THE TRUTH ABOUT TITHING
Have you ever wondered if tithing is truly required for Christians today, or if it’s just an Old Testament tradition?
Many believers still feel compelled to tithe, often driven by testimonies of financial blessings. But what if the Bible has something different to say about giving under the New Covenant?
In this article, we’ll uncover the truth behind tithing, explore what Scripture really teaches, and discover how God desires us to give – not out of obligation, but from a heart of love and generosity.
TITHING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
WHAT IS A TITHE?
The term “tithe” means a tenth or ten percent. In the Old Testament, tithing referred to the practice of giving one-tenth of one’s produce or earnings to the Lord at the tabernacle, and later at the temple in Jerusalem. This command was specific to the Israelites and was an integral part of the Mosaic Law.
THE PURPOSE OF TITHING UNDER THE MOSAIC LAW
Tithing served multiple purposes in the Old Testament. Primarily, it supported the Levitical priesthood, who had no inheritance of land like the other tribes of Israel.
Numbers 18:21-24 Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them: “Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.”
The Levites were responsible for the spiritual well-being of the nation, and the tithe was God’s provision for them.
Another purpose of tithing was to support the poor, the strangers, the fatherless, and the widows within Israel. Every third year, a special tithe was collected to ensure the needs of the marginalized were met.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29 At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
WHO WAS REQUIRED TO TITHE, AND HOW WAS IT PRACTICED?
Tithing was commanded of the Israelites under the Mosaic Law. It was primarily agricultural, consisting of crops, fruits, and livestock.
Leviticus 27:30-32 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD. If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD.
This practice was more than a financial contribution. It was a means of acknowledging God’s provision and sovereignty over all things.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TITHING AND THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD
The Levitical priesthood was central to the practice of tithing. Since the Levites were dedicated to the service of God and the tabernacle or temple, they did not receive a portion of the land like the other tribes of Israel did. The remaining eleven tribes were allowed to provide for themselves from the allotted land they received from the LORD when they occupied the Promised Land.
But the tithes the eleven tribes brought to the LORD at the tabernacle or temple, was God’s provision for the priests and Levites. The tithes symbolized the unique relationship between the Israelites and God. Therefore, the tithe was a covenantal obligation.
TITHING AND THE NEW COVENANT
FROM THE OLD COVENANT TO THE NEW COVENANT
With the coming of Christ, a significant shift occurred in how God related to His people, who now consist of all people of all times and all nations who put their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation.
Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Law and established a New Covenant, not based on the letter of the Law, but on grace and faith.
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.“
Hebrews 8:6-13 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH – NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS IN THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; BECAUSE THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DISREGARDED THEM, SAYS THE LORD. FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MIND AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. NONE OF THEM SHALL TEACH HIS NEIGHBOR, AND NONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL SHALL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST OF THEM TO THE GREATEST OF THEM. FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” In that He says, “A NEW COVENANT,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
This New Covenant transformed how God’s people live, including their approach to giving.
Christ’s Fulfillment of the Law
Jesus stated that He came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. By fulfilling the Law, Jesus brought its requirements to their intended completion, establishing a new way for believers to live in relationship with God. This fulfillment included the sacrificial system, ceremonial laws, and obligations like tithing.
The Levitical Priesthood in the New Covenant
Under the New Covenant, the role of the Levitical priesthood became obsolete. Jesus Himself became our High Priest, offering a perfect and final sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews 7:23-28 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
With the priesthood’s function fulfilled in Christ, the system of tithing that supported it was no longer necessary.
Absence of Tithing Requirements in the New Testament
It’s very clear from the New Testament Scriptures that the first-century church understood that the obligation to tithe as previously described in the Old Testament became obsolete with the fulfillment of the Mosaic law by the LORD Jesus Christ.
Therefore, the New Testament contains no command for Christians to tithe (really – nowhere…!). Nowhere in the New Testament are believers instructed to continue the Old Testament practice of tithing.
Instead, the emphasis shifts towards generosity, love, and the willingness to give as one is able, without compulsion or sense of shame for those who are less able to contribute.
Didn’t Jesus Affirm Tithing for Christians?
Proponents of the obligation for Christians to tithe in the New Testament often utilize Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 as seeming support by the LORD Jesus Christ for tithing by New Testament believers.
