Is Tithing Still Relevant Today? (Finding the Gift in Giving)

11:37

Does the word tithe make you wince? Do you ever wonder why churches ask for money and, perhaps even take issue with how and why they do so - especially if you have seen financial exploitation in play? What if I told you that God's instruction to tithe is more about the heart than the wallet, that He doesn't need your money, and that He has a gift for you?

When we talk about giving, we often think of three main areas: our time, our talents, and our treasure. It’s easy to agree that our time is precious, and serving others is vital. We acknowledge that using our God-given talents is important too. But when the topic shifts to our treasure—our money—things get a little more uncomfortable. Jesus talked about money a lot, and there’s a good reason.

This article will help you discover why you and I might get squirmish when the topic of tithing arises, show you how it starts with the heart, and gives you some tips on soul-searching so you can receive the gift God has for you.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, ESV). Notice it doesn’t say, “Where your time is” or “Where your talents are.” Jesus zeroes in on our money because it’s closely tied to our hearts. Our wallets are like windows to our souls. And while we’d like to believe otherwise, money can easily become a stronghold, subtly shifting our trust from God to our bank accounts.

The Where and the What

So, what exactly is a tithe? Traditionally, a tithe is 10% of what we produce, and while the ancient Israelites brought grain, wine, and livestock, today it’s expressed through our income. Tithing may seem like an old-school rule, but its significance continues. The where matters too: tithes are meant for the house of God. For the Israelites, that was the temple. For us, it’s our local church—a place of worship and a hub for community impact.

“Tithing isn’t a tax; it’s an act of worship.”

Our giving is part of a greater narrative. When we tithe, we’re not just funding church operations; we’re contributing to transformed lives, feeding the hungry, and reaching those who don’t yet know the love of Christ. It’s a cycle of blessing that God set in motion.

The Why Behind the Tithe

Tithing isn’t just an Old Testament throwback. It’s a principle rooted in trust and reverence. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (ESV) puts it plainly: “You shall tithe all the yield of your seed… that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.” This wasn’t about a divine cash grab; it was about learning to trust God as the provider and staying grounded in the right relationship with Him.

“Tithing is not God’s way of raising money; it’s His way of raising His children.” —Unknown

Think back to Genesis and the story of Cain and Abel. They both brought offerings, but only Abel’s was accepted because he gave with the right heart. Cain’s offering? It was more of a checklist item, an obligation. God sees beyond the dollar signs and examines our motives.

Tithing Confronts Our Strongholds

Tithing confronts trust issues head-on. Let’s be honest: talking about tithing can be awkward. You might be thinking, “10%? Really? That’s a chunk of change!” And if that’s your reaction, it’s worth exploring why it feels that way. Do you believe that God will provide for you, or do you prefer to rely on yourself? Are you open-handed, allowing resources to flow, or do you grip tightly in fear?

“Jesus isn’t after our money; He’s after our hearts.”

The pull of money as a source of security is real. We work hard, save, and plan for the future. But in doing so, it’s easy to let our faith rest in our bank statement's balance instead of the One who provides. Jesus understood this human tendency, which is why He warned that we can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Money makes an unreliable god. It can be lost, devalued, or stolen. But God? He is steadfast and unchanging.

Learning Faithfulness in Little

Luke 16:10-13 (ESV) tells us, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.” If we learn to be faithful with small amounts, God can trust us with more. This isn’t a prosperity gospel promise but a biblical principle of stewardship. Have you ever noticed how lottery winners often end up broke? They hadn’t developed the discipline of stewardship. The heart behind tithing is the same—it’s not about what God wants from us but what He wants for us.

“The discipline of tithing teaches us to live with open hands and open hearts.”

When we give faithfully, we create room for God to work more freely in our lives. Financial freedom doesn’t come from hoarding but from stewarding well what we’ve been given.

An Act of Joy, Not Obligation

This might sound weighty, but here’s the good news: tithing is a privilege, not a punishment. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV) reminds us, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” The word “cheerful” here isn’t just casual happiness; it suggests deep, soulful joy. When we shift our mindset from seeing tithing as a chore to recognizing it as an opportunity, we open ourselves to joy and spiritual growth. And guess what? God’s grace will meet us there.

