Bible Verse On Tithing 10 Percent NIV

Discover The Bible Verse On Tithing 10 Percent NIV. Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing. Also, some churches over-emphasize giving. Likewise, many Christians refuse to submit to the Biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord God Almighty. We should note that tithing/giving is intended to be a great joy and a blessing. However, it is rather sad as this is not often the case in the church today. Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a clear and well-understood requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). The Old Testament Law required multiple tithes – one for the Levites, one for feast and temple use, and one for the poor inhabiting the land – summing to about 23.3 percent.

Today, most people understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. After the death of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law, the New Testament of the Bible nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. That is, the New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income that a person should set aside but only says that gifts should be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). However, some in the Christian church have embraced the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their act of giving.

Bible Verse On Tithing 10 Percent NIV

It is without a doubt that the New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. It invites us to give out of love as we are able. Sometimes that means giving over 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. Behold, it all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the body of Christ. Whatever the case, we should always remember the Scripture that says he/she who does not love does not know God: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” – 1 John 4:8. Thus, if our giving is not backed with love, we are making a mockery/fool of ourselves for such gifts are not pleasing to the Lord God Almighty.

Every Christian should pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Of greatest importance, all tithes and offerings should be made with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
As we unfold, we’ll pour more light on questions like Does the Bible require me to give 10% of my income to my church? Am I obligated to give to my church even if I am having trouble paying my bills? Should I tithe based on gross or net income? Will I receive blessings if I give “seed money” to a ministry? What does the Bible say about church offerings?

What Does The Scriptures Say About Tithes or Tithing

What the Old Testament says

In simple terms, “tithes” means a tenth or 10 percent. Tithing was designed specifically to meet the needs of the religious, economic, and political system of ancient Israel. Each of the twelve (12) tribes of Israel, except the tribe of Levi, initially received an allotment of land in the promised land of Canaan. The Levites were full-time assistants to Israel’s priests and were supported by a tithe offering from other eleven tribes. All families of those eleven tribes were expected to give a tenth of all produce, cattle, and flocks to the Levites. In turn, the Levites were expected to give a tenth of that to support the priests in their duties (Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-28). The Scriptures tell us that tithes were used to meet the needs of foreigners, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 26:12-13). Also, all Israelites were invited to be generous to those in need (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).

What the New Testament says

We come across several mentions of tithing in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, 18:12; Hebrews 7:5-9), but all refer to the Old Testament system. However, the New Testament does not give any specific rules about tithing, and most aspects of the Old Testament Law do not apply to Christians. In Matthew 23:23-24, Jesus Christ seems to support the tithe but these verses are primarily intended as a criticism of the Pharisees as hypocrites who obeyed the letter of the Law but not the Spirit of the Law. Despite the fact that they were so meticulous about the Law to the extent of tithing even the small amount of spices that they grew in household gardens, they ignored the more important matters of love, justice, mercy, and faithfulness. However, Christ invites us to give generously out of love to those in need (Matthew 25:31-46).

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More on what the Scriptures say about tithes

In the Old Testament, the voice of God calls on us to be generous to everyone who is in need as we can read from Deuteronomy 15:7-8 – “If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.“
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of God and Savior of the World made it clear that we are obligated to be generous to those in need (Matthew 25:31-46). We can as well support our point by reading from Matthew 5:42 – “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.“

As Christians or followers of Jesus Christ, giving is to be done cheerfully, rather than as an obligation (2 Corinthians 9:6-7), and not for the purpose of public recognition (Matthew 6:1-4). The right amount to give may be more or less than ten percent, depending on one’s circumstances (Matthew 19:21, Luke 18:22, 21:1-4, Hebrews 13:16, 1 John 3:17). Generous giving is an acknowledgment that everything we have is a gift from God Almighty, and is to be used in His service (Luke 12:33, Acts 20:35, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, James 1:17, 1:27, 1 Peter 4:10).
Instead of giving a certain amount as an obligation, we are urged to share generously of whatever blessings, talents, abilities, and wealth that God has entrusted in our care for we shall give an account someday (Romans 12:6-8).

Questions and Answers about Tithes or Tithing

1) What is the tithe?

“Tithe” is a word that comes from an Old English root meaning “one-tenth.” It is the common English translation for the Old Testament Hebrew asar word group. Back in ancient Israel, the tithe was an offering of one’s agricultural income to the Lord as an expression of thanks and dedication. It is important to understand that 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 a promotion of freewill offering and personal giving above and beyond the tithe. 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). Although the idea of the tithe is still present in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23), it is on no occasion explicitly applied to believers. Instead, all Christians are invited to embrace freewill giving as a response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind, based on faith in God as Provider of all things (2 Corinthians 9:6-10).

