Christian tithing – What does the Bible say?

Christians tend to struggle to understand this issue. In many churches, tithing is misused and over-emphasized as a technique for bringing money into the church.

On the other hand, many Christians do not offer anything to help the church, ignoring the biblical encouragement to give to the Lord. Giving is meant to be a blessing to the giver, but sadly many people think of it as a price God exacts in return for health, wealth and prosperity.……First and foremost, it is important to understand that tithing is an Old Testament concept.

The word “tithe” means “tenth” and was a requirement of the Hebrew law that mandated the Israelites to give ten percent of all they produced or earned to the Temple / Tabernacle

Leviticus 27:30…"One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy.

Numbers 18:26…"Give these instructions to the Levites: When you receive from the people of Israel the tithes I have assigned as your allotment, give a tenth of the tithes you receive-a tithe of the tithe-to the Lord as a sacred offering.

Deuteronomy 14:24…"Now when the Lord your God blesses you with a good harvest, the place of worship he chooses for his name to be honored might be too far for you to bring the tithe.

2 Chronicles 31:5…When the people of Israel heard these requirements, they responded generously by bringing the first share of their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. They brought a large quantity-a tithe of all they produced

In addition, there were other laws which, when combined with the original tithe, made the total amount of required offerings closer to 23 percent, not the ten percent which is assumed in the modern church.……The OT system of tithing can be understood as a taxation system that provided for the needs of those working for the Temple in the sacrificial system ├ö├ç├┤ the priests and Levites. Nowhere in the New Testament is it suggested that Christians are to adhere to a law-based system of tithing.

Paul makes it clearthat believers should set aside something to support the church.

But giving is to be done willingly and according to the giver’s decision in regards to amount

1 Corinthians 16:1-2…Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God's people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don't wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.……There is no mandate in the New Testament that a percent of income should be exacted from each Christian to support the church, but only that a person’s charity should be “in keeping with income” 1 Corinthians 16:2.

As a guideline, some churches tell their members that ten percent is a “recommended minimum” for giving.

But it should never be enforced upon a church’s members in an official way or said to be a necessary element of a member’s salvation.……The Bible tells us that giving is important and is a great benefit to the spiritual health of believers. We should give what we are able to give, and generosity is always a good thing. But the New Testament focuses on motive rather than strict percentages or tithes. Giving is meant to encourage faith, as we pray and ask for wisdom from the Lord as to how much we should give, and in what manner

James 1:5…If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Our giving should be done cheerfully to glorify and worship God by serving His people – our brothers and sisters

2 Corinthians 9:7…You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."