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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Verses on tithe and offering show that tithing wasn’t just a financial act—it was a declaration that everything ultimately belongs 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:
This verse is a powerful reminder that giving is tied to faith and trust in God’s provision:
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.
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.
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.
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:
God’s Word makes it clear that we should love God much more than anything, even money. God is the ultimate provider, not money.
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.
Jesus also told the following parable to illustrate that tithing in itself does not make a person more righteous than anyone else.
Instead of tithing to impress others, Jesus taught that people should not seek any recognition when giving.
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.
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.
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.
This is one of the most quoted tithes and offering scriptures, reminding believers of God's generous nature.
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.
Giving is meaningless unless it is done out of love.
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.
This is one of the clearest tithes and offering scriptures in the New Testament, showing us that attitude matters more than amount.
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:
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:
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]
If you’re already using the Subsplash Platform and want to add Subsplash Giving, log in to your dashboard to sign up, or schedule a call with your Client Success Manager!
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