Should Christians Tithe Today?
Few topics in church life create as much confusion—or as many assumptions—as the subject of tithing. Many Christians have been taught that giving 10% of their income to the church is a clear biblical command for every believer. Others argue that the tithe belonged only to ancient Israel and no longer applies under the New Covenant.
So which is it?
Should Christians tithe today? Or does the New Testament describe something different when it comes to giving?
This series explores those questions carefully by walking through Scripture, church history, and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles to help us understand what the Bible actually says about generosity, stewardship, and investing in eternity.
Quick Summary of This Series
This study examines what the Bible actually teaches about tithing by exploring:
- What the tithe meant in the Old Testament
- Who was actually required to tithe
- What Jesus said about money and giving
- Why the apostles never command Christians to tithe
- How church history shaped modern expectations
- What faithful Christian generosity looks like today
The goal of this series is not to encourage Christians to give less, but to understand Scripture clearly so that we can steward what God has entrusted to us faithfully.
Why This Series Was Written
This series on tithing began with a question submitted by one of the members of our church. As we talked through Scripture together, his question was essentially this:
Before going any further, I want to clarify something about the heart behind the question.
I know the person who asked it, and he is one of the most generous believers I know when it comes to supporting the Lord’s work and caring for people in need. He firmly believes in the tithe and has practiced it faithfully for many years.
I mention this because questions like this are sometimes assumed to come from someone who is looking for a way to give less to God.
That could not be further from the case.
The question was not,
The real question was:
A Personal Note Before You Begin
At the time of writing this, I am 41 years old. I grew up in Independent Baptist churches where the tithe was consistently preached as a clear biblical command and expectation for every Christian.
Later, when I attended Bible college, the subject came up in several classes. Professors provided strong biblical arguments for why the tithe should still apply to believers today.
Like many Christians raised in that environment, I have practiced tithing for most of my life. I began tithing when I started working as a teenager, and my wife and I continue to tithe today while serving in pastoral ministry within the Southern Baptist Convention.
I share this not to say, “Look at me—I tithe, so you should too.” Rather, I share it so you understand that this study has not been casual or theoretical.
In many ways, it has been challenging. It forced me to re-examine a financial principle I had long assumed to be airtight biblically.
As I studied the Old Testament tithe system, the teachings of Jesus, the practices of the early church, and the instructions given in the New Testament letters, I discovered that the conversation about Christian giving is both richer and more complex than I had previously understood.
How to Use This Series
The articles below build on each other and are designed to be read in order. If you are new to the conversation, start with the first article and work your way through the study.
Each post focuses on one key question that helps us better understand what the Bible actually teaches.
The Articles in This Series
The Tithe in the Bible: What It Actually Was
Before asking whether Christians should tithe today, we need to answer a simpler question first: what was the tithe in the Bible?
Was the Tithe Really Just 10%?
Many Christians hear the word tithe and immediately think “10%.” But when we read the Old Testament carefully, the picture is more layered than that.
Who Actually Paid the Tithe in Israel?
Did every Israelite tithe in the same way? What about fishermen, craftsmen, hired workers, and merchants?
What Jesus Actually Said About Tithing
Jesus did speak about tithing—but not in the way many people assume.
Why the Apostles Never Command Christians to Tithe
If tithing was so central in the Old Testament, why do the apostles never command Christians to tithe?
How the Early Church and Church History Handled Tithing
Church history reveals how Christian giving developed from the early church through the Reformation and into modern evangelical life.
So, Should Christians Tithe Today?
This article brings the entire discussion together and answers the central question of the series.
Investing in Eternity: The Goal of Christian Stewardship
This article moves beyond the tithe debate and focuses on the New Testament vision for using money and resources for eternal purposes.
A Final Pastoral Word on Tithing, Generosity, and the Heart
A closing reflection on how this study has shaped my own thinking and how believers can move forward with generosity and humility.
The Goal of This Series
This series is not meant to encourage Christians to give less.
