Money is one of the most frequent topics in Scripture. Jesus talked about money more than heaven and hell combined. Throughout the Bible, we find over 800 verses addressing finances, possessions, and giving. This isn't because God needs our money—He owns everything already. It's because how we handle money reveals what we truly trust and treasure.
The Bible speaks extensively about tithes and offerings. A tithe literally means "tenth" and refers to giving ten percent of one's income or produce to God. In the Old Testament, tithing was a command under the Mosaic Law, designed to support the Levitical priesthood and care for the vulnerable. Offerings, on the other hand, were additional gifts given voluntarily beyond the required tithe.
In the New Testament, the emphasis shifts. Instead of commanding a specific percentage, Scripture calls believers to give generously, cheerfully, and proportionally according to how God has blessed them. The principle remains: everything we have belongs to God, and giving is an act of worship that demonstrates our trust in His provision.
This collection of 25 verses traces God's teaching on tithes and offerings from Genesis through the New Testament, providing insight into what it means to honor God with our finances.
What Are Tithes and Offerings?
Understanding the distinction between tithes and offerings helps us read Scripture more clearly.
A tithe is specifically ten percent. The Hebrew word ma'aser literally means "tenth part." In ancient Israel, the tithe wasn't optional—it was required under the Law. Israelites tithed their crops, their herds, and their produce to support the Levites (who had no land inheritance), fund religious festivals, and provide for widows, orphans, and foreigners.
Offerings were different. These were voluntary gifts given beyond the required tithe. When someone wanted to express gratitude, celebrate God's goodness, or contribute to a special project like building the tabernacle, they brought an offering. Offerings came from the heart, not from obligation.
In the New Testament, the word "tithe" rarely appears. Instead, we find teaching about generous giving, cheerful hearts, and sacrificial support for ministry and the poor. The question of whether Christians must tithe exactly ten percent is debated among believers, but what's clear is that God calls His people to be generous, to give proportionally, and to trust Him as our provider.
Old Testament Verses on Tithes and Offerings
Genesis 14:18-20
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.' Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything."
Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek reveals something remarkable: tithing existed before the Mosaic Law was given. This wasn't Abraham following a command—it was a spontaneous act of worship and gratitude. After God gave him victory in battle, Abraham recognized that the triumph came from God, not from his own military skill. Giving a tenth to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High, was Abraham's way of acknowledging God's sovereignty and blessing. This establishes an important principle: giving to God is a response to His goodness, not a formula for earning it. Abraham didn't tithe to get blessed; he tithed because he had been blessed.
Genesis 28:20-22
"Then Jacob made a vow, saying, 'If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.'"
Jacob's vow shows us both faith and self-interest mixed together. He's fleeing from his brother Esau, alone and vulnerable, and he makes a conditional promise to God. Modern readers might find this transactional approach uncomfortable, but Jacob is being honest about where he is spiritually. He's essentially saying, "God, if you prove yourself faithful to me, I'll prove myself faithful to you." What's instructive here is that even in his immature faith, Jacob understood that a tenth belonged to God. This wasn't an innovative idea—it was already embedded in the culture of God's people. Over time, God would mature Jacob's faith, but even at this stage, tithing represented acknowledging God's claim on everything.
Leviticus 27:30
"A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD."
The language here is critical: the tithe doesn't become God's when you give it. It already belongs to God. Israelites weren't giving God something of their own; they were returning what was already His. The word "holy" means "set apart" or "consecrated." The first ten percent of everything they grew or raised was marked off as God's property before they ever touched it. This fundamentally challenges our modern assumption that everything we earn is ours to do with as we please. If God owns the first tenth before we receive our income, then our relationship to money changes completely. We're not owners deciding how generous to be with our own stuff—we're stewards managing what belongs to someone else.
Numbers 18:21
"I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting."
