The short answer is yes. The long answer is, well, long. This question came up Sunday in small group, where I tried to address it, but the time and format didn’t allow for a proper and thorough answer. I had to rush through it to get back to the lesson. Let’s see if I can do it justice here.
There’s a medium-length answer too. The mid-length answer is what you look for, you will find. The internet is filled with people on both sides of this issue, which baffles me. However, people do what they want to do. Oftentimes, the question behind the question isn’t is tithing scriptural but whether I should be tithing at all. Christians know tithing as a concept, but statistics show most Christians do not tithe. Given most people aren’t giving the tithe, the real reason behind the question is often trying to justify it being okay not to give.
That was not the motivation for the question in small group. I want to be clear there. I am not pointing a finger at anyone. If you are tithing, great. If you are not, it isn’t salvational if that’s the concern. However, I do believe we should be tithing. I’m using that word a lot, and it’s on purpose. Most Christians give, but most do not tithe. We’ll get into the distinction, too. First, let’s look at the definition of the English word tithe/tithing.
tithe
tahyth
noun
Sometimes tithes. The tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.
Any tax, levy, or the like, especially of one-tenth.
A tenth part or any indefinitely small part of anything.Verb
(used with object),tithed, tith·ing.
To give or pay a tithe or tenth of (produce, money, etc.).
To give or pay tithes on (crops, income, etc.).
To exact a tithe from (a person, community, parish, etc.).
to levy a tithe on (crops, income, etc.)Verb
(used without object),tithed, tith·ing.
To give or pay a tithe
A “tithe” is giving one-tenth of something. In modern terms, that means ten percent of gross income. Biblically, this equates to “first fruits.” But is it scriptural? Let’s look at the scripture most commonly quoted for this first.
23Woe 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.
24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Matthew 23:23–24 (KJV 1900)
You’re going to have to suffer through the King James Version on this one, too. Sorry about that, but it is necessary. If you struggle with the scripture in the King James, feel free to have your favorite translation next to your computer.
Matthew twenty-three is the most common scripture quoted when discussing tithing, but it doesn’t tell us to give one-tenth, just uses the word tithe. Why? Before I give you my thoughts on that, let’s look at the Greek word behind “tithe” in that passage above.
Greek Strong’s Number: 586
Greek Word: ἀποδεκατόω
Transliteration: apodekatoō
Phonetic Pronunciation: ap-od-ek-at-o’-o
Root: from <G575> and <G1183>
Cross Reference:
Part of Speech: v
Vine’s Words: Tithe
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
pay tithe 1
tithe 1
give tithe 1
take tithe 1
[Total Count: 4]
from <G575> (apo) and <G1183> (dekatoo); to tithe (as debtor or creditor):- (give, pay, take) tithe.
James Strong, “Ἀποδεκατόω,” Strong’s Talking Greek and Hebrew Dictionary (WORDsearch, 2020).
This leads us to the base word for tithe, dekatoo.
Greek Strong’s Number: 1183
Greek Word: δεκατόω
Transliteration: dekatoō
Phonetic Pronunciation: dek-at-o’-o
Root: from <G1181>
Cross Reference:
Part of Speech: v
Vine’s Words: Tithe
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
receive tithes 1
pay tithes 1
[Total Count: 2]
from <G1181> (dekate); to tithe, i.e. to give or take a tenth:- pay (receive) tithes.
James Strong, “Δεκατόω,” Strong’s Talking Greek and Hebrew Dictionary (WORDsearch, 2020).
When the KJV was written circa 1611, the relationship between lord, steward, and vassal was commonly known. We’ve lost that today. The concept of tithing and its terminology is likewise gone for the most part from our vocabulary except in church. The idea that it meant one-tenth was simply understood as we would understand our annual property taxes in the United States.
So, is that one-tenth amount written in stone, and does it carry consequences for doing or not doing it? It is not “written in stone” any more than any other proclamation of God is. In both Deuteronomy and Leviticus, we have commands to tithe to the Lord. However, note in Leviticus that we have the one-tenth amount laid out here.
30And 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.
31And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
32And 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.
Leviticus 27:30–32 (KJV 1900)
Here, Deuteronomy is talking about the tithe as well.
22Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
23And 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.
24And 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:
25Then 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:
Deuteronomy 14:22–25 (KJV 1900)
Here in Deuteronomy, we have the tithe turned into money so that it is not just the fruits of the fields that are acceptable. Still, whatever our labors produce, including solely money, that is acceptable and good to tithe. That’s important from the modern perspective because most of us don’t produce goods of livestock or labor anymore. We earn a wage based on working for someone. That wage becomes what we take our first fruits or tithes from.
