Should a church tithe? Are churches supposed to ti the 10% of the offerings they receive?

Churches aren’t commanded to ti the 10%, but they are called to give generously and wisely to support God’s work beyond their walls. Whether people give 10% or more, the heart behind the giving—cheerful, willing, and mission-focused—is what matters most.

what does the bible say?

The Bible does not comm and churches to ti the 10% of their income, but it does call believers to give generously, willingly, and with purpose. Tithing was a structured act of worship established for the Israelites in the Old Testament that supported the Levites, festivals, and the poor. In the New Testament, tithing is not commanded of believers, but they are called to give graciously and generously, according to their means (2 Corinthians 9:7). Churches are free to determine how much they give to missions, ministries, and those in need, whether 10% or more. What matters most is not the percentage, but the heart and purpose behind the giving—honoring God and advancing His kingdom through faithful generosity.

from the old testament

Under the Mosaic Law, the Israelites were commanded to give a tithe—literally “a tenth”—of their produce, livestock, and other resources as an act of obedience and worship to God. This system ensured the support of the Levites, who had no l and inheritance and served in the tabernacle (Numbers 18:21–24).
Another ti the was designated for sacred festivals (Deuteronomy 14:22–27), allowing the people to rejoice before the Lord and care for the Levites.
Every third year, a special ti the was also set aside for the poor, foreigners, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 14:28–29).

from the new testament

In 1 Corinthians 16:1–2, believers are called to put something aside for the church, but no percentage is given. Instead, giving should be done willing, not under compulsion, and with a cheerful heart (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). This giving goes to the local church.
In 2 Corinthians 8:1–4, we read: “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.” These believers were in poverty, yet they gave abundantly to help the poor in other places and were considered generous as a result. Our goal should likewise be to help those in need in whatever ways we can, whether through a proportional 10% gift or other means.

implications for today

Many local churches give a portion of what they receive to support outside ministries. In some denominations, each church is expected to give 10% of the offerings it receives to the denomination to support the denomination’s work and worldwide missionary outreach. Is the practice of a church tithing 10% of its offerings biblical? While it is certainly biblical for a church to give to help those outside of its congregation, no particular method is required. A church can choose to give 10% of its offerings, or any other amount, to work outside of its church. Some churches even make ambitious goals of giving 20%, or even 50%, of all they receive to serve others in need. What a church is able to give to those outside of its local congregation will vary greatly from one place to the next. A remote congregation in a developing nation may not have the financial resources to support other ministries, but it can still help those in need in their local community. An affluent congregation in a major city, however, can use its abundance to resource many others, becoming a blessing to those in need. Some church planting movements today use the concept of the church tithing 10% to reproduce new churches. For example, the new church is funded for two years by the church planting group. After two years, the new church begins giving 10% of the giving it receives to the church planting group to start even more churches. Though not a biblical requirement, this model has been used to help reproduce many new local congregations. Again, some denominations also practice this model. If every church in the denomination gives 10% of what it receives to the denomination’s work, much missionary work can take place through the combined power of many churches working together.

Recap

understand

Old Testament tithing supported worship and care for others and is not a New Testament command.
The Bible doesn’t comm and churches to ti the 10%, but believers are called to give generously and cheerfully.
Churches today choose how much to give, whether 10% or a different amount, to missions, church planting movements, or other outside ministries.

reflect

How does your giving reflect a cheerful and willing heart that honors God?
How can you practice generosity that goes beyond obligation and flows from gratitude?
How do you evaluate the ways in which your giving—of money, time, or service—purposefully advances God’s kingdom?

engage

How can a church balance meeting its own needs with supporting missions and ministries beyond its walls?
What principles from the Bible help guide how churches decide how much to give?
How might a church’s generosity serve as a witness in its community?