What Does the Bible Say about Tithing?
If you just won the lottery, and it was a large jackpot like $10 million dollars, what would you do with it? Would you spend it all or save it? Would you give some to charity or to close friends or family? The possibilities are endless. If you’re a Christian, would you give a portion to God in offerings or tithes? What role should money play in our lives of faith?
“Money Get Away, You Get a Good Job with More Pay and You’re Okay” (“Money” by Roger Waters)
The song “Money” by the rock band, Pink Floyd, is a fantastic song. It plays at the love/hate relationship we have with money. Money is necessary for our daily lives. We need it to buy food, clothing, a house, or an apartment, etc. Without money, we can’t really do much of anything. We all need to work, sometimes more than one job, to make ends meet. It can definitely be a struggle in today’s world. I’ve had to work more than one job to pay bills for sure. I’m sure you have had to work some extra hours, too.
Whether we live alone, with roommates, or with family, we still need to make a buck or two. As important as money is, we need to remember the dollar isn’t always greener on the other side. We need to make money, but we’re warned against the greed that comes with it. One of the lines in the song goes like this:
“Money
So they say
Is the root of all evil today”
“Money” by Pink Floyd
In fact, these words are taken from Scripture. In 1 Timothy 6:10 it says,
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:10
Money itself is fine, but the greed of wanting more is what leads to sin. In James 1:15 it says that desire (greed) leads to sin and sin leads to death. We should not love money and become greedy, as Jesus says “No one can serve two masters” and we will love one and despise the other (Matt. 6:24). In other words, our love and greed for money will drive us away from God.
We live in a world where everything costs something and trying to work and pay bills can cause a lot of stress, hardships, and other issues. It’s normal to worry about the times we can’t pay rent when it’s due, or how we will pay for our next meal. But as Christians, the Bible reminds us of where all of our needs come from. In Romans 8:5-8, we are reminded of where our minds ought to be.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” – Romans 8:5-8
We must not set our minds on the things of the world: money, possessions, or our daily lives. Instead, we must set our minds on seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness, and trust God fully with our daily lives. Paul also reminds us in 1 Timothy that if we have food and clothing, we should be content.
“But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
1 Timothy 6:8
So, What is Tithing?
In Colossians 1:16, it says that all things were created by God and for God, and in Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus reminds us that God provides for our daily needs, and we should focus on seeking God’s righteousness first. So, knowing that, what does God ask us to do? He asks us to bring tithes and to trust Him.
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, 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.” – Malachi 3:10
So, how much does God ask for? Only a tenth. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to bring one-tenth of their first harvest, crops, or animals, for offering to God. We see this take place in Genesis with Abraham when he meets the King of Salem, Melchizedek:
“and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.Genesis 14:20
A tenth isn’t that much if you think about it. If you make $2,000 a month, God’s only asking for $200. You keep the other $1,800, but when you’re weighed down by whatever circumstances you’re going through, it can seem like a lot. I don’t know about you, but for the longest time I didn’t tithe, or if I did, it was a small amount. God does understand our needs and cares more about our hearts when giving than the amount. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
There are certainly times when we are unable to give one tenth, but when we can, we should. God is spirit and doesn’t need any physical things like money, food, or other materials. God asks believers to tithe as a show of their faith and in keeping His commands.
Are You Robbing God?
So, what does the Bible say if we don’t tithe? I would have never thought that not tithing would be considered as “robbing God”, but if we don’t keep God’s commands, then we rob God of what is His. In Malachi 3, God tells His people they have turned away from His commands, have kept their tithes for themselves, and thus robbing God. If God’s people don’t keep His commands, what do you think will happen? Will God bless them? No, instead they will be rebuked. When we give tithes and offerings to the church, we trust the pastors will use that for the good of God’s church and not for their own benefit. If they don’t, then they’re robbing God.
“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.”
Malachi 3:8
“From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?“
Malachi 3:7
As children, if we didn’t obey the rules our parents set, then we’d be punished. God, like any parent, has rules His children should follow. Those rules aren’t meant to make us feel confined but to give us true freedom. But if we break those rules, then we must endure the consequences and repent.
Offering Ourselves to God
Now, I’m not trying to guilt you into giving money offerings when you can’t afford to. That’s not it. We can give God offerings through other means, too. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
If we can’t offer monetary tithes, we can give God our time in service, our love in helping others in the church, and importantly in understanding the Word. When we offer God ourselves, our hearts, we should do our best to obey His commands.
God requires His believers, us, to love and obey His Word. He wants all believers to grow to maturity in faith and understanding. As we grow in our understanding of God’s Word and applying it to our life of faith, we will be more willing to give God what He asks for. Tithing won’t seem like a burden or anything like that, but instead it will show our complete trust in God and His promises. God promises us this in Malachi 3:10: “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.”
God tells us that if we trust in God and keep His Word, He will bless us. Physical blessings are nice, but we should not be believers who become attached to the things of this world. If we become attached to the riches and pleasures of this world, we won’t grow to maturity and end up falling away (Luke 8:14). I don’t want to rob God of His offerings because I’m afraid of my daily needs, so I tithe and give offerings out of my love and faith in God.
I hope and pray you can also love and trust God enough to give offerings and tithes. If we truly want to become God’s children, then we should give back to God as He asks. God has given us everything we need for life. And the greatest gift He gives is eternal life. Surely, we can give a small portion back to repay His grace given to us.
Written by Kenny
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