A tithe (/taɪð/; from Old English: teogoþa “tenth”) is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization (sometimes paid before or after tax deduction, it depends on the religion). Currently, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash or cheques, whereas historically, tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products. A liberal God desires free-will offerings (not less than the tithe). Generosity, on the other hand, describes the attribute of being bountiful or liberal in giving – to give willingly and liberally – usually, way above 10% for that matter. This article surveys the fundamental biblical principles underpinning the tithe and giving as imperatives of Christianity. It looks at the historical progression of tithing from the Old Testament covenant – to its complexus in the New Testament, where generosity is the priority. The conversation examines the theological linkage between financial giving as a spiritual discipline, divine provision, and the work of religious life. This work offers an organized understanding of the way in which these practices influence Christian stewardship of money and service to the community.
What are the scriptural bases for tithing and giving?
There are biblical principles that undergird giving and the support of the church through the tithe as well as the principle of generosity which are based on particular commands and precepts in the Old and New Testaments as a whole. The principle of tithing develops out of the Pentateuch’s pre-Mosaic references to tithing and organically gels into an organized demand within the covenant. Generosity, separate from the tithe, is an attitude that describes an aspect of the heart underlying Christian giving.
What Does the Old Testament Say About Tithing?
Tithing in the Old Testament is found in three stages: the period prior to Mosaic Law, Mosaic Law itself, and prophetic protest. The first instance of tithing in the Bible is that of Abraham, who after winning a battle, gave a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek, a priest-king of Salem (Genesis 14:18-20). This was an offering made freely in worship and acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. Jacob also vowed to tithe on all that he would get if God would take care of him (Genesis 28:20-22). These pre-Mosaic instances set a precedent of donating a tenth as an act of devotion.
Following the Law of Moses, the giving of tithes was formalized and was obligatory for the nation of Israel. There were in fact three separate tithes that were commanded to the Israelites:
- The Levitical Tithe: This tithe was commanded to be given to the Levites as an inheritance in return for the service they performed in the Tabernacle (Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-24). This was a tithe that went to maintain those who were involved in religious work, as the Levites had no allotment in the land.
- The Festival Tithe: The second tithe, the tithe of the feasts, was to be brought to Jerusalem and eaten by the worshiper and his/her family on the feast day and then ingested by the poor at Passover (Deuteronomy 14:22-27). This tithe promoted public worship and fellowship and gave families an opportunity to enjoy the presence of the Lord with their goods. If the person who brought the tithe had to travel too far to Jerusalem, he could exchange the tithe for money, carry the money to Jerusalem, then purchase food and drink in Jerusalem after arrival.
- The Poor Tithe: The third tithe was to support the poor, collected once every three years and kept in the local towns for the Levites, the strangers, the fatherless, and the widow in the community (Deuteronomy 14:28-29 and Deuteronomy 26:12-15). This one-tenth of produce was in fact the social welfare for many, and it was assurance from God of taking care of even the weakest in society – no Israelite would starve.
The ensemble of these three tithes presents a highly developed system of social support in the services of religion, cult, and service to the people. Prophetic cries for tithing in the Old Testament generally went out when Israel was not keeping these laws. The prophet Malachi had a harsh word for the Israelites who stopped giving God his tithe and offering, “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. Yet you are asking, ‘How have we robbed you?’ with tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8). Malachi linked tithing obedience to divine blessing and being spared from crop wilt. This prophetic stress on the obligation serves to underscore the importance of the command and its intimate connection to God’s faithfulness to the covenant.
What Does Generosity Look Like in the OT?
Generosity is also evident in the Old Testament, not only in the organized system of tithing but also in a variety of other ways of giving above and beyond the tithe. So these outpourings were quite spontaneous, gifts to the poor and offerings for special community needs.
- Freewill Offerings: Besides prescribed tithes, freewill offerings were an important part of the worship of God in the Old Testament. People could bring freewill offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings as tokens of gratitude, devotion, or repentance (Leviticus 1-7). For instance, when the tabernacle was being built, the people of Israel contributed so many materials and skilled manpower to work on it with a willing heart, that there was an excess for the work (Exodus 35:20-29, Exodus 36:5-7). Generous responses like this were above and beyond the Law.
