Tithing is mentioned in the New Testament a total of 23 times. Of those mentions, the word tithing is used twice, while the word tithe is used 21 times.
The first mention of tithing in the New Testament comes from Matthew 23:23: “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.”
Matthew’s use of tithing here is negative, as he accuses the Pharisees of hypocrisy for paying their tithes but not practicing what they preach. This is also reflected in Luke 11:42, where Jesus says “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but disregard justice and the love of God.”
Tithes were also used by Jesus in his teachings on giving. In Mark 12:41-44 he tells his disciples that they should give away everything they have to help others, with only one exception: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In Luke 6:38 he says that giving away ten percent of your income each year will make it easier for God to bless you with more money over time
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Number of times tithing is mentioned: 8
1. 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.”
2. Luke 11:42 – “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”
3. Luke 18:12 – “I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
4. Hebrews 7:1-2 – “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.”
5. Hebrews 7:4 – “Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!”
6. Hebrews 7:5 – “Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.”
7. Hebrews 7:6 – “This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.”
8. Hebrews 7:8 – “In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.”
| Scripture | Verse |
|---|---|
| Matthew | 23:23 |
| Luke | 11:42 |
| Luke | 18:12 |
| Hebrews | 7:1-2 |
| Hebrews | 7:4 |
| Hebrews | 7:5 |
| Hebrews | 7:6 |
| Hebrews | 7:8 |
What is the Tithe?
The word “tithe” comes from an Old English root meaning “one tenth.” It is the common English translation for the Old Testament Hebrew asar word group. The tithe was an offering of one’s agricultural income to the Lord as an expression of thanks and dedication. In the Old Testament agricultural economy, tithes were paid not in cash, gold or goods but in crops or livestock, for only the agricultural fruit of the promised land was to be tithed—not other forms of income.
Although today we commonly think of the tithe as “10 percent” as a result, apparently there are three tithes in the Old Testament, two every year and a third every third year, or an average of 23.3 percent of one’s annual produce from the land. There was also provision for freewill offerings and personal giving above and beyond the tithe, so that the tithe never stood alone. Tithes were given by the patriarchs Abraham (Genesis 4:17-20) and Jacob (Genesis 28:22); a system of tithes was instituted in the law of God given through Moses (Deuteronomy 12; Deuteronomy 14 Deuteronomy 26; and the prophets rebuked the children of Israel for failing to give the tithe to God (Malachi 3:8).
The idea of the tithe is still present in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23), but it is never explicitly applied to believers. Instead, almost all Christians are called to more extravagant freewill giving in response to the gospel of the Lord Jesus, based on faith in God as Provider (2 Corinthians 9:6-10).
Tithing is a Matter of the Heart
First, let’s look at the definition and purpose of the tithe. The main principle behind tithing and giving is the fact that what we do with our money shows where our heart is. Matthew 6:21 says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When we are able to give 10% or more of our income instead of keeping that money for ourselves, it shows that our heart isn’t tied to our money and that we love God more than our money.
The Bible mentions money over 800 times and of all of Jesus’ parables, more than half of them talked about money. Why? Because that is where so many people get tripped up! When we are able to release at least 10% of our income back to God, our money doesn’t have as tight of a hold on us because we realize that God is in control of our finances. We remember that everything we have has been given to us by Him. Even though most of us probably work for the money we make each month, even God has his hand there – He has given us the ability to do our jobs. Many who grasp what God has truly given them seem to agree that 10% doesn’t even feel like enough!
Is Tithing Mandatory?
Many readers who responded took issue with the idea of tithing being “mandatory” or “required” – as if it is something that keeps believers in bondage. But do God’s standards really keep us in bondage? Just like God tells us to keep sex within marriage, to love one another, and to seek first His kingdom, tithing is a blessing to our lives and something that will help better our lives (as well as help the lives of others). We are not saved by works, thus failing to tithe will not necessarily send you to hell, but doing so will help improve your life and strengthen your relationship with God. I personally don’t believe that God will curse us if we don’t tithe, but I do believe He will help us escape the curse that is already in the world if we do. I also understand that there may be some church leaders who try to guilt and coerce people into giving, but studies show there are plenty of church leaders honoring God in this area — the majority of them want to share God’s best with the people they love and have been tasked to lead.
Old Testament Law vs New Testament Practices
Whether the tithe is only for Old Testament or if it is also included in the New Testament is probably the most debated issue. The scripture most frequently referenced regarding the tithe is indeed in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:10-12), but the tithe is also referenced in the New Testament. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus talks to the Pharisees, condemning them for tithing to the penny but neglecting the more important issues of justice, mercy, and faith. He then goes on to tell them that they should in fact tithe, but that they shouldn’t neglect the more important things. Jesus recognized the importance of keeping the tithe and we should, too.
There are many practices in the Old Testament that don’t make sense to us today, yet many of these ancient ways carry over to the New Testament law of grace as part of Christ’s promise to not abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). For instance, we no longer sacrifice animals but as believers, we are called to offer ourselves up as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1). Men no longer are required to be circumcised, but we all have a circumcision of the heart through the Holy Spirit (Rom 2:29). Most of us don’t have grain and produce to bring to the storehouse, but we do have incomes that we can bring the first tenth of into the church. In other words, just because something is written in the Old Testament doesn’t mean it lacks application to us today in some way or another. One Crosswalk.com member, Zoe4Ever, left a comment on my previous article regarding this principle that I found insightful:
When I think of Christians asking themselves whether “tithing” is commanded in the Bible, is an Old Testament or New Testament teaching, I wonder how many of these Christians “send back” the many scriptural blessings God has given His people in the Old Testament. How many people when they are blessed and given hope through the mention of God’s works, words etc. through the Old Testament Scriptures say ‘I don’t receive this or that blessing or confirmation because it’s in the Old Testament’?”
While it is true that we are no longer under the old law, that we are under grace, we must not forget the purpose of grace: to help us live for God and do the things He wants us to do. Romans 8:4 tells us that Jesus came that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, not so that we could altogether dismiss it. And Romans 3:21-31 talks about how we have righteousness through faith and not through following the law, but verse 31 adds “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” God’s grace gives us the power and ability to tithe!