₦airaland Forum

Introduction

Money and faith—few topics stir as much debate in churches as tithing. Should Christians give 10% of their income? Is tithing a biblical command or an Old Testament relic? And why do some pastors preach financial blessings for tithers while others call it legalism?

Let’s journey through Scripture, history, and modern church practices to uncover what the Bible really says about tithing—and how we can give with wisdom and joy.



1. What Does the Bible Actually Say About Tithing?

A. Old Testament: Tithing as Temple Tax

Leviticus 27:30-32: God commanded Israel to give 10% of crops and livestock to support priests (Levites) and maintain worship.

Malachi 3:8-10: Withholding tithes was called "robbing God," but obedience promised blessings (a verse often quoted in prosperity preaching).

Purpose: Tithing wasn’t just about money—it funded social care (Deut. 14:28-29) and reminded Israel they owed everything to God.

B. New Testament: Grace Over Rules

Jesus’ Take (Matthew 23:23): He affirmed tithing but said justice and mercy mattered more. A heart check!

Hebrews 7:5-12: The priesthood (and its tithing system) ended with Christ. No more Temple = no more mandatory tithes?

Paul’s Principle (2 Corinthians 9:7): Give freely and cheerfully—no percentages demanded.

The Big Debate:

"Tithing Still Applies" View: Some (like John MacArthur) see it as a timeless principle.

"New Covenant Freedom" View: Others (like Craig Blomberg) say generosity, not 10%, is the goal.



2. How Did Early Christians Handle Giving?

First-Century Church: No tithing! Believers shared everything (Acts 2:44-45) or gave voluntarily (1 Cor. 16:2).

Fourth Century: Augustine and others revived tithing, mixing Old Testament practice with Roman civic habits.

Reformation Era: Luther and Calvin kept tithing for practicality but dumped the guilt. Radical reformers (Anabaptists) rejected it entirely.



3. Modern Church Tensions: Tradition vs. Grace

A. Evangelical Split

Pro-Tithing: Many pastors teach it as a "discipleship baseline" (R.T. Kendall) for faithful living.

Anti-Tithing: Scholars (David A. Croteau) argue it’s not for Gentiles—grace means giving beyond 10%!

B. The Prosperity Gospel Twist (Especially in Africa)

Nigeria’s Pentecostal Boom: Many preach "give to get," using Malachi 3:10 as a "divine contract" for wealth.

Critics Push Back: Pastors like Conrad Mbewe warn against greed, citing 1 Timothy 6:5-10.



4. Unanswered Questions

Is Tithing a Moral Law? Or just for ancient Israel?

How Should Churches Fund Ministry? Fee-based models? Donations?

What About the Poor? Does demanding tithes burden struggling believers?



Conclusion: Giving That Honors God

The Bible never condemns tithing—but it never commands it for Christians either. What is clear?

Heart > Rules: God cares why you give (2 Cor. 9:7).

Generosity > Legalism: Some give 2%; others give 20%. The amount isn’t the point.

Beware Exploitation: If a pastor guilts you into giving, that’s not the Gospel.

Food for Thought:

How does your church teach giving?

Have you seen tithing abused—or practiced with grace?

Let’s Discuss! Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Don't ask Nairaland members for contact details (email, phone, bbpin) or investments.

How Should Churches Fund Ministry?

Fee-based models?

Donations?

What About the Poor?

Does demanding tithes burden struggling believers?

The Bible never condemns tithing—but it never commands it for Christians either. What is clear?

How does your church teach giving?

Before God rescued the Israelites from Egypt there was nothing like tithing for God's people it was established as a law before they entered the promised land.

WHY?

