Tithing: Biblical Principles of Giving

A tithe is a tenth. Scripture describes tithes, offerings, support for ministry and care for people in need. Christians agree that possessions should serve God and our neighbors. They disagree about whether every Christian owes a fixed tenth.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse... and prove me now herewith” (Malachi 3:10, KJV excerpt; read 3:8-12).

Read the promise with its setting: Israel, God’s house, crops and vines. Abraham’s gift predates Sinai (Genesis 14:18-24), and Jesus affirms tithing alongside mercy (Matthew 23:23). The question is how these passages apply under the new covenant. This supporting study does not make acceptance of one church’s financial rules a condition for considering the Sabbath.

Read the arguments together

The case for a continuing tenth rests on more than one verse. It joins God’s ownership, the patriarchs before Sinai, Jesus’ affirmation, Melchizedek and Paul’s use of temple service to defend support for preachers. Its advocates distinguish a settled duty from the willing spirit in which it is fulfilled. They also distinguish the Corinthian relief offering from tithe.

The contrary reading asks where those precedents become a command fixing the church’s rate. Abraham gives from spoils; Jacob makes a vow; Jesus addresses Pharisees; Hebrews describes a changed priesthood and law. Paul commands support for ministry and urges generous relief without naming a tenth. Tithing advocates reply that an enduring principle need not depend on the Levitical arrangement. The disagreement concerns that inference, not whether Christians may withhold all generosity.

Official teachings also need their own names. Adventist Belief 21 places tithes and offerings within a wider stewardship of life, abilities and possessions. Separate official Adventist guidance requires a tenth even in debt and directs it through the congregation to the conference, mission or field. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000, XIII calls for regular, proportionate and generous giving without specifying a percentage in that paragraph. The Catholic Catechism, 2043 requires support for the Church according to ability. Ekkehardt Mueller’s Stewardship and Money, published by the Adventist Biblical Research Institute, specifies full salary for salaried workers and income for the self-employed. These statements identify particular teachings; they do not describe every member’s practice.

Keep both generosity and care in view. Read Deuteronomy 14:22-29 on celebration and provision for vulnerable people, 2 Corinthians 8 on willing sacrifice, available means and honest administration, and 1 Timothy 5:3-18 on household care and support for elders. Jesus’ rebuke of Corban in Mark 7:6-13 rules out using a religious gift to evade help for parents. Acts 5:1-11 condemns deception about a gift; Peter expressly recognizes that the property and proceeds had been at the owners’ disposal.

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