The concept appears easy at first, but it quickly becomes convoluted. Tithing is a biblical practice described in both the Old and New Testaments, but should we still perform it today? Were followers of Jesus expected to donate 10% of their earnings, as Malachi 3:8–10 says (and as many preachers claim today)?
As it happens out, there’s more to the subject of tithing in Scripture than first appears. Let’s examine more closely what the Bible says about this crucial practice and why you might think about giving to your church in addition to the traditional 10% tithe.
Tithing Is Divine.
When you tithe, you are saying thanks and giving back to God for the blessings he has given you. It’s a way to show your obedience to his word, as well as your faith in him.
In other words, if you want to understand what Jesus had to say about giving and tithing because you’re trying to decide whether or not tithing is right for your life, then focus on his use of numbers less than ten instead of focusing on what we call tithing today.
Important Points To Note (Very Crucial)
Deductions from The Two Scriptures Above:
- Jesus considers justice, mercy, and faithfulness much more than mints. We consider the physical payments to God because we can be seen by men or want to be seen by them but we neglect the nonphysical part of justice, mercy, and faithfulness which the Unseen God will Judge all men.
- Jesus considered giving from a sacrificial perspective in Mark 12:41-44 to be much more than giving from abundance. One tells God, Hey God, if you do not help me, I might likewise be dead. But I know you will. That doesn’t mean you should give all you have (except if God is telling you so) but give to pass a message to God (Jesus) who is sitting by the corner observing what you are doing. Yes, He knows.
- Both Scripture Focuses on the heart and not just the physical giving and tithing.
The Bible Never Discusses Jesus’ Tithing.
In fact, there are several examples of people who lived outside of Israel and were not obligated to pay tithes because they weren’t Jews or didn’t live on land owned by Israelites:
- In Acts 18:1–3 we read about Apollos being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla about how to follow Jewish traditions like paying tithes (and wearing head coverings).
- In 1 Corinthians 16:1–2, Paul writes about Phoebe as his “deacon” who brought him money as she traveled through Greece. This money was used to help support other Christians in Jerusalem (see Romans 15:25).
In Mark 7, the Pharisees Are Criticized for Prioritizing Their Own Traditions Over God’s Commands.
In Mark 7, the Pharisees are criticized for prioritizing their own traditions over God’s commands. Jesus warns about the dangers of following rules and regulations instead of following the will of God. He says that “they do not understand what they are doing, because their eyes are blinded.”
In the Old Testament, God Told Israel to Obey His Law of Tithing.
You should know that tithing was an important part of Israel’s economy, with God commanding them to give one-tenth of their income. The tithe was a tax on all of Israel’s agricultural and animal products (Leviticus 27:30–33; Numbers 18:21–24). It was also a tax on Israel’s income, not their possessions (Deuteronomy 14:22–23).
In the New Testament, Paul Encourages Us to Give Generously and Cheerfully but Does Not Mention Tithing.
Paul emphasizes the importance of generosity. He never mentions tithing, but he does encourage us to give generously and cheerfully. Paul says that when we give, our giving should be proportionate to our income and means—not more or less than a tenth (or any other specific amount).
Paul also emphasizes that we are called to live for others through service and sacrifice.
Jesus Asks for Our Money Indirectly by Asking for Our Hearts.
Tithing is giving 10% of your income to God, but before you do that, Jesus asks for your heart first.
What’s the difference between tithing and giving?
Giving means to give something away voluntarily; whereas tithing is a specific percentage of income that we give back to God.
Why is it important to tithe?
God owns everything and everything comes from him (Proverbs 17:1), so it’s only right for us to give back 10% of our income as a way of worshiping him and acknowledging his ownership over all things.
How can I figure out how much I should be tithing?
Ask yourself this question: What could I use my money for instead of giving it away? That amount will be what you should tithe each month or week on top of other donations or charitable acts.
Tithing Is an Important Aspect of One’s Faith, but It’s Not the Only Part that Matters.
Tithing is an important aspect of one’s faith, but it’s not the only part that matters.
Tithing is a way to express our gratitude to God and show how much we appreciate all He has given us. It can also be a way of giving back to our community, supporting those who need help, or using our money for good causes like helping people in need or helping wildlife animals. Tithing is also a way of supporting your church by giving them funds so that they can continue doing their work without worrying about paying for things such as utilities or rent, so that they can continue doing good work for others around them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we believe that the Bible is clear on this matter: tithing is not a biblical requirement. To understand Jesus’s teaching on giving, we must read all of his teachings and come to our own conclusions based on what he taught. The New Testament teaches us that if we give out of love for others and in acknowledgment of God’s generosity toward us, then we have given as much as any tithe requires. In other words, the measure with which we give should be the same measure with which God has given to us; not 10% but 100%. If you want to give to your church or ministry because they are doing good work, then by all means do so! But do not feel obligated by any code or law; rather, give only from your heart because it is joyful to share with those in need and praise God for his goodness toward us.