What the Bible Says about Giving and Tithing
Generosity and the act of giving is a fundamental aspect of Christianity. Giving is so important that it is featured in arguably the most recognized Bible verses in the world – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Without that act of God’s gift of generosity, we would not have the grace through which all people can be saved. Through this grace, we gain the freedom to live through Christ. With this freedom, we can generously share the joy we experience with others.
It’s from this fundamental basis of giving and generosity that we come to the question of what we have to give as an expression of our faith. We have three general categories of which we can give – our time, our talents, and our resources.
In this article, we will explore the Biblical concepts of generosity specifically as it relates to giving and tithing of our financial resources. We will examine the Biblical context of tithing and identify the key principles for Biblical Giving.
This article is part of a series I’ve written about Biblical Finance. For the full list of articles check out What the Bible Says about Money – Gilbert Wealth
Living Generously
Video from the Bible Project
The profound insights shared in this video by the BibleProject offers an examination of the concept of generosity deeply embedded within the Biblical narrative. The video unveils the contrasting portrayal of God as a generous host, abundantly meeting the needs of His creation, contrasted against the innate human tendency to perceive life through the lens of scarcity.
While God extends His generous provision, humans often grapple with a scarcity mindset, driven by the fear of insufficiency, leading them to hoard the gifts bestowed upon them by God. This divergence in perception forms the crux of the discussion, painting a vivid contrast between God’s inherent generosity and humanity’s struggle with selfish inclinations.
God has a plan to counteract human selfishness by presenting the ultimate expression of His generosity—Jesus Christ. Through the person of Jesus, God extends an unparalleled gift of self, serving as a manifestation of divine love and sacrifice. This pivotal act reshapes the narrative, inviting humanity to transcend the confines of scarcity and embrace Christ’s abundant grace and love offered. By fully understanding and embracing the gift of Jesus, we can work towards overcoming selfish tendencies and embracing a life of genuine, selfless generosity.
Biblical Principles of Giving
Giving is an Expression of Faith
2 Corinthians 8:1-7 describes the Macedonian churches’ remarkable generosity despite their own hardships as an outpouring of the joy that they had. These believers demonstrated a remarkable eagerness to contribute to the needs of others. Despite facing difficulties, they willingly and joyfully gave beyond their means, showing a deep commitment to God. Paul uses their example to encourage the Corinthian church to excel in the grace of giving. He praises the Macedonians for their abundant generosity and urges the Corinthians to emulate their fervor in their own acts of giving.
Giving Should be Joyful
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-13, Paul encourages cheerful and intentional giving. Paul emphasizes that each person should give what they’ve decided in their heart, not under compulsion or reluctantly, as God loves a cheerful giver. He assures that God is able to bless abundantly, enabling believers to continue their generous acts.
God Blesses Those Who Give, Though Not Necessarily Materially
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus spoke of generosity and blessings in a way that extends beyond material wealth. He said, “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” (Luke 6:38, NIV). God’s blessings extend beyond the tangible; those who give freely of themselves, their time, and their resources to help others often find themselves blessed in ways that enrich their lives spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.
Giving Should be Done Prayerfully, Not a Legalistic Check-The-Box
The biblical perspective on giving emphasizes that giving should be a heartfelt expression of love, gratitude, and generosity, not a legalistic obligation. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, encouraging them to give willingly and cheerfully, stating, “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” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV). This verse underscores the idea that giving should stem from a joyful and voluntary attitude, not from a sense of duty or compulsion. God values the intention behind the act of giving—the genuine desire to bless others and support the work of His kingdom.
Matthew 23:23 further brings this point to bear when Jesus addresses the Pharisees regarding following the letter of the law and neglecting the more important matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Giving According to Your Means
In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul commends believers for their generosity, noting, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12, NIV). This verse emphasizes the importance of giving according to one’s ability or means. It highlights that the acceptability of a gift isn’t measured by its monetary value but by the sincerity and willingness behind it. God doesn’t demand what is beyond a person’s capacity but instead delights in the cheerful and sacrificial giving that stems from a heart moved by love and compassion.
Jesus emphasized this idea in Luke 21:1-4, “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. And He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on.’”
Giving Supports those in Ministry, and Those in Need
The Bible emphasizes the importance of supporting those in ministry and caring for widows. In 1 Timothy 5:17-18, it is urged that those who lead and labor in preaching and teaching should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in preaching and teaching. This recognition extends to ensuring their material needs are met as they devote themselves to ministry.
