Tithing or Giving

What does the Bible say about Christian Tithing?

Where does it come from? How much should a Christian give? Are we under law or not?

What is our understanding of tithing, giving, and or stewardship?

Where is the first place we see a tithe being given?

In Genesis 14:20 - We see Abram giving to Melchizedek a tenth of what Abram had taken from the people who had taken his nephew Lot.

What is a tithe? The word tithe means “tenth.” In Israel, everyone gave the same percentage but not the same amount. A person who makes $10,000 per year returns $1,000 in tithe. The person who makes $1 million per year returns $100,000. The rich person returns far more money, but it is the same percentage that the poor person pays.

I like this… it is fair. There is incentive to make more money.

But where do we start seeing a lot more of this? We start seeing this commanded in the giving of the law. In the Old Testament, tithing was instituted for Israel to support the priests who were not allowed to earn outside income (Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:20-24). The tribes of Israel gave from their own income, animals, and crops to support the Levitical priests who were busy serving God in their priestly roles.

Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. The tithe was like paying taxes.

Because Israel was a theocracy (a nation governed by God), the Levitical priests acted as the civil government. So the Levite's tithe (Leviticus 27:30-33) was something that is similar to today's income tax, as was a second annual tithe required by God to fund a national festival (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). Smaller taxes were also imposed on the people by the law (Leviticus 19:9-10; Exodus 23:10-11).

Thomas Schriener (Bible Scholar at Southern Seminary) writes on the matter, “Though we might assume that Old Testament Israel gave a total of 10 percent, it’s actually difficult to discern how much was given. We can’t debate the details in this short article, but some scholars think the Israelites gave 14 tithes over seven years, others believe they gave 12. Regardless, when we add the required tithes together, the amount certainly exceeded 10 percent. In fact, the number was probably somewhere around 20-30 percent per year.”1

 So… listen to this: The total giving required of the Israelites annually… was not 10 percent, but well over 20 percent. All that money was used to operate the nation.

The Old Testament Law required multiple tithes—one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land—which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent. 23.3 is the number we will see a lot of when studying this topic.

And this does not include the offerings (free-will) or other sacrifices that the people brought in…

Now… let’s stop and breath for just a moment…Do not let guilt or condemnation come in.

“But, have we been robbing God?”

Many churches teach that Christians are robbing God if they do not give a tithe. They use Malachi 3:8-10 to argue that believers are required to give a ten-percent tithe of their income in order to please God.

And it does say in Malachi 3:8 that the people were robbing God in “tithes,” and “offerings.” The work of God could not be done. The Levites were doing without. Festivals were not being paid for. Widows, orphans, and the poor were being left out… This was a serious matter at that time.

 But is this what the New Testament actually teaches us? Are New testament believers commanded to give 10 percent or 23.3 percent? And on top of this, must we give offerings as well?

“Are we still under the Old Testament Law, paying for a temple, for priests, for festivals…? Are we to bring the whole tithe into one storehouse… Which storehouse? The Jews had one storehouse.”

 No. We are not under this anymore. We are not under the Law. We do not have a temple, and we do not have festivals. It seems that the government has adopted this taxing practice, as we are now paying 20-30 percent of our money to keep the country going. And this taxing is suppose to be helping people, providing for the poor and elderly as well… “We will ask DOGE...”

But… The plain truth is that there is not one single instance where the apostles instruct New Testament believers to give a certain percentage. Instead, we are invited to give freely from the heart, not under pressure (2 Corinthians 9:7).

But someone stop me and say… “Wait now, hold on there… Jesus said to the religious leaders in Matthew 23:23 that it was good for them to tithe on everything… but they needed to practice justice and mercy, and faithfulness… along with their tithing… So you see there… Jesus said tithing should be done...”

Again… they were still under the Old Covenant. They were still under the Law. There was a temple, priests, festivals to support… Yes this was a good thing that God commanded for them.

All is fulfilled now. Jesus has fulfilled the Law. There is not more temple, no need for sacrifices, no need for those kinds of priests… and no festivals.

We are not under Law. We are not under the Old Covenant, or the sacrificial systems.

What are we under then? We are under grace.

Ok, so what are our guidelines for giving. Should we give? Yes we should give...

The guideline for our giving to God and His work is found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver."

Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32-37 – Believers were coming together and selling their property and possessions, and were sharing to all in need. This was way more than 10 percent.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 – On the first day of the week, Paul was directing the churches to take up a collection for the saints. They were to put some aside every first day of every week.

2 Corinthians 8:3 – Some gave according to their ability and beyond their ability…

So, what do we see in the New Testament?

People give freely… Churches took up collections on Sundays every week… This money will support the needs of other believers, help the poor, provide for ministers and ministries of the church.

Acts 6 - There were daily needs and daily provisions given out… People needed food. Widows needed food.

Acts 11:27-30 – The church in Antioch responds to a famine in Judea by sending relief (money, provisions) by Barnabas and Saul, to give to the pastors for distribution.

Romans 15:25-26 – Paul has intention to give aid to other believers and to the poor in Jerusalem.

1 Timothy 5:9-11 - Widows were put on a list, so that they could be identified and helped.

These are some ways that the church used the collections.

Also, the ministers/pastors were to be provided for:

Matthew 10:10 – Jesus says that the laborer/ministers/preacher is worthy of support. Paul states in 1 Cor. 9:14 – Those who proclaim the Gospel should get their living from the gospel. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 – Let the elders/pastors, be considered worthy of his wages.

What do we see? Money is going towards ministers and ministry…

Sometimes Paul and others had to work with their hands as they ministered because the churches/people did not have the means to give. Today there are many bi-vocational ministers.

But Giving is a Christian Practice and a Lifestyle: Christian ministry depends upon Christian giving. That giving always and everywhere limits the work of the ministry.

Ministry takes money. It takes resources. It takes sacrifice.

This is Kingdom Work and The Bible teaches that we are to invest in the Kingdom of God.

The Bible does not says that we are to spend millions upon millions for beautiful buildings, Cathedrals, and so on. I do not understand ministers owning a half dozen million dollar cars and flying on personal jets… I do not believe that this should be.

We should have good and safe buildings. We need safe and reliable vehicles in most places. But we are called to invest much in the Kingdom… not in materials that won’t last.

The most important investment we can ever make is in the Kingdom of God. Why? Because it has eternal returns. These returns are not just for us but also for our family, our children, our grandchildren, and beyond. This generation of Christians must invest in the things of God for the sake of the next generation. Souls are at stake.

This follows Jesus admonition: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).

We are called to be good stewards. The steward in the ancient culture was not the owner of the house. He was hired by the owner to manage his house affairs. He managed the property and was responsible to allocate the resources of the home.

Adam and Eve were stewards… all of God’s people are His stewards... we are stewards today. Everything is God’s. Nothing is really or absolutely mine. It is ultimately and absolutely God’s. My family, possessions, abilities, mind, money, and everything else belongs to God.

So, what am I saying to God… When I am not a cheerful giver? When I want to hoard, be greedy, never share or give anything to anyone? I am living as if this is mine and not God’s. I am jealous. I am committing idolatry. I am not loving others, which implies that I am not loving God…

When I am an active giver… I show that I am a Christian servant… And when I give… I will glorify God. When I give… I will love others. When I give… I keep money and possessions out of my heart. When I give… People are helped.

What are some Kingdom benefits of giving that are given to the giver?

Proverbs 11:25 –  A generous man will be prosperous… He who waters will himself be watered… Whoever brings a blessing will be enriched…He who refreshes will be refreshed…

Matthew 6:1-21 – When we give, the Lord will reward us… and we store up treasures in heaven…

Luke 6:38 – Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you…

2 Cor. 9:6-8 – Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly… and whoever sows generously will also reap generously…

The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the body of Christ.

 Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter (James 1:5). Above all, offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Now: If someone was to ask me today: “Hey Bro. Ryan… how much should I give to the church?” I would be inclined to tell them to aim at 10 percent… as a guideline for lifestyle practice.

They may ask: “Off the gross or the net?” Answer: What is the Lord leading you and you spouse to do? We are living by faith and in joy.

If someone says to me… “Should I pay my bills or tithe… “ I am going to say pay your bills and eat… And where do you live? I am going to drop off some groceries.

We are not under law. We are under grace. Freely we have received… Freely we give.

You are free to give from the heart… And worship God as you do so.

And the Lord loves it when we do. He loves a cheerful giver!