7 Things Christians Get Wrong about Tithing

Tithing is a practice from the Old Testament Mosaic Law, but it’s essential to recognize that the New Testament does not explicitly instruct Christians to tithe in the same manner as it was prescribed in the Old Testament.

The New Testament only mentions the tithe three or four times, and never as an instruction for Christians. The New Testament writers don’t express an obligation to the tithe. For Christians to teach the tithe, we must go back to Old Testament traditions, which causes some conflict.

We don’t do other traditions (such as sacrificing animals, burning incense, etc.), and some of the central traditions of the Old Covenant are reimagined in the New Testament, notably the Sabbath and circumcision. But we are to bring in the tithe?

To be clear, the New Testament does have a standard for giving. Paul declares we should be led by the Spirit with willingness and a joyful heart, understanding what we are investing in (2 Corinthians 9).

Jesus taught giving all our possessions, or a great deal of them, for the good of others, is the way we put our treasure in heaven (Luke 12). Paul also establishes we should support ministers, (1 Corinthians 9).

The Old Testament tithe, however, isn’t mentioned or supported in the New. It can be a personal conviction, but not a universal obligation placed on the whole church.

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In the Old Testament, tithing was a significant practice that involved giving a portion of one’s income or resources to support various aspects of religious and community life. But there wasn’t one type of tithe (10% of income) but several in the Mosaic Law, each serving purposes.

The Levitical tithe, the Ma’aser Rishon, required the Israelites to give 10% of their produce and livestock to the Levites, the priests. In return, the Levites were responsible for religious duties and care of the temple.

The Festival tithe, the Ma’aser Sheni, involved setting aside another, separate 10% of agricultural produce to provide for the Old Covenant religious festivals.

The Poor tithe, the Ma’aser ‘Ani, was an additional 10% of produce every third year. This was for the poor and less fortunate of Israel, including widows, orphans, and foreigners.

The Tithe of the Produce of the Land, the Ma’aser Dagan, was separate from the Levitical tithe and required 10% of crops and grains to be placed in the local storehouse, separate from the Levitical tithe, and this was used to feed the community during times of need.

These tithes represented a significant portion of the Israelites’ agricultural income, amounting to around 23.3% annually when combined, and not only supported the priests but gave resources for the bigger celebrations and the poor and less fortunate.

Again, the legal requirement of the tithe isn’t in the New Testament, but the ideas are still there with the support of spiritual leaders, Communion, and taking care of the poor.

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While the Christian idea of tithing is rooted in the practice of giving to support the church and charitable causes, it can sometimes lead to legalism when misinterpreted or enforced in a rigid and legalistic manner.

Legalism, in this context, refers to the strict adherence to rules and regulations, often focusing more on the letter of the law than the spirit of the practice.

Some interpretations of tithing leave little room for personal discretion, consideration of individual circumstances, or the leading of the Holy Spirit.

This rigid approach can lead to legalism, where individuals feel compelled to meet a specific percentage regardless of their financial situation.

When tithing is presented as an obligation rather than a joyful act of worship, it can foster guilt and condemnation in individuals. Legalistic approaches make individuals feel like they are failing in their faith or unworthy.

In communities that emphasize strict tithing, there can be judgmental attitudes toward those who do not conform to the same standards. This judgment can create division within the church and lead to a sense of superiority among those who adhere to the tithe strictly.

Legalism often emphasizes external compliance with rules and regulations rather than the internal transformation of the heart. Tithing can become a mere ritualistic act rather than a genuine expression of love, generosity, and obedience to God.

The New Testament encourages cheerful and generous giving from the heart, recognizing that the motivation for giving matters as much as the amount given.

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Tithing can sometimes lead to the unintentional neglect of other equally important forms of giving.

Tithing often emphasizes giving 10% of one's income, which can lead individuals to view this as the sole measure of their financial stewardship. This fixed percentage may overshadow other opportunities for spontaneous and compassionate giving, limiting the scope of their generosity.

Tithing is typically associated with financial support for the church and its ministries. While church support is vital, it may inadvertently lead individuals to neglect giving to other charitable causes, such as helping the poor, supporting missions, or contributing to humanitarian efforts outside of the church.

Acts of kindness, mercy, and generosity in daily life can sometimes be overshadowed by the structured practice of tithing. People may neglect opportunities to show love and compassion to others, thinking that fulfilling their tithe obligation is sufficient.

