Tithing is an important act of faith and obedience in Christianity. Giving 10 percent of our income back to God is a practice rooted in the Bible, teaching us about generosity and trust in God’s provision. Let’s explore some key Bible verses that guide us on this journey of tithing.
Bible Verses About Tithing 10 Percent
Malachi 3:10 – God promises blessings for tithing
“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.” – Malachi 3:10
Leviticus 27:30 – A tenth belongs to the Lord
“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.” – Leviticus 27:30
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – Giving generously is a principle for blessing
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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 9:6-8
Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor God with our firstfruits
“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.” – Proverbs 3:9-10
Matthew 23:23 – Tithing should not overshadow justice and mercy
“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.” – Matthew 23:23
Hebrews 7:8 – Tithing acknowledges God’s authority
“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.” – Hebrews 7:8
1 Corinthians 16:2 – Give regularly and systematically
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” – 1 Corinthians 16:2
Deuteronomy 14:22 – Set aside a tithe of your income
“Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.” – Deuteronomy 14:22
Luke 6:38 – Generous giving leads to blessings
“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
Romans 12:13 – Share with God’s people in need
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – Romans 12:13
Acts 20:35 – It is more blessed to give than to receive
“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.'” – Acts 20:35
Proverbs 11:25 – A generous person will prosper
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
Matthew 6:21 – Where our treasure is, there our heart will be
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Philippians 4:19 – God supplies our needs
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Psalm 37:21 – The wicked borrow and do not repay
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” – Psalm 37:21
2 Chronicles 31:5 – People brought in the tithes abundantly
“The people brought their tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil, and all that the fields produced.” – 2 Chronicles 31:5
John 3:16 – The ultimate act of giving from God
“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.” – John 3:16
Proverbs 22:9 – The generous will be blessed
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9
Malachi 1:14 – The Lord is a great King and deserves our best
“‘Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and my name is to be feared among the nations.’” – Malachi 1:14
Matthew 6:33 – Seek first God’s kingdom
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Do not put your hope in wealth
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – The love of money is unfulfilling
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” – Ecclesiastes 5:10
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Luke 12:15 – Beware of greed
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'” – Luke 12:15
Galatians 6:7 – A man reaps what he sows
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7
Matthew 19:21 – Sell your possessions and give to the poor
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'” – Matthew 19:21
James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from above
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear, for God is with you
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Hebrews 13:16 – Do good and share what you have
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
Also Read: 30 Important Bible Verses about Hats
What Does the Bible Say About Tithing 10 Percent?
Tithing, or giving 10 percent of our income, is an important practice mentioned in the Bible. While there’s no specific instruction in the New Testament saying we have to tithe exactly 10 percent, the idea comes from a tradition in the Old Testament. Let’s explore this concept and see why it’s significant for many Christians today.
In the Old Testament, we find instances where people gave a tenth of their earnings or harvest. Abraham, for example, gave a tenth of everything he had to Melchizedek, a priest. This act showed gratitude and recognition of God’s blessings. Later, the Israelites were also commanded to give a tenth of their produce and livestock to support the Levites, who were the priests and temple workers.
Why ten percent, though? It seems to be a way of making sure everyone contributed an equal share, regardless of their wealth. This contribution supported not just religious activities, but also the community, including the poor and needy. Giving a portion of our resources helps cultivate a spirit of generosity and reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God.
Now, in the New Testament, while there’s no specific mention that we must stick to ten percent, the principles of giving remain. Paul, in his letters, encourages believers to give generously and cheerfully. The focus is more on the heart and intention behind the giving rather than the exact amount. The important thing is that we give willingly, not out of obligation or pressure.
So, how should we approach tithing today? It can be helpful to start with the idea of giving 10 percent, but we should remember it’s about more than just following a rule. It’s about being thankful for what we have and supporting the needs around us. Some people might be able to give more, some less, but the key is to give with a joyful and grateful heart.
In our daily lives, practicing tithing can mean contributing to our church, supporting charities, or helping a neighbor in need. By doing so, we participate in a tradition that dates back thousands of years and express our faith in action.
When we think about tithing, we should remember that it’s not just about money. It’s about sharing our time, talents, and resources to make a positive impact. Whether we give a little or a lot, our contributions help bring about positive change in our communities and reflect our gratitude for the blessings we have received.