These two passages read as follows:
Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Luke 11:42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
But these two verses cannot be used as a New Testament doctrine that instructs Christians to continue the practice of tithing for the following reasons.
The OLD COVENANT was still in force
In both of these verses, Jesus was addressing the scribes and Pharisees, who were still living under the Old Covenant requirements. The Mosaic Law, including the requirement to tithe, was still in effect at that point in time because Jesus had not yet completed His work on the cross. These verses are part of Jesus’ rebuke of the religious leaders for their hypocrisy in meticulously observing the lesser aspects of the law, like tithing herbs, while neglecting the more important matters of justice, mercy, faith, justice, and the love of God.
Thus, the focus of these verses is on the misplaced priorities of the Pharisees, not on reinforcing tithing as an ongoing practice for all believers.
The OLD COVENANT was made obsolete when Christ established the NEW COVENANT
The New Covenant, established by Jesus through His death and resurrection, introduced a new way of relating to God based on grace and faith rather than strict adherence to the Mosaic Law.
The practice of tithing which Jesus referred to was part of the Old Covenant’s legal requirements which were still in force at that time. Therefore He made mention of the practice of tithing as it was part of the normal life of Jews of that time living under the OLD COVENANT.
Thus, these two passages are not prescriptions for Christian practice but are part of Jesus’ critique of the religious leaders’ failure to live out the deeper principles of the law. The requirements of the OLD TESTAMENT were still in force for them, therefore Jesus brought correction to them in the context of the OLD COVENANT.
GENEROSITY AND GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The New Testament on Giving
The New Testament teaches that giving should be an act of worship and an expression of love. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of giving generously and cheerfully:
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Cheerful & Voluntary Giving
In the New Testament, giving is rooted in freedom and grace. Christians are called to give out of love and compassion, not from fear or compulsion. This voluntary and cheerful giving reflects the nature of the New Covenant, where love fulfills the law.
Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Examples of Giving in the Early Church
The early Church exemplified this New Testament approach to giving. In the Book of Acts, believers sold their possessions and shared with those in need.
Acts 2:44-45 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Acts 4:32-37 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
This was not a mandated tithe but a voluntary act of love and unity, showing the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.
MISAPPLICATIONS OF TITHING IN MODERN CHRISTIANITY
Arguments Supporting Tithing Today
Some modern Christians and churches continue to advocate for tithing, often citing Old Testament scriptures or interpreting New Testament verses out of context.
A commonly cited verse is Malachi 3:10, which speaks of bringing the whole tithe into the storehouse. However, this verse must be understood within its Old Covenant context, addressing the specific situation of Israel at that time.
Addressing Malachi 3:10
Malachi 3:9-10 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
In Malachi 3, God addressed the issue of tithing because the Israelites were neglecting their covenantal obligations, specifically the bringing of tithes to the storehouse in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. These tithes were essential for supporting the Levitical priesthood and fulfilling the temple’s obligations. The post-exile Jews, however, were displaying a general attitude of distrust in God. Instead of relying on God’s provision by faithfully bringing their tithes and offerings to the LORD at the temple, they chose to take matters into their own hands. They withheld their tithes, believing that by doing so, they could better provide for their own physical needs.
Their failure to tithe was not just an economic decision. It was a sign of their disobedience and lack of faithfulness to God. In Malachi 3:10, God challenges the Israelites to bring the full tithe so that there may be food in His house – ensuring that the Levites and priests would have the necessary resources to live and continue their ministry in the temple. God promised that if they obeyed, He would miraculously bless them abundantly, ensuring they would not lack anything they needed.
This rebuke was part of a broader call for the Israelites to return to covenant faithfulness.
While often used to argue for tithing today, this verse is part of the Old Covenant, which was fulfilled and superseded by Christ in the New Covenant.
This passage by no means tries to indicate that those who are in Christ, but who are not tithing, are like these Jews also under some form of financial/material curse from God, or that God is withholding some kind of financial blessings or financial or material protection from them. This is absolutely not the case and is not supported by the New Testament in any shape or form. The Jews of Malachi’s day indeed were under God’s curse due to their disobedience to the OLD COVENANT and their unfaithfulness to God as specified in the Mosaic law. Continues disobedience to the Mosaic Law automatically resulted to God’s curse in their lives, and this is what Malachi 3 refers to.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:33-34 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Tithing before the law…?