God wanted to lay down rules regarding pure worship in the land of Canaan that is why a tribe (Levites) were excluded in the sharing of spoils they got when they entered Canaan. Numbers 18:20; Deuteronomy 10:9
Moses was a Levite too so there was no agitation after all it's his own tribe that's excluded.
What God commanded the remaining 12 tribes is to make sure that at the end of every three years each person should calculate his gain, divide it into ten parts and bring one to the temple this is what Levites will share among themselves {Deuteronomy 14:27} Levites too must pay tithe and who will benefit from the tithe paid by Levites? That's when orphans, widows and stranded travelers comes to mind (Deuteronomy 14:29} so orphans, widows and stranded travelers are completely excluded from paying of tithe.
This system continues until the nation splitted ten tribes followed Jeroboam and only two tribes remain to serve Rehoboam as their king! 1Kings 12:21
The ten Northern tribes were called Samaritans while the remaining two was called Judah. The Levites were confused so some remained with Judah in Jerusalem while those who joined the North were stranded as the temple in which they supposed to officiate can't be splitted. So in order not to loose his own kingship Jeroboam built another temple in the North but it was not recognized as the people there don't know how to worship in an acceptable way so idolatry started in Northern Israel.
Judah and Benjamin (Jews) remained with the old covenant and God favored them.
But later the inhabitants of Judah and Benjamin also turned to idolatry and God allowed Babylonians to take them to exile just as Samaritans had suffered the same fate decades before then.
God later rescued the Jews (Judah and Benjamin) from exile in Babylon and they returned to their home land to establish pure worship again.
But later they forgot the temple and the tithe they supposed to bring as stipulated in the law that's why God sent Malachi to warn them! Malachi 3:8-12

All these have nothing to do with Christianity because Christ gave us the privilege of services freely so the law of tithe ended with the old covenant! Hebrews 7:5-12

I still believe in tithing. I teach it, encourage it .


I have not really seen any convincing arguments against it.

Is that what your own chatgpt articles are for?

PlasmaTV:
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Don't ask Nairaland members for contact details (email, phone, bbpin) or investments.

Yes, very right sir also it's volitional today generous giving has replaced it!

MaxInDHouse:
How Should Churches Fund Ministry?

Fee-based models?

Donations?

What About the Poor?

Does demanding tithes burden struggling believers?

The Bible never condemns tithing—but it never commands it for Christians either. What is clear?

How does your church teach giving?

Before God rescued the Israelites from Egypt there was nothing like tithing for God's people it was established as a law before they entered the promised land.

WHY?

God wanted to lay down rules regarding pure worship in the land of Canaan that is why a tribe (Levites) were excluded in the sharing of spoils they got when they entered Canaan. Numbers 18:20; Deuteronomy 10:9
Moses was a Levite too so there was no agitation after all it's his own tribe that's excluded.
What God commanded the remaining 12 tribes is to make sure that at the end of every three years each person should calculate his gain, divide it into ten parts and bring one to the temple this is what Levites will share among themselves {Deuteronomy 14:27} Levites too must pay tithe and who will benefit from the tithe paid by Levites? That's when orphans, widows and stranded travelers comes to mind (Deuteronomy 14:29} so orphans, widows and stranded travelers are completely excluded from paying of tithe.
This system continues until the nation splitted ten tribes followed Jeroboam and only two tribes remain to serve Rehoboam as their king! 1Kings 12:21
The ten Northern tribes were called Samaritans while the remaining two was called Judah. The Levites were confused so some remained with Judah in Jerusalem while those who joined the North were stranded as the temple in which they supposed to officiate can't be splitted. So in order not to loose his own kingship Jeroboam built another temple in the North but it was not recognized as the people there don't know how to worship in an acceptable way so idolatry started in Northern Israel.
Judah and Benjamin (Jews) remained with the old covenant and God favored them.
But later the inhabitants of Judah and Benjamin also turned to idolatry and God allowed Babylonians to take them to exile just as Samaritans had suffered the same fate decades before then.
God later rescued the Jews (Judah and Benjamin) from exile in Babylon and they returned to their home land to establish pure worship again.
But later they forgot the temple and the tithe they supposed to bring as stipulated in the law that's why God sent Malachi to warn them! Malachi 3:8-12

All these have nothing to do with Christianity because Christ gave us the privilege of services freely so the law of tithe ended with the old covenant! Hebrews 7:5-12

A greater thing that tithing has replaced, generous giving. We should encourage it because it's the minimum level to learn giving! Even as regenerate men in Christ there is the high tendency to be tied to our possession.

MightySparrow:
I still believe in tithing. I teach it, encourage it .


I have not really seen any convincing arguments against it.

It's okay to say so also be consistent to ditch your phone for xylophone!

