At some point, you’ve probably been told:
“You should tithe.”
Or maybe you’ve heard it put more strongly:
“If you don’t tithe, you’re robbing God!”
It’s a big claim—and one that deserves an honest, Scripture-based look.
Because here’s the truth: there is no passage in the New Testament that commands believers to give ten percent of their income to a local church. And yet, many churches continue to teach it as a required act of obedience.
Let’s examine the most commonly cited passages:
1. Malachi 3:8–10
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings…”
This passage is often used to pressure believers into giving 10% of their income. But in context, Malachi is addressing Israel under the Old Covenant. The tithes spoken of were part of the Levitical tithe system outlined in Numbers 18, where Israelites were required to bring agricultural produce to support the Levites.
- It was food, not money.
- It was for the Levites, not a church.
- And it was under the law, not grace.
2. Genesis 14:18–20 – Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek
“Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
Abraham’s tithe was a one-time event. He gave a tenth of the spoils of war, not of his regular income. This was not a pattern or command. There’s no record of Abraham tithing again, nor is there any instruction from God commanding others to follow his example.
3. Hebrews 7
This passage references Abraham and Melchizedek again, but it’s not about setting up a tithing doctrine. It’s making a theological point: Jesus, like Melchizedek, has an eternal priesthood—greater than that of the Levites. It’s not a call to tithe; it’s a call to trust in Christ’s superior priesthood.
4. Genesis 28:20–22 – Jacob’s Vow
“If God will be with me… then the LORD shall be my God… and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
Jacob’s tithe was conditional: “If God does this for me, then I’ll give Him a tenth.” This was a personal vow—not a universal instruction for believers. It doesn’t establish a practice or command for New Covenant Christians.
So Why Do People Still Preach Tithing?
When the biblical foundation doesn’t hold up, the next step is often to invoke a “tithing revelation.” You may hear:
“These verses may not say it outright—but if you get a revelation from the Holy Spirit, you’ll see it.”
That’s a dangerous route.
The Holy Spirit does lead us into truth—but He never leads us away from the truth of Scripture, or into contradictions with the New Covenant.
What Does the New Testament Teach About Giving?
The New Covenant model is found in 2 Corinthians 9:7:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
This means:
- Giving is from the heart, not from obligation.
- It is voluntary, not mandated.
- It is based on generosity and grace, not percentages and guilt.
Paul also writes in 1 Corinthians 16:2 about setting aside money “in keeping with your income,” which again emphasizes intentional, proportionate, and Spirit-led giving.
So, Is Tithing Mandatory for a Believer?
No, it is not.
Tithing was part of the Old Covenant system, given specifically to Israel. Believers in Christ are under a New Covenant, not of law but of grace. The New Testament calls us to give freely, generously, and cheerfully—not based on a fixed percentage, but based on what we’ve purposed in our hearts.
So should we give? Yes. Generously. Cheerfully. Intentionally. But not out of pressure or fear. And not because someone invoked a “revelation” the Bible never teaches.
In Christ, you are free.
Free to give. Free not to.
Free to follow the Spirit—not tradition, not fear, and not manipulation.
That’s the beauty of grace.
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