What Is a Tithe?

A tithe is the practice of giving one-tenth (10%) of your income to God. The word comes from an Old English root meaning "one tenth." Tithing is one of the oldest and most consistent financial principles found throughout the Bible, appearing from Genesis all the way through the New Testament.

The Biblical Foundation of Tithing

The tithe first appears in Genesis 14:20, when Abraham gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High. Jacob later made a vow in Genesis 28:22 to give a tenth of all God gave him. The practice was formally codified in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 27:30), where the Israelites were commanded to bring a tenth of their crops and livestock to support the Levites, who had no inheritance of land.

In Malachi 3:10, God says: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this 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." This remains one of the most quoted tithing scriptures in the modern church.

Tithing in the New Testament

Jesus acknowledged tithing in Matthew 23:23 and also elevated the spirit behind it — giving from the heart with justice, mercy, and faithfulness. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." The New Testament shifts the focus from strict law to generous, joyful stewardship.

How to Calculate a Tithe

The math is simple: multiply your income by 0.10. If you earn $3,000 per month, your tithe is $300. If you earn $75,000 per year, your tithe is $7,500. The key questions are whether to tithe on gross (before tax) or net (after tax) income — both are considered valid by different Christian traditions.