Generosity is super important to me. I believe it goes hand in hand with contentment and helps us avoid this instant gratification lifestyle that's just so easy to fall into these days.
And one of the many ways to be generous with your money is by giving tithes and offerings. But what does tithing actually mean, and how much should you be tithing? I’ll be answering those tithing questions—and more!
A tithe is a portion (10%) of your income given to your local church.
Because the custom of tithing is biblical, many Christians and Jews practice it as part of their faith. In fact, the Bible explains that tithing is an important part of faith for those who follow God and that your tithe should be money you set aside first.
The idea of tithing—and specifically giving 10%—comes straight from Scripture. Here are a few key Bible verses about tithing:
Leviticus 27:30 (TLB): “A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord’s, and is holy.”
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV): “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
Genesis 28:20–22 (NIV): “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.’”
Nehemiah 10:35 (NIV): “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.”
Malachi 3:10 (NIV): “‘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.’”
Don’t let all the gardening metaphors throw you off. What these verses are really saying is that you should give a portion (specifically a tenth) of whatever you make back to God. And that word firstfruits is just a biblical way of saying that you should give first—before you do anything else with your money.
That’s why giving should be the first category in your budget—because when you tithe before making a plan with the rest of your money, you’re making it a priority instead of an afterthought. You’re giving your firstfruits instead of your leftovers.
