How much should a Christian give?
The New Testament sets no percentage. Decide in your heart with God, give regularly, give in step with what you have, and give with joy. Love often gives far more than ten percent.
The New Testament does not give a number. It gives a heart. Decide with God what to give. Give often. Give in step with what He has given you. And give with joy.
That can feel less safe than a rule. A rule tells you when you are done. Love never quite feels done. That is the point.
A plan, not a price tag
On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper.
1 Corinthians 16:2
Look at what Paul asks. Give often: every week. Everyone takes part: each of you. Give in step with what you have: as he may prosper. Paul set a habit, not a number.
Decide in your heart
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Decided” is προαιρέομαι proaireomai, to choose ahead of time. Sit down with God before the plate comes by. Not on a whim. Not out of guilt. “God loves a cheerful giver.” The word is ἱλαρός hilaros, where we get “hilarious.” God wants giving that makes you glad.
The bar is the cross
Some think freedom from the tithe means giving less. Look at the model Paul gives.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9
Jesus did not give ten percent. He gave everything. The bar is not ten percent. The bar is the cross. That is a higher bar, reached with love, not fear.
The poor churches of Macedonia gave “beyond their means, of their own accord” (2 Corinthians 8:3). The first church in Jerusalem sold land and houses so that “there was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34). No one made a law. Their hearts had changed.
If you have very little
God sees you. The widow put two tiny coins in the offering box, and Jesus said she “put in more than all those who are contributing” (Mark 12:43). God looks at the size of the heart, not the size of the check. Do not let anyone shame you.
Some simple steps
Pray first and decide in your heart. Make a plan and give often. Give more when you have more. Look for needs around you: the widow, the orphan, the hungry. Support those who teach you the Word (Galatians 6:6).
Many who leave the tithe rule find they give more, not less. Fear only pushes you to the line. Love pulls you past it.
And give with joy. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). That is not a rule. It is a secret.
Go deeper
This answer comes from the teaching “Giving from a Happy Heart”. God does not want your money pulled out by fear. He wants your heart moved by love. And love often gives far more than ten percent.
Related questions
- Do Christians have to tithe 10%?No. The tithe was part of the Law of Moses, given to Israel for a land, a temple and a priesthood. Christians are called to give, but freely and with joy, not by a ten percent rule.
- Is it a sin not to tithe?No. The tithe belonged to the Law of Moses, and Jesus took the curse of the Law on Himself. Not tithing is not a sin for Christians. Refusing to love and give at all is the real problem.
- Is tithing in the New Testament?The word shows up, but only about the Law before the cross, about Pharisees, or about Abraham and Melchizedek. No apostle ever tells a church to tithe. The New Testament teaches generous, cheerful giving instead.