PlasmaTV:
ChatGPT article





Don't ask Nairaland members for contact details (email, phone, bbpin) or investments.

The only thing that replaced tithe is much harder than the tithe that's why you will see many churchians prefer the tithe.
In the Old Covenant the tithe is brought into the temple and the HighPriest will see to it that each Levite gets his portion but in the New Covenant our HighPriest is Christ Jesus who said:
"Freely you have received so you must give freely" Matthew 10:8
So whatever service we render to people if it's under Christ's assignment it must be free. That's why Tithing in Christianity was completely ruled out.
Offering differs from tithing.
Offering is what was used in building and maintaining the temple (place of worship) so no one should be left out that's why the widow offered everything in her purse:
Now as he looked up, he saw the rich dropping their gifts into the treasury chests.  Then he saw a needy widow drop in two small coins of very little value, and he said: “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than they all did. For all of these put in gifts out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, put in all the means of living she had.” Luke 21:1-4
Tithe is according to your profit but offering is whatever your heart compels you to give for the glory of the house of God.
When it comes to offering this is what God's word says:

Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:7

This one doesn't leave anyone out even an orphan or widow who loves God's house will not like to be left behind.

CreatedtwoRule:
Yes, very right sir also it's volitional today generous giving has replaced it!

Will you like to know what replaced the tithe?

Yes, pls I would love to learn!

MaxInDHouse:
The only thing that replaced tithe is much harder than the tithe that's why you will see many churchians prefer the tithe.
In the Old Covenant the tithe is brought into the temple and the HighPriest will see to it that each Levite gets his portion but in the New Covenant our HighPriest is Christ Jesus who said:
"Freely you have received so you must give freely" Matthew 10:8
So whatever service we render to people if it's under Christ's assignment it must be free. That's why Tithing in Christianity was completely ruled out.
Offering differs from tithing.
Offering is what was used in building and maintaining the temple (place of worship) so no one should be left out that's why the widow offered everything in her purse:
Now as he looked up, he saw the rich dropping their gifts into the treasury chests.  Then he saw a needy widow drop in two small coins of very little value, and he said: “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than they all did. For all of these put in gifts out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, put in all the means of living she had.” Luke 21:1-4
Tithe is according to your profit but offering is whatever your heart compels you to give for the glory of the house of God.
When it comes to offering this is what God's word says:

Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:7

This one doesn't leave anyone out even an orphan or widow who loves God's house will not like to be left behind.



Will you like to know what replaced the tithe?

Even if there is a more sophisticated ai tool than chatgpt, with your kind of mindset you won't ever be able to think through what I query it to grind out those results you are seeing. I challenge you! You thrive in toxicity.

PlasmaTV:
ChatGPT article





Don't ask Nairaland members for contact details (email, phone, bbpin) or investments.

CreatedtwoRule:
A greater thing that tithing has replaced, generous giving. We should encourage it because it's the minimum level to learn giving! Even as regenerate men in Christ there is the high tendency to be tied to our possession.

I don't really believe that. Tithe is basic. In addition to tithing you can still give generously.

Yes that's exactly what I said, maybe the typo didn't let understand me.

MightySparrow:
I don't really believe that. Tithe is basic. In addition to tithing you can still give generously.

CreatedtwoRule:
Yes that's exactly what I said, maybe the typo didn't let understand me.

Alright Sir. I am composting an essay on it.


Folks are greedy when it comes to release money but are quick to ask in prayers. They even justify themselves.


I will share with you when I finish. Thanks so much

CreatedtwoRule:
Yes, pls I would love to learn!

In the Old Covenant Israelites were told to pay ten percent of their profit that's a tenth of their sweat and Levites who were given the office of priests collects it from them but in the New Covenant only the HighPriest (Christ Jesus) is now a life saving spirit {1Corinthans 15:45} who doesn't need our money so it's our time Jesus is demanding.
A wealthy Jew once asked Jesus what he must do to enter into God's Kingdom {Luke 18:18} to this young politician Jesus would ask for financial assistance which he would gladly consent to but he was shocked when Jesus asked him to go and keep the commandments of God {Luke 18:20} he told Jesus everything he has kept from childhood {Luke 18:21} next Jesus told him to forgo everything he has acquired and become one of his disciples! Luke 18:22
This means the wealthy young man must join Jesus' group of preachers and teachers of God's word knocking people's doors from house to house! Matthew 10:11-13
Such a task will be so difficult for wealthy people or celebrities who always live like idols in the society so the young man left as he was highly disappointed! Luke 18:23
So the tithe Jesus is demanding from his own followers is sparing their time to go preaching and teaching from house to house which humbles true believers something 99.9% of people claiming Christians can't do!
In view of this assignment Zephaniah said foretold that whoever wants to escape the impending vengeance of God must seek two things:


