What is tithe?
Tithe refers to giving 10% of one’s income to the church. It originated in the Old Testament as a requirement for the Israelites to support the Levitical priests and tabernacle/temple worship.
The word “tithe” literally means “tenth” in Hebrew. It was a form of taxation to fund the religious institutions of ancient Israel. Two key Old Testament passages establish the tithe:
- Leviticus 27:30-33 – Declares that a tenth of all the produce of the land and livestock belongs to the Lord.
- Numbers 18:21-24 – Tithes were given to the Levites for their livelihood since they did not receive land inheritances.
In addition to the standard 10% yearly tithe, the Israelites gave “offerings” for various festivals and sacrifices. So their giving likely exceeded 10%, perhaps closer to 20-25% of their income.
The tithe was an important aspect of Jewish worship and law for over a thousand years from the time of Moses to Jesus. But does it apply to Christians today? There are good arguments on both sides.
Arguments for tithing
Those who believe tithing is still commanded today make the following arguments:
- The principle of giving existed before the Law of Moses, as evidenced by Abraham giving a tithe to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20.
- Tithing is not specifically repealed in the New Testament, and Jesus affirmed giving to God in Matthew 23:23.
- Hebrews 7:1-10 argues that the Melchizedek priesthood of Jesus is superior to but did not totally replace the Levitical priesthood.
- 10% is a good baseline figure for giving and establishes supporting the church as a priority.
In addition, tithing was practiced in the early church, as implied by passages like 1 Corinthians 9 and taught by early church fathers. So while not explicitly commanded, many argue that tithing is a wise and beneficial practice that Christians should continue.
Arguments against tithing
Those who believe tithing was part of the Old Covenant that is not mandatory today argue:
- The commands about tithing are part of the Mosaic law which no longer directly applies to Christians (Romans 10:4).
- The New Testament gives principles of generous giving but does not specify an amount (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- The tithe was to support the Levites and temple in Israel. The church has no temple and Levitical priests.
- Paul worked to support himself and argued that full-time Christian workers have a right to financial support (1 Corinthians 9:4-14).
According to this view, while 10% can be a useful guideline, tithing is not mandated for Christians. Giving should be voluntary, joyful, sacrificial, and as much as one is able. Tithing can become legalistic if made a requirement.
Practical considerations
Those who take the view that tithing is not New Testament law still often consider it a good target amount to give. Ten percent establishes a baseline expectation for giving. Reasons why 10% remains sensible include:
- It is a long-established tradition going back thousands of years.
- It sets a proportional amount linked to your income.
- It counteracts our natural selfishness and greed.
- It requires faith to give generously.
However, critics argue tithing can have drawbacks:
- It becomes a legalistic requirement rather than free-will giving.
- It may not be affordable for low-income families.
- If taken too rigidly, it limits our freedom in how to use money for good.
So even if not commanded in the New Testament, regularly giving 10% can be beneficial. It establishes a consistent habit of generosity and can stretch our faith. But it should be held loosely, not as an inflexible rule.
Here is a table summarizing the key considerations:
| Arguments For Tithing | Arguments Against Tithing |
|---|---|
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Conclusion
The New Testament does not explicitly command Christians to tithe. However, regularly giving 10% can still be a wise target. It establishes the habit of generosity, provides essential support for churches, and requires us to prioritize God over money. But tithing should be motivated by joy and faith, not mere duty or legalism.
The New Testament focuses more on the heart motivations behind giving – voluntary, cheerful, and according to one’s means. The amount is left up to individual conscience. While not commanded, tithing can be a very helpful guideline. For many Christians, aiming to give 10% is a healthy spiritual discipline of putting God first in their finances. But for low-income families or depending on one’s circumstances, a smaller amount given sacrificially may be just as pleasing to God.
Key Points
- The tithe was an Old Testament law, required to support the priests and temple.
- The New Testament does not explicitly command Christians to tithe.
- Tithing can still be beneficial as a baseline target for giving.
- Giving 10% establishes the habit of generosity and requires faith.
- Tithing should be voluntary and joyful, not legalistic.
- Lower income families may need to aim for less than 10%.
- The heart motivation behind our giving is most important.
While tithing is no longer commanded by law, Wise Christians should consider it, pray about it, and be generous givers according to their means. An attitude of freely giving back to God out of thanks, rather than a strict obligation, should guide New Testament giving.