God & Money: The Tithe

How do we give back to God

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Over the years, a hot topic among churchgoers has been the 10% tithe.

If you want to see people get worked up over money (especially if they have gotten past whether it is terrible or not), you should ask them about the tithe.

Some will tell you 10% of your income plus. Others will say whatever you can. Others still will tell you as much as you can.

If we look back at the parables about the talents and the minas, we see that they gave everything back to the master, including what they made.

Now, that would be an unreasonable conclusion for us as we still need the money we make to support our families, pay our bills, and pay for all the things we need to pay.

The 10% Tithe

This is another place where Christians like to debate money. There is a consistent question about giving, and it is in the form of the 10% tithe.

The question is this:

Are Christians supposed to give 10%?

To some, this may seem like an odd question. To others, this could be the difference between obedience to God and being a sinner (yep, that sounds harsh, but I have heard this dropped on a church service once).

Now, before we go any further, 10% is a measurement typically called a tithe. The tithe goes as far back as Abraham, who gave 10% of the spoils of war (Genesis 14:18–20).

When we think of the 10% tithe in the church today, there are two main thoughts on following it or not. These are the two:

1. It is a mandate for the Christians today.

2. It’s no longer required for Christians because of Jesus.

Let’s look at this a bit more to understand why there are two main thoughts about it.

Tithing is Not Required

The Law of Moses mandated the tithe to support the Levites in their priestly service and those in need among the foreigners, orphans and widows (Deuteronomy 14:28–29). Since Christ’s sacrifice of himself removed the need for a Levitical priesthood, the principal purpose for the Old Testament tithe is gone. 
 — The NIV Bible

The idea is this: Because Jesus died on the cross and removed the need for the Levitical priesthood, we no longer need to tithe as required by the Law found in the Old Testament.

Thus, all giving must be at whatever you choose to give. As such, you are no longer required to give a specific amount based on your income.

Tithing is Still Required

This means that if the tithe principle is still in effect, we systematically rob God when we don’t tithe. Let me repeat that. Malachi’s teaching indicates that when we fail to tithe, we are not merely robbing the church, the clergy, or Christian educators — we are robbing God Himself. — R.C. Sproul

The idea is this: The tithe was meant to be given back to God’s purposes. When we fail to give our part, we are refusing to give back to the Kingdom of God.

Yet, it is hard for so many to give what we don’t have. This may be because we aren’t good with money (poor stewards) or because we are unable to get ahead of financial situations.

To Tithe or Not to Tithe?

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. 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 3:8–10

So, which is it? Do we give 10%? Or do we not? Does it even matter? These are the questions we are still trying to figure out.

After reading the Bible, praying, and waiting on Jesus, I have come to a conclusion that might work a few people up. But this is it:

“We are not required to give 10%. But giving 10% unlocks doors for you.”

Someone isn’t like this, but I’m going for it. I don’t think God will punish you for not giving 10%, but I do believe he wants to bless you when you do.

The 10% tithe is just the beginning. Once we set that 10% and start going above and beyond in the way that God shares with us, wild things start to happen in our lives.

But, there seems to be something very special about 10%.

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God, Money, and Tithing

After spending time in the Bible, reading countless articles, praying, and asking people what they think, I feel like Jesus has impressed upon me a few things when it comes to money and how we relate to it:

1. Money and all of our possessions and wealth come from God.

2. God gives us money, wealth, and things to grow them.

3. In return for what he gives us, he asks us to return it to him.

4. 10% is a starting point for giving back to God.

5. We can unlock greater blessing and abundance with our giving.

Here’s the important thing to remember, though: Our relationship with God is not dependent upon our giving. Our giving is our response to what God has blessed us with and how he continues to bless us.

And for whatever reason, God gives more to those who take what God gives them and create more while readily giving back to Him, almost as if the exchange isn’t for us as it is for him.

So, we have this money-and-God cycle. God gives us money, wealth, and possessions. We steward it and grow what he has given us. Then we give it back to God, and he pours out more.

What I have Learned about the 10% Tithe

God knows our hearts. He knows if we need the letter of the law or if we don’t. He also knows the heart behind giving. 

• Are we giving cheerfully and ready to give as much as we can?

• Or are we only prepared to give the bare minimum?

• Are we scared to give because we don’t think we will have enough?

What I have learned about the 10% tithe is that it is a marker. It’s a starting point for us to see the money cycle start. After that, the more we are blessed, the more we can bless others.

Do I think it is required to tithe 10%?

Honestly, no, I don’t think it is required anymore. The 10% tithe is an Old Testament law that Jesus fulfilled (Matthew 5:17–20). And so, I do not think it is set in stone.

However, I think that when we give 10%, we are opening doors in spiritual places that begin to unlock special blessings and new levels of responsibility on earth as in heaven.

I don’t believe you are condemned for not giving 10%. However, I do believe you are blessed when you are. It’s as the scriptures say:

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. — Luke 6:38

Final Thoughts on the 10% Tithe

I will be the first to say that this has not been a practice in my life for many years. However, as I have been seeking financial breakthroughs and understanding God’s view of money, I have been impressed with the need to change how I see giving and tithing.

I have always been more than willing to give. I have not always been more than willing to stick to a tithe of 10%. Yet, God has created a space for me to see the importance of doing so and what will happen when we give at this level.

For years, I would have decided to do this out of selfishness, too. And maybe that’s why I never really came to understand what I understand now—because I wasn’t ready for it.

However, I have a different view of things. The more I rely on God for our finances and am willing to give back what he asks, the more my faith has grown. I am ready to give and give and give without seeking in return.

I’m not saying to tithe 10% so you will get more. I am saying that you should give 10% because God has given you a lot already. But I would encourage you to do it when you are ready.

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J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who writes about faith and writing books. He has self-published 5 bible study devotionals on Amazon. Check them out below:

• The Gospel of Matthew

• The Gospel of Mark

• The Gospel of John

• The Book of Proverbs

• Breakthrough Prayer (NEW BOOK!)