Is this then something for us in the modern day to do? Yes. Jesus in Matthew (and also in Luke 6:38, which essentially recounts the same warning for the Pharisees) rebukes the Pharisees, instructing them to turn to the tithe and all the other things they are doing. But why?
If we read more of that Matthew passage, we see Jesus angrily rebuking the Pharisees for being hypocrites. These supposed holy men lay upon their followers all sorts of requirements to be “holy,” but they do not attend to such things. If we focus on a specific theme Jesus repeatedly uses in this chapter, we can see what Christ is trying to tell His listeners.
16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Matthew 23:16–22 (KJV 1900)
Jesus uses the temple, the altar, and even Heaven itself to make His point. It isn’t the gold, the gift, or even the destination of Heaven that’s important as far as what Jesus wants us to do with the tithe. Jesus wants us to know why we tithe. He wants us to have the right reason in our hearts to tithe. It isn’t about fulfilling the letter of the law. That’s just rule-keeping. There is no passion, justice, or righteousness in keeping the rule because that’s what we are “supposed to do.” Jesus’ point is that we should give because God uses the things we give to further His plans, ways, and kingdom. He uses what His children bring into His house to further His Kingdom.
8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation.
10Bring 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.
Malachi 3:8–10 (KJV 1900)
Verse ten, “…that there might be meat in mine house….” Historically, the tithes brought in by the children of God were used to feed and care for the Levites, the priest class, who tended to their spiritual well-being. Today, our tithes to our local church enable their mission work, including keeping their building doors open, the heat on, the staff employed, and all manner of material needs to minister to the flock that attends there.
Here is why it is not salvational. What that means is we cannot buy our way into Heaven. Tithing does not buy us anything, doesn’t win us points with God to outweigh bad deeds, and cannot do anything to counter the justice we deserve for the sins we individually carry with us as the results of some of our actions. That isn’t what tithing is. So, what is it?
Tithing honors the Lord our God for what He has done for us and others.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the Lord with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Proverbs 3:7–10 (KJV 1900)
In verse ten, note that the Proverb tells us an “If/Then” for tithing too. Does that mean I'll be wealthy and prosper if I give to the church? Not necessarily. There are a lot of ways to prosper beyond monetary wealth. However, the point is that if you give, you also get from God. So, how much should we be giving? Well, it said a tenth in the Old Testament. However, that is not written in stone, so what is it?
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8And 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:
9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
2 Corinthians 9:6–9 (KJV 1900)
Verse seven, “…according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give….” Let me quote this one from the NASB, so it is clearer.
6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
9as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:6–9 (NASB95)
Read verse seven in its entirety. That is how God wants us to give, but that still doesn’t address what to give or how much. We’ve talked a great deal about a tenth, so is that the only way, the only amount that God rewards or sees as good, right, and true? Nope.
1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury.
2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.
3And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them;
4for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”
Luke 21:1–4 (NASB95)
The Widow’s Mite. She gave everything she had, but it was quite a bit less monetarily than the “rich.” The “rich” in this set of verses are giving much more than the Widow and fulfilling the tenth of their first fruits. God doesn’t need the money. God needs children willing to give to those in need in His Kingdom. That is Christ’s point and what God wants in listing the tithe in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7) because, in the happy giver, we see the love of God reflected to the world around them. The cheerful giver represents the Kingdom of Heaven well. The cheerful giver entices those who see him or her to wonder how that person can be so happy and has an abundance to give.
Those things that we have were God’s before we got them. Our increase, our bounty, and the abundance we experience can come and go for many reasons. When we have plenty, we should share it because there will always be people in need, and sometimes that might be us. However, if we give with a happy heart, we might never need someone else to give to us, and scripture reinforces that idea.
36“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
38“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
Luke 6:36–38 (NASB95)
That doesn’t mean that just because you give, God will reward you. That’s a works-based approach and is not what Jesus and God are after. We should give because we are saying thank you to God for what He has done for us, namely Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. That alone should move us to give. But note at the end of verse thirty-eight above, we have the same yardstick we get in judgment, meaning the way we judge others is how we will be judged. The way we give is how it will be given to us.
So, how do you give? What do you give? Why do you give? Do you give? Is it “enough?” You’re the only one who can answer those questions, but I’d suggest talking to God first. He might have some really good advice centered around your giving. God bless and Godspeed.