- Charity to the Poor: Charity to the poor and destitute was another common form of generosity. In addition to the poor tithe, there were laws and customs which encouraged sympathy. The laws of gleaning, for example, required landowners to leave the edges of their fields unharvested and to not pick up any windfall grapes or olives, so that the poor and the foreigner might gather from them (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22). This meant that even the downtrodden members of society would have enough to eat, and that society was committed to generosity and social justice. Loaning money to the poor without interest and granting relief from debts in the Sabbatical year was another expression of generosity (Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 15:1-11).
- Donations for Community Projects: Generosity was also evident in donations to some local projects. Apart from the building of the tabernacle, there were occasions when the people donated for the maintenance of the temple and other public works. King David made liberal personal contributions and called upon the people to occupy a similar role in the building of the first temple (1 Chronicles 29:1-9). The scripture says: “The people gave generously and willingly of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious stones with great joy.” This generosity of giving reflects a sense of communal generosity that supports God’s work and community infrastructure.
What Does the New Testament Say About Tithing and Giving?
The New Testament has a different focus on tithing and generosity, but it does not hold to the legalistic percentage concept, but instead presents a lifestyle designed to affirm these three qualities of giving with joy in the excitement of grace. Though the command to give 10% of one’s income is not repeated in the New Testament for believers as it is for the Old Testament community of Israel, the principles of giving are reaffirmed and further developed.
Jesus taught the principle of tithe, but He also condemned the Pharisees for their emphasis on tithing, at the expense of the “weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42). He said: “You should have practiced the latter, yet without leaving the former undone.” This would mean that although tithing is good, it has to begin with a change in heart; tithing without sincere consideration for others does not pass muster. Jesus also honored the poor widow who gave two small copper coins, which were all she had, relative to the rich who made large gifts which were a small portion of their wealth (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4). This story illustrates that the worth of a gift is not what its cost, but the sacrifice and heart of the giver.
The apostle Paul delivers some of the clearest instruction on Christian giving, and it is all principle-based rather than a mandate on prescribed percentages. And in his letters, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to give “as they have been prosperous” but also “not reluctantly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver” (1 Corinthians 16:2, 2 Corinthians 9:7). This principle of proportionality means that giving should be in proportion to how much one has been given or has earned, which means it need not be a particular percentage. The motive of giving is the unexplainable gift of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15) and the grace bestowed upon the saints.
The early church was known for its radical generosity. In Acts, followers of Jesus sold their possessions and held everything in common, sharing with anyone who was in need, so that “there were no needy people among them” (Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32-35). This sharing in common reveals a deep love and oneness that allows them to truly meet each other’s needs. It may not be a prescriptive command for all Christians to dispose of all their possessions, but a demonstration of the Spirit of generosity that is concerned with community rather than self.
It also ties giving to the ministry and the Gospel message in the New Testament. Similar teaching by Paul is his telling the Corinthians to gather collections for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 8-9). And he says that “the one who is taught the word should share all good things with the one who teaches” (Galatians 6:6), and that “those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14), and that “those who rule well in the church should be considered worthy of double honor, particularly those who labor preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17-18). These passages lay the biblical foundation for the financial support of full-time ministry, through monetary gifts of those who believe.
What Are the Spiritual Rewards for Tithing and Generosity?
The spiritual dividends of tithing and giving far surpass an exercise in money management and affect several other dimensions of a believer’s spiritual life. These gains include learning to trust in God, tasting God’s blessings, cultivating a generous heart, and acknowledging that God owns all things.
- Learning to Trust in God: One of the main spiritual benefits is learning to trust in God. In the tithe and in other giving, faithful Christians show dependence on the provision of God over and above their own work and accumulated belongings. This godly gift pushes one to the limits of materialism and draws one into trusting God more directly that He will indeed meet and exceed all needs according to His riches (Philippians 4:19). It shifts people from a mentality of lack to one of overflow, acknowledging God as the source of all good.
- Divine Blessing: The miracle of divine blessing is often linked to giving by faith. In Malachi 3:10, we read, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. ‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” But this blessing is not just financial; it includes spiritual, relational, and physical well-being. New Testament teachings also indicate that generous giving brings spiritual fruit and a plenty of God’s grace (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). We don’t give to get, but giving is a worshipful response that invites God’s blessing and allows the giver to join in the work of His kingdom.
