11 Bible Verses About Tithing You Should Know

Your church relies on the generosity of its supporters to keep its mission going, but with so many tools and software solutions involved in today’s church management, some ministries may feel like they’re losing the connection between donation collection and its biblical meaning. To help keep you and your congregation inspired, here are some of the best Bible verses about tithing.

Genesis 14:19-20

And blessing him, said, May the blessing of the Most High God, maker of heaven and earth, be on Abram: And let the Most High God be praised, who has given into your hands those who were against you. Then Abram gave him a tenth of all the goods he had taken.

The context of these verses is particularly powerful. As two kings have come to meet Abram, they serve him bread and wine, and then offer a blessing. During the blessing, King Melchizedek acknowledges that God owns all of earth and the heavens. Abram then acknowledges the blessing, giving a tenth of the rescued plunder to Melchizedek as a demonstration of his increasing humility and his recognition that God doesn’t speak to him alone.

Genesis 28:20-22

Then Jacob took an oath, and said, If God will be with me, and keep me safe on my journey, and give me food and clothing to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then I will take the Lord to be my God, And this stone which I have put up for a pillar will be God’s house: and of all you give me, I will give a tenth part to you.

In these verses, Jacob declares that if God does as He said he would, he would declare the Lord his God. He completes his vow by making the promise to give a tenth of all God gives to him back to the Lord — just as Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham, gave to Melchizedek. Later, Israel would demonstrate his obedience in much the same way.

Exodus 35:5 and 35:22

Take from among you an offering to the Lord; everyone who has the impulse in his heart, let him give his offering to the Lord; gold and silver and brass

In the context of these verses, God is requesting contributions of gold, silver, and brass to help build the tabernacle. However, it’s important to note that the verse specifies those who have “impulse in his heart.” The concept of giving only by freewill is reinforced in many verses throughout the Bible.

They came, men and women, all who were ready to give, and gave pins and nose-rings and finger-rings and neck-ornaments, all of gold; everyone gave an offering of gold to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 9:7

In this verse there is further reinforcement of the concept of giving by freewill only.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Leviticus 27:30-34

In this verse, in particular, the concept of giving “every tenth” is strongly reinforced. This amount has carried on through the test of time. Surprisingly, though, while tithing is a major part of the Bible, only 17 percent of Americans say they tithe regularly.

And every tenth part of the land, of the seed planted, or of the fruit of trees, is holy to the Lord. And if a man has a desire to get back any of the tenth part which he has given, let him give a fifth more. And a tenth part of the herd and of the flock, whatever goes under the rod of the valuer, will be holy to the Lord. He may not make search to see if it is good or bad, or make any changes in it; and if he makes exchange of it for another, the two will be holy; he will not get them back again. These are the orders which the Lord gave to Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai.

Numbers 18:21 and 18:26

And to the children of Levi I have given as their heritage all the tenths offered in Israel, as payment for the work they do, the work of the Tent of meeting.

These verses speak to the importance of making tithing a tradition to display obedience and dependence on the Lord. They demonstrate God’s plan for tithing to be carried on throughout all of His people.

Say to the Levites, When you take from the children of Israel the tenth which I have given to you from them as your heritage, a tenth part of that tenth is to be offered as an offering lifted up before the Lord.

Deuteronomy 12:5-6 and 14:22

But let your hearts be turned to the place which will be marked out by the Lord your God, among your tribes, to put his name there; And there you are to take your burned offerings and other offerings, and the tenth part of your goods, and the offerings to be lifted up to the Lord, and the offerings of your oaths, and those which you give freely from the impulse of your hearts, and the first births among your herds and your flocks.

Yet again, these verses reinforce the Bible’s focus on giving by the “impulse of your heart,” reminding us that tithing is not to be seen as a requirement, but an opportunity to recognize the Lord for all He has given us.

Put on one side a tenth of all the increase of your seed, produced year by year.

Talking About Tithing With Your Church

Tithing is a major part of the Bible, yet few congregants actually tithe regularly, and many who do don’t stick to the traditional request of 10 percent. As a church, it’s important that you acknowledge the role tithing plays, both in the Bible and in keeping the mission going.

Here at DonorWerx, we know talking about money can be a touchy subject, which is why we have helped coach church leaders just like you into how to effectively start a conversation about tithing with congregants and ministry leaders. Interested in learning more? Schedule a discovery call today.