Why Do I Have to Tithe? (Why money and church make people squirm, and what Jesus actually says about it)
I can’t speak for everyone, but growing up in church, there was one moment I dreaded more than the altar call: the offering. That quiet piano music would start playing, the ushers would pass the velvet-lined plates, and I would sit there pretending to pray, while secretly trying to look spiritual enough to cover the fact that I had exactly zero dollars in my purse. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to give. I just didn’t want to be guilted into it.
Money and church have always had a complicated relationship. The minute a pastor says, “We’re doing a series on stewardship,” half the congregation starts calculating whether it’s a good week to try a new church or “take a break” for a few weeks. “Who do we know that owns a boat?” kinda thing. I mean, Jesus spent time on boats, right?
We love the idea of blessing, purpose, and obedience until someone starts quoting Malachi and reaching for our wallets. But if we’re going to take our faith seriously, we can’t avoid this giving to God out of our income conversation. So let’s talk about tithing without flinching, sighing, getting irritated, and fighting the urge to just click to the next blog post. The topic is deeper than you think, and quite a fascinating one, at that.
WHERE THE 10% CAME FROM
Let’s clear something up: the idea of giving 10% of your income isn’t something the church made up to fund a new espresso machine. The tithe goes all the way back to the Old Testament. In Genesis 14, Abraham gave a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek—long before Moses, the Law, or Israel’s temple system. Later, God formalized the tithe through the Mosaic Law as a way to support the Levites (who had no land or income of their own), care for the poor, and provide for the ministry of the tabernacle. It wasn’t optional. It was obedience.
Jesus Himself upheld the tithe. But He was clear about its place and purpose. In Matthew 23:23, He calls out the Pharisees for obsessing over their tithing habits, down to counting herbs and spices, while ignoring justice, mercy, and faithfulness. But here’s the part most people miss: Jesus says, “You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” In other words, don’t skip the tithe, but don’t use it to dodge the harder work of loving people well. That’s not a loophole. That’s an affirmation.
And then there’s Paul. In 1 Corinthians 9:13–14, he draws a clear connection between the Old Testament system of supporting the priests (who were funded by tithes) and the way church leaders should be supported today. He writes, “Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple?… In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” That’s not just good advice. That’s a biblical blueprint.
So while the New Testament doesn’t specifically say, “give 10% of all your income to maintain the running of the church and allow your ministers to make a living,” it doesn’t repeal the Old Testament percentage of 10% either. What it does do is shift the focus: from reluctant rule-following to joyful, willing participation. God’s not checking math here; He’s checking motives.
That said, 10% is not a high bar. If you make $100, that’s $10. That’s two overpriced lattes and a bag of peanut M&M’s. Most of us don’t struggle to afford the tithe; we struggle to prioritize it. And when we do, it’s not just about “giving to God.” It’s about trusting Him enough to live with less. It’s about obedience, discipline, and open-handed faith.
IT’S MORE ABOUT HOW YOU GIVE THAN WHAT YOU GIVE
Paul says it plainly in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” I love this verse. Frankly, I’ve not always been good about giving; I’m going to be honest about that. But now, I would rather skip a meal or two than skip giving to God. Why? Because it finally struck me that, essentially, the giving is not about the church but about me. It’s my anchor. It’s me saying, “Okay, Lord, You are my first priority and get the first portion of my money.” That’s it. But it’s not always easy, trust me, I know.
Sometimes tithing means thinking, praying, and budgeting with intention. It means asking yourself, “What can I give right now that reflects my trust in God’s provision?” It means that giving is less about math and more about motive.
Notice that Paul doesn’t say, “God loves a big giver.” He says a cheerful one. Willing. Open-handed. That’s the standard. Not obligation, but overflow. Not reluctant, but joyful. It sounds like it makes no sense at all, and I get that. All I know is that it works.
BUT I’M BROKE! IS GOD REALLY ASKING ME FOR MONEY?
Let’s talk about the scary part. What if you barely have enough to make rent? What if you’re in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, or choosing between groceries and gas? When there is absolutely no wiggle room for an extra dollar to come from anywhere, what do you do?
There’s a story in Mark 12:41-44 where Jesus watches people giving at the temple. The rich give large amounts. Then a poor widow comes and drops in two small coins. It’s all she has. Jesus doesn’t rebuke her for poor budgeting. He honors her. He says, “She gave more than all the rest.” Why? Because her gift wasn’t measured by the amount, it was measured by her surrender, her intention, and her heart. Giving is an act of worship. Make no mistake about it.
So if you’re broke? Start where you are. Give what you can. But don’t dismiss the opportunity just because it doesn’t look like much. God sees the value in every small seed.
WHY TITHING MATTERS—AND WHERE IT ACTUALLY GOES
This week, I listened to a podcast I normally love, but one episode had me raising my eyebrows. A guest was criticizing megachurches for “taking people’s money” and comparing tithes to political corruption. It was one of those cynical takes that left God out of the equation entirely.
Now look, I’m not here to defend every church budget or ministry salary. There are absolutely leaders who have distorted Scripture for personal gain, and they’ll answer to God for that. James 3:1 reminds us that teachers and spiritual leaders will be judged more strictly. That ought to make every pastor shake to their core. You don’t mess with God’s people for a paycheck. And you don’t take God’s money unfairly.
But we can’t throw out biblical generosity because a few people have abused it.