before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he kicommands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.
‭Zephaniah 2:2-3 NIV‬

Note the highlighted in blue!

Whoever is not humble can't obey Jesus' command to preach from house to house and whoever is not seeking righteousness will find it hard to knock on people's doors because you don't know whose door you're knocking.

Do you think someone claiming President, Governor, Senator and so on could be a true Christian if they are to do what Jesus commanded his disciples?

Tithing was instituted as a form of social welfare system for wealth distribution. Tithing is no longer needed in a situation whereby there is separation of Church and state, tithing is replaced by taxation.

Lol....well understood sir, but if so, then we are not going to have constituted authority. Well I think we are all correct but viewing it through different theological lens! It's a case of two people saying a jar is half full or half empty, both are correct but still have different view points!

MaxInDHouse:
In the Old Covenant Israelites were told to pay ten percent of their profit that's a tenth of their sweat and Levites who were given the office of priests collects it from them but in the New Covenant only the HighPriest (Christ Jesus) is now a life saving spirit {1Corinthans 15:45} who doesn't need our money so it's our time Jesus is demanding.
A wealthy Jew once asked Jesus what he must do to enter into God's Kingdom {Luke 18:18} to this young politician Jesus would ask for financial assistance which he would gladly consent to but he was shocked when Jesus asked him to go and keep the commandments of God {Luke 18:20} he told Jesus everything he has kept from childhood {Luke 18:21} next Jesus told him to forgo everything he has acquired and become one of his disciples! Luke 18:22
This means the wealthy young man must join Jesus' group of preachers and teachers of God's word knocking people's doors from house to house! Matthew 10:11-13
Such a task will be so difficult for wealthy people or celebrities who always live like idols in the society so the young man left as he was highly disappointed! Luke 18:23
So the tithe Jesus is demanding from his own followers is sparing their time to go preaching and teaching from house to house which humbles true believers something 99.9% of people claiming Christians can't do!
In view of this assignment Zephaniah said foretold that whoever wants to escape the impending vengeance of God must seek two things:


before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he kicommands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.
‭Zephaniah 2:2-3 NIV‬

Note the highlighted in blue!

Whoever is not humble can't obey Jesus' command to preach from house to house and whoever is not seeking righteousness will find it hard to knock on people's doors because you don't know whose door you're knocking.

Do you think someone claiming President, Governor, Senator and so on could be a true Christian if they are to do what Jesus commanded his disciples?

You welcome bro!

MightySparrow:
Alright Sir. I am composting an essay on it.


Folks are greedy when it comes to release money but are quick to ask in prayers. They even justify themselves.


I will share with you when I finish. Thanks so much

It's OK everyone is entitled to his opinion but in my own religion we all have the same line of thought regarding faith in our God:
"I have given them the glory that you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are one" John 17:22

Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought. 1Corinthans 1:10

Thanks for your time!

CreatedtwoRule:
Lol....well understood sir, but if so, then we are not going to have constituted authority. Well I think we are all correct but viewing it through different theological lens! It's a case of two people saying a jar is half full or half empty, both are correct but still have different view points!

Agreed! I think it's only reasonable we don't push it further to the dividing lines of doctrine and style of worship. Because if we do it will come across like a brutal affront to tell you I don't see my style of worship as religion or some opinion. I'm well aware of your assertion and where it may lead. So love is the prominent feature of Christianity above doctrinal differences, let's love lead.

MaxInDHouse:
It's OK everyone is entitled to his opinion but in my own religion we all have the same line of thought regarding faith in our God:
"I have given them the glory that you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are one" John 17:22

Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought. 1Corinthans 1:10

Thanks for your time!