Additionally, the Bible repeatedly advocates for the care and support of widows, highlighting the Church’s responsibility to provide for those who are vulnerable and without support. James 1:27 states that true religion involves looking after orphans and widows in their distress. Moreover, in Acts 6:1-7, the early Church appointed individuals to specifically oversee the equitable distribution of resources to widows, emphasizing the community’s responsibility in ensuring their well-being. These passages underscore the biblical mandate of caring for those in ministry and the vulnerable, emphasizing the Church’s role in providing support and care for them.
Giving Should be Regularly
In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, the apostle Paul addresses the Corinthians, instructing them about the collection for the Lord’s people. He advises them to set aside a portion of their income on the first day of each week, emphasizing the importance of regular and systematic giving. Paul encourages this practice so that there will be no need to gather funds when he arrives. This passage serves as guidance for consistent and intentional giving, emphasizing preparedness in supporting the needs of fellow believers and the work of the church. Paul’s words reflect the principle of planned and organized generosity, demonstrating a commitment to financial stewardship in service to God’s work and the community of believers.
What about Tithing?
Biblical tithing and giving, while related, are not entirely the same. Tithing specifically refers to giving one-tenth or 10% of one’s income or produce, as mandated in the Old Testament. The practice of tithing was primarily for the Israelites and was a requirement under the Mosaic Law, intended to support the Levites (the priestly tribe) and the needs of the tabernacle or temple, as well as to assist the poor (see Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21-24, Deuteronomy 14:22-29).
On the other hand, giving in the broader sense encompasses various acts of generosity beyond the specific tithe of 10%. It involves voluntarily offering financial support, resources, time, skills, and assistance to others, including the church, charitable causes, the needy, and one’s community.
The New Testament doesn’t extensively discuss the practice of tithing, except for noting the Pharisees’ adherence to the strict tithe requirement in a few instances.
While tithing is a form of giving, the broader concept of giving in the New Testament goes beyond the mandatory tenth and emphasizes a generous and willing heart in supporting God’s work and meeting the needs of others. In Jesus’ teachings, he affirmed Old Testament teachings but also took them to the next level.
1) “You shall not murder” in Exodus 20:13 was transformed into “if you are even angry with someone” in Matthew 5:21-22.
2) “Love your neighbor” in Leviticus 19:18 became “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” in Matthew 5:43-48.
3) “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” in Exodus 21:24 became “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” in Matthew 5:38-39.
Old Testament Tithing
In a biblical context, the tithe was typically understood as a portion (specifically one-tenth) of the produce, earnings, or increase that individuals received.
The first mention of tithing occurs with Abraham in the book of Genesis. After Abram’s victory in battle, he encountered Melchizedek, who was both a priest and king. In Genesis 14:18-20, Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had as a gesture of honor and gratitude.
There were actually several different tithes in the Old Testament:
- The Levitical or sacred tithe, originating from God’s command to the Israelites, required them to give a tenth of their produce, herds, or income to support the Levites, who served as priests and ministers in the tabernacle and later in the temple. As the Levites didn’t possess land or inheritances, this tithe served as their sustenance and provision for their devoted service to God. Numbers 18:21-24
- The tithe of the feasts was a specific portion directed by God for the Israelites to set aside for their own use during the annual celebrations in Jerusalem, including festivals like the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. In Deuteronomy 14:22-27, God instructed them to use this tithe to gather and celebrate in His presence, fostering a sense of reverence and joy among families and friends.
- The tithe for the poor was a directive from God to the Israelites, mandating them to set aside a portion every third year specifically for the support of the less fortunate individuals within their communities, including the poor, strangers, orphans, and widows. This act of tithing, outlined in Deuteronomy 14:28-29, aimed to display compassion, fairness, and justice towards those facing hardships.
What to do next?
In the pursuit of understanding biblical giving and tithing, numerous interpretations arise concerning the extent and nature of financial contributions to God’s kingdom. Debates over tithe percentages in the modern context of taxation, whether to tithe on gross or net income, and even if you tithe on capital gains, or social security if your benefit is a return of your money.
Biblical giving isn’t about strict calculations; it’s rooted in fundamental principles. Jesus teaches that believers should give thoughtfully, beyond mere rule-following. Christian giving is about community and relationships, supporting God’s kingdom. It stems from a joyous connection with God, inspiring generous sharing beyond legalistic boundaries, and serving God’s greater purposes by blessing others.
What is your next step? Pray, Seek, and Just Give.