God designed a system where those who served Him full-time were supported by those who worked in other occupations. The Levites had no farmland, no herds, no means of producing income. Their inheritance was the Lord Himself, and their provision came through the tithes of the other tribes. This established a principle that carries into the New Testament: those who devote themselves to spiritual ministry should be supported by the community they serve. Paul would later write that "the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." The tithe wasn't a tax extracted by greedy religious leaders—it was God's provision for those He called to serve.
Numbers 18:26
"Speak to the Levites and say to them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD's offering.'"
Even those who received the tithe had to give from what they received. The Levites couldn't simply consume everything given to them; they had to give back to God from God's provision to them. This underscores that giving isn't just for wealthy people or those with abundance. Everyone who receives from God's hand—which is everyone—owes God a portion in return. The Levites might have argued, "But this is our income! This is how we survive!" God's answer was clear: I provided this for you, and you will honor me with it before you use it. No one is exempt from the call to give, regardless of their financial situation.
Deuteronomy 14:22-23
"Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always."
This passage describes the festival tithe, which was used differently than the Levitical tithe. Israelites brought this tithe to Jerusalem for the annual feasts and actually consumed it themselves in celebration before God. This reveals something beautiful: God wanted His people to enjoy His blessings in His presence. Giving to God wasn't meant to be grim and austere. It was meant to be joyful, celebratory, and communal. When we tithe and give offerings, we're not just fulfilling an obligation—we're participating in worship. God designed giving to remind us that He is the source of every good thing, and that recognizing His provision should lead to joy, not resentment.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
"At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."
Every third year, the tithe went to a different purpose: caring for the most vulnerable members of society. Widows had no husbands to provide for them. Orphans had no parents. Foreigners had no family network. The Levites had no land. God wove social welfare directly into Israel's worship system. You couldn't claim to honor God with your tithe while ignoring the poor in your community. This third-year tithe demonstrates that God's concern isn't just spiritual—it's practical. Our giving should reflect God's heart for justice and mercy. A church that collects offerings but ignores the needy has missed the entire point.
2 Chronicles 31:5-6
"As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the LORD their God, and they piled them in heaps."
Under King Hezekiah's reforms, Israel returned to faithful worship, and their giving reflected it. Notice the word "generously" appears before the description of tithes. They didn't give grudgingly or calculate exactly ten percent to the penny and stop there. They gave abundantly. The physical image of offerings "piled in heaps" shows that when hearts turn toward God, generosity naturally follows. This contradicts the notion that teaching about giving is manipulative or guilt-driven. When people genuinely worship God and recognize His goodness, they want to give. The problem isn't that pastors talk too much about money—it's that hearts grow cold toward God, and tight-fisted giving simply reveals that spiritual condition.
Proverbs 3:9-10
"Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
Firstfruits means giving God the first and best, not the leftovers. Israelites didn't wait until the end of harvest season to see what remained and then give God a portion. They gave from the first yield, before they knew how abundant the full harvest would be. This requires faith—you're giving away produce before you know if there will be enough. The promise attached to this command is abundance, but it's not a guaranteed formula. God isn't a vending machine where you insert a tithe and receive automatic prosperity. Rather, God promises to care for those who honor Him first. People who trust God enough to give Him the first portion are demonstrating that they believe He owns everything and will provide. That kind of faith pleases God and positions us to receive His blessing.
Proverbs 11:24
"One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty."
Generosity creates a different kind of wealth that stinginess can never produce. The person who hoards might think they're building security, but they're actually impoverishing themselves. Not just financially—though that can happen—but spiritually, relationally, and emotionally. Generosity connects you to community, opens your heart to others' needs, and builds trust in God's provision. Stinginess isolates you, hardens your heart, and makes you dependent on your own limited resources. This proverb isn't primarily about money multiplying—though God can certainly do that. It's about the kind of life generous people experience versus the anxiety and emptiness that accompanies greed.
Malachi 3:8-9
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me."
