Many Christians are convinced that they are required to tithe(paying a tenth of their income). “tithes and offerings” are collected in various Christian worship services. While some other Christians are also convinced that tithing is not a requirement for a believer in Christ.



The first mention of tithe in the Bible was in Genesis 14:20, Abraham gave a tenth of his spoils of war to Melchizedek King of Salem. Jacob also vowed to give a tenth of everything God give unto him after his meeting with God in Bethel.

Subsequently, God commanded the Jewish people, the children of Jacob to tithe when they reach the promised land.

A tenth of Israel’s seed, fruit, and flocks were to be given to the Lord (Lev. 27:30–32; Deut. 14:22–24; cf. 2 Chron. 31:5–6; Neh. 13:5, 12). A tenth is given to the Levites to support them since they have no inheritance among their people (Num. 18:21–24; cf. Neh. 10:38; 12:44), A tenth were given as the poor tithe (Deut. 14:28, 29). Those who pay tithe were promised blessing by God while those who didn’t tithe were threatened with a curse(Mal. 3:8–10).



With the examples above, it is clear that tithing was ordained by God under the Mosaic law and since we Christians operate under the grace and not the Mosaic, we have nothing to do with tithing.

Daddy Freeze, a controversial radio presenter once raised his voice against the payment of tithes in Nigerian church but he met with stern media backlash, with many Pastors as well as other Christians calling him heretic. However, in this article, I would argue why tithing isn't required or even encouraged for Christians today. I would explain my stance in order to give more biblical clarity to Christians.


Below are six points to make my opinion clear to the readers

1. Christians Are Not Under The Mosaic Covenant (Rom. 6:14–15; 7:5–6; Gal. 3:15–4:7; 2 Cor. 3:4–18).
Romans 6:14 KJV- "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."


The commands stated in the Mosaic covenant of the Old Testament doesn't apply to believers. In the Bible passage above, Paul addresses believer with a clear message that believer are now bound by grace and not under the bondage of the law . It’s of a truth that the moral norms of the Old Testament still apply to Christians today, and we understand them from the law of Christ clearly stated in the New Testament, but tithing is not among these commands given through Christ in the New Testament

2. Abraham And Jacob Payment Of Tithes Are Not Normative Patterns.
Some people will argue that tithing is required of a believer because both Abraham and Jacob gave a tenth, and they both existed before the Mosaic covenant came in place. However, both examples doesn't clearly ascertain that tithing was done on a regular basis. Abraham’s gift to Melchizedek king of Salem and his victory over his enemies was a one-time event; there is no recorded evidence in the Bible that he gave God a tenth regularly


Jacob’s vowed to give a tenth to God after Jehovah promised to be with him and to keep him safe everywhere he goes. However, there is not historical backing to support that Christians must give God a tenth of their income.

3. Tithes Were Remitted To The Levites And Priests, But There Is No Place for Levites And Priests In The New Covenant.


Levites and priests were connected to the sacrificial system of the old covenant. Now according to the New Testament, all Christians are priests and Jesus the high priest. 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6)

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9 KJV

4.The Tithe Is Tied To The Jewish People And The Promised Land Of Israel Under The Mosaic Covenant.
Israel was supposed to celebrate a tithe every three years in Jerusalem.

1. The Levitical, or sacred tithe (Num. 18: 21, 24).

2. The tithe of the feasts (Deut. 14:22-27).

3. The tithe for the poor (Deut. 14:28, 29).

This requirement applies only to the Jewish nation and not to Christians today. It related to Jews who lived in the promise land of Israel. With the coming of Christ, the Jewish people are longer only the favorite people of God but every believer in Christ becomes God's favorite.

5. When Jesus Spoke About Tithe , It Was Before The Dawn Of The New Covenant
Some people always defend tithing by saying Jesus spoke about tithing and never condemned it (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42).

Matthew 23:23 KJV- Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

This argument appears strong, but it’s not persuasive enough to prove that Christians should adopt the practice.

Jesus spoke about tithing before he was crucified on the cross and subsequent resurrection. It was before the manifestation of the new covenant. He used tithing as an illustration when addressing pharisees and scribes. Jesus was born under the law and he kept the law(Galatians 4:4). The new covenant came into manifestation after resurrection of Christ, so Christians are not under the Mosaic law but under Grace.

Galatians 2:19 KJV - For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

6. Giving Generously Was Commanded In The New Testament But Payment Of Tithe Wasn't Mentioned.
Christians are instructed to give to the poor in the New Testament, they were not commanded to give “the poor tithe.” instead , believers are commanded to be generous givers to the needy (Acts 2:43–47; 4:32–37; 11:27–30; Gal. 2:10; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:1–9:15). If Christians were to follow the principle of the Old Testament tithing, there would be reference to the apostles collecting or distributing tithes in the New Testament.

Live generously, even though Christians are not biblically required to tithe, it does not allow Christians to live selfishly.

We as Christians are commanded to render support to those who are preaching the gospel (Luke 10:7; Tim. 5:17–18). And while we should enjoy the good things God gives us, we are also called to be generous to those in need (1 Tim. 6:17–19; 2 Cor. 8–9). Wealth can so easily become an idol, leading us to abandon the Lord.

The Scripture doesn’t command believers to give a tenth and since the Scripture is our rule and authority, we should not tithe