Lesson
Tithing: the first tenth
Tithing is the oldest financial practice in the Bible and still the most argued about. This lesson covers what it actually is, where it comes from, and how to practice it in a modern budget — with conviction instead of guilt.
What is tithing?
Tithing is giving the first tenth of your income back to God, historically through the local church. The word itself just means "a tenth" — the Hebrew ma'aser — and the practice predates the law of Moses.
Two things make the tithe different from ordinary generosity: it comes first, before spending, not from whatever's left over; and it's proportional — a tenth of a small paycheck and a tenth of a large one are the same act of trust.
Where does tithing come from in the Bible?
The tithe first appears with Abraham, centuries before any commandment required it. Abraham gives a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem (Genesis 14:18–20), and his grandson Jacob later vows a tenth to God unprompted (Genesis 28:20–22).
The law of Moses then makes it explicit — "a tithe of everything from the land… belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD" (Leviticus 27:30) — and Malachi frames withholding it as robbing God, with an extraordinary invitation attached: "Test me in this… and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven" (Malachi 3:10). Jesus affirms the practice while aiming at the heart behind it: tithing spices from the garden means nothing if justice, mercy, and faithfulness are neglected (Matthew 23:23).
Do Christians have to tithe?
The New Testament never says verbatim that Christians must tithe. That being said, it does not mean that Christians shouldn't tithe. On the contrary, the Bible constantly encourages Christians to help the Church financially, not only through written guidance but also on many examples in the church's history.
Practical examples include the Widow that gave all the little that she had, and the early church that shared all of their money and possessions with each other. Bible verses mention countless things, such as the love of money being the root of all evil, and how life and worth does not come from having many things.
The Bible is clear that the heart that is willing to tithe with joy is aligned to the will of God for their financial life. Instead of focusing on whether it is a requirement for Christians to give the 10%, cultivate a heart that is willing to cheerfully give back 10% of what was God's in the first place. Focus on giving a small portion of your income that will go onto making your church community stronger, supporting your pastors who have been faithfully leading you into God's word, and as a way to show faithfulness to God in whatever financial situation you find yourself in currently. Lastly, remember that by tithing and offering, you unlock many doors of blessings that God has promised to his people throughout the entire history of the Old and New Testament.
How do I budget for a tithe?
Give it first, automatically, the same way the split works: decide the percentage once, and let the budget do the remembering.
- Decide once. A tenth of your income, gross or net — that's between you and God. Pick one and stop re-deciding every payday.
- Take it off the top. When you log income in DollarSeeds, the tithe comes out first — before Needs, Wants, and Savings divide what remains. First fruits, not leftovers.
- Track it like it matters. Log it like any other commitment. What gets tracked gets kept.
What if I can't afford to tithe right now?
God never called you to tithe and give only when you have enough. In fact, he encourages you to have a generous heart when you have almost nothing.
Just look at the story of the Widow in 1 Kings 17. It reads: "As surely as the Lord your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it—and die." The prophet had just asked her to make him a meal, but she only had enough for one meal. After she made him the meal, her oil jars filled with oil, without end. 1 meal multiplied into a lifetime supply.
So if you find yourself low on money today, remind your heart that God never lets his faithful ones lack. But your part is to believe in him. Steps of faith in God will not let you down, so give with a cheerful heart. Use the Firm Foundation plan to help ensure your income covers all needs for tight months while still building the margin that gets you out.
Get DollarSeeds
DollarSeeds is free on the App Store. Pick a budgeting type, log your first income, and watch it split.
