Tithing, the practice of giving a tenth of one’s earnings, holds significance in biblical teachings. Explore the biblical perspectives on generosity, stewardship, and the spiritual principles of tithing.
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What Does The Bible Say About A Tenth
Leviticus 27:30
“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”
This verse establishes the principle of tithing, which means giving a tenth of one’s income or produce to the Lord. It emphasizes that the tithe belongs to the Lord and is considered holy. Tithing is a way to honor God and acknowledge Him as the provider of all resources.
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
This verse encourages believers to faithfully bring their tithes into God’s storehouse, which is the local church. It invites us to test God in this area of our lives and experience His abundant blessings. When we honor God with our tithes, He promises to bless us immensely and provide for our needs.
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
This verse, spoken by Jesus, confronts the religious leaders of His time who were meticulous in their tithing practices yet neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. It reminds us that giving a tenth is important, but it should be accompanied by a genuine heart of love, justice, and mercy.
Luke 11:42
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue, and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”
Similar to Matthew 23:23, this verse rebukes the Pharisees for their legalistic approach to tithing while neglecting justice and love for God. It highlights the importance of balancing our obedience to financial giving with acts of compassion, righteousness, and worship of God.
Hebrews 7:8
“In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.”
This verse refers to the example of Abraham giving a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek, a foreshadowing of Christ. It contrasts the mortal priests who collected tithes and eventually died with Jesus, who is the eternal high priest and continues to collect our tithes. It emphasizes the superiority and eternal nature of Christ’s priesthood.
Genesis 14:20
“And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
In this verse, Abram (later known as Abraham) gives a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek after defeating his enemies. It demonstrates Abram’s recognition of God’s provision and blessing in his life, and his response of giving a tithe as an act of gratitude and worship.
Genesis 28:22
“And this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”
Here, Jacob makes a vow to God, promising to give Him a tenth of all that God blesses him with. It reveals Jacob’s appreciation for God’s faithfulness and his desire to honor God with his possessions.
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
These verses encourage us to honor the Lord with our wealth by giving Him the first and best portion of our income or produce. When we prioritize God in this way, He promises to pour out abundant blessings upon us, both materially and spiritually.
Deuteronomy 14:22
“Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.”
This verse instructs the Israelites to set aside a tenth of their harvest each year as a tithe. It is a reminder that God desires our obedience and trust, knowing that He will provide for our needs if we honor Him with the first portion of our increase.
Deuteronomy 26:12
“When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.”
This verse explains the practice of tithing in the third year, also known as the year of the tithe. It was to be given specifically to support the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, ensuring their provision and care. Tithing not only honors God, but it also enables us to contribute to the welfare of others.
2 Chronicles 31:5
“As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil, and honey, and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.”
This verse describes the faithful response of the Israelites when King Hezekiah commanded them to bring their tithes and offerings to the Lord. It reveals their joyful and generous giving, offering a tithe of everything they possessed.
Nehemiah 10:37
“Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.”
In this verse, the Israelites confirm their commitment to bring the firstfruits and tithes to the house of God. They acknowledge the Levites as the designated beneficiaries of the tithe, recognizing their role in serving and ministering to the people.
Numbers 18:21
“I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.”
Here, God appoints the Levites as the rightful recipients of the tithe from the people of Israel. The tithes are given as their inheritance in recognition of their service and work at the tent of meeting. This verse reinforces the importance of providing for those who serve full-time in ministry.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
This verse teaches us the attitude with which we should give our tithes and offerings. Our giving should stem from a willing heart, not from compulsion or a sense of obligation. God delights in those who give cheerfully, recognizing that our generosity reflects our love for Him and our trust in His provision.
Proverbs 11:24
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”
This verse speaks to the principle of sowing and reaping in generosity. When we freely give, without withholding, we open ourselves up to receiving even more blessings from God. However, when we are stingy or reluctant to give, we limit the abundance God desires to pour out upon us.
Luke 18:12
“I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
In this verse, the Pharisee boasts about his religious practices, including tithing. However, the context reveals that his heart is filled with pride rather than true devotion to God. It serves as a cautionary example, reminding us that tithing alone is not sufficient if it is not accompanied by a humble and righteous heart.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
This verse affirms the principle that giving to the poor is equivalent to lending to the Lord. When we show kindness and generosity to those in need, we are lending to God Himself. As our faithful God, He promises to reward us for our compassionate deeds, whether through material blessings or spiritual fulfillment.
Proverbs 28:27
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
This verse emphasizes the reciprocal nature of giving to the poor. When we generously give to support those in need, God guarantees that we will not lack anything. Conversely, if we turn a blind eye or refuse to help the poor, we may experience negative consequences in our lives.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
“At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”
These verses introduce the practice of bringing a tithe every three years to be stored locally to support the Levites and those in need. This system ensured the provision of the vulnerable members of society and highlighted the importance of generosity in experiencing God’s blessing.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Paul’s words here remind us of Jesus’ teaching that giving is more blessed than receiving. When we actively work to help the weak and vulnerable, we experience the joy and fulfillment that come from selfless generosity. It is a tangible expression of Christ’s love and an opportunity to live out His teachings.
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
As believers, we can trust that God will provide for all our needs according to His abundant riches in Christ. When we are faithful in giving our tithes and offerings, we can have confidence that God will never fail us, but rather supply everything we require according to His perfect wisdom and timing.
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
This verse highlights the connection between generosity and receiving blessings. When we are generous towards others, especially the poor and needy, we position ourselves to receive the blessings that come from a lifestyle of selfless giving. It is an invitation to experience the richness of God’s grace and provision.
2 Corinthians 8:7
“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
In this verse, Paul commends the Corinthians for their spiritual growth and encourages them to excel in the grace of giving as well. Giving is a spiritual discipline that should be cultivated alongside other virtues, such as faith, knowledge, and love. It is an opportunity to demonstrate the transforming power of Christ’s grace in our lives.
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
This verse encourages us not to grow weary or discouraged in doing good, including the act of giving. Our consistent and faithful giving will not go unnoticed by God. In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessings if we persevere and remain steadfast in our commitment to generosity.
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
This verse teaches that true religion, pleasing to God, involves caring for the marginalized and vulnerable, such as orphans and widows. It signifies that our giving should extend beyond financial tithe to practical acts of compassion and justice. It is a call to live in a way that reflects the character and heart of our heavenly Father.
Reflecting on these 25 verses about tithing and generosity, we see a recurring theme of honoring God with our resources and caring for those in need. Tithing is not merely a legalistic obligation, but an expression of love, gratitude, and trust in God’s provision. It is an act of worship that invites God’s blessings and paves the way for a lifestyle of generosity.
These verses also caution us against focusing solely on the act of tithing while neglecting justice, mercy, and love for God and others. Tithing is not a substitute for a transformed heart that seeks to honor God in all aspects of life. It is meant to be accompanied by a genuine love for God and compassion for those in need.
Ultimately, the principle of tithing teaches us to trust in God’s abundance and provision. He promises to pour out blessings that we cannot contain when we faithfully give our tithes and offerings. Tithing also enables us to partner with God in His work of caring for His people and advancing His kingdom on earth.
As we cultivate a life of joyful and sacrificial giving, may we always keep in mind the words of Jesus in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Let us give generously, trusting in God’s promises and seeking to bring glory to His name through our stewardship of all that He has entrusted to us.