Tithing. Whew. If there’s ever been a topic that gets folks heated real fast, this is it. Some say you’re robbing God if you don’t tithe. Others say tithing was an Old Testament thing and doesn’t apply anymore. Some churches preach it like it’s the golden ticket to blessings, while others don’t mention it at all.
But what does the Bible ACTUALLY say? No fluff, no opinions—just straight-up Word of God. Let’s do this deep dive together.
First Things First: What Even Is a Tithe?
The word tithe literally means “tenth”—as in giving 10% of what you earn. But in the Bible, tithing wasn’t just about money. It was about faith, provision, and honoring God with your first and best.
So where did it start? Let’s roll back to the Old Testament.
Tithing Before Moses: The First Mentions in the Bible
Tithing wasn’t first introduced in the Law of Moses—it actually goes all the way back to Abraham and Jacob before God even set laws for Israel.
📖 Genesis 14:18-20 – Abraham (still called Abram at this point) meets Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem, after winning a battle. Melchizedek blesses him, and Abraham responds by giving him a tenth of everything he gained from the victory.
📖 Genesis 28:20-22 – Jacob makes a deal with God: “If You bless me and take care of me, I’ll give You a tenth of everything I have.” This is a personal vow, not a command from God.
👉 Takeaway: These were voluntary acts of giving—there was no law telling Abraham or Jacob to do it.
The Law of Moses: When Tithing Became a Requirement
Fast forward to the Israelites becoming a nation—now, tithing is officially part of God’s commands under the law. But it wasn’t just one simple tithe. There were actually THREE different types of tithes.
📖 Leviticus 27:30-32 – “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 First Tithe (Levitical Tithe) – This 10% was given to the Levites (priests) because they weren’t allowed to own land or work regular jobs. Instead, they served in the temple full-time.
📖 Numbers 18:21-24 – God tells the Levites that the tithe is their inheritance since they don’t get a portion of the land.
📖 Deuteronomy 14:22-27 – “Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord.”
🔹 The Second Tithe (Festival Tithe) – This tithe was used for feasts and celebrations in God’s presence.
📖 Deuteronomy 14:28-29 – “At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows may come and eat and be satisfied.”
🔹 The Third Tithe (Tithe for the Poor) – This happened every three years and was specifically to help widows, orphans, and the needy.
📖 Malachi 3:8-10 – The most-quoted verse on tithing: “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing You?’ In tithes and offerings…”
🔹 God calls out Israel for failing to bring their tithes, saying, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… 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.”
👉 Takeaway: Tithing in the Old Testament was about taking care of the priests, funding religious celebrations, and helping the poor.
The New Testament: Did Jesus Command Tithing?
Now let’s jump to Jesus and the early church. Here’s where things get interesting.
📖 Matthew 23:23 – Jesus tells the Pharisees: “You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you neglect the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
👉 Translation: Jesus acknowledges that they tithe, but He makes it clear that justice, mercy, and faith matter MORE.
📖 Luke 18:9-14 – A Pharisee brags about tithing, while a tax collector humbly asks for God’s mercy. Jesus praises the tax collector, not the guy flexing his tithing habits.
📖 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – “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.”
👉 Translation: The New Testament shifts from a mandatory 10% to a willing, joyful heart of giving.
📖 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 – Paul says that just like the Levites lived off tithes, those who preach the Gospel should be financially supported—but he also refused to demand money from the churches he ministered to.
So, Are Christians Required to Tithe?
What the Bible Actually Teaches:
✅ Tithing was a law for Israel to support priests, fund celebrations, and care for the poor.
✅ Jesus mentioned tithing but emphasized justice, mercy, and faith.
✅ The New Testament encourages generosity—but without a fixed percentage.
✅ Supporting ministers, churches, and the needy is still biblical, but it’s about the heart, not a law.
So should you give? Absolutely. But does God require a strict 10%? That’s between you and Him.
All the Tithing Verses in the Bible
📖 Genesis 14:18-20
📖 Genesis 28:20-22
📖 Leviticus 27:30-32
📖 Numbers 18:21-24
📖 Deuteronomy 14:22-29
📖 Malachi 3:8-10
📖 Matthew 23:23
📖 Luke 18:9-14
📖 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
📖 1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Final Thoughts: It’s About the Heart, Not the Percentage
Tithing is bigger than a church tradition—it’s a faith move. Whether you give 10%, 5%, or more, the real question is: Are you trusting God with your resources?
What do you think? Drop a comment below! 💬👇
