I’ve seen many Christians struggle with the idea of tithing. I’d often hear that Christians are obligated to give 10% of their income to the church, and they felt burdened by it, especially when finances were tight. Why does the bible force us to tithe when so many are burdened by it?
After spending time in Scripture, I began to realize that the traditional practice of tithing isn’t directly commanded for Christians today, instead the principle of generous giving applies. God desires not a fixed percentage but a heart that gives out of love and trust in His provision.
The Bible teaches us that tithing was an Old Testament practice, primarily given to Israel as part of the Mosaic Law. However, the New Testament focuses on the heart behind giving, encouraging us to be generous and cheerful givers. While we are not under the Old Testament law, we are called to support the work of God’s Kingdom with a heart that reflects His generosity (2 Corinthians 9:7, NLT).
But let’s explore this in more depth—there is so much more to understand about giving from a biblical perspective.
The Old Testament Tithe: What It Was and Why It Doesn’t Apply to Us
In the Old Testament, the tithe was a mandatory system set up by God for the nation of Israel. It involved giving 10% of one’s crops, livestock, or earnings to support the Levites, the tribe set apart to serve in the temple. Leviticus 27:30 (NLT) explains, “One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy.” The tithe was used to fund temple worship, care for the priests, and assist the poor.
This system was part of the Mosaic Law, a covenant God made specifically with Israel. As Christians, we are no longer under this covenant but under the New Covenant established by Jesus (Hebrews 8:13, NLT). Paul explains that we are no longer bound to the requirements of the Old Testament Law (Which includes tithing) (Galatians 5, NLT). Therefore, the practice of giving a fixed 10% is not a command for the church today.
While the Old Testament tithe was a structured requirement, its deeper purpose was to teach the people to honor God with their resources. This lesson remains valuable. Even though we’re not obligated to tithe, the principle of giving still reflects our relationship with God and our trust in His provision. We give not out of obligation but out of gratitude for all He has given us.
New Testament Giving: A Call to Generosity, Not Obligation
The New Testament shifts the focus from a fixed percentage to a heart of generosity. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT), “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” The emphasis is not on how much we give but on the attitude with which we give.
Generosity, according to the New Testament, comes from a heart transformed by the gospel. As we grow in our relationship with God, we naturally become more willing to give. This is because we recognize that everything we have comes from Him, and we are simply stewards of His resources. Our giving is a response to God’s incredible grace, not a requirement to earn His favor.
Jesus Himself encouraged giving, but His focus was on the spirit of the gift, not the amount. In Mark 12:41-44 (NLT), Jesus praised the widow who gave two small coins because, though it was a small amount, she gave everything she had. Her giving came from a heart fully devoted to God, and this is what God desires from us today—not a legalistic adherence to a percentage but a willingness to give sacrificially and joyfully.
Practical Ways to Give Generously Today
So, if we are not bound by a percentage, how do we determine how much to give? The New Testament provides a few guiding principles. First, giving should be proportional to what God has blessed us with. Paul instructs the Corinthians, “On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned” (1 Corinthians 16:2, NLT). This allows us to be intentional and thoughtful about our giving, reflecting on how much God has provided.
Second, giving should be done cheerfully and willingly, as 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us. This means we give out of love, not out of guilt or pressure. One practical way to foster a cheerful heart in giving is by praying over your finances and asking God to guide your decisions. When we approach giving with prayer, we invite God into our financial stewardship and allow Him to direct how we use our resources.
Third, giving can take many forms. While financial support for the church and ministries is essential, generosity can also include giving time, talents, and resources to those in need. Whether it’s volunteering, mentoring someone, or donating items to those in need, generosity is about a lifestyle of giving, not just financial contributions.
Why Giving Generously Reflects God’s Heart
When we give generously, we are reflecting the heart of God, who gave us the greatest gift—His Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 (NLT) tells us, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God’s nature is generous, and as His followers, we are called to mirror that generosity.
Our giving also plays a crucial role in advancing God’s Kingdom. The early church exemplified this when they shared everything they had to ensure that no one in the community was in need (Acts 2:44-45, NLT). This radical generosity showed the world the love of Christ and helped the church grow. Today, our giving enables the church to reach the lost, support ministries, and provide for those in need.
Generosity is also a spiritual discipline that helps us trust God more deeply. When we give sacrificially, we are reminded that our security is not in our finances but in God’s faithfulness. Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) encourages us, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” God promises to provide for our needs as we seek to bless others through our giving.
Moving Forward with a Heart of Generosity
As we move away from the Old Testament practice of tithing, we step into a life of freedom and joy in giving. The truth is, God doesn’t want our money—He wants our hearts. When we give generously, we are acknowledging that everything we have belongs to Him, and we trust Him to take care of us.
If you’ve been struggling with the idea of giving, start small. Ask God to guide you, and take steps toward cultivating a heart of generosity. Whether it’s giving financially to your church, supporting a missionary, or helping a neighbor in need, your generosity can be a powerful way to reflect the love of Christ.
Remember, giving is not about fulfilling a legal requirement but about partnering with God in His work on earth. When we give with a cheerful heart, we honor God and open ourselves up to experiencing His blessings in new and unexpected ways.
As we continue to grow in our relationship with God, let’s strive to be generous, just as He has been generous to us. I’ve written a deeper article about tithing here, check it out if you want to know more about the subject. God bless.