Where in the bible does it specifically say you must give 10% of your income to the church?

Question

The pastor at my Baptist church was saying that , and I don`t think I could afford that being a single parent . I give what I can .

Malachie 3:10 , speaks of stocking the church storehouse with meat , (no 10%)
Acts only has 28 chapters ,29 does not exist.

Malachi 3 - the chapter speaks of giving to the church but again , no 10% mentioned.

After research the most specific verse I found was:
Leviticus 27:32 in the Old Testament KJV
And concerning the tithe of the herd , or of the flock ,even of whatsoever passeth under the rod , the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.

Answer 1

It doesn't! The new testament is very clear:
2Cr 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.

We are not under law, but grace, and anyone who tells you differently is either ignorant, or else just plain deceptive.

Do consider corresponding with me about this as I have much to discuss with you. I have been a Christian for 18 years, by the way, and I have seen much error in the churches which cries for correction.

Tom

Answer 2

Other answerers have noted the passages. By the way, if anyone says it is a matter of The Law, Abraham tithed and that was many years before The Law of Moses.

Pray about it. Seek the scriptures. Then, take an honest look at your budget.

I am the father of 4 and the sole income provider. I assure you I am not a lawyer or doctor and I make way less than the statistics say I should (something like 75 - 80,000 and I make well under 50). Yet, I tithe. Are we rich? No. But, our bills are paid and food is on the table. We have a mortgage and two cars. Things are often tight, but loosening up as life goes on.

I tithe on my net, which some argue it should be on the gross. But, we tithe the net, then tithe our tax returns. It does say in scripture that the 10% belongs to God and that means He gives me 90% to do my stuff with, which really belongs to Him, too.

Again, pray about it and allow the Lord to show you what to do and how to do it.

Answer 3

The Bible doesn't call it 10%, it says a tenth (which is the same thing, but if you're word searching the Bible, you won't find 10%.) It's in the Old Testament, beginning with Abraham. You can also give of your time and talents if that is freer than money. But, Malachi 3:10 gives you the reason why you can test God in this.

When I was a single Mom, I did just that. I gave $60 (a tenth of my monthly income at the time) and prayed that God would cover it. "Lord, you KNOW how much I need this!" Within a week, I received a letter from my mortgage company that stated I didn't need to make my mortgage payment that month, because there was such a overage in my escrtow that it would be covered. You guessed it, my mortgage payment was $600! God blesses our faithfulness!

Answer 4

The New Testament nowhere assigns a certain percentage of income to set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Christian church has essentially taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. Although the New Testament does not identify a specific amount or percentage to give, it does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. They should give as they are able, “in keeping with his income.” Sometimes that means giving more than a tithe, sometime that may mean giving less than a tithe. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Each and every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom as to whether to participate in tithing and/or for how much he or she should give (James 1:5). “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Recommended Resource: Giving and Tithing by Larry Burkett.

Answer 5

The word "tithe" means a 10th... as in 10%... Besides, 10% makes for easy math- just move the decimal.

In Malachi (KJV) God double-dog dares us to pay a full tithe... "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."

I figure I need all the blessings I can get. I've found that when I give a full tithe (10% of my gross paycheck), stuff just works out better- there seems to be more check at the end of the month... less likely to have month left at the end of my paycheck ;)

Answer 6

If we really want to look at what Jesus declared then we must realize that EVERYTHING WE HAVE IS HIS anyway, therefore, everything we say and do, spend and give and even invest and save is His and we should manage all of this with the intentions of glorifying the Kingdom. So a meager 10% is not what makes or breaks our so-called heavenly bank accounts.

Ironically enough, if we attempt to discipline ourselves in giving a certain percentage back to God, this only helps us to discipline ourselves in all areas of earning and spending.

God does not NEED our money. This commandment to tithe at all is more about God teaching us Spiritual Disciplines and drawing us nearer to one another in service and ultimately nearer to Him. It is good for us to learn how to HELP ONE ANOTHER and to SERVE the BODY OF CHRIST as well as, and most importantly, perhaps, the body of unbelievers.

I will say that my Pastor never asks for money or passes an offering plate. He is of the belief that, "Where God guides, God provides."

Our church has a box in the back. If anyone is inclined to give an offering back to the Lord to be cared for by designated finance persons within our church body then they may do so. Note: Financial reports and accountability reports are made available for review by anyone.

My Pastor never sees the money directly and he has no idea who is tithing or who is not. He has admitted that it might sway his thinking when it comes to his service to the people entrusted to his care by our Lord.

He has also declared that, 'The day there isn't enough money in the tithe account is the day that God is declaring that the churches focus must be revisited."

This sort of approach, leaning completely upon the Holy Spirit's promptings for tithes is very comforting and assures us that we are doing the work of the Lord and not the work of a few men with seemingly great ideas.

Answer 7

I'm an Atheist so I will only tell you what I remember hearing, reading and learning during my visits to the church. Read "The Widow's Offering" (Mark 12:41-44) and understand what it means to be generous and faithful.

From what I understand, 10% of what is given to you (income, in this case) belongs to God - which is used to help the less fortunate and to maintain the church - and the remaining 90% you have will be blessed. God gives us more so we could share it with others - but you're not supposed to give so much to charity until it turns you into the needy.

So give what you can. God understands that you have constraints and you're single-handedly raising your family. Whatever your income after tax, deduct the necessary expenditure (commitments such as servicing loans, school fees, utilities, etc) and the income left that you could spend for enjoyment, take 10% or more of it to give back to the church.

Answer 8

The Bible also says that the widows mite (a penny) was worth more than all the money given by the rich at the temple. At my church we teach that a tithe is not just money, it's time or talent ... the point is you are not 'paying for service' - the offering is an offering of thanks for what you have, and you can't give what you don't have. But be honest about your situation, God already knows your circumstances.
AND, the church has bills too - if every one just gave a dollar the church wouldn't exist at all.

Answer 9

The ten percent that you are supposed to give , belongs to God. If you don't give it to Him, he says that you are robbing Him.
When you don't give it, you will really go through some hard times. My husband left me after 29 years overnight with two thirds of our combined income and left me with one third ,the mortgage , the bills and the kids. I kept paying my 10 percent and here I am to tell you , that we never had one bill late or lacked any food on the table.
If you'd ask me how I did it , I really have no reasonable explanation for it . As far as I am concerned it was a miracle, but I know that God says that " He shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory ".
God says " Try Him and see " give Him the 10 percent and trust Him and He will bless you with everything that you need .
If you never whole heatedly trust in Him, how will you ever know that He is a God of miracles ???

Answer 10

Malachie 3:10

Answer 11

Malachi 3... I am also a single parent & I give 10% even tho I couldn"t hardly pay my bills & God has increased.. not only my wealth but my spiritual knowledge of Him- He has given me insights thru His word that I would've never understood on my own! Trust Him!

****The idea is that we thank the Lord for ALL we have & give back to Him 10% & we get to keep the other 90%