Proponents of mandatory tithing many times also point to the following passages in Genesis as establishing a precedent for tithing that transcends the Law, viewing tithing as a “timeless principle” of honoring God with one’s substance.
The two passages are as follows:
Genesis 14:18-20 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And he gave him a tithe of all.
In this passage, after Abram defeats a coalition of kings to rescue his nephew Lot, he encounters Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Abram gives Melchizedek a tithe or a tenth of all the spoils of battle, signifying a voluntary act of worship and acknowledgment of God’s blessing.
Genesis 28:20-22 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
Here, Jacob makes a vow to God that if God provides for him and brings him back safely to his father’s house, he will give a tenth or a tithe of all that God gives him. This vow is made as a personal commitment, reflecting Jacob’s acknowledgment of God’s provision.
Thus, these passages highlight the practice of tithing as a voluntary act of worship and devotion to God before it was instituted as a mandatory requirement under the Mosaic Law.
But, these passages do not establish a precedent for Christians to tithe today for the following reasons.
- They are Descriptive, not Prescriptive. These passages describe specific historical actions taken by these individuals out of personal conviction and gratitude, without any indication that these actions were intended as a binding practice for all believers. Nowhere later in Scripture are these passages referred to as a precedent for the practice of New Testament tithing.
- These were voluntary Acts, not Mandates. Both Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek and Jacob’s vow to give a tenth were voluntary acts of worship. These acts were expressions of gratitude and recognition of God’s provision, made freely and without any obligation imposed by a divine command. This suggests that their tithing was a personal decision, not a universal principle or obligation to be perpetuated by all believers from then on onwards.
- Silence is Powerful. The New Testament’s silence on compulsory tithing for Christians, and instead emphasizing giving from a grateful heart, reinforces the idea that Abram and Jacob’s acts of tithing were also voluntary, motivated by gratitude rather than obligation. Though they tithed in these instances, their giving was driven by thankfulness, not by any divine command to do so.
Thus, their examples of tithing before the Law do not establish a binding precedent for Christians today. Abram and Jacob’s acts of tithing were voluntary expressions of gratitude towards God, not obligations to fulfill a divine requirement. The ten percent they offered reflects the depth of their gratitude and reverence for God, rather than a prescribed standard to prove their thankfulness.
Thus, the tithing of Abram and Jacob should be seen as descriptive examples of personal devotion rather than prescriptive practices for Christians.
Old Testament Tithing Vs. New Testament Giving
The key difference between Old Testament tithing and New Testament giving lies in the nature of the covenants.
The Old Covenant required tithing as part of the law, while the New Covenant calls for generosity as a response to God’s grace. Under the New Covenant, giving is motivated by love, not by law or obligation.
The Dangers Of Forcing Tithing On Christians
Legalism
Enforcing tithing as a Christian obligation can lead to legalism, where believers are burdened with unnecessary rules that undermine the freedom found in Christ.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Romans 3:20-22 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
Colossians 2:20-23 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations – ‘Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,’ which all concern things which perish with the using – according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Legalism distorts the Gospel, shifting the focus from grace to works, and can create a false sense of righteousness based on outward compliance rather than inward transformation. It subtly deceives Christians to trust in their works in one way or another, rather than the mercy, grace, love, and provision of God through His Son Jesus Christ.
Potential for Financial Exploitation
Enforcing tithing can also lead to financial exploitation within the Church. Some leaders may misuse the concept of tithing to pressure believers into giving beyond their means, resulting in guilt, financial strain, and a distorted perception of what God is like. This harms the spiritual well-being of both individuals and congregations. In many cases, Christians endure unnecessary financial hardship due to the false obligation to tithe. Rather than using essential funds for critical family financial needs, those resources are redirected to churches under a misguided sense of duty to tithe.
EMBRACING A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON GIVING
Love, Generosity, and Grace in Giving
The New Testament teaches that giving should be motivated by love, generosity, and grace. Christians are called to give as an act of worship and as a reflection of God’s love. This kind of giving is voluntary, cheerful, and driven by a desire to bless others and advance the Kingdom of God.