This is one of the most confrontational passages in Scripture. God doesn't say they've "forgotten" to tithe or "neglected" their offerings. He calls it robbery. When we withhold what belongs to God, we're not just being ungenerous—we're stealing. The language is shocking, but it reflects how seriously God views our stewardship. He doesn't need our money, but He requires our obedience and trust. Withholding tithes revealed Israel's deeper problem: they didn't trust God to provide, they didn't acknowledge His ownership, and they wanted to live independently. The curse mentioned isn't God being vindictive—it's the natural consequence of rejecting God's system of provision and blessing. When you remove yourself from God's economic order, you lose access to His supernatural supply.
Malachi 3:10
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
This is perhaps the most famous tithing verse in Scripture. God issues a challenge: test Him. In almost every other area, testing God is forbidden, but here He invites it. Why? Because He knows that faithful giving leads to experiencing His faithfulness. The "storehouse" was the temple treasury where tithes were collected and distributed. When it was empty, priests couldn't be supported, the poor went hungry, and worship suffered. God promises that when His people return to faithful giving, He will release blessings they can't even contain. This doesn't mean everyone who tithes becomes wealthy. It means God opens up His resources—provision, protection, opportunities, peace—in ways that exceed what we could accomplish on our own. The blessing isn't always financial, but it's always real.
New Testament Verses on Giving and Generosity
Matthew 6:1-4
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Jesus assumes His followers will give—the question is how and why. Public giving to gain admiration isn't generosity; it's performance. The Pharisees who made a show of their donations received exactly what they wanted: human praise. But that was all they received. God doesn't reward giving that's motivated by ego. The instruction to give so secretly that your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing is hyperbolic, but the point is clear: giving should be between you and God. When you give privately, without any audience to impress, you prove that your motive is worship, not recognition. God sees what no one else sees, and He rewards what's done purely for Him.
Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."
The Pharisees were so meticulous about tithing that they calculated ten percent of the herbs in their gardens. Jesus doesn't condemn this precision—He says "without neglecting the former," affirming their attention to tithing. But He rebukes them for missing the bigger picture. They measured out mint leaves while ignoring justice. They counted cumin seeds while showing no mercy. They were exact in their tithes while unfaithful in their relationships. This passage warns against using giving as a cover for spiritual bankruptcy in other areas. You can't tithe your way into righteousness while treating people unjustly. God cares about your giving, but He cares even more about your character, your integrity, and how you treat others.
Mark 12:41-44
"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.'"
Jesus measures giving differently than we do. The wealthy gave large sums, but it didn't cost them anything—they still had plenty left. The widow gave two tiny coins, practically worthless in monetary terms, but it represented her entire livelihood. She had nothing left after giving. From heaven's perspective, she gave more than all the rich donors combined. This passage redefines generosity. It's not about the amount; it's about the sacrifice. Giving that doesn't cost you anything doesn't demonstrate faith or trust in God. The widow's gift said, "I trust God to provide for me even if I give Him everything I have." That kind of radical trust is what moves God's heart.
Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
This verse describes generosity creating a cycle of blessing. The imagery comes from ancient marketplaces where grain was measured. An honest merchant would fill the container, press down to eliminate air pockets, shake it to settle the grain, and then add more until it overflowed. That's how God responds to generous giving—not with a stingy matching amount, but with abundance that exceeds what you gave. The principle works both ways: if you give with a small measure, you receive with a small measure. If you give generously, you receive generously. This isn't prosperity gospel manipulation—it's a spiritual law woven into reality. Generous people experience life differently than stingy people, not because they're richer, but because they're living in alignment with how God designed His kingdom to operate.
Acts 20:35
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Paul quotes Jesus saying something not recorded in the Gospels. Apparently, Jesus taught this principle multiple times because it was embedded in the early church's memory. The statement contradicts human intuition. We naturally think receiving is better—that's why we pursue raises, inheritance, windfalls. But Jesus says the greater blessing belongs to the giver, not the receiver. Why? Because giving frees you from greed's grip. It connects you to God's purposes. It produces joy that receiving never quite delivers. People who've experienced both generous giving and self-focused accumulation consistently report that giving brings deeper satisfaction. Jesus wasn't asking His followers to believe something false; He was revealing a truth about how humans are wired. We're designed to give, and we experience God's blessing most fully when we live generously.
