures we have are not ours to begin with. Living generously blesses our church, our city, and our world.
Wherever you are, we invite you to live on a mission with us and be living proof of a loving God to a watching world through tithing. As you learn about what tithing is, ask God to reveal what He might be asking you to give so you can live a generous and abundant life in Him. If Abundant Life is your church home, learn about three ways you can give to support the ministry.
To learn practical skills for managing money from a biblical perspective, sign up to attend a Financial Peace University class online!