There has been a long heated debate about whether Christians should tithe or not? Most are confused as the Bible provides us references in both the New and Old Testament. Who is required to give? How much should be given? How often does God want us to tithe? Although there are many scriptures to support tithing, I am going to focus on tithing in the New Testament. I will provide Old Testament scriptures that you can refer to at the conclusion of this article.
First, let’s begin with the question of who should tithe? Though not specifically mentioned in the New Testament of “who” is required to tithe, it is clear that God blesses a cheerful giver. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7). The way I have interpreted this scripture to mean is that God can bless anyone that is giving for the right motives.
Second, how much does God require us to tithe? In the New Testament God does not specify an amount to give as he did in the Old Testament about the 1/10 of one’s earnings. In the New Testament, he wants us to seek him and give according to the level of our faith. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (II Corinthians 9:6). This is a universal law that even “the world” lives by. Think of all of the charitable organizations that wealthy people donate to, and still have a surplus of money in their reserve.
Another parable given is: “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” This example shows ultimate trust in God that he can bless even out of our lack. This form of giving is called sacrificial giving.
Third, how often does God want us to tithe? God wants us to be very intentional about our tithing. He also desires that it be organized, and personal. “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (I Corinthians 16:2).
In closing, the Bible has a lot of “gray” area about tithing in the New Testament, however, God desires that we trust him to be the accountant over the finances that he has entrusted us with. He wants us to know that everything that we own is his. Our giving should be intentional. God doesn’t need our money, so he will reject our tithes if it is given out of fear or tradition. If we truly place our faith and trust in God over our finances, his blessings will be extended in both the natural and spiritual realm.
Additional References
Tithe before the Law:
• Genesis 14:20
• Genesis 28: 20-22
Tithe under the Law:
• Leviticus 27:30-32
*Not tithing considered robbing God (Malachi 3:8-9)
*Tithe given to support Levites and poor (Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29)
*All we possess is from the Lord and we are giving back to him (I Chronicles 29:14-16)
Attitude more important than the amount given
• Matthew 23:23
• Luke 11:42
• Luke 18: 10-14
Giving with the proper attitude / Lord accepting gifts
• Genesis 4:4
• Hebrews 11:4
• Philippians 4:18
Giving with wrong attitude/ Lord rejecting gifts
• Genesis 4:3-5
• Amos 4:4-6
• Amos 5:22, 24
• Amos 5: 25-27
• Malachi 2:13-14