- Cultivating a Generous Heart: Generosity of the heart is another important result of the spiritual life. Cultivated regularly enough, particularly cheerfully and sacrificially, giving changes the character of the giver. It cultivates compassion, empathy, and unselfishness in the heart of the believer, thereby conforming to the generous nature of God. As they practice giving they also let go of the love of material possessions and begin to focus more on eternal values and the betterment of others. This process is ongoing; it is growing into who Christ is shaping us to be.
- Acknowledging God’s Ownership: Ownership of everything by God is a major Scriptural concept underlying tithing and generosity. According to the Bible, “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). Tithing and offerings are a way to honor God with what we own, because everything we have really belongs to Him. This realization produces humility and thankfulness, which changes the view from ownership to stewardship of what God owns. It aids believers in living for eternity’s values and makes men aware that the decisions they make concerning money all have eternal ramifications.
- Participating in God’s Mission: Further spiritual blessing is available in taking part in God’s mission. Your financial support enables the church, the missions, and the ministries that disseminate the Gospel and serve humanity. Givers partner with God in His redemptive work and help to grow the kingdom on earth. This relationship brings meaning and joy as they realize that their resources are being invested in eternity.
What Is Christian Financial Stewardship?
Christian stewardship is the dedication of time, talent, and treasure to the service of God and his people, understanding that giving of ourselves and our substance is the natural outcome of God’s grace and love towards us. It is about acknowledging that God owns all things and that his children are merely his managers. This is more than budgeting, but living a life where every financial decision made is in line with biblical principles and glorifies the Lord. Stewardship involves living wisely with resources for the glory of God, the support of His work, for personal and family needs, and to help those in need. It takes work, discipline, and a heart disposition of gratitude and obedience.
How Is the Firstfruit Concept Connected with the Tithe?
The firstfruit theory reflects tithing in that it emphasizes the giving to God the best, or the first portion of one’s increase. Firstfruits in the Old Testament were the first yield or offspring of animals, which were offered to the Lord from among the Israelites as an act of worship and in honor of His sovereignty and provision (Exodus 23:19, Proverbs 3:9-10). This ritual occurred before the first fruits were harvested, as they trusted that the rest would be furnished by God. Tithing, though a tenth, serves to illustrate the point that we are to put God first in our finances by giving Him the firstfruits of our income or harvest.
Difference Between Tithes and Offerings
Tithes and offerings in relation to tithing differ in that tithing has a predetermined amount, whereas offerings do not; they tend to be free-will. A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Offerings, on the other hand, are voluntary contributions over and above the tithe, made to support various activities such as the care of the poor, special projects, or as tokens of appreciation and worship. It means offerings are not some percentage (unless that is what the giver wants to give).
What’s the Connection Between Giving and My Personal Economic Health?
There’s benefit to giving as it affects your personal financial health; giving promotes discipline, contentment and a different view of what wealth really looks like. To give generously means giving away some of what one has, but the Bible teaches that by no means does that result in one’s impoverishment; rather, it can equate with wise stewardship and dependency upon divine provision. It also shifts the emphasis from accumulation to distribution, which may help decreasing consumers’ debt and encouraging responsible saving and consumption.
Should We Tithe as New Testament Believers?
Believers in the New Testament are divided as to whether tithing is even commanded of them at all. The New Testament does not command that the Mosaic Law’s 10% tithe be applied to Christians as a prescription, yet it is mentioned in the New Testament. Instead, it focuses on cheerful, generous, and sacrificial giving, motivated by grace and love (2 Corinthians 9:7). This is often accepted as a continuation of the tithe, while many consider it a challenge to give generously instead (whether something higher or lower than 10%), as prompted and able.
How Much Faith Has to Do With Giving Money Away?
Belief is an essential component in giving, since it compels trust in God as the giver for nourishing and enabling the giver. To give by faith is to trust that God will fulfill His Word in providing and blessing, even when the ‘numbers’ look inadequate. It is an obedient act which shows dependence on the faithfulness of God and not on one’s financial security. This kind of faith-filled donation approaches a mere transaction as an act of spiritual worship and trust.
What is the relationship between giving and worship?
The act of giving is related to worship in that we express worship to God in our giving as we acknowledge God’s sovereignty. Through believers’ giving of their resources, they recognize God as owner and provider of all things. In so doing, it is an outward manifestation of thankfulness, faith, and submission, and giving becomes a part of worship as much as prayer, praise, and service are. It’s a visual representation of one’s love and loyalty to the kingdom of God.