“True generosity is when you give without expecting anything in return.”

Imagine giving with the mindset that it’s not about what is lost but what is gained in spiritual richness and trust in God. Our willingness to tithe is a reflection of our confidence in Him.

Did Jesus Talk About Tithing?

There’s a common misconception that tithing is strictly an Old Testament command, and that Jesus never addressed it directly. But that’s not entirely true. While Jesus did shift the focus from rigid rule-following to the heart behind our actions, He didn’t discard the practice of tithing. One of the key passages that highlights this is Matthew 23:23 (ESV): “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

In this verse, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their meticulous tithing while neglecting the more significant aspects of faith. Notice what He says: “These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” In other words, Jesus affirmed the importance of tithing but emphasized that it should not overshadow the pursuit of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This verse shows that Jesus didn't abolish the concept of tithing; He refined its purpose to ensure it stemmed from the right heart posture.

“Jesus wasn’t against tithing; He was against hollow worship that lacked true devotion.”

A Deeper Lesson: Matthew 25:25

While not specifically about tithing, Matthew 25:24-30, the Parable of the Talents, holds a principle that can apply to how we view our resources. In the parable, a servant hides his master's money, afraid of taking risks or losing what he was entrusted with. When the master returns, he rebukes the servant for his lack of stewardship and trust.

“So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours”

(Matthew 25:25, ESV).

This passage isn’t directly about tithing, but it carries a lesson on stewardship. When we hold tightly to what we have, motivated by fear or mistrust, we miss out on the growth and blessings that come from using our resources faithfully. Jesus emphasized that our attitude toward money and possessions reveals where our trust lies. Are we investing in God’s kingdom, or are we hiding away what He has entrusted to us?

“What we do with our resources reflects whether we see God as our provider or as someone we must appease out of fear.”

Jesus consistently taught that everything we have is ultimately His. The Parable of the Talents serves as a reminder that we are stewards, not owners. Tithing, then, becomes not just a practice of giving, but an act of trust and faith in God’s provision.

Next Steps

If God is getting your attention and softening your heart about developing the discipline of tithing, there are some steps you can take that will help you grow. Here are a few things to try:

Ask God to show you what is keeping you from accepting the relevance of tithing.
Pray that He will help you trust Him. Take time to let Him reveal why you struggle to trust.
Remember that God, the Father is loving and patient. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ; but rather, He wants to uncover the ways you veer from obeying Him so you can enjoy all the intimacy and benefits of following Him wholeheartedly.
Start with giving something or, if you're already giving some, increase it by a bit. Along the way to incremently reaching the 10%, continue praying for assurance and spend time identifying specific ways God provides for you.
Take a spiritual fast. This biblical practice puts us in a posture to hear God better because each time a desire for the creature comfort arises, it prompts us to seek the Lord for help. Pangs of discomfort cut through the distractions of life that can often lull our hearts away from the Father. If you want to connect the fast even more directly to developing the discipline of tithing, consider fasting an item that costs money (i.e., making coffee at home once a week in place of going to a coffeeshop); and then set that money aside to give to your church.
Share your struggle with a trusted friend or family member and ask for prayer.

The Bottom Line

Tithing is more than just parting with 10% of our income; it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s and trusting Him fully. It’s an invitation to participate in what He’s doing and to experience freedom from the grip of money.

"The heart behind tithing is not about what God wants from us but what He wants for us."

And when we give, we’re not just adding numbers to a collection plate—we’re shaping our hearts to reflect God’s generosity.

So, if tithing feels challenging, take a moment to reflect: Is it a trust issue, fear, or something else? God’s not looking at your bank statement—He’s looking at your heart. And that’s what matters most.

Continue reading about spiritual growth:

Do you live in the Concord, NH area? We invite you to visit us. Grace Capital Church is located at 542 Pembroke Street in Pembroke, NH.