The concept of tithing – giving 10% of income and resources to God – has long been practiced in Judeo-Christian traditions. In ancient Israel, tithes supported the livelihood of priests and Levites and provided for communal feasts and care for the poor. Giving the “first fruits” was a tangible way to honor God by dedicating the initial and best portion to Him.
But tithing often becomes legalistic – given out of obligation, not worship. As New Testament believers no longer under law, we are called to give out of the abundance of God’s grace freely. What if we expanded tithing beyond just our finances?
In an interview, I recently heard Arthur Brooks propose that tithing 10% of everything – our time, talents, skills, relationships, and all facets of our lives – allows for whole-life worship and radical generosity.
The Old Testament Basis for Tithing
In Genesis 14, Abraham gave a tenth of the war spoils gained in victory to Melchizedek. Jacob also vowed to give God a tithe of all he received in Genesis 28 after experiencing a divine encounter. The Mosaic law officially instituted tithing as a form of taxation that supported the livelihood of Levites and priests (Leviticus 27:30-32, Numbers 18:21-32). Israelites were to set aside a tenth of their crops, flocks, and produce. Every third year, this tithe supported people experiencing poverty.
Deuteronomy 14 outlines the full scope of tithes commanded:
- A 10% tithe of crops/flocks went to Levites
- A 10% tithe for festival meals/offerings
- A 10% tithe every three years for the poor
In total, this could approach nearly a third of annual income every third year. God promised blessing on the faithful who gave tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-10). Proverbs 3:9 instructs, “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.” Tithing enacted worship by dedicating the first and best to God.
Jesus on Giving
The New Testament shifts perspectives from law and duty to gospel grace. Jesus affirmed tithing but critiqued those who used it to boast. In Luke 11:42 and Matthew 23:23, he admonished religious leaders for focusing on minute tithing details while neglecting “justice, mercy and faithfulness.” Outward tithing means nothing without inward spiritual maturity.
Under grace, we are free from tithing as legal requirement. But we are not free from stewarding all we’ve been given for God’s purposes. Paul instructs the Corinthian church to set aside collected offerings on the first day of each week (1 Cor 16:26). He reminds believers that we reap spiritual riches from generous sowing (2 Cor 9:6-15).
While a 10% benchmark can be helpful, Jesus calls us to far more sacrificial generosity – even doing something extreme like selling a possession to give to the poor (Matthew 19:21). Randy Alcorn states, “Whether or not the tithe is still the minimal measure of those firstfruits, I ask myself, Does God expect His New Covenant children to give less or more? Jesus raised the spiritual bar; He never lowered it.” Do we cling tightly or give freely?
Tithing Our Time and Talents
Limiting tithing to finances alone is a minimalist view. God calls us to steward every resource He provides – time, talents, relationships, and abilities. What would it look like to tithe these facets of our lives?
Someone gifted in music could dedicate 10% of their time to practicing and performing in service to God. A craftsman could tithe workshop hours building furniture for a homeless shelter. A busy parent could tithe by setting aside 1-on-1 time to invest in each child. We all have something to offer – practical skills, organizational strengths, and a listening ear.
Getting creative about “tithing” all we’ve been given emphasizes that everything good is a gift from above. It all belongs to God, not ourselves. As James 1:17 declares, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” We can joyfully give back a portion in service to Him and others.
The Benefits of Generosity
Of course, living generously requires sacrifice. But an outward focus reaps unexpected rewards:
- Giving provides meaning, purpose, and connection – combating isolation and depression. Stanford research found that people who donate to charity are 43% less likely to suffer from depression.
- Generosity releases feel-good neurotransmitters like endorphins, reducing stress and enhancing physical health. Brain scan studies show that giving activates important centers of the brain.
- Letting go of excess wealth frees us from the worries and love of money – the root of much evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Andrew Carnegie said, “The almighty dollar bequeathed to a child is an almighty curse. No man has the right to handicap his son with such a burden as great wealth.” We can rest in God’s provision.
- Cultivating generosity fosters gratitude for what we have rather than striving for more. We find contentment.
As we freely offer our time, talents, and resources to God’s purposes, He promises provision in return: “Give, and it will be given to you…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
Whole-Life Worship Through Tithing
Approaching tithing as only a financial duty misses the more profound spiritual impact – it can shape us into more generous disciples aligned with God’s heart for the world. Freely offering our treasure, time, abilities, and relationships back to God is fundamentally an act of whole-life worship.
Generosity affirms God as the priority and Provider in every area. It loosens our clenched fists around “my time” or “my gifts.” It expresses trust that God will sustain and guide us (Jehovah Jireh). As we give freely out of love and gratitude, our souls overflow with joy. Martin Luther declared, “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” We steward resources for eternity, not just earthly gain.
The call of discipleship is radical generosity with all we’ve been given. While tithing can become distorted by legalistic rules, its essence is worshipful surrender to God’s lordship. May we respond to God’s extravagant grace by echoing His generous, giving spirit in every facet of life. Jesus gave himself and calls us to do the same!
Josh Cehulik 