Tithing is a topic that many Christians often wonder about. Does the New Testament say we should tithe?
Are New Testament believers required to give 10% of their income to the church? What does the Bible teach about tithing?
The issue of tithing is an important one for the church today. Many church leaders teach that tithing is required. Others say it was just for Old Testament Jews. There is confusion about what the New Testament teaches on this practice.
In this article, I’ll dive deep into what the Bible really says about tithing in the New Testament.
My goal is to present a balanced look at the biblical evidence on both sides of the debate. I teach what the Bible says about tithing, not church tradition. I encourage open-mindedness.
To understand giving and support for the church, we should look at the New Testament. It contains instructions for new covenant believers.
A Summary of Tithing in the Old Testament
Before looking at the New Testament, it will help to understand tithing in the Old Testament.
Tithing was a consistent practice throughout the Old Covenant. The tithe was essentially a tax system laid out by God for the nation of Israel.
Some key things to know about Old Testament tithing:
- The tithe was 10% of agricultural produce and livestock (Leviticus 27:30,32 NIV) “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…. 32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord. ”
- The tithes supported the Levites and priests, who did not own land (Numbers 18:21, NIV) “21 I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.”
- Every 3rd year, a special tithe was set aside for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. (Deuteronomy 14:28-29, NIV) “28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”
- Tithing applied to all the income of the Israelites.
- Not tithing was considered robbing God (Malachi 3:8-10, NIV) “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, 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.”
In the Old Covenant, tithing was a tax. It funded the religious system and cared for the Levites, the poor, orphans, and widows.
Israelites were required to tithe as part of keeping the Old Testament law.
What Does the New Testament Say About Tithing?
With this Old Testament background in mind, what instructions do we find in the New Testament? Let’s look at some key passages:
1. Jesus Affirms Tithing in Matthew 23:23
“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.“
Here, Jesus rebukes the religious leaders. They were strict about tithing small garden herbs. Yet, they neglected more important spiritual matters.
He says they should have done both. This verse confirms that according to Jesus, New Testament believers should tithe.
2. Hebrews 7 Explains Tithing Further
The Book of Hebrews teaches about tithing. It compares the Old Testament Levitical priesthood to the Melchizedek priesthood.
Abraham paid tithes to Melchidezek in Genesis 14:17-20 (NIV),
17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
God appointed Jesus a priest after the order of Melchizedek according to Hebrews 5:5-6 (NIV).
5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
6 And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
And Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV):
“19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
So, since Jesus is our high priest, New Testament Christians should tithe to Him (Hebrews 7:8). This is like how Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20).
“Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.”
Hebrews 7:8 (NIV)
3. 2 Corinthians 9 Teaches New Testament Giving Principles
2 Corinthians 9 has essential teaching on giving in the church. Let’s break it down:
“6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches that Christians should give as they decide in their hearts. They should not give grudgingly or out of necessity.
And 2 Corinthians 9:8 declares that God will bless us so we can generously support ministry work.
The Bible says that if we sow generously, we will reap generously. This encourages us to give freely from the heart. It stresses the joy of giving, based on God’s blessings to each.
4. No New Testament Command to Tithe
One of the strongest arguments against tithing for Christians is the lack of a clear command.
The New Testament gives repeated instructions on giving. However, we do not see an explicit command that Christians must give 10% of their income regularly.
Some have wrongly taught that tithing is not required in the new covenant. They say this because the Apostle Paul taught about generous giving, but he never specified the tithe.
However Jesus clearly stated,
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mathew 5:17-18 (NIV)
This scripture suggests that the tithe law still stands. So, New Testament Christians should tithe.
Tithing vs New Testament Giving
To summarize the differences:
Old Testament Tithing:
- Required giving of 10%.
- Dictated by Old Testament law.
- Fulfilled to support Levites, priests, the poor, widows, and orphans.
- Failure to tithe was robbing God (Malachi 3:8).
New Testament Giving:
- Voluntary, generous giving.
- Not limited to 10% of gross income.
- Applies to all income.
- Supports preaching of the gospel, the church, the poor, widows, and orphans.
- Motivated by love and grace.
The New Testament model of giving is better than tithing because it is based on a better covenant.
“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.”
Hebrews 8:6 (NIV)
Common Arguments Supporting Tithing for New Testament Christians
Those who believe tithing applies to new covenant believers make several main arguments for it:
1. Tithing preceded the Law of Moses: Tithing began before the old covenant. Abraham and Jacob both gave tithes generously. So tithing is an eternal spiritual principle.
2. Jesus affirmed tithing: As mentioned earlier, Jesus did not condemn tithing in Matthew 23:23. He considered it still valid.
3. Hebrews 7:8 says men who die still receive tithes: This verse refers to believers continuing to give tithes to priests.
4. Tithing is the biblical standard: 10% has long been the baseline for giving in Scripture. Anything else is below the biblical standard.
5. It tests our hearts: Tithing demonstrates a willingness to put God first in our finances. It tests whether we will obey in a difficult area.
6. It supports full-time ministers: Tithing helps more ministers to work full-time on the gospel. It allows them to quit their secular jobs.
7. Practical benefits: Churches that teach tithing usually have enough money to fund their ministries, buildings, and staff. It is a very workable model.
5 Thoughts on Applying Tithing as New Testament Believers
I encourage you to study the Bible, pray, and decide on your own convictions on this topic. Here are a few final thoughts I find helpful:
- The New Testament ideal is regular, generous, voluntary giving to support gospel ministry. This does not limit you to a tenth.
- Tithing can be a helpful guideline or baseline for giving. For many starting with 10% is an achievable goal.
- God cares more about cheerfulness than percentages.
