Tithes: Command, Ritual, or a Heart of Worship?

The question of tithing is one of the biggest debates in the church today. Does God really command us to drop exactly 10% of our paycheck into the offering plate, or is this a ritual created by man built off a single command given to a single man?

Let’s spill the God’Sip and Tea on what the Bible actually says about tithing, and why this discussion is less about a number and more about the posture of your heart.

Theological Principles of Christian Giving

The discussion moves beyond rules when we anchor it in core Christian doctrines:

1. Sovereignty and Stewardship (Psalm 24:1)

The foundational principle is God’s Sovereignty: the belief that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” This means nothing is ours in the absolute sense; it is all His.

Our role is that of a Steward: a manager of resources that belong to another. Therefore, giving is not paying a debt or a tax; it is an act of recognizing God’s ownership over 100% of our lives and resources.
The tithe (10%) then becomes a baseline or a floor—a visible, tangible declaration that the remaining 90% is also His to direct.

2. Grace and Response (2 Corinthians 8:9)

We are no longer under the Old Covenant Law, which demanded tithing. We live under the New Covenant of Grace.

Grace: Jesus Christ provided the ultimate sacrifice. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
Response: Christian giving is our grateful response to God’s ultimate generosity. We give not out of compulsion or fear of punishment, but out of a desire to participate in His work. As Paul writes, God loves a “cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)—someone whose joy in giving flows from gratitude, not obligation.

3. Tithing is Discipleship, Not a Debt

I know the tension. When you’re new to the church, you hear the word tithe, and it sounds like a mandatory fee, a rule you must obey to be a “good Christian.” But that’s a legalistic view that misses the beautiful point of the New Covenant.

When we are bringing newbies into the faith, we shouldn’t tell them they have to tithe, but that they should tithe. Why? Because giving is a process of discipleship. It’s a way to teach us how to save, how to live, and ultimately, how to serve God and His kingdom. It’s the spiritual discipline that helps train our hearts to trust Him more than our bank accounts.

The Command vs. The Baseline

The Old Testament Law did command a 10% tithe. But here’s the key distinction many pastors miss: it wasn’t a command for all of humanity; it was a law given to the nation of Israel. That 10% supported the Levites (the priesthood) and the poor.

But even before the Law, the practice was personal: Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek. It was a single, spontaneous act of gratitude, not a repeated command. The old saints know this: for us, the 10% is just a baseline. It’s a starting point, rooted in ancient tradition, that we use to ensure we are giving the Lord the first fruits of our increase.

The Harvest is Not Just Money

This is where the interpretation can feel manufactured by man. The Lord didn’t command 10% of money; He commanded 10% of the harvest, the crops, the livestock, the actual increase.

We all reap in different ways today, so why should we all tithe the exact same amount? If our increase is financial, we give financially. But our “harvest” is also our time, our talents, and our energy. We should tithe differently to reflect the unique way God has blessed us.

This brings me to the greatest example of giving: the poor old lady with the two cents.

When the poor widow dropped her last two small coins into the temple treasury, it was a profound act of faith (Luke 21:1-4). It wasn’t about obeying a rule or ritual. It was a way of showing up to the altar to be in His presence, to give to serve, and to express absolute trust. She didn’t give out of her abundance; she gave all she had.

That is the heart of worship God is looking for.

If a man chooses to read the Lord’s word and interpret the tithe as a strict command upon us all, then let it be followed by its most strict regime. But let’s not forget the lesson of the widow: God cares more about the sacrifice than the size of the offering.

What about you? Do you see your giving as a duty you must perform, or a spiritual discipline that helps your heart grow closer to God? Let’s discuss in the comments!