Tithing is an age-old practice rooted in religious and historical texts, particularly in the Bible. In these texts, tithing is often depicted as the giving of a portion, typically one-tenth, of one’s earnings back to God. It serves as a reminder to believers of their dependence on God for provision, as well as an act of gratitude for His abundance.
What Does the Bible Say About Tithing?
Throughout the Bible, tithing is depicted as being given willingly and cheerfully, rather than under compulsion. The principle underscores the voluntary nature of tithing as an act of consciousness and voluntary surrender rather than an obligatory duty. The Bible advises believers to give rather than being coerced, with a pure heart and a joyful spirit. The act of giving, according to the Bible, mirrors God’s generosity, turning believers into channels of blessing.
Why is Tithing Important in the Bible?
The significance of tithing in the Bible extends beyond the material benefits it may bring. Tithing is observed not merely out of obligation, but also out of a sense of gratitude and respect for God’s generosity. It serves as an acknowledgment and reverence for God’s providence, a demonstration of faith in His continued provision, and a stepping stone for a stronger relationship with God. Like prayer and worship, tithing is a way to express faith, gratitude, and love to God. It also helps to maintain the church, support spiritual leaders, and assist those in need.
When is Tithing Mentioned in the Bible?
Tithing is a recurring theme in the Bible, appearing in several instances across both the Old and New Testaments. From the story of Abraham giving a tenth of his spoils of war, to Jacob vowing to give a tithe of all he owned, it’s clear that the Bible presents tithing as a timeless principle. In the New Testament, when Jesus interacts with the Pharisees, he alludes to tithing as a godly practice, but cautions against neglecting the more important matters of the law, like justice and mercy. While the New Testament does not command believers to tithe, it repeatedly encourages general and generous giving.
Who Benefited from Tithing in the Bible?
In the Bible, tithes were primarily used to sustain the Levites – the tribe tasked with tabernacle and temple service. Since the Levites did not have tribal lands like the others, they depended on tithes for their livelihood. Over time, the use of tithes extended to aiding the poor, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. In essence, tithing became a means of making provision for those who were disadvantaged, thus reflecting God’s egalitarian heart.
What is the Purpose of Tithing in the Bible?
The Bible encourages tithing as a way of honoring God with first fruits, acknowledging His Blessings, and expressing trust in His provision. Another fundamental purpose of tithing, as portrayed in the Bible, is as a means of kindling compassion and generosity in the believer. Through tithing, believers learn to be less self-centered and more God- and others-centered in their stewardship of resources. Tithing also assists in funding church activities, supporting spiritual leaders, aiding the poor and the needy, and advancing God’s kingdom.
Below is our full list of bible verses on tithing (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Tithing
Malachi 3:8-10
“8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Reaping Stewardship Money
Luke 6:38
“38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Related Themes: Reaping Money Reaping What You Sow Finances Serving Others
Proverbs 3:9
“9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:”
Mark 12:41-44
“41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
Related Themes: Money Offering Giving Finances Generosity
Leviticus 27:30
“30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.”
Related Themes: Offering Stewardship
Matthew 23:23
“23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Related Themes: Justice Fidelity Money Hypocrisy Judging Others
Malachi 3:8
“8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
Luke 11:42
“42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Matthew 6:1-4
“1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
Deuteronomy 14:22-26
“22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,”
Acts 20:35
“35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Related Themes: Money Serving Others Charity Generosity Finances
Genesis 28:20-22
“20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
“28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Strangers Serving The Poor
Haggai 2:8
“8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Numbers 18:21
“21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”
Related Themes: Offering
Romans 13:7
“7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
Related Themes: Money Respecting Your Parents Business Money Finances
Malachi 3:10
“10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Reaping Prosperity Giving
Genesis 28:22
“22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
Deuteronomy 14:22
“22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.”
Malachi 3:6-10
“6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Related Themes: Change Confusion Self-Defense Rebuilding
Hebrews 7:5
“5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:”
1 Corinthians 16:2
“2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Benevolence Giving Faith
2 Corinthians 9:7
“7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Genesis 14:20
“20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
Genesis 14:18-20
“18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
Related Themes: Reaping
Luke 18:12
“12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”
Related Themes: Fasting
Acts 4:34-35
“34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
1 Corinthians 13:3
“3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
Related Themes: Pride Suffering Reaping Benevolence Love
Leviticus 27:32
“32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.”
