Let’s start with a little honesty exercise—call it a giving audit:
- How much have you given to your church (or any charity) in the last 3 months?
- What percentage of your total income over that period was it?
If you’re like most Christians, the answer is somewhere between 0% and 2%.
That’s a long way off from the 10% tithe.
Now, hear me clearly—I’m not saying this to guilt-trip you. I’m saying it to highlight the bias we all bring to this conversation. Most of us don’t want tithing to apply to us.
I get it. I come with my own bias:
I believe in tithing. I’ve seen it advance the gospel, fund missions, meet needs, transform lives, and change communities.
Gospel mission changes eternities, but this mission requires resources.
And I believe the Bible’s starting point for funding kingdom mission work is tithing.
So let’s explore the common objections people raise—and then I’ll show you why I believe tithing still applies to us today.
Objection 1: “Tithing is an Old Testament Principle”
Not true.
Jesus Himself references and affirms tithing in the New Testament:
“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 (NIV)
Jesus doesn’t say, “Stop tithing.” He says, “Don’t neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness—and don’t stop tithing either.”
Objection 2: “Tithing Was Only for Israelites Under the Law”
Actually, tithing predates the Law.
- Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek — Genesis 14:18–20
- Jacob made a vow to tithe after encountering God — Genesis 28:20–22
Neither of these men were under Mosaic law. They tithed as an act of worship and gratitude, not religious duty.
Objection 3: “Giving Should Be Cheerful and Voluntary”
Absolutely!
Tithing should never be forced or guilt-driven.
Giving is something that should be in your DNA. The God who you worship, is a cheerful and voluntary giver. So, should you.
No-one pressured God into going His one and only So, Jesus to die on the cross. God gave cheerfully and generously.
Objection 4: “We’re Under Grace, Not the Law”
Yes, we’re under the New Covenant. But grace doesn’t lower the standard—it raises it.
Jesus took everything deeper:
- “Love your neighbour” → “Love your enemies”
- “Don’t murder” → “Don’t even be angry”
- “Don’t commit adultery” → “Don’t even lust”
What the higher standard for tithing?
- “Give 10%”? → Now we’re called to radical generosity
In the Book of Acts, believers were selling houses and possessions to fund the gospel.
They didn’t tithe less under grace—they gave more, and did so cheerfully.
Objection 5: “I’m Too Poor to Tithe”
The beauty of tithing is that it’s percentage-based.
If you make €10, your tithe is €1.
No one’s asking you to give what you don’t have. God’s not measuring amounts—He’s watching the heart behind the gift.
Objection 6: “Tithing Is Unrealistic Today”
Did you know the Israelites actually had three tithes under the law?
| Tithe Name | Purpose | Recipients | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levitical Tithe | Supported temple workers | Levites and priests | Annually |
| Festival Tithe | Funded community worship and feasts | Giver and local community | Annually |
| Poor Tithe | Cared for the vulnerable | Widows, orphans, foreigners | Every third year |
That’s roughly 23% per year. If they could give that, we can start with 10%.
Objection 7: “The Church Might Misuse My Tithe”
Here’s the truth: you give to God, through the church.
If leaders misuse funds, they’ll answer to God. But don’t let mistrust become your excuse for disobedience. Choose a church you believe in. And Give.
So Why Give? What’s the Positive Case?
1. Giving Is a Joy
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
— Acts 20:35 (NIV)
The happiest people I know are generous people.
Giving reflects the heart of God, who gave His Son for us.
2. Giving Breaks the Power of Money
“You cannot serve both God and money.”
— Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
Giving isn’t just about budgets—it’s about lordship.
Money makes a cruel master. But when you give, you say:
“God, I serve You—not this bank balance.”
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
Giving aligns your heart with God’s kingdom.
3. Giving Protects You From Greed
“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 (NIV)
Giving weakens the grip of greed. It’s how you starve the idol of money and grow a heart of contentment.
4. God Blesses the Generous — Now and Later
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
And God is able to bless you abundantly…”
— 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (NIV)
Generosity leads to blessing. Yes, financially at times, but also in non-financial ways. God decides how he wants to bless you.
And the reward isn’t just for now—it echoes into eternity:
“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”
— Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV)
5. Giving Funds the Mission of Jesus
“Go and make disciples of all nations…”
— Matthew 28:18–20
The Great Commission needs great generosity.
Churches are planted, people are reached, the gospel spreads—because people give.
So, Should You Tithe?
Yes—and then some.
Think of tithing as the training wheels of generosity, not the finish line.
It’s a starting point that helps you build discipline, trust, and a giving spirit.
Because one day, God might call you to give more:
- Give up your current job to become a full time gospel worker.
- Become a pioneer missionary is a remote place.
- Go to prison for the sake of the gospel.
- Give up your very life for standing up for Jesus and his messages even your life for the gospel
Jesus asked the rich young ruler to give up all his wealth for him.
“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor… then come follow me?”
— Mark 10:21
But if you’re not willing to give €100 from €1,000.
How will you respond when the stakes are higher?
Final Thought
Giving is like a muscle.
Use it—or lose it.
Stretch it—and it grows.
So yes, start with tithing.
But don’t stop there.
Let your generosity grow until it reflects the One who gave it all for you.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
— James 1:5 9:15 (NIV)
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