Sacrificial Giving Without Compulsion
While tithing is not required under the New Covenant, sacrificial giving is still encouraged. The New Testament praises those who give generously, even out of their poverty.
Mark 12:41-44 As Jesus sat near the Temple treasury, he watched the people as they dropped in their money. Many rich men dropped in a lot of money; then a poor widow came along and dropped in two little copper coins, worth about a penny. He called his disciples together and said to them: “I tell you that this poor widow put more in the offering box than all the others. For the others put in what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, put in all she had – she gave all she had to live on.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-4 Our friends, we want you to know what God’s grace has accomplished in the churches in Macedonia. They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor. I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God’s people in Judea.
Such giving is an expression of faith and trust in God’s provision, but it must always be done freely, not under compulsion. God only accepts such kind of sacrificial giving.
2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
Supporting the Church and the Needy
Supporting the Church and helping those in need remains a vital part of Christian life. However, it is important to approach this with a correct understanding of New Testament teaching.
Giving should be seen as a joyful privilege rather than a burdensome obligation. By giving freely and generously, believers can contribute to the work of the Gospel and the care of the needy in the church in a way that honors God and reflects His love.
Is It Wrong To Tithe? A Balanced Perspective
As tithing as a practice originates from the Old Testament, it is no longer required of Christians under the New Covenant established by Christ.
However, if a believer chooses to tithe, it is not necessarily a sin or wrong in God’s eyes. The key lies in the attitude and intention behind the giving. Tithing, like any form of giving, should be done with the correct heart and attitude – out of love, gratitude, and a desire to honor God, rather than trying to use it as a transactional tool to gain God’s favor or blessings.
Giving with the Right Heart
In the New Testament, the emphasis is placed on the attitude of the giver rather than the specific amount or practice.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
This verse highlights that God values the spirit in which the gift is given. Giving should be an act of worship and joy, not out of obligation or with the expectation of receiving something in return.
God’s Provision Without Bargaining
The idea that one must “bribe” God with tithes to receive financial blessings contradicts the nature of God’s grace and the whole counsel of God as revealed in the New Testament.
Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:31-33 as follows: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.“
This passage reassures believers that God is aware of their needs and will provide for them without the need for bargaining or transactional giving.
Asking God in Faith
Rather than using tithing as a way to secure financial help, believers are encouraged to simply ask God for their needs in faith.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God invites His children to come to Him with their needs in prayer, trusting that He will provide according to His will and grace.
Thus, while tithing is not required under the New Covenant, it is not inherently wrong if done with the right heart. The focus should be on giving cheerfully and willingly, without thinking to use it as a means to manipulate or bargain with God.
True trust in God’s provision comes from a heart of faith, knowing that He will provide for our needs as we seek His kingdom and righteousness first.
What About Testimonies Of Financial Blessings AFTER Tithing?
When people claim tithing is biblically correct under the New Testament due to testimonies of financial blessings, it’s crucial to view God’s provision in these cases through a biblical lens, even though people have tithed.
God’s Gracious Provision Doesn’t Affirm Unbiblical Practices
While testimonies of financial blessings after tithing may be genuine, they don’t prove and support tithing is a New Testament mandate. These blessings could be more about the heart and faith involved in trusting God rather than the act of tithing itself. The Bible teaches that God rewards faith and obedience, but the manner in which a person applies this principle is not necessarily prescribed by Scripture.
Testimonies of blessings after tithing may reflect God honoring the faith of the person, not the specific act/method. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that God rewards those who diligently seek Him, highlighting faith as the key factor.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
This emphasizes that God values the heart and faith of the giver more than an assumed mandated percentage.
A Message To Those Churches And Individuals Caught In The Tithing System
For those who don’t know me, the author of this article, I want to share my personal journey with you concerning tithing. For most of my life, I was a passionate advocate and teacher of tithing as a mandatory practice for all New Testament believers. However, I eventually faced the uncomfortable truth that I was greatly mistaken, even though my intentions were sincere.
This article is partially rooted in my personal experience regarding this issue. After several years of no longer following the practice of tithing, I have discovered that God’s provision has not faltered in any way. Despite not tithing specifically, I have not experienced any curse or dissatisfaction from God upon me, my family, or our finances. God has continued to faithfully provide for me and my family just as He did when I was tithing. Therefore, both from a biblical and experiential standpoint, I can confidently say that God does not require a tithing system in a church, or in an individual’s life, to provide for that church, individual, or family.
