First, let’s look at what the Bible says tithing is: What does the Bible say about tithing?

In the Bible, tithing refers to the practice of giving a tenth of one’s income to the Church, to the poor, or to something that is actively progressing the kingdom of God. Tithing is mentioned several times in the Old Testament and is considered a form of worship and an act of obedience to God.

The concept of tithing is first mentioned in the book of Genesis when Abraham gives a tenth of that which they got from Lot’s captors to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God (Genesis 14:18-29). Later, in the book of Leviticus, God commands the Israelites to bring a tithe of their crops and livestock to the temple as an offering to Him (Leviticus 2:1-16; 6:14-18; 7:9-10; 10:12-13). In the book of Deuteronomy, God repeats the command to tithe and give to those who are poor and have no inheritance, the widows, as a way to revere God (Deuteronomy 14:23-29).

What does the Bible say about tithing in the New Testament? Jesus and the apostles also speak about tithing. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that the Pharisees “pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin,” but that they “omit the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith” (Matthew 23:23). In this passage, Jesus is not condemning tithing, but rather pointing out that the Pharisees are more concerned with external and public acts of obedience than with the internal hidden condition of their hearts. 

The apostle Paul also mentions the act of giving and generosity in his letters to the churches. In his letter to the Corinthians, he encourages them to “set aside a sum of money in keeping with their income” to be collected on the first day of every week, which would be used to support the poor and to fund the work of the church.

Overall, tithing is the financial way for believers to show their gratitude, reverence, and devotion to God. To support the work of their local church and ministries that further the kingdom of God. Also, use your tithes as an act of love to take care of the least of these. Such as the poor, the widows, the downcast, the sick, and the broken, and to fulfill the great commission by reaching the unreached and spreading the word of God into all the earth. 

What Does the Bible Say About Tithing: Treasures in Heaven

You are doing yourself a favor by STORING TREASURE IN HEAVEN

As followers of Christ, we believe that storing our treasure in heaven is more important than storing it on earth because it is eternal and will never perish, rust, or be stolen. In contrast, earthly treasures are temporary and can be lost or taken away. But what we do here and now to further the kingdom of God will last forever and have an eternal impact. 

In the Bible, Jesus teaches that where our treasure is, our heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we focus on accumulating earthly wealth and possessions, our hearts will be centered on those things and we will be consumed with the desire to acquire more. But if we focus on storing up treasure in heaven, our hearts will be centered on God and the things of the kingdom, and we will instead use our resources to serve the kingdom and bless others.

Additionally, storing treasure in heaven can help us to be more content with what we have and not be driven by the desire for more material possessions. It will also help us to trust in God’s provision and not rely on our own efforts to secure our future. We know that God holds our lives in his hands and at the end of the day only God knows what tomorrow will bring so it is truly in our best interest to allow God to direct our plans, our finances, our hope, and our mission. “13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15).

In Matthew 19:21, Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” In this verse, Jesus is interacting with a wealthy man who has asked him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by telling the man that he should follow the commandments, to which the man replies that he has kept all of the commandments from his youth. In response, Jesus tells the man, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Here are some ways that you can tithe and do your part in progressing the kingdom:

You Are Doing Yourself a Favor by Tithing

How can I tithe? As Christians, we are called to play our part in progressing the kingdom of God. We are called to do what we can to serve God by helping the needy, helping to make disciples, and helping share the gospel with the over 2 billion people around the world who have never heard the name of Jesus. Give to your local church. You can tithe to a nonprofit that focuses on the core fundamentals of Kingdom values of helping the poor and spreading the gospel to the nations. 

Using wisdom before you give:

What does the Bible say about tithing? We should use wisdom and guidance from the Lord before giving. Using good judgment to decide where is best and most effective for us to share our generosity. Before sowing a financial seed into the kingdom of God, we should ask God to show us where the funds would be best needed and where our convictions would lead us to give. 

Pray that God would give you direction and guidance as he leads your heart to where it is your donation will make the most impact on the advancement of the kingdom of God. 

God’s Promises to Those That Tithe – 

Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes

6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “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. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

What does the Bible say about tithing? The Law of Reciprocity – The Law of Sowing and Reaping 

Keep in mind that God promises blessings to those who are generous and there is no limit on how much you should give. In 2 Corinthians 9:6 Paul says “6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” New Testament teaching is that all you have belongs to God and it encourages a generous lifestyle with your finances, time, belongings, and hospitality. 

What does the Bible say about tithing: To those that oppose the tithe – 

There certainly are interesting and compelling arguments that the tithe is Old Testament and therefore practicing OT law that believers are not under. Another argument says that the New Testament neither commands nor teaches tithing. If that is true it is not teaching us to be stingy and give nothing. The apostles would scoff at such a notion. Have your read Acts chapter 4? They sold land and gave sacrificially for the work of the Gospel and the care of widows. It should be clear in the New Testament that generous giving is implied for amounts that far exceed the 10% tithe. 

Another interesting support I find for tithing is that Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek and like him, Jesus is both a high priest and King. Hebrews 7:17 says of Jesus, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” As our high priest and king, we still tithe to the work of His Kingdom. 

Here are some interesting and shocking giving statistics to help you decide where your tithes and offerings are most needed: 

• Tithers represent about 10–25% of all congregations. (Nonprofits Source)
• Over 3 billion people around the world have never heard the name of Jesus. These are the unreached*
• Only 0.1% of all Christian giving is directed toward mission efforts in the 38 most unreached countries in the world.– Barnett Johnson, 2001, 656
• More than 90% of all missionaries work among already-reached people, and less than one percent of donations go to reaching the unreached.
• Christians donate 2.5% of their income to churches. (Nonprofits Source)
• People who attend church tend to donate to that church more than any other cause
• 7% of churchgoers have dropped regular giving by 20% or more
• 37% of regular church attendees and Evangelicals don’t give money to the church.
• Only 5% tithe and 80% of Americans only give 2% of their income.
• Christians are giving 2.5% of income; during the Great Depression, it was 3.3%.

* Unreached people are people who have never heard the name of Jesus and are completely unaware of the gospel of Christ. Bible Axioms partner ‘His Feet International’ is trying to reach the unreached in some of the most gospel-deprived and persecuted nations around the world, specifically Asia. Until every ear has heard of the good news of Jesus Christ the task remains unfinished. Yet very few resources and funding are currently going towards the most important cause in the world… Reaching the unreached and bringing forth the good news into all nations. 

Bible Axiom is partnered with His Feet International, His Feet International has been serving the ‘least of these’ such as leprosy-affected people, widows, the persecuted, the outcast, and unreached people of the world for nearly three decades. Please consider making a donation and becoming a partner in serving the least of these with His Feet International. Donate to His Feet International 

Sources: (2022 Charitable Giving Statistics, Trends & Data: The Ultimate List of Charity Giving Stats | Nonprofits Source) (30+ Church Giving Statistics – 2022 Update)