A focus on tithing alone may result in a lack of discernment regarding where one's financial resources can make the most significant impact. Individuals may not take the time to evaluate and support causes and organizations that align with their personal values and passions.

To address this potential neglect of other forms of giving, it's important for Christians to embrace a holistic approach to stewardship and generosity, prayerfully considering all the ways we can be cheerful and generous givers in every aspect of our lives.

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Some individuals may prioritize tithing while neglecting essential teachings on personal fiscal responsibility.

Christians may adhere to the practice of tithing diligently but fail to manage their finances wisely. This could include excessive spending, living beyond their means, accruing debt, or lacking a budgeting strategy. Ignoring these aspects of personal finance can lead to financial instability and hardship.

Believers may focus on tithing without giving due attention to saving for emergencies, retirement, or future financial goals. Neglecting savings and investments can leave individuals vulnerable to unexpected financial crises.

This includes not adequately addressing debt management. Neglecting debt repayment or taking on excessive debt can hinder financial stability and limit our ability to give generously.

Proper financial education requires financial education and guidance. If we neglect seeking help and strong principles regarding our finances, we can find ourselves in crises due to financial issues.

God cares about us holistically, and many of the Bible’s teachings about money deal with personal finances, he wants us to live with integrity and wisdom in every area of our lives. Giving a tithe doesn’t excuse us from learning these lessons.

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Tithing is the act of giving a portion of our income to the church and fundamental practice for many Christians.

While giving to the church and others is a significant aspect of Christian stewardship, it’s essential to recognize spiritual growth encompasses more than financial giving. The generosity of our spiritual goods is only one piece of the whole.

First and foremost, prayer is a cornerstone of spiritual growth. Christians are called to communicate with God regularly, seeking His guidance, comfort, and wisdom.

A lack of fervent prayer can hinder the deepening of one’s relationship with God and help believers navigate life's challenges.

Similarly, the study of Scripture is crucial for spiritual maturity. Neglecting regular Bible study means missing out on the profound lessons, wisdom, and guidance that the Word of God provides, giving us a firm foundation instead of a shallow faith.

Additionally, acts of service and outreach to others are essential for holistic spiritual growth. Christianity calls believers to love their neighbors and actively engage in acts of compassion and kindness. Neglecting this aspect of faith can lead to a self-centered spirituality.

Moreover, community and fellowship within the church are vital for spiritual development. Active participation in congregational life fosters relationships, accountability, and mutual growth.

Isolating oneself from the church community can limit opportunities for spiritual mentorship and accountability.

Tithing and giving financially shouldn’t overshadow the other vital components of spiritual growth, all meant to work together as disciplines to make us more like Christ.

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The Prosperity Gospel is a belief system within Christianity. While it has a broad spectrum of interpretations and adherents, the core message of the Prosperity Gospel is that God rewards faith and tithing (financial giving to ministries) with material wealth, health, and success. This teaching has inherent dangers. 

One of the most significant dangers of the Prosperity Gospel is that it reduces Christianity to a formula for personal gain, emphasizing material prosperity over spiritual growth, righteousness, and selflessness. This distortion can lead individuals away from the core principles of faith, humility, and self-sacrifice.

Moreover, the Prosperity Gospel can prey on vulnerable individuals, particularly those facing financial hardship or health issues.

Promising miraculous solutions and blessings in exchange for monetary donations or unwavering faith can exploit people’s desperation and lead them to make unwise financial decisions.

Another danger is the focus on “positive confession,” which suggests that one's words have the power to create reality. 

This can lead to victim-blaming, as adherents may believe that personal misfortune is the result of negative thinking or insufficient faith, causing some to experience guilt among those who seem to fail.

Additionally, the Prosperity Gospel can foster a culture of materialism, greed, and spiritual shallowness. It encourages people to pursue temporary wealth as a sign of God’s favor rather than valuing eternal qualities like compassion, humility, and generosity, and expecting an eternal reward.

We should take 2 Corinthians 9 to heart, that God loves a cheerful giver, one who is led by the Spirit and understands the Kingdom investment when we are generous in every area of our life. We will reap what we sow, spiritually and in other blessings, both in this life and the life to come.

Let’s not allow legalistic or greedy ideas to distract us from the amazing ability God has bestowed on us to invest in what is eternal with our worldly things.

Peace.

For further reading:

What Is the Definition and Meaning of Tithe in the Bible?

Is There a Correct Way to Biblically Tithe?

Do I Really Need to Tithe to the Church?

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