What Does the Bible Say About Tithing?
Biblical principles about tithing, giving a tenth, and generous financial worship.
What does the Bible say about tithing? Explore KJV scriptures about giving a tenth, Malachi 3:10, and whether Christians should tithe today.
"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." — Malachi 3:10 (KJV)
Tithing — giving a tenth of one's income to God — is one of the oldest financial practices in the Bible. From Abraham's tithe to Melchizedek to Malachi's challenge to 'prove God,' the principle of giving back to God runs throughout Scripture. Whether tithing is required for New Testament believers is debated, but the Bible's call to generous giving is unmistakable.
Key Scriptures About Tithing
Malachi 3:10
"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."Read in context
Genesis 14:20
"And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."Read in context
2 Corinthians 9:7
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."Read in context
Proverbs 3:9
"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase."Read in context
Luke 6:38
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom."Read in context
Matthew 23:23
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."Read in context
The Old Testament Tithe
Tithing predates the Mosaic Law — Abraham voluntarily gave a tenth to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20). Under the Law, Israelites were required to give a tenth of their produce and livestock to support the Levites, the temple, and the poor. Malachi 3:10 is the most famous tithing passage, where God challenges His people to test His faithfulness through giving.
New Testament Generosity
The New Testament shifts the emphasis from a mandated percentage to the heart behind giving. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says God loves 'a cheerful giver.' Jesus affirmed tithing in Matthew 23:23 while stressing that justice, mercy, and faith matter even more. Most Christian leaders teach that 10% is a good starting point, but generous, joyful giving is the ultimate goal.
A Prayer About Tithing
Lord, help me to honor You with my finances. Give me a generous heart that trusts in Your provision. Whether I give ten percent or more, let my giving be an act of worship and faith, not obligation. Open my eyes to the needs around me and the joy of generosity. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tithing
Quick answers to the most common questions about what the Bible says on tithing.
Do Christians have to tithe?
The Old Testament commands tithing (Malachi 3:10), and Jesus affirmed the practice (Matthew 23:23). However, the New Testament emphasizes generous, cheerful giving rather than a strict percentage (2 Corinthians 9:7). Most churches teach that tithing is a wise and biblical principle, even if it's not strictly commanded under the New Covenant.
Should I tithe on gross or net income?
The Bible doesn't specify gross vs. net income — those are modern concepts. The principle in Proverbs 3:9 is to honor God with your 'firstfruits.' Many Christians tithe on gross income as an act of faith, while others tithe on net. The heart behind the giving matters more than the exact calculation.
What is the main Bible verse about tithing?
Malachi 3:10 is one of the clearest scriptures on tithing: "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." (KJV). It anchors the broader biblical teaching summarized on this page.
How many Bible verses talk about tithing?
Scripture addresses tithing in dozens of passages across the Old and New Testaments. We've curated 6 of the most directly relevant KJV verses on this page, drawn from Malachi, Genesis, 2 Corinthians, Proverbs, Luke and more.
Where does the Bible first mention tithing?
The earliest passage on this list is Malachi 3:10, in the book of Malachi. Scripture's full teaching on tithing unfolds across both testaments — see all 6 verses above for the broader picture.
Is tithing a sin according to the Bible?
What does the Bible say about tithing? Explore KJV scriptures about giving a tenth, Malachi 3:10, and whether Christians should tithe today. The verses above lay out exactly what the KJV teaches so you can weigh the question for yourself in light of Scripture.
Common Bible Questions About Tithing
Specific questions Christians ask about tithing — each answered with KJV scripture.
What does the Bible say about tithing?
The Old Testament commands giving a tenth (tithe) of one's income to God. The New Testament emphasizes cheerful, generous, and sacrificial giving without specifying a percentage.
Read answerIs Tithing Required for Christians?
While the Old Testament commanded a tithe (10%), the New Testament emphasizes generous, cheerful, and sacrificial giving from the heart — guided by grace rather than law.
Read answerIs Tithing Required in the New Testament?
The New Testament does not explicitly command tithing but teaches generous, sacrificial, and cheerful giving. Many Christians tithe as a baseline while recognizing grace-based generosity goes beyond percentage rules.
Read answerIs Tithing Required in the New Testament?
While the New Testament doesn't explicitly command a 10% tithe, it teaches principles of generous, sacrificial, proportional, and cheerful giving that often exceed 10%.
Read answerHow to Tithe Biblically?
Biblical tithing means giving the first ten percent of one's increase to God's work, cheerfully and regularly, as worship and trust — with New Testament believers free to give proportionally beyond the tithe as God prospers.
Read answerWhy Should Christians Fast?
Biblical fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food to focus on prayer, seek God's will, express repentance, or prepare for spiritual battle.
Read answerWhat Does the Bible Say About Tithing?
The Old Testament established the tithe (10% of income) as God's standard for giving, while the New Testament emphasizes generous, cheerful, and proportional giving.
Read answerWhat Is Tithing?
Tithing is the practice of giving a tenth (10%) of one's income to God, rooted in Old Testament law and reflected in New Testament generosity.
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