What does tithing mean?

Tithing means giving a tenth. In the Old Testament, Israel gave a tenth of their crops and flocks to God to support worship, the priests, and the poor (Leviticus 27:30), a way of confessing that everything belongs to God.

Do Christians have to tithe?

Christians differ. Some hold the tithe as a continuing standard; others see the New Testament emphasising freely purposed, cheerful, proportionate giving (2 Corinthians 9:7) rather than a fixed percentage. Nearly all treat a tenth as a wise, generous starting point, not a rule to earn God's favour.

What did Jesus say about tithing?

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus told meticulous tithers they had neglected 'the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith.' He affirmed giving ('these ought ye to have done') but refused to let it replace justice and mercy. The heart matters more than the arithmetic.

Jesus and Money

What Is Tithing?

Tithing means giving a tenth. In the Old Testament, Israel gave a tenth of their produce and flocks to God, supporting the priests, the worship, and the poor. Jesus affirmed that giving is good but insisted the heart behind it matters more than the arithmetic. Christians differ on whether the tithe is a rule today; nearly all agree the tenth is a wise, generous starting place, not a ceiling.

What Scripture actually says

“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.”

Leviticus 27:30

“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.”

Matthew 23:23

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

What it means

The tithe was Israel’s way of confessing that everything belonged to God and of funding worship and mercy. Jesus’ word in Matthew 23:23 is the key balance: he does not abolish giving (‘these ought ye to have done’), but he refuses to let careful tithing become a substitute for justice, mercy, and faith. You can tithe perfectly and still miss God’s heart.

Christians hold different views. Some see the tithe as a continuing standard; others see the New Testament moving beyond a fixed percentage to freely purposed, cheerful, proportionate giving, where a tenth is a helpful floor rather than the finish line. What Scripture will not allow is either legalism, giving to check a box, or a prosperity bargain, giving to make God pay out. Give gladly, from the heart, as worship, and let it be generous.

Frequently asked questions

What does tithing mean?: Tithing means giving a tenth. In the Old Testament, Israel gave a tenth of their crops and flocks to God to support worship, the priests, and the poor (Leviticus 27:30), a way of confessing that everything belongs to God.
Do Christians have to tithe?: Christians differ. Some hold the tithe as a continuing standard; others see the New Testament emphasising freely purposed, cheerful, proportionate giving (2 Corinthians 9:7) rather than a fixed percentage. Nearly all treat a tenth as a wise, generous starting point, not a rule to earn God's favour.
What did Jesus say about tithing?: In Matthew 23:23 Jesus told meticulous tithers they had neglected 'the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith.' He affirmed giving ('these ought ye to have done') but refused to let it replace justice and mercy. The heart matters more than the arithmetic.

Turn it into a step: The widow's mite → Money follows the heart, so the surest way to loosen its grip is to give. You can serve someone in need or offer your gifts today.

✝

Come and meet him yourself

Jesus did not talk about money to shame the poor or flatter the rich. He talked about it because he wanted our hearts, and money is the thing that most quietly competes for them. The living Christ is not an argument to be won but a Person to be met, and he still draws near to everyone who comes to him with an open hand and an honest heart. Read his own words, watch what he does, and see.

Meet Jesus Serve someone Ask for prayer

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Explore furtherGiving Generosity Handling money The widow's mite