To Church Leaders
I understand that many church leaders may recognize that the practice of mandatory tithing for New Testament believers is not defensible from Scripture. However, they may also fear that admitting this truth could lead to a significant drop in the church’s financial support. I know this dilemma well, having faced it myself. But here’s the reality we must embrace: there is great freedom in surrendering to God and aligning ourselves with His truth, trusting that He will provide. Here is what God desires, and what He will bless and sustain.
Stick to Scriptural Integrity
The primary responsibility of the church is to faithfully teach and uphold Scripture. While financial concerns are important, they should not dictate theological positions. Scripture must be the guiding principle in teaching, and any practice that cannot be fully supported by the New Testament should be reevaluated, repented of, and amended.
Promote and Exemplify Freewill Giving as Emphasized in the New Testament
As a reminder, let’s just have a look again at 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Paul emphasizes giving that is done willingly, cheerfully, and according to what one purposes in their heart. The New Testament promotes generosity motivated by love and grace, not by obligation or law. Churches should teach giving in line with this principle, encouraging congregants to give out of gratitude and joy rather than legalistic requirement.
Trust in God’s Provision
God is faithful. Churches that rely heavily on tithes must trust that God will provide for their needs as they align themselves with biblical truth. God’s provision is not dependent on a legalistic system but on His faithfulness to sustain His work through His people.
Philippians 4:19 says.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
This verse reminds believers and churches that God is the ultimate PROVIDER. When churches faithfully teach biblical truth and trust in God’s provision, they can be confident that He will meet their needs, even if the financial system changes.
Teach Generosity
Instead of enforcing tithing as a requirement, encourage generous, sacrificial giving as an act of worship. Generosity is a hallmark of Christian living, and when taught biblically, Christians can learn to give even more than a tithe out of love for God and a desire to support His work.
We see this principle in Paul’s testimony in Acts 20:35 about how the LORD faithfully provided for him:
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
This teaching encourages believers to see giving as a blessing and privilege, not a mere obligation. Churches should cultivate a culture of generosity, where giving is seen as a response to God’s grace and act of love, rather than a requirement to receive blessings from God.
Re-evaluate Financial Practices
Churches might need to reassess their financial commitments and spending practices. If a church’s financial model depends on enforcing a tithing requirement, it may be wise to consider adjustments that align more closely with New Testament principles of stewardship and giving.
Transparency and Trust
Church leaders should be transparent with their congregants about their financial needs and trust God to move the hearts of believers to give. Trusting in God’s provision and the generosity of the church community can lead to financial practices that are more sustainable and biblically sound.
To Church Members
Act From Personal Conviction
Give according to your personal conviction and understanding of Scripture, rather than out of compulsion. While it is important to support your local church, this should be done in a way that reflects the freedom and joy of New Testament giving.
Engage in Church Dialogue
Engage in respectful conversations within your church about the biblical basis for giving, and encourage a shift towards freewill offerings and away from mandated tithing. Point out that this can help foster a church culture that is more aligned with New Testament teachings on giving. Yes, you may run into resistance or pushback from Church leaders who might not yet have the revelation concerning New Testament giving, or who may have a deep and hidden fear of putting the Church and themselves at financial risk if the tithing system would be abolished. Keep your approach Christ-like at all times, and pray for the Lord’s guidance to you and the church leadership.
Thus, my encouragement is that Churches and Christians should prioritize faithfulness to biblical teachings over financial concerns. By trusting in God’s provision, encouraging generous and cheerful giving, and reevaluating financial practices, churches can align themselves more closely with New Testament principles and remain confident that God will meet their needs through the faithful and joyful giving of His people.
THE WAY FORWARD
Understanding the truth about tithing invites us to embrace a richer, more liberating perspective on giving. Under the New Covenant, we’re not bound by Old Testament rules but are called to give freely and generously, motivated by love rather than obligation. Whether you choose to tithe or give in other ways, what truly matters is the heart behind your giving. Let your generosity be a joyful response to God’s grace, trusting that He will always provide for your needs as you seek His kingdom first. So, let’s move forward with a heart full of gratitude, knowing that our giving is an act of worship that honors God and reflects His love to others.