- Giving some percentage consistently is often better than emotional spurts of giving. It trains discipline and stewardship.
- It is more important to trust God and obey His Word. Have faith that He will provide for you, no matter your income.
The New Testament urges us to give regularly and sacrificially. This helps to spread the gospel and help the poor, widows, and orphans.
Key Takeaways on Tithing in the New Testament
- Tithing was commanded under Old Testament law. It was to support the Levites, priests, foreigners, widows, orphans, and the poor (Deuteronomy 26:12-13).
- The New Testament encourages Christians to give generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6).
- Jesus affirmed tithing for Jews under the law. He expects Christians to continue to tithe (Matthew 23:23).
- Hebrews 7 explains tithing in the old covenant and that it was carried over to the new covenant.
- 2 Corinthians 9 gives covenant principles of voluntary, generous giving.
- The New Testament ideal is regular giving to support the preaching of the gospel. This should be more than a tithe since it is based on a better covenant with better promises.
- Each believer must study Scripture. Then, they must decide, before God, based on their convictions on this topic.
I hope this article has given you a balanced view of the Bible’s teachings on tithing in the New Testament!
Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you generously support God’s work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tithing
Here are answers to some common questions about tithing in the New Testament:
Q. What is tithing?
A. Tithing is giving a tenth of one’s income or possessions toward God’s work. It is a religious act of worship.
Q. What is the purpose of the tithe?
A. The purpose of the tithe was to support the Levites, who were the priestly tribe in ancient Israel. It was also used for the upkeep of the temple and to assist the widows, orphans, refugees, the poor, and the needy.
Q. Should I tithe on the gross or net amount of my paycheck?
A. The tithe in the Old Testament was based on the total harvest, or livestock born that year. So, it seems reasonable to tithe on your gross paycheck, not the net.
Q. If I tithe, do I tithe on other income like gifts or bonuses?
A. Old Testament tithes applied to any increase from that year. Therefore, many extend the tithe to gifts, bonuses, investments, and side income.
Q. What did Jesus say about tithing?
A. Jesus encouraged tithing in Matthew 23:23. He stressed the need for justice, mercy, and faithfulness along with it.
Q. Is tithing still required in the New Testament?
A. Yes. Mathew 23:23 and Hebrews 7:8 confirm that we are required to tithe in the New Testament.
Q. Is tithing a requirement of the law?
A. The Old Testament law, in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, required tithing. However, the New Testament focuses more on the spirit of giving and generosity.
Q. Should I tithe to my local church or anywhere else?
A. In Malachi 3, the tithe went to the temple storehouse. Many apply this to say tithes should go to your local church first. But, Deuteronomy 26:12-13 and the New Testament urge us to give to support God’s work. We should support the church, missionaries, widows, orphans, refugees and the needy.
Q. Can I tithe to someone other than the church?
A. Tithing usually means giving to the church. But, people can give to causes, charities, and those in need based on their beliefs.
Q. What if I can’t afford to tithe 10% right now?
A. Have faith in God. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that without faith it is impossible to please God. Tithing from a low income requires you to put your trust in God and not to lean on your understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Give cheerfully and God will bless you!
Q. What does the Bible say about giving more than 10%?
A. The Bible encourages believers to give, with no limit. They should do so cheerfully and generously (2 Corinthians 9:7). The principle of giving is not restricted to a specific percentage.
Q. Can I give more than 10%?
A. Absolutely! Many give over 10% of their income. They feel grateful and want to support charities and ministries.
Q. Are there any examples of tithing in the Bible?
A. Yes, there are several examples of tithing in the Bible. A well-known example is in Genesis. Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:17-20).
Q. Are there specific scriptures in the New Testament that mention tithing?
A. Yes. Mathew 23:23 and Hebrews 7:8 mention tithing. While 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 encourages us to give generously to support the gospel’s preaching, and help the poor, widows, and orphans.
I read Matthew 23:23 and picked a completely different revelation from it. In this passage, Jesus is clearly addressing the Pharisees—people still under the law. He wasn’t speaking to Christians, who would come later. He explicitly links tithing to the LAW, saying, “You give a tenth of your spices… but have neglected the more important matters of the law.” (again, meaning tithing was a requirement of the LAW) And even within the law, Jesus highlights that the tithe didn’t carry as much weight as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Again in that verse, He says, “You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former,” here Jesus is advising those still bound by the law to observe both tithing and the higher virtues of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving a tithe if you choose to. Any gift given from a willing heart is pleasing to God. Abraham, for example, gave a tithe before the law was established, but his offering was voluntary, and I would argue it was also cultural. It came from a heart that was free of compulsion, pressure or from threats of negative consequences if one does not comply with the payment of tithes.
In Heb 7, you say the old covenant has been moved to the new covenant, so this means the 612 other commands of the law moved as well? or was it just the tithe?
Yes Jesus is our High Priest and He requires nothing from us under compulsion, He has already fulfilled the requirements of the law on the cross, and set us free…
Hebrew 7: 12..”For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law”
It is very clear that giving should be done voluntarily .that is not based on the percentages (10%) though not sparingly with cheerful hearts
In Mathew 15:5, The scripture states, “But you teach that if people have something they could use to help their father or mother, but say ‘This belongs to God.’
In Luke 21:1-4
Jesus looked around and saw rich people dropping their gifts in the Temple treasury,
and he also saw a very poor widow put in two little copper coins.
He said, I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all others.
For the other offered their gifts from what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, gave all she had to live on.”
In my opinion, Tithe is law, we are no longer under the law, and Paul in many of his teachings wanted the gentiles to be free from the law.
Offer as much as the Holy spirit in you directs you.
I offer a tithe as Paul teachings for the Corinthians said, our actions should always protect the faith of fellow believers around us.