2 Corinthians 8:3-4
"For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people."
Paul describes the Macedonian churches, who were themselves in poverty, begging for the opportunity to give to other believers in need. This turns our normal thinking upside down. They gave beyond their ability—which means they gave what they couldn't afford to give. And they weren't guilted into it; they begged to participate. When the Holy Spirit is working in people's hearts, giving stops being a burden and becomes a privilege. The Macedonians understood something most modern Christians miss: giving isn't about what you can afford. It's about trusting God to provide. When you give beyond your ability, you're forced to depend on God, and that's exactly where He wants you.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Paul uses agricultural imagery to explain giving. Farmers who plant few seeds harvest small crops. Farmers who plant abundantly reap abundant harvests. The same principle applies to generosity. If you give little, expecting little in return, that's what you'll experience. If you give generously, trusting God with the outcome, you position yourself for an abundant harvest. But notice the emphasis on heart attitude: giving must be cheerful, not reluctant or forced. God doesn't want guilt-driven, manipulated, or begrudging giving. He wants givers who are so confident in His provision that they give joyfully, even sacrificially. The cheerful giver isn't naïve about their finances—they're convinced that God is faithful, and that conviction produces joy.
2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
This verse immediately follows the "cheerful giver" passage and explains why Christians can afford to be generous: God is able to bless you abundantly. Not "might" or "could possibly"—He is able. The abundance isn't so you can hoard wealth; it's so you'll have enough to abound in every good work. God's provision creates a cycle: He blesses you, you give generously, He blesses you again, you give even more. This isn't about getting rich; it's about having sufficient resources to participate in God's work without anxiety. The promise is "all that you need" and "every good work"—which means God provides exactly what's required for you to accomplish what He's called you to do. Generous givers never run out because God never runs out.
Philippians 4:18-19
"I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
Paul thanks the Philippian church for supporting his ministry financially. Then he attaches a promise to their giving: God will meet all their needs. This isn't a blank check for unlimited wealth. It's a promise of sufficiency. When you support God's work through your giving, God guarantees He will take care of you. Notice Paul calls their financial gift a "fragrant offering" and "acceptable sacrifice." Their money became worship. Every check written, every online transfer made to support ministry or help others in need—God receives it as an act of devotion that pleases Him. Your giving isn't just transactional; it's spiritual. It rises to God like incense, and He responds by ensuring your needs are met from His unlimited resources.
1 Timothy 6:17-18
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
Paul doesn't condemn wealth—he condemns arrogance and misplaced trust. Wealthy believers aren't told to feel guilty about their resources. They're told to use them well. The danger of wealth is that it creates an illusion of security. You start believing your bank account will solve problems, provide safety, and deliver happiness. Paul says wealth is uncertain—it can vanish overnight. The only reliable security is God. So wealthy Christians are commanded to be generous and willing to share. Not because money is evil, but because generosity keeps your heart focused on the right source of provision. When you give freely, you demonstrate that your hope isn't in your portfolio—it's in the God who provides everything you enjoy.
Hebrews 13:16
"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
The book of Hebrews contrasts Old Testament sacrifices with New Testament worship. Under the old covenant, people brought animal sacrifices to the temple. Under the new covenant established by Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, believers offer different sacrifices: praise, good deeds, and sharing with others. Your generosity is a sacrifice that pleases God. Not because He needs what you give, but because your giving demonstrates faith, trust, and alignment with His character. Every time you write a check to your church, support a missionary, give to someone in need, or donate to a ministry, you're offering a sacrifice on the altar of worship. God sees it, values it, and is pleased by it.
Should Christians Tithe Today?
This question creates significant debate among believers, and honest Christians hold different views. Understanding both perspectives helps us think clearly about our own giving.
Some Christians argue that tithing is no longer required because it was part of the Mosaic Law, which Christ fulfilled. The New Testament never commands believers to tithe exactly ten percent. Instead, Paul and other apostles emphasize generous, cheerful, proportional giving according to how God has blessed each person. In this view, using ten percent as a legalistic requirement misunderstands grace and can lead to either pride (if you tithe) or guilt (if you don't).