If anything, the goal is the opposite—to help believers think clearly about money, generosity, and stewardship so that we can live with open hands before the Lord.
Because in the end, Christian stewardship is not about meeting a percentage. It is about learning to say, “Lord, everything I have came from You, belongs to You, and is available for Your purposes.”
Responding to Common Objections
Because this topic touches long-held beliefs, it is important to address some of the most common questions and concerns that arise when discussing tithing and Christian giving.
“Didn’t Abraham tithe before the Law?”
Yes, Abraham gave a tenth in Genesis 14. However, this appears to be a one-time act following a military victory, not an ongoing command for God’s people. The text describes what Abraham did, but it does not clearly prescribe a pattern all believers must follow.
“What about Jacob’s vow to tithe?”
In Genesis 28, Jacob promises to give a tenth if God blesses him. This is a personal vow, not a universal command. Like Abraham’s example, it shows that giving a tenth was known, but it does not establish a binding requirement.
“Didn’t Jesus affirm the tithe?”
Jesus does affirm tithing in passages like Matthew 23:23. However, He is speaking to Pharisees who were still living under the Mosaic Law before the cross. At the same time, Jesus consistently emphasized deeper issues like justice, mercy, faithfulness, and the condition of the heart.
“Does Malachi 3:10 apply to Christians today?”
Malachi 3:10 was written to Israel under the Old Covenant and refers to the temple system and national worship life. While the principle of honoring God with what we have still applies, the passage should be handled carefully and not turned into a direct command that every Christian must give exactly 10%.
“If we don’t teach tithing, won’t people give less?”
That concern is understandable, but the New Testament does not motivate giving through law or percentages. It calls believers to generous, cheerful, gospel-shaped giving. If someone uses this discussion as an excuse to give less, the issue is not clarity—it is the heart.
“Isn’t 10% still a good standard?”
Yes, many Christians find 10% to be a helpful and practical starting point for disciplined generosity. The key distinction is this: it should be presented as a wise practice, not as a binding New Covenant command.
A Balanced Way to Say It
The New Testament does not clearly command the tithe, but it clearly calls Christians to generous, intentional, and faithful stewardship shaped by the gospel.
What About These Verses?
Several passages are often used in discussions about tithing. Here is a brief guide to how they fit into the larger biblical picture.
Genesis 14 — Abraham and Melchizedek
Abraham gives a tenth after a military victory. This is a descriptive event, not a command. It shows that giving a tenth existed, but it does not establish an ongoing requirement for all believers.
Genesis 28 — Jacob’s Vow
Jacob promises a tenth if God blesses him. This is a personal response, not a universal law. It reflects devotion, not obligation.
Leviticus 27 / Numbers 18 — The Tithe Under the Law
These passages establish the tithe as part of Israel’s covenant system, supporting the Levites and the work of the tabernacle and temple. This system was tied to land, priesthood, and national life.
Deuteronomy 14 — Festival and Poor Tithes
These passages show that Israel’s giving system was more complex than a single 10% contribution and included provisions for worship celebrations and care for the poor.
Malachi 3:8–10 — “Robbing God”
This passage addresses Israel under the Old Covenant for failing to bring the required tithes into the storehouse. While it reveals God’s concern for faithful giving, it should not be directly transferred as a law for the New Testament church.
Matthew 23:23 — Jesus and the Pharisees
Jesus affirms tithing while rebuking the Pharisees for neglecting weightier matters. This occurs before the cross, while the Mosaic system is still in effect.
1 Corinthians 16:1–2 — Proportionate Giving
Paul instructs believers to give regularly and in proportion to their income. This reflects intentional and planned giving, but does not specify a fixed percentage like 10%.
2 Corinthians 8–9 — Gospel-Shaped Generosity
Paul frames giving around the grace of Christ. Believers are called to give willingly, generously, and cheerfully—not under compulsion, but in response to the gospel.