What Does the Bible Say About Tithing?

“Tithe” is a word you may have heard before, but might not be very familiar with. A tithe is technically defined as one-tenth of something, usually paid as a tax to the government or as a contribution to a religious organization. Throughout history, tithes were often paid based on what people possessed, like produce or other goods. 

Today, tithes are no longer required but are still given voluntarily in the form of monetary donations, especially by Christians. This is because the Bible discusses the importance of tithing in both the Old and New Testaments—in different ways—and demonstrates that followers of Christ should tithe if they have the ability to. So, what exactly does the Bible say about tithing?

Bible Passages About Tithing

The first example of tithing in the Bible comes from Genesis 14:18-20, where Abraham gives one-tenth of his spoils from war to Melchizedek: “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

While this marks the first example of tithing in the Bible, it is certainly not the most instructive of why tithing is important. However, in Leviticus 27:30, we’re told: “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.”

This passage about tithing reminds us of one of the reasons why tithing is important: because nothing belongs to us. Everything belongs to God, so it is not ours to keep, but should be used to help God’s children who need it more than we do.

Moving to the New Testament, the messaging about tithing shifts from something that is mandatory, to something that should be done because it is the right thing and you are helping others by doing it.

In Mark 12:41-44, we’re reminded of the story where Jesus watched people making offerings: “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’”

While Jesus doesn’t explicitly mention tithes, the offerings he speaks of are just the same. This passage is important because it reminds us that being generous and helping others is not about how much we are able to give in total, but how much of what we have we choose to give, even if it would be helpful for us to keep it.

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, another lesson about tithing is presented, stating: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

This passage subtly touches on the difference between tithing in the Old Testament and the New Testament, suggesting that we shouldn’t give because we are required to, but we should give out of the love in our hearts and truly be happy about it.

Similarly, in Matthew 23:23, Jesus says: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

In this passage, Jesus points out the hypocrisy of those who give tithes of their small, minuscule spices and also disregard the manner in which they treat others. This lesson is important because it shows that, even if we do give to others, that is not all we should do and does not make us good people. Instead, we should give to others, but also be merciful and faithful in our daily lives.

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