What Does the Bible Say About Tithing? 20 Best Verses

Have you done a bible study specifically on what does the bible say about tithing? In today’s economy, times are harder than ever to supply just the basic needs for our families. Food prices are rising as well as gas, housing, clothing, and the list goes on and on. As Christians, we face these struggles too. What does the bible say about tithing in financial hardships?

Now when we’re facing income challenges should we still tithe? The answer is Yes, we do. The Bible is clear on this. So, what does the bible say about tithing?

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Tithing in the Bible: What Does the Bible Say about Tithing?

The word “tithe” comes from an Old English root meaning “one-tenth.” It is the common English translation of the Old Testament Hebrew word.

The tithe was an offering of one’s agricultural income to the Lord as an expression of thanks and dedication.

What Does the Bible Say About Tithing in the Old Testament?

In the Old Testament agricultural economy, tithes were paid not in cash. Instead, tithes were paid in gold or goods or crops and livestock, for only the agricultural fruit of the promised land was to be tithed not other forms of income. 

But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go,  and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock. Deuteronomy 12:5-6

What Does the Bible Say About Tithing And Why We’re Commanded to Tithe?

One of the ways you honor God is by giving him a portion back what He’s given to you. Everything you have comes from God and it belongs to him anyway.

God wants you to be obedient to His ordinance. So how are you able to do this? Give your tithes to the Church you attend. As Christians, you know you are required to do this, don’t you?

However, when your resources are tight and bills exceed the income coming in, in all honesty, are you faithful to tithe then? I must be honest, I am guilty of not tithing at times.

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may confirm His covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18

Scriptures on tithing

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.  Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

God Commands you To Do So

First and foremost, as Christians, you are to obey God, and His word says to tithe. God expects you to be obedient to this whether your finances are stable or not.

To put it another way, tithing and giving show who and what comes first in your life.

Not only this but the fact is this…what you do with your money shows where your heart is. I don’t know about you but this convicts my heart. The following two verses put things in perspective.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

What Does the Bible Say About Tithing On The Widow’s Offering?

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12: 41-44

People Need to Know About Jesus

Tithing is supporting our Church and it keeps the Church operating. Do you realize your tithes provide the ability to reach the lost and help those in need?

Not only this but Churches support many countries and missionaries that are spreading God’s message to those who may not hear the message of salvation otherwise.

If you stop giving tithes when your finances are in dire straits all of these areas will be affected as well.

What is Tithe? Tithing is Trusting God to meet your needs

When you stop tithing is the moment you are placing confidence in yourself and not truly trusting God to provide.

God says when you put him first he will supply your needs. In all honesty, there have been times when giving my tithes has left me broke.

However, in these instances, is when I’ve been on the receiving end of unexpected blessings. One instance was not knowing how I was going to keep my Blog going.

Out of nowhere, I got an increase in my salary. God’s ways are higher than your ways and He just wants you to trust Him and not take matters into your own hands.

Is Offering the Same as Tithing?

Short answer…No! A tithe is 10% of your income and an offering is anything given beyond that, but not in place of the tithing. Offerings are giving more than your percentage of tithes to your Church.

It can also be money given to help your community and/or friends who are in need. Offerings are used to help charitable organizations, missionaries, etc…

What Does the Bible Say About Tithing in Ten Steps

1. Give back to God a portion he’s given you.
2. Pay your tithes first above all else…God will bless it.
3. Consider it a joy to bless others by giving.
4. When it hurts to give is when you’ll receive the biggest blessings.
5. Consider ways to let go of unnecessary luxuries to put tithing first.
6. Give your tithes with the right heart and motivation.
7. View tithing as sowing seeds for God’s kingdom.
8. God will reward and bless our tithing.
9. Tithing is NOT bargaining with God…it’s a commandment.
10. Remember that tithing is about a relationship and trusting God’s provisions.

Quotes on Tithing

“I never will forget this. I went and threw myself across my daughter’s bed, and I cried and I cried and I cried and I cried because I felt like that I had been so faithful and that there was no financial breakthrough for us. Do you ever have one of those days where you are tired of hearing everybody else’s testimony?

But, I made a decision that day, and I think we all have to come to this point in many different areas of our life. And, as I lay across that bed and cried, when I finally got done crying I said this out loud, it was like my declaration, “God, I am going to tithe and give offerings until the day I die whether I ever see anything from it or not!” You know what, from that day forward we began to prosper and increase. And, I believe with all of my heart that was a test for me.”

― Joyce Meyer

“The basic question is not how much of our money we should give to God, but how much of God’s money we should keep for ourselves.”

― Jim George

Perhaps the tithe can be a beginning way to acknowledge God as the owner of all things, but it is only a beginning and not an ending.”

― Richard J. Foster

“Blessed are you who sow. Every seed you so plant will grow into bountiful crops for great harvest.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita

“You don’t need much to give. Give what you have.”

― Lailah Gifty Akita

“To procrastinate obedience is to disobey God.”

― Randy Alcorn

“By this principle (tithing) the loyalty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test. By this principle, it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it.”

― Joseph F Smith

Bible Verses About Tithing 

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. Mark 12:41-44 

And he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise is to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:19-20 

He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the first fruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey, and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. 2 Chronicles 31:4-5

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Malachi 3: 8-9

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits 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

Your Turn

Remember first and foremost, tithing is being obedient to God. Secondly, give your tithes with a cheerful heart and the right heart attitude and motivation behind it. God does NOT need your money it’s an act of obedience and trust. So, what does the Bible say about tithing…Be obedient even when it’s hard. Giving God the first fruits of your labor is not only obeying God but it transforms you as well. It is life-changing when you choose to be obedient and put God first.

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