Giving

What does the Bible say about giving and tithing?

The Bible has more than 2,300 references to money and material things. Tithing is only a small part of what God teaches about giving.

In these one-minute Financial Moments, Tom Copland explains what Scripture says about tithing, giving generously and giving with the right heart. Watch one, or work through the whole series.

Is tithing still for today?

The guideline in Scripture is to give at least 10 percent of your income to God’s work. But the tithe is the smallest percentage mentioned anywhere in Scripture, and the emphasis in God’s Word is to give generously. When Zacchaeus came to faith, he gave half of his possessions (Luke 19:8).

Also in this series: Tithing · Don’t Be Constrained by the Tithe · Will a Man Rob God (Malachi 3:8)

Give God the first fruits, not the leftovers

Do you give the first fruits to God’s work, or does God get the leftovers? Giving first, before other spending, puts God first in our finances.

“Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” (Proverbs 3:9)

Also in this series: Paul and Jill Give God “The Leftovers”

Give generously and cheerfully

Generous giving goes beyond a set percentage, and it comes from a willing heart rather than obligation.

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Also in this series: Give Generously · Give Cheerfully · Everyone Can Experience the Joy of Giving

Give as a steward, not an owner

God owns everything. We manage what he has entrusted to us, so giving starts by acknowledging, in heart and mind, that it is all his.

“‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 2:8)

Also in this series: Give Regularly to God’s Work · Consider It a Privilege to Give to God’s Work · Be Faithful with a Small Amount (Luke 16:10)

Why God entrusts us with more

When God provides more, it is not so we can spend it on ourselves or hoard it. God’s purpose in entrusting us with more is that we can give even more to his work.

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.” (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Also in this series: When You Give to God’s Work, Everyone Is Blessed!

Store up treasures in heaven

Money and material things are temporary: we can take nothing with us. Giving to God’s work has eternal value, for the giver and for the people it reaches.

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20)

Also in this series: Remember Christians Are Citizens of Heaven · God Rewards Generous Givers!

Check your motives

How we handle money is an outward sign of an inward spiritual condition. Give out of love for God, not to be seen or to get something back.

“Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

Also in this series: Ensure That Your Motives Are Godly and Not Worldly

When debt gets in the way of giving

Debt payments can crowd out giving. Easy credit leads many Christians to give less than they want to, and keeping debt to a minimum frees you to give generously.

“The borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)

Also in this series: Debt Hinders Giving · Rob and Linda Give Less Because of Debt · “Easy Credit” Results in Reduced Giving