2) Does the Bible require me to give 10 percent of my income to my church?

In reality, the Bible does not tell the Christian to give a certain percentage. Questions like what percentage we should give are not answered for Christians in the Bible. Nor does the Bible tell us how much of our giving should go to a church as well as how much to help the needy. It is important to understand that during Biblical times, Christians typically held their meetings in private homes or public spaces (Acts 2:46, 12:12) and did not have significant operating expenses. However, it is not the same today as modern churches need money to pay for salaries, utilities, rent or mortgage payments, supplies, and other operating expenses. Churches also need volunteers for the establishment and running of many ministries and church tasks. Apostle Paul regularly urged Christians to use their God-given gifts or talents to assist in the work of the Church of Christ (Romans 12:4-8).

3) Should my offering be computed on gross or net income?

Should my offering be computed on gross or net income? Is another modern-day question that is not answered in the Bible. In this case, we are to pray and seek God’s wisdom on how to go about it. For sure, His Spirit will touch our hearts and guide our actions.

4) Am I obligated to give to my church even if I am having trouble paying my bills?

The answer is No. As followers of Christ, we must pray and seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit as we listen to our conscience and consider our needs as well as those of our families (1 Timothy 5:8) when deciding how much to give. Pressure should not be put on anyone to give a certain amount of money or a certain percentage of income to a church or other ministry.

5) Will I receive blessings if I give a donation or “seed money” to a church or ministry?

The answer is No. As followers of Jesus Christ, our giving should not be one that is motivated by what we will receive in return. Instead, our giving should be motivated by love for God and His Kingdom. Giving out of love is pleasing to God who will definitely bless and see you through when you least expect it. However, it is important to note that there is no requirement in the Bible to give “seed money” to a church, preacher, or ministry, and no promise that any wealth or blessings of any kind will come as a result. Biblical verses like Matthew 13:1-9 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 are oftentimes cited in support when requesting for “seed money” and other donations, but the blessings promised here are spiritual ones.

6) Is tithing truly a matter of the heart?

Yes, of course, tithing is truly a matter of the heart. From the definition and purpose of the tithe, there is much that we can learn. The chief 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 the money for ourselves, it shows that our heart is not tied to the money and it is a sign that our love for God is more than that for money. Surprisingly, the Bible mentions money over 800 times, and of all of Jesus’ parables, over half of them talked about money. Upon noticing this, we might ask ourselves why? It is because money is where many people get tripped up.

7) What is the difference between tithes and offerings?

Although tithes and offerings are often grouped together, they are not the same thing. A tithe is a specific amount (10% of your income) whereas an offering is a nonspecific amount that you give.

8) What does the Bible say about those paying tithes and those not paying tithes?

1 Corinthians 16:14 says “Let all that you do be done in love.” If you’ve made up your mind to regularly give a specific percentage of your income as a tithe, do so in love. If instead of regularly giving a specific percentage of your income as a tithe, you choose to go for undefined freewill giving wherever the need is in the body of Christ, do so in love. Let’s just make sure that we do all things in love. It is the love in our hearts that makes our sacrifices acceptable to God Almighty. Whatever sacrifice or offering that you are making without love, you are making a mockery of yourself. Pray and let God’s Spirit lead you on the matters of giving tithes and offerings.

Bible Verse On Tithing 10 Percent NIV

Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.“

Numbers 18:21 – “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.“

Numbers 18:28 – “In this way you also will present an offering to the Lord from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the Lord’s portion to Aaron the priest.”

Numbers 18:24 – “Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’”

Group 1 – Bible Verse On Tithing 10 Percent NIV

Deuteronomy 12:11 – “Then to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the Lord.“

Deuteronomy 12:6 – “there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.”

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Deuteronomy 14:28 – “At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns,“

Deuteronomy 14:22 – “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.“

Deuteronomy 26:1 – “When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it,“

2 Chronicles 31:12 – “Then they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes and dedicated gifts. Konaniah, a Levite, was the overseer in charge of these things, and his brother Shimei was next in rank.”

Group 2 – Bible Verse On Tithing 10 Percent NIV

Nehemiah 10:38 – “A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury.“

Nehemiah 10:37 – “Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.”

Nehemiah 13:5 – “and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil prescribed for the Levites, musicians and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.”

Nehemiah 12:44 – “At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.“

Group 3 – Bible Verse On Tithing 10 Percent NIV

Amos 4:4 – “Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years.“

Nehemiah 13:12 – “All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil into the storerooms.”

Malachi 3:8 – “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:6 – “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.“