Tithing is explicitly commanded in the Law of Israel—for the support of the Levites, for feasts, and for those in need. Jesus mentions tithing when addressing the Pharisees, who lived under the Law. The epistles to Christians contain no command to give exactly a tenth; teaching on giving speaks of voluntary, intentional, generous, and regular giving “according to one’s means” and “as one has decided in his heart.” Christians differ: some see tithing as a guideline, while others consider it limited to the Law of Israel.
What Does the Bible Say About This
- Under the Law, the tithe belongs to the Lord and was given to the Levites for their service (Lev 27:30–32; Num 18:21–24); according to Deut 14:22–29, it was used for feasts and for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows; Malachi rebukes Israel for withholding tithes (Mal 3:8–10).
- Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth (Gen 14:18–20; Heb 7:1–10).
- Jesus tells the Pharisees that they tithe mint, dill, and cumin, but neglect the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness; according to Him, they should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former (Matt 23:23).
- Regarding Christian giving, believers are told to sow generously, to give as they have decided in their hearts, not reluctantly or under compulsion (2 Cor 9:6–8), and to set aside an amount according to their income on the first day of the week (1 Cor 16:1–2); the Macedonians gave joyfully beyond their ability (2 Cor 8:1–5).
- In the Jerusalem Church, believers shared their possessions voluntarily (Acts 4:32–35); Peter’s words to Ananias show that the property and its proceeds remained under his control (Acts 5:1–4).
- Those who proclaim the Gospel are worthy of support (1 Tim 5:17–18).
- Interpretations differ: whether tithing should be considered a guideline for Christians or a provision limited to the Law of Israel.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
13 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Leviticus 27:30–32
30 Every tithe of the land, whether from the seed of the land or from the fruit of the tree, belongs to the Lord: it is holy to the Lord; 31 but if anyone wishes to redeem his tithe, he shall add a fifth to its value. 32 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal that passes under the rod, shall be dedicated to the Lord;
Numbers 18:21–24
21 To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given every tithe in Israel as an inheritance for their service, for the service they perform in the tent of meeting; 22 and the sons of Israel shall no longer approach the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die: 23 the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting and bear their iniquity. This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; among the sons of Israel they shall receive no inheritance; 24 for the tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as a contribution to the Lord, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance. Therefore I have said to them: Among the sons of Israel they shall receive no inheritance.
Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth of your mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
2 Corinthians 9:6–8
6 Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace abound to you, so that, always having all you need, you may abound in every good work,
1 Corinthians 16:1–2
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: do as I instructed the churches of Galatia. 2 On the first day after the Sabbath, let each of you set something aside and save whatever amount his prosperity allows, so that there will be no collections when I come.
Deuteronomy 14:22–29
22 Set aside a tenth of all the produce from your fields each year, 23 and eat it before the Lord your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name; bring there a tenth of your grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 24 But if the journey is too long for you and you cannot carry it, because the place the Lord your God will choose to put His Name there is too far from you, and the Lord your God has blessed you, 25 then exchange it for silver, take the silver in your hand, and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. 26 Buy with the silver whatever your heart desires: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything else your heart desires. Then eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice—you and your household. 27 Do not neglect the Levite living in your towns, because he has no share or inheritance with you. 28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of your produce from that year and store them in your towns. 29 Then the Levite, who has no share or inheritance with you, and the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Malachi 3:8–10
8 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you ask, “How are we robbing You?” In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you—the whole nation—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 of Hosts, “and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven for you and pour out a blessing on you beyond measure.”
Genesis 14:18–20
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” And [Abram] gave him a tenth of everything.
Hebrews 7:1–10
1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means name “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem,” meaning “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. 4 Consider how great he was: even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils. 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—even though they are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man, who was not descended from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without a doubt, the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the first case, mortal men collect tithes; in the other, he is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects tithes, paid a tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met him, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
2 Corinthians 8:1–5
1 Now we want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. 4 Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. their 5 and they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, then and then to us according to God’s will;
Acts 4:32–35
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything. 33 With great power the apostles testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was no needy person among them, because all who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as anyone had need.
Acts 5:1–4
1 Now a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a possession, 2 and, with his wife’s knowledge, kept back part of the proceeds, bringing only a portion and laying it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has you allowed Satan to fill your heart to think of lying to the Holy Spirit and keeping back part of the price of the land? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.”
1 Timothy 5:17–18
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
