Tithe
מַעֲשֵׂר (Ma'aser)
A tenth of one's income given to God as an act of worship and trust
The tithe (ma'aser) means 'a tenth.' In the Old Testament, God commanded Israel to give a tenth of their produce and livestock. It was an act of worship, acknowledging God as the source of all provision.
"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)
Key Verses
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
The Meaning of Ma'aser
The Hebrew 'ma'aser' simply means 'a tenth.' Tithing predates the Mosaic Law: Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20), and Jacob vowed to give God a tenth of all he received (Genesis 28:22). Under the Law, tithing became a formal requirement — Israel was to give a tenth of their agricultural produce and livestock to support the Levites, the temple, and the poor.
Tithing in the Old Testament
The Old Testament describes multiple tithes: the Levitical tithe supported those who served at the temple (Numbers 18:21-24), a festival tithe funded the annual feasts (Deuteronomy 14:22-27), and a poor tithe every third year provided for the needy (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Combined, these could total as much as 23% of income. Malachi 3:8 rebukes Israel for robbing God by withholding tithes and offerings.
Giving in the New Testament
The New Testament does not explicitly command tithing but elevates the principle of generosity far beyond a percentage. Paul teaches that giving should be purposeful, cheerful, and proportional: 'Every man according as he purposeth in his heart' (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus praised the widow who gave everything she had (Mark 12:41-44). The early church shared possessions freely (Acts 2:44-45). Grace-motivated generosity exceeds law-required tithing.
The Heart Behind the Tithe
Whether one views the tithe as a binding command or a guiding principle, the spiritual truth is the same: everything we have belongs to God, and giving is an act of trust and worship. It declares that God is the source of all provision and that we refuse to be enslaved by material possessions. As Jesus taught, 'Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also' (Matthew 6:21).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Christians required to tithe?
Christians disagree on this. Some believe the tithe remains a baseline for Christian giving. Others argue that the tithe was part of the Mosaic Law and that New Testament giving is guided by grace, generosity, and proportionality rather than a fixed percentage. Most agree that systematic, sacrificial, cheerful giving is expected of all believers.
Should tithes go only to the local church?
The Old Testament tithe supported the Levites and the temple — the equivalent of the local worshiping community. Many Christians apply this principle by giving their tithe to their local church while supporting other ministries through additional offerings. However, the New Testament does not specify a particular destination for giving.
What does Malachi 3:10 mean by 'prove me'?
This is one of the few places where God invites humanity to 'test' Him. He challenges Israel to bring the full tithe and watch Him respond with abundant blessing — 'open you the windows of heaven.' It demonstrates God's desire to bless His people and His confidence that generosity will never result in loss.
What is the Hebrew word for "Tithe" in the Bible?
מַעֲשֵׂר (Ma'aser), pronounced "mah-ah-SAIR." It means a tenth of one's income given to god as an act of worship and trust. It is the word behind "Tithe" in both Testaments, for example in Malachi 3:10.
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