What is a tithe?
The word tithe simply means "tenth." In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were commanded to give a tenth of their agricultural produce, herds, and income to support the Levitical priesthood and the temple system (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21–24; Deuteronomy 14:22–27). There were actually multiple tithes commanded in the Mosaic Law — one for the Levites, one for festivals, and one every third year for the poor — which some scholars calculate amounted to 20–23% of annual income.
In American evangelical churches, "tithing" typically refers to giving 10% of one's income to the local church. This has become a standard teaching in most evangelical and charismatic traditions, though its application in the New Testament context is actively debated among theologians.
What does the New Testament say?
The New Testament never commands a tithe for Christians. Jesus mentions tithing only twice — both times describing the Pharisees' meticulous tithe-keeping while neglecting justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42). Paul's most extensive teaching on giving never names a percentage:
"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
Paul also writes that on "the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper" (1 Corinthians 16:2) — regular, proportional giving, but no specific percentage.
The New Testament picture of giving is characterized by:
- Generosity — the early church gave radically, sometimes selling property to meet needs (Acts 2:44–45; 4:34–35)
- Proportionality — giving "as he may prosper," not a flat percentage regardless of circumstances
- Cheerfulness — not out of guilt, pressure, or obligation, but from genuine generosity
- Purpose — supporting local church ministry, caring for the poor, and supporting missionaries
The case for tithing as a starting point
Many churches teach the tithe not as a binding Old Testament law but as a useful starting point for Christian giving. The argument runs like this: if a tenth was the floor for God's people under the Old Covenant — with fewer gospel blessings, less of the Spirit, and no completed work of Christ — then a tenth seems like a reasonable minimum for those who have received so much more. The tithe becomes a spiritual discipline, a concrete commitment that breaks the hold of money over our lives.
John Wesley, founder of Methodism, famously said: "Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." He gave away a significant majority of his income, well above a tenth, and taught giving as a lifelong practice of discipleship.
How different churches approach giving
- Evangelical and Southern Baptist churches — Tithing (10%) is widely taught as a standard for church members. Many churches track giving and connect it to membership participation, though giving records are confidential.
- Pentecostal and charismatic churches — Strong emphasis on tithing, often with the prosperity gospel framing ("give and God will give back"). Mainstream Pentecostal churches (Assemblies of God) teach tithing as stewardship without the health-and-wealth framework.
- Catholic — The Church traditionally teaches proportional giving and asks for support of the parish, but does not require a formal tithe. Many dioceses encourage a giving standard of 5% to the parish and 5% to other charitable causes.
- Mainline Protestant (Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal) — "Proportional giving" is emphasized over a fixed percentage. Stewardship campaigns typically ask members to give a pledge and grow giving over time. The United Methodist Church's concept of "extravagant generosity" is one formulation.
- Reformed and confessional churches — Generally teach that the civil and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament (including tithing requirements) are not binding on Christians, but that generous, regular giving is a fruit of saving grace.
What happens to church giving?
In most churches, giving supports three main areas:
- Staff and operations — salaries for pastors, ministry staff, and administrators; building maintenance, utilities, and insurance. In small churches, this is often 60–80% of the budget.
- Ministry programs — youth ministry, small groups, children's ministry, missions, benevolence funds, counseling, and other programs.
- Missions and outreach — supporting missionaries, funding local community programs, disaster relief, and partnerships with other churches and organizations.
Healthy churches publish annual financial reports or make their budgets available to members. If you're considering a significant giving commitment to a church, it's entirely reasonable to ask how donations are used.
Practical guidance: how to start giving
If you're new to church giving — or returning to it after a gap — here's a practical path:
- Start somewhere. Give something regularly before you give the "right" amount. Consistency matters more than size at the beginning. Even $20 a week is a real act of trust and discipline.
- Give first, not last. Most financial advisors who write about giving recommend allocating it at the beginning of the month, not giving whatever is left over. "Leftovers" tend to be nothing.
- Use electronic giving. Almost every church has an online giving platform. Recurring automated giving removes the friction and the guilt of a missed week.
- Grow toward 10%. If 10% feels impossible right now, make a plan to increase giving by 1% per year until you reach it. Gradual growth is sustainable.
- Give to other causes too. The local church is not the only legitimate destination for Christian generosity. Many Christians give a portion to their church and a portion to other charities, missions, and neighbors in need.
A note on the prosperity gospel
The prosperity gospel teaches that giving money to a church (often specifically the preacher's ministry) will result in God returning financial blessings — that financial giving is essentially a spiritual investment with guaranteed earthly returns. This teaching is widespread in some Pentecostal and charismatic streams.
Mainstream Christian theologians across all traditions — evangelical, Catholic, mainline Protestant, and Reformed — have consistently rejected prosperity gospel teaching as a distortion of Scripture. The Bible never promises that giving leads to financial reward. Paul writes that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6), and he himself experienced both abundance and want without treating either as a sign of God's approval or disapproval (Philippians 4:11–13).
When evaluating a church, be cautious of strong giving pressure tied to promises of financial blessing, and look for churches where financial reports are transparent and leadership pay is accountable to the congregation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to tithe to be a Christian?
No. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by giving. Tithing is a practice of discipleship — a spiritual discipline — not a condition for salvation or church membership in most churches.
Should I tithe on my gross income or net income?
This is genuinely debated among Christians who tithe. Those who give on gross income argue it represents full trust in God; those who give on net income argue you can't give what you haven't received. There is no biblical command either way. Give as you've decided in your heart.
What if I can't afford to tithe?
Start where you can and grow. No responsible pastor should pressure someone in genuine financial need to give beyond their means. If your church creates guilt or shame around giving, that is a red flag about its culture and leadership.
Can I count giving to other charities as part of my tithe?
Different churches have different views. Many encourage giving to the local church first (as the community you belong to and are supported by), with additional giving to other causes. Others define the tithe broadly as all charitable giving. This is a matter of personal conviction and local church culture.