Ask the Pastor
Is there a Biblical standard for tithing?
The starting point for all discussions about giving should begin with God. All that is, is made by God. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1 NIV) In the first chapter of Genesis, God assigns mankind to watch over and steward his creation. God is the first giver who gives us our very being and then lets us care for all he has made. The New Testament is even more startling; God gives even himself to us. Philippians 2:8 records that Jesus Christ “emptied” himself for us and our salvation. Even faith is a gift from God. God gives to us.
Our life of generosity follows as a result of God’s generosity. We give because he first gave himself. We have the privilege to share our time, talents, treasure, and testimony.
The Old Testament standard for giving is given in Gen. 14:17-20. After returning victorious from battle, Abraham encountered Melchizedek, the mysterious priest-king of Salem, who blessed him in the name of God Most High. In gratitude for God’s deliverance and Melchizedek’s priestly blessing, Abraham gave him a tenth of all the spoils of war.
The word “tithe” literally means a tenth. Centuries later, when the law was given at Sinai, tithing became formalized. Indeed, the Law of Moses lists various additional tithes to be collected: the festival and poor tithe, one to support the Levites, another to rebuild the temple.
In 2 Corinthians 9:7, the Apostle Paul gets to the heart of the issue about giving. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
When we give from compulsion, we breed resentment, not worship. When we give from a cheerful heart, we mirror the love Christ poured out for us—freely, generously, and without demand for return.
God calls some to give only of their means (2 Cor. 8:3), others a widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–4), others to sacrificial giving (Acts 4:32-35), and still others he calls to give all (Luke 18:22).
When we give—whether money, time, or service—we are practicing trust, gratitude, and surrender. We are acknowledging that God is the source of all blessing and that our lives are not ultimately about accumulating for ourselves.
Giving trains our hearts away from materialism and self-centeredness. It combats the pull of greed and helps us live according to Jesus’s teaching that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Every act of generosity is a small rebellion against the world’s message that more stuff equals more happiness.
How much should you give? Biblically, ten percent is a good guideline. Reaching this number may take time and training. When you get there, you may feel called by God to give more; the church thrives on sacrificial giving like the widows mite. More importantly though is giving with a cheerful heart. May the cheer of giving from the heart rub off!
Giving is a tangible expression of thankfulness. It says, “I recognize that God has blessed me, and I’m returning a portion with joy.” This shifts our mindset from scarcity to abundance.
“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” Proverbs 3:9.