What the Bible Says About Tithing

October 10, 2026

Few topics stir up as much discussion in churches as tithing. Some believers see giving 10% as a clear biblical command. Others see it as an Old Testament practice that's been replaced by a broader call to generosity. Here's an honest look at what the Bible says.

Tithing before the Law

The first tithe in Scripture comes from Abraham, long before the Law of Moses. After a victory, he gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God:

Genesis 14:20: "And he gave him tithes of all."

Tithing in the Law

Under the Law, Israel was commanded to tithe their crops and livestock (Leviticus 27:30). These tithes supported the priests, the temple, festivals, and the poor.

Malachi records God's challenge to a people who had stopped giving:

Malachi 3:10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Jesus on tithing

Matthew 23:23: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Jesus didn't condemn the Pharisees for tithing. He condemned them for tithing while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith.

The New Testament pattern

2 Corinthians 9:7: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

The early church gave generously, regularly, and proportionally (1 Corinthians 16:2), sometimes far beyond 10% (Acts 4:34–35).

Two main views today

View 1: The tithe still applies. Many Christians believe giving 10% to the local church is a timeless principle, since Abraham tithed before the Law and Jesus affirmed it.

View 2: Generosity replaces the tithe. Others believe the New Testament calls for cheerful, sacrificial generosity rather than a fixed percentage. Many who hold this view still see 10% as a helpful starting point.

Sincere believers hold both views.

What nearly everyone agrees on

Everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1).
Giving should come first, not from leftovers.
Giving should be regular, proportional, and cheerful.
Supporting your local church matters.
Generosity to the poor matters.
God cares more about the heart than the amount (Mark 12:41–44).

Where to start

If you're not giving at all, start somewhere: even a small, consistent percentage. Pray about growing it over time. Build giving into your budget first. And never give out of guilt or fear.

A Christian wallet can be a quiet reminder that everything inside belongs to God. Read more in How to Give Generously Without Fear.

Put it into practice 💰

Play Will a Man Rob God? A free stewardship game of two accounts. Twelve months, one paycheck at a time: tithe first, give, save, pay down debt, then life happens. Every three months, a Truth Check on what Malachi 3 actually says (and what it never promised).

Open your accounts → Free. Kids, teens and adult versions.