A tithe (pronounced tie-th) is one-tenth part of one's income. Tithing, or giving a tithe, goes back to ancient times, even before the days of Moses.
The definition of tithe from the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church explains the term as "the tenth part of all fruits and profits due to God and thus to the church for the maintenance of its ministry." The early church depended on tithes and offerings to operate as does the local church to this day.
The Definition of Tithe in the Old Testament
The first instance of tithing is found in Genesis 14:18-20, with Abraham giving a tenth of his possessions to Melchizedek, the mysterious King of Salem. The passage does not shed light on why Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, but some scholars believe Melchizedek was a type ofChrist. The tenth Abraham gave represented the whole--everything he had. In giving the tithe, Abraham simply acknowledged that everything he had belonged to God.
After God appeared to Jacob in a dream at Bethel, beginning in Genesis 28:20, Jacob made a vow: If God would be with him, keep him safe, give him food and clothes to wear, and become his God, then of all that God gave him, Jacob would give back a tenth.
Paying tithes was an essential part of Jewish religious worship. We find the concept of tithing predominantly in the books of Leviticus, Numbers, and particularly Deuteronomy. Mosaic law required that the Israelites give one-tenth of the produce of their land and livestock, the tithe, to support the Levitical priesthood:
"Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.If a man wishes to redeem some of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it.And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to the Lord. One shall not differentiate between good or bad, neither shall he make a substitute for it; and if he does substitute for it, then both it and the substitute shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed." (Leviticus 27:30–33, ESV)
In the days of Hezekiah, one of the first signs of the people's spiritual reform was their eagerness to present their tithes:
As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.
And the people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things that had been dedicated to the Lord their God, and laid them in heaps. (2 Chronicles 31:5-6, ESV)
New Testament Tithing
New Testament mentions of the tithe most often take place when Jesus rebukes the Pharisees:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." (Matthew 23:23, ESV)
The early church had differing opinions on the practice of tithing. Some sought to separate from the legalistic practices of Judaism while others wished to honor and continue the ancient traditions of the priesthood.
Tithing has changed since biblical times, but the concept of setting aside a tenth of one’s income or goods for use in the church has remained. This is because the principle of giving to support the church continued in the Gospel:
Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? (1 Corinthians 9:13, ESV)
Today, when the offering plate is passed during worship, many Christians donate ten percent of their income, to support their church, the pastor's needs, and missionary work. But believers continue to be divided on the practice. While some churches teach that giving a tenth is biblical and important, they maintain that tithing should not become a legalistic obligation.
For this reason, some Christians view New Testament tithing as a starting point, or minimum, for givingas a sign that everything they have belongs to God. They say the motive for giving ought to be even greater now than in Old Testament times, and thus, believers ought to go above and beyond the ancient practices of consecrating themselves and their wealth to God.
FAQs
Tithing is when you give 10% of your income to your local church, and offerings are anything given beyond your tithe. There are several verses in the Bible that talk about tithing. Tithing is a way to show that we trust God with our lives and our finances.
What happens if you don't have enough to tithe? ›
If you can't afford to tithe due to a tight budget, you can always volunteer your time and talents, says Deborah L. Meyer, CPA/PFS, CFP®, and the author of Redefining Family Wealth: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Living. “Giving both your money and your time are forms of tithing,” Meyer explained.
How much is enough to tithe? ›
A tithe is 10%. But Christians under New Testament law are not bound to Old Testament law. So give as much as you'd like, even far and beyond a tithe!
What is a reasonable tithe? ›
The average amount that people seem to tithe is between 3-4%. It is best to calculate your tithe by using the Bible as a standard, the amount you feel led by God to give. Tithes can be anywhere from $0-$100 or more if you feel like you should do it.
How do you properly tithe? ›
The correct way to tithe is to give 10% of your income back to God. This is known as the “tithe” and comes from a commandment in the Bible.
Can one go to heaven without paying tithe? ›
Quite simply, there is nothing you can do to go to heaven except for one thing— and that is accept God's free gift of salvation by faith in Jesus. You can't tithe your way into heaven, you can't buy your way into heaven, you can't work your way into heaven. You can only go there based on accepting God's free gift.
Should I tithe if I can't pay my bills? ›
Now, there are extreme situations where people literally cannot cover their Four Walls (aka the basic expenses for survival). But most people, even if things are tight, can cover their bills and still tithe. If that 10% seems out of reach, you might need to do a lifestyle check.
What does God say about tithing when in debt? ›
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV). There are so many benefits to giving. Always. We encourage you to continue doing it even as you dig your way out of debt.
Does the Bible say you have to tithe 10 percent? ›
The verse about tithing one-tenth of your income is found in Leviticus 27:30: “'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” The 10% requirement specifically comes from the Hebrew translation of tithe, “עשר” or “ten”.
What did Jesus say about tithing? ›
In Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 Jesus referred to tithing as something that should not be neglected… “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness.
As a result, you can never be under a curse, you can never rob God because there is no longer a requirement or a necessity to pay a tithe. God cannot accept the payment of tithes because of what Jesus has done. But God will accept you GIVING A TITHE. He will not punish you if you do not give a tithe.
Do you tithe on social security? ›
QUESTION: If your only income is from social security, are you supposed to pay tithe and offering? ANSWER: It is believed that one should tithe from the gross of any increase one receives. When you tithe from your gross, you tithe from the overall amount from which your social security has been deducted.
Do you tithe every paycheck? ›
How often should I give? It depends on how you receive your increase. Some people receive their paycheck once a month, some twice a month, some every other week, others only when they make a sale. Tithe according to your period when you receive an increase.
Does my tithe have to go to the church? ›
No, the tithe — ten percent of your income — is not a “have to” in the New Testament. The New Testament puts the life of the Christian on a new footing, which is different from the Old Testament law.
How can I calculate my tithe? ›
Tithe is typically 10% of your annual gross income.
Should you tithe on gross or net? ›
Well, it is actually the wrong question. Second Corinthians says God loves a cheerful giver, not one who is looking to cut corners or find a loophole. Giving is a blessing to us more than anyone else. So I'd say – start where you can and work towards your gross income when you can give cheerfully!
What are the consequences of not tithing? ›
The promise in Malachi is that if you tithe, the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing such that there will not be room to receive it. If one chooses not to tithe, those windows remain closed and the promised blessings are not received.
Will God not bless you if you don't tithe? ›
It is also important for you to know that today as believers, even if you are unable to tithe, God still loves you and you are still the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Tithing therefore, is not an obligation but rather a privilege where we get to honor the Lord for all that He has done and is doing in our lives.
What if I miss a tithe? ›
He will not punish you if you do not give a tithe. There is a big difference in paying tithes and giving tithes. God does not was us the pay Him anything because everything has been paid by His Son, Jesus Christ.
