What Does the Bible Say About Tithing and Giving?
The tenth, the cheerful giver, and the widow's two mites — what Scripture teaches about generosity.
The Old Testament commanded Israel a tithe — a tenth — “holy unto the LORD” (Leviticus 27:30); the New Testament’s standard is purposeful, cheerful generosity: “every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus measured gifts by cost and heart, not amount — the widow’s two mites outweighed the rich men’s abundance.
The tithe in Israel
The tenth predates the law — Abraham tithed to Melchizedek — and under Moses it funded the Levites, the feasts, and the poor. Malachi’s famous challenge attaches an invitation: bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, “and prove me now herewith… if I will not open you the windows of heaven.” Giving, from the start, was worship: acknowledging that the whole harvest was God’s before a tenth returned to him.
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
The New Testament's measure
Jesus praised a widow whose two mites were “more… than all they which have cast into the treasury” — because they were all she had. Paul never invoices a percentage; he asks for what is purposed in the heart, given cheerfully, and points at the exchange rate that makes it possible: “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” Christian giving is grace responding to grace.
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
What giving does
Scripture is unembarrassed about generosity’s returns: give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down; he that giveth to the poor lends to the LORD; the liberal soul shall be made fat. The reward is not always financial — but the giver, in the Bible’s economy, is never the loser. It is more blessed, Jesus said in a line preserved by Paul, to give than to receive.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Quick answers
- Are Christians required to tithe ten percent?
- Christians differ: some hold the tithe as a continuing baseline; others see the New Testament standard as proportionate, purposed, cheerful generosity (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7) — for many, ten percent becomes a floor rather than a ceiling.
- Should I give if I'm in debt or struggling?
- Scripture honours gifts measured by capacity — “according to that a man hath” (2 Corinthians 8:12) — and the widow’s mites show no gift is too small. Giving something, purposefully and honestly, keeps the heart free; the amount is between you and God.
- Where should giving go?
- Biblical patterns: the local ministry that feeds you (Galatians 6:6), the poor (Proverbs 19:17), and gospel work (Philippians 4:15–18). Jesus’ one rule of style: not before men to be seen of them (Matthew 6:1–4).
