Tithing is a surprisingly controversial topic among churches today. The core issue here, is that people love their money and are quick to adopt new doctrine that will save them a buck or two even if it is contrary to the Bible. As an aside, there are many many blessings that believers miss out on by not tithing. Anyway, I wanted to respond to those who would claim that tithing is an archaic, old testament tradition. So here are some verses in the New Testament that show that tithing our money to the church is still a command for Christians today.

The strongest verses in the New Testament that support tithing are I Corinthians 16:1-2.

1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co 16:2 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.

There are several key points here:

  1. You’re supposed to give to your local church
  2. You’re supposed to give every week as a regularly occurring practice. So this was not an offering, but a tithe.
  3. We’re supposed to give on everything that God has prospered us with (technically including non monetary gains!)

These two verses basically address the questions of: Should we give? (yes!) What do we give? (our money!) To whom do we give? (to the church!) How often do we give? (every week!)

The only question that is not answered is How much. Interestingly we’re told in this passage that we need to give a percentage. We are to give as God has prospered us. If God prospered us a lot we need to give a lot and vice versa (just like a percent). The only question is what is that percent?

I don’t know of any verse in the new testament that mandates a 10th be given as a tithe, but a tenth was God’s standard all throughout the old testament. Over and over we see more being required of us under grace in the new testament. I personally believe that a tenth is the bare minimum based on O.T. principles, but there are many examples of sacrificial giving in the new testament that indicate we should be giving far more than a 10th.

Bonus New Testament Verses (there are LOTS of OT ones too):

I Corinthians 9:14 – They that preach the gospel should live of the gospel. We need to support the men of God monetarily.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Sowing and reaping in the context of giving. “Let every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give…”

Matt 6:19-21 Where your treasure is – that’s where your heart will be. So GIVE to the church!

Luke 6:38 Pressed down etc… give and it shall be given to you. You will be rewarded for giving.

Do you tithe?

Related posts:

  1. 4 Reasons Why Atheists Should Go to Church