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Tithes and offerings are crucial for churches to fulfill their missions and make an impact on their communities. Yet, there often is confusion about what tithes and offerings are, and why they are an important part of every Christian's discipleship journey.

Fortunately, the Bible has a lot to say about money, and there are plenty of tithing and offering verses that pastors should consider when encouraging generosity. In fact, there are over 2,000 Bible passages on tithes and offerings, money, possessions, and giving—twice the amount of verses dedicated to faith and prayer combined! 

Let’s take a closer look at tithes and offering scriptures in the Bible, and how these passages can improve our understanding of money, stewardship, and giving.

Tithes and offerings

What are tithes and offerings?

What does the Bible say about tithes and offerings? Tithes and offerings are biblical concepts tied to worship and stewardship. Tithes represent 10% of a person’s income and are typically given to their local church. The word tithe (or tithing) in the Bible is based on the Hebrew word ma’aser and the Greek word ‍, both of which mean a “tenth” of something. The act of tithing is deeply rooted in the Bible—in the Old Testament, it was obligatory—and it is still practiced by Christians today. 

Offerings, on the other hand, are simply gifts that are not part of a tithe. Unlike tithes, offerings were given voluntarily to express gratitude to God. Offerings first appeared in scripture when Cain and Abel brought sacrifices to the Lord. 

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. Genesis 4:2–4a

How many Christians tithe?

Tithes and offerings are a critical part of a church’s financial ability to fulfill their mission. However, according to recent studies, only about 5% of Christians regularly tithe. In fact, people tithe less of their income to churches today than they did during the Great Depression. 

The good news is that new technology is making tithing easier with online giving. For example, because donors can set up recurring digital gifts, your community no longer needs to remember to write a check on a weekly or monthly basis. Churches that add online giving options through their church websites and custom mobile apps see an average increase of 32% in their overall giving! 

What does the Bible say about tithes?

What does the Bible say about tithing?

There are numerous verses on tithes and offerings. Abraham presented the first tithe when he gave the priest Melchizedek a tenth of all of his possessions. It wasn’t until later that the practice of tithing became a requirement for the people of Israel. 

Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18–20

Tithing in the Old Testament

Tithes and offerings were a central part of the covenant God made with Israel and were a requirement of the Law of Moses. After their exodus from Egypt, God gave Moses a detailed law that included instructions for giving. Their tithes and offerings were used to support the temple priests, provide for widows and orphans, and to help finance religious festivals that were held throughout the year. 

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:30

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

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. Deuteronomy 12:6

Verses on tithe and offering show that tithing wasn’t just a financial act—it was a declaration that everything ultimately belongs to God.

Tithes belong to God

Scripture makes it clear that withholding the tithe was seen as robbing God. Yet, God also promised abundant blessings to those who honored Him with their giving.

This is one of the most well-known tithes and offering scriptures in the Bible, often shared during a tithes and offering prayer:

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 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.” Malachi 3:8–10

This verse is a powerful reminder that giving is tied to faith and trust in God’s provision:

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

Tithing is a sacrifice from the heart

Tithing is a sacrifice from the heart because it reflects our willingness to put God first, even when it costs us something. It’s not just about giving a percentage of our income—it’s about offering our best to God as an act of worship and trust.

When we give from the heart, we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to Him, and we choose to release control over our finances in faith. 

As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil, and honey, and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. 2 Chronicles 31:5

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

What did Jesus teach about tithing?

While tithing was part of the Old Testament law, tithes and offering scriptures in the New Testament shift the focus toward the heart and motivation behind giving. Jesus spoke about money and giving as a reflection of a person’s spiritual priorities.

Interestingly, Jesus only spoke a few times specifically about tithing in the New Testament. However, Jesus consistently taught that a person’s generosity reflects their personal values and heart attitudes.

Love God, not money

Jesus taught that financial priorities reflect spiritual ones. One of the most challenging verses on this topic reminds us that wealth must not become our master.

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24

Jesus’s teachings echo the truth found in other verses in the Bible, including tithes and offering scriptures in the New Testament, like the one below, which vividly describes how the love of money is the root of all evil in this world:

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

God’s Word makes it clear that we should love God much more than anything, even money. God is the ultimate provider, not money.  

Be faithful in more than just tithing

Jesus did not oppose tithing, but He did challenge people to go beyond ritual obedience. He condemned the religious leaders for selectively obeying the laws of their choosing. 

“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.” Matthew 23:23

Tithing isn’t what makes you righteous 

Jesus also told the following parable to illustrate that tithing in itself does not make a person more righteous than anyone else. 

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9–14

Tithe with humility

Instead of tithing to impress others, Jesus taught that people should not seek any recognition when giving. 

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:2–4

Your giving reveals what’s really important to you

Jesus explained that earthly treasures will decay and fade away. Instead of using money for perishable possessions here on earth, it is better to invest in things that are eternal. 

“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:33–34

Give with no strings attached

It’s easier for someone to give when they know they’ll be repaid. However, Jesus taught that a person should give freely without expecting anything in return. 

“And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:34–36

God repays us according to how we give

Another Biblical principle is that we should treat others as we want to be treated. Jesus preached that this also applies to our giving principles. 

“…give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

This is one of the most quoted tithes and offering scriptures, reminding believers of God's generous nature.

New Testament verses on tithing!

New Testament verses on tithing and offering 

While there are a few specific tithe and offerings scriptures in the New Testament, it is full of verses on tithes and offering principles that discuss giving and how to manage money with the right heart. 

Give lovingly

Giving is meaningless unless it is done out of love.

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 3:3

Give freely and cheerfully

Nobody enjoys receiving a gift given from a reluctant giver—least of all God! Likewise, we should give freely and cheerfully, not because we have to.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

This is one of the clearest tithes and offering scriptures in the New Testament, showing us that attitude matters more than amount.

Greed brings problems

People need money to live, and churches need money to continue to serve their communities. However, the love of money is greed, and greed is a powerful and destructive vice. When money becomes our focus, we lose sight of God.

This verse reinforces the dangers of greed and the need for spiritual perspective in giving:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

Giving brings blessings

Have you ever bought a present for someone that you couldn’t wait to give? Anyone can receive a gift, but the act of giving from the heart brings blessings beyond just the gift itself.

This quote from Jesus summarizes the spirit of all tithes and offering verses—giving isn’t just an obligation, it’s a blessing:

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Tithes and offering

Next steps

Sharing regular tithes and offering messages rooted in scripture helps your congregation understand why we give—not just how much or how often. By teaching from tithes and offering scriptures in the Bible, you encourage spiritual growth and generosity.

To encourage generosity, consider including online giving to your church website and apps, adding giving prompts during live streams, accepting stock and crypto donations, and offering tap-to-give options for in-person visitors. Digital giving simplifies everything—for givers and staff alike—and churches that use online platforms often see a significant increase in donations.

Ready to learn how your church can simplify tithing and encourage generosity to fuel your mission? [.blog-contact-cta]Let’s chat![.blog-contact-cta]

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