Introduction
In the Bible, the tithe was the tenth of the harvest and the flocks that the people of Israel gave to God to support worship and to help the poor. In the New Testament, giving is free, joyful, and in proportion to what you have, with no compulsion. An offering is a gift made out of love, never a way to earn God's favor.
Few subjects stir up as much tension as money given to the church. Some see it as a heavy obligation, others as a simple tradition, and still others have been hurt by appeals for money that felt too insistent. This page puts things back in their place. It looks at what the biblical text really says about the tithe and the offering, in context and with a sober tone. No pressure here, only what you need to understand and decide freely.
What Was the Tithe in the Old Testament?
The word “tithe” comes from a term meaning “tenth.” Under the law given to Israel, a tenth of the produce of the land and of the flocks was set apart for God. This portion supported the Levites, the tribe responsible for service in the temple, and according to other passages of the law it also helped the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow.
Two passages are often cited. The first states a basic principle: what the land produces belongs first to God. The second is a word from the prophet Malachi, spoken to a people who were keeping back their share and neglecting the house of God.
Leviticus 27:30
"‘All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is Yahweh’s. It is holy to Yahweh."
This verse sets the frame: the tithe is “holy,” meaning set apart for God. It expresses that everything comes from him, and it fits into Israel's farming life, with its harvests and seasons. Read all of Leviticus 27.
Malachi 3:10
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be room enough for."
Malachi speaks to a people who had stopped bringing their share, to the point that the temple service lacked food. The appeal is therefore first about faithfulness to the community. The blessing promised is a promise made to Israel within its covenant, not a financial return guaranteed to each giver. Read all of Malachi 3.
What Does the New Testament Say About Giving?
In the letters of the apostle Paul, no percentage is imposed on believers. When he organizes a collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, in chapters 8 and 9 of his second letter to the Corinthians, he stresses three ideas: giving is voluntary, it is joyful, and it is measured by what a person actually has.
Paul even writes that he is not giving a command. He points to the churches of Macedonia, who gave generously despite their poverty, because they had first given themselves to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 8:12
"For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have."
The measure is not the amount but the heart and the means. Someone who has little and gives with a willing heart is received by God just as much as someone who has a lot. No one is invited to give what they do not have. Read all of 2 Corinthians 8.
2 Corinthians 9:7
"Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
This verse rules out pressure clearly: give “not grudgingly or under compulsion.” The decision is made “in his heart,” calmly. And the text says that “God loves a cheerful giver”: what matters to him is the attitude of the one who gives. Read all of 2 Corinthians 9.
The Widow and Her Two Coins: What Does Jesus Teach Us?
One day Jesus watches people putting their money into the temple treasury. Rich donors put in large sums, then a very poor widow drops in two tiny coins. Mark and Luke both report this story.
Mark 12:41-44
"Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on."
Jesus does not measure a gift by its amount but by what it costs the one who gives. The widow gave out of her need, while the others gave out of their surplus. This text is not a request to give everything: it shows how Jesus sees what others miss, and honors a quiet and sincere gesture. Read all of Mark 12.
Should You Give Ten Percent?
Christians do not all answer this the same way, and it is fair to say so. For some, the tenth remains a useful guide, a minimum for learning faithfulness, because Jesus did not abolish generosity but deepened it. For others, the tithe belonged to the law of Israel, and the New Testament asks for a free gift, sometimes well above ten percent, sometimes more modest depending on one's situation.
Many choose a regular percentage, decided in advance and prayed over, precisely so they do not give on the spur of the moment. Others prefer to let the amount vary. What these approaches have in common is the same conviction: giving is a response to grace already received, not a debt paid to earn God's love.
What Should You Do When You Have Little to Give?
When money is tight at the end of the month, the subject of giving can become a source of guilt. The Bible does not say that. The churches of Macedonia, mentioned above, lived in deep poverty, and their giving is presented as a fruit of grace, not as a burden. But Paul's principle stays the same: you give according to what you have.
It is also legitimate to begin with the needs of your family, since Paul writes elsewhere that people should provide for their own households. Giving can then take other forms: time, a service, a shared meal. And if for a season you cannot give anything at all, you are no less loved by God.
To Whom Should You Give, and Why?
The New Testament points to three main directions. First, the community of faith: those who teach the Word can be supported, and the material needs of a congregation are real. Next, the poor: the first Christians shared their possessions with those in need, and Jesus links caring for the least with love for himself.
Finally, mission: Paul thanks the churches that supported him in proclaiming the gospel elsewhere. In every case, it is wise to give with understanding, to organizations that are clear and honest in how they manage funds, and to refuse any appeal that plays on fear, guilt, or the promise of getting rich. A gift given in peace is worth more than one that is pulled out of you.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tithing mandatory for Christians?
Christians do not agree on this point. Some consider the tenth a lasting guideline, while others believe the tithe belonged to the law of Israel. The New Testament emphasizes above all a voluntary, joyful gift, given without compulsion and according to one's means. Each person is invited to decide before God.
What is the difference between a tithe and an offering?
A tithe is a fixed tenth, set aside regularly for God. An offering is a free gift, where the person chooses the amount and the timing, for a specific need or out of gratitude. In the Old Testament, both existed. Today, some people practice both, and others only free giving.
Does God give more back to those who give?
The Bible speaks of God's goodness toward those who give, but it does not promise a financial return. Giving in order to receive more turns the gift into an investment. Paul speaks instead of joy and peace received from God, and of needs met within the community, without calculation or guarantee.
Can you give something other than money?
Yes. The New Testament values hospitality, service, time, and skills used to serve others. When money is short, offering a meal, practical help, or your presence is a real gift. What matters to God is the willing heart of the giver.