Other Christians see ten percent as a helpful starting point, not a maximum. They argue that if Israelites under the Law gave ten percent (actually closer to twenty-three percent when you count all the required tithes), Christians under grace should surely give at least that much. They view tithing as a practical, biblical baseline that honors God and supports ministry.
What's clear regardless of your position: New Testament believers are called to be generous. We should give regularly, proportionally, sacrificially, and cheerfully. Whether you use ten percent as your baseline or calculate giving differently, several principles apply:
Give from your firstfruits, not your leftovers. Honor God first with your income, before paying other bills or spending on yourself. This demonstrates that God is your priority.
Give cheerfully, not under compulsion. Guilt-driven, manipulated, or resentful giving doesn't please God. He wants gifts that flow from grateful, trusting hearts.
Give sacrificially according to your means. The poor widow's two coins were proportionally more generous than large gifts from the wealthy. God evaluates sacrifice, not amounts.
Give to support ministry, help the poor, and spread the gospel. Your giving should advance God's kingdom purposes, not just maintain religious buildings.
The question isn't whether Christians are required to give exactly ten percent. The question is whether we're giving generously enough that it requires faith and trust in God's provision. If your giving doesn't cost you anything or require trusting God, you probably aren't giving biblically.
Principles of Biblical Giving
Several principles emerge from Scripture's teaching on tithes and offerings, applicable whether you tithe precisely or practice generous giving:
Give from the firstfruits. Don't wait until the end of the month to see what's left. Give to God first, before paying bills or spending on yourself. This demonstrates that God is your first priority, not an afterthought.
Give cheerfully and willingly. God loves a cheerful giver, not someone who gives out of guilt, obligation, or manipulation. If you can't give joyfully, work on your heart attitude before increasing the amount.
Give proportionally to your income. Those with more should give more; those with less give what they can. God doesn't expect the same dollar amount from everyone—He expects the same heart attitude.
Give in secret when possible. Don't give to gain recognition or admiration from others. Private giving protects your motives and keeps your heart focused on God's approval, not human applause.
Give to support ministry and help those in need. Your giving should fund gospel preaching, support church leaders, care for the poor, and advance God's kingdom. This isn't about building religious empires; it's about meeting real needs and spreading God's truth.
Give as an act of worship. Giving isn't primarily about meeting budgets or funding programs. It's worship that acknowledges God owns everything and demonstrates your trust in His provision.
Give expecting God's provision in return. This isn't prosperity gospel manipulation, but biblical confidence that God will take care of those who honor Him with their resources. You can't outgive God, and He promises to meet the needs of generous givers.
These principles help us move beyond arguments about percentages to the heart of what biblical giving means: trusting God enough to give sacrificially, joyfully, and regularly.
Conclusion
From Genesis to Hebrews, Scripture consistently calls God's people to honor Him with their finances. Whether through the required tithes of the Old Testament or the generous, cheerful giving emphasized in the New Testament, the message remains: everything we have comes from God, and giving is how we acknowledge His ownership and provision.
The widow's two coins, Abraham's tenth to Melchizedek, the Macedonian churches giving beyond their ability, and Malachi's call to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse all point to the same truth: generous giving flows from hearts that trust God.
Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Your giving habits reveal what you truly treasure. If you're holding tightly to your money, unable to give sacrificially, your heart is likely focused on financial security rather than on God. If you're giving generously, even when it requires faith, your heart is positioned to experience God's provision in ways that those who hoard never will.
Examine your own giving. Are you giving from your firstfruits or your leftovers? Are you giving cheerfully or reluctantly? Are you giving sacrificially enough that it requires trusting God, or are you only giving comfortable amounts that don't touch your lifestyle? These questions matter because they reveal the condition of your heart toward God.
God promises to provide for those who honor Him with their resources. Whether you give ten percent, more, or less, give in a way that demonstrates faith, worship, and trust in the God who owns everything and provides everything we need.
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