In 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Paul says, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor… The worker deserves his wages.” That’s Scripture, not opinion. The church isn’t just a gathering. It’s a living, working body. And someone has to pay the electric bill, the cleaning people, and the pastors.
Before you jump off and say, “Preachers are just greedy and selfish,” remember that this was modeled by the ministry of Jesus first. The Gospels tell us that there were men and women who financially supported Jesus and the disciples (Luke 8:1–3). Ministry has always required resources. People have to eat. Children need clothing and school supplies. The lights of the church need to be paid for. The air conditioning and heating system are amazing gifts of God, but they are not free. And sending people into the world to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Yeah, that takes money too. See. giving isn’t about padding someone’s bank account. It’s about sustaining the mission of the gospel, both in your local church and beyond.
I had the rare gift of seeing this up close. My father, Dr. Richard Lee, has been a pastor and television minister since the 1980s. He was in over 70 countries each week with a ministry called There’s Hope. But here’s the thing: he never took a salary from that media ministry. He gave every dime of profit back to the ministry. He lived on a pastor’s salary. He didn’t ask for donations on air. All the books and media he sold on the air went right back into There’s Hope. He didn’t sell promises in exchange for offerings. He had an announcer do that PBS announcement at the end of the program. You know the one, “This program is made possible by the support of viewers like you.” And God provided. Still does. He never got rich. I won’t inherit a lot of money, by any measure. But I’ll inherit something far beyond that: a legacy of financial integrity that honored God and served people.
Tithing matters. And not because churches are perfect, or pastors are perfect, but because the mission has eternal consequences for real people. Real souls that need to hear this news that they can be saved, just like you and me. People who need to be discipled and learn and grow in the faith. Church matters. But making sure that it can keep its doors open takes money.
PRACTICAL WAYS TO PRACTICE GENEROSITY
If tithing has always felt out of reach or intimidating, it helps to start with small, intentional steps that build the habit of giving while keeping your heart aligned with God’s. Here’s how to begin:
- Budget your giving before anything else. The first decision you make with your money says a lot about what you value. Scripture is clear about giving to God from our “firstfruits,” not our leftovers. Proverbs 3:9–10 tells us, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing.” When we prioritize generosity on the front end, before the bills, brunches, and impulse buys, it reshapes the way we see our finances. You don’t have to start with 10%, but you do need to start with God.
- Let the percentage stretch your faith. The tithe isn’t about math, it’s about truth. Whether you’re starting at 2%, 5%, or somewhere closer to the full 10%, give enough that you feel it. Enough that you have to trust God to make the rest stretch. As Paul reminded the believers in Corinth, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6). You won’t accidentally become a generous person. But you can become one intentionally, percentage by percentage.
- Stay faithful even when funds are tight. This one is hard. But it might also be where your faith deepens the most. Jesus praised a widow who gave only two small coins, less than a penny, because she gave out of her poverty, not her surplus. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others” (Mark 12:43). God isn’t waiting for you to have “enough” to give. He honors what you give out of devotion, not excess.
- Ask God what you need to let go of. This is more than a budget line; it’s a heart check. 1 Timothy 6:18 challenges us to “be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” That kind of life doesn’t come from a spreadsheet. It comes from asking the Holy Spirit regularly, “Is there something I’m holding too tightly?” Whether it’s a purchase you’re justifying, a tithe you’re tempted to skip, or a lifestyle you’re clinging to, generosity often begins with surrender.
It’s tough. I know it is. And, if the topic of money has been one of the things that you’ve held against the church, I get that, too. But when we understand the “what” and “how” of tithing, then we can begin to get the “why,” and that’s the place where the joy of generosity begins.
IT WAS NEVER ABOUT THE MONEY
As I sit here and write this, I am assuming you know that I don’t have a financial stake in this “game.” Meaning, I’m not asking you for money, and I don’t work for a church. I don’t benefit financially from anything that I have said here. All that I have written is from my own personal experience and my study of what the Bible says about money and tithing.
So, here’s what I hope you come away with today: God doesn’t ask for your tithe because He needs cash to cover expenses. He’s got the world in His hands; if He wanted, He could provide in a myriad of ways. But there are times when He is calling you to be the provider He seeks for His Kingdom. Even if it is just a small portion. He asks for it because He knows what money does to the human heart. It pulls, it clings, it competes. And if we’re not careful, it begins to shape what we trust most.
Giving isn’t about funding God’s kingdom like He’s short this month. It’s about reordering your heart to make Him your priority. Tithing says, “I trust You first. Even here. Even with this.” It’s not a divine transaction; it’s a sacred declaration. One that says God has your heart, not just your Sundays.
And if you’re still wrestling with it, it totally get that. You’re growing. You’re learning. It’s a process. Don’t let fear, cynicism, or bad church experiences talk you out of what God designed to set you free. Generosity loosens the grip money has on your soul. It reminds you that you’re not just a consumer of faith and worship through His church, you’re a contributor. A co-laborer. A kingdom builder.
Start where you are. Stay open. Stay faithful. Keep trusting. And remember: God doesn’t bless your budget because you followed a formula. He blesses your life when your hands stay open.
☕ May you have a little faith, a little courage, and a whole lot of stubborn joy. – Tonya
What has your journey with tithing or generosity looked like? I’d love to hear.
© 2025 All posts written (while staring at my bank account and trusting Jesus anyway) by Tonya E. Lee.
