What Does Biblical Tithing Look Like Today?

For many Christians, tithing is a familiar word; we’ve heard to “give ten percent” for as long as we can remember. In truth, less than half of American Christians give away 10% (or more) of their income.

Is that a problem? Is tithing a biblical command? How much should faithful Christians tithe today?

Before we talk about how Christians might approach giving today, it’s worth asking a more basic question: What does the Bible actually say about tithing?

Where Does the 10% Tithe Come From?

The idea of giving ten percent does come directly from the Old Testament. The first mention of tithing in the Bible predates Mosaic law: in Genesis 14, Abram voluntarily tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God. In Genesis 28, Jacob vows to give back to God a tenth of everything he receives.

Throughout the Bible, tithing and generosity are more nuanced than a single rule applied to all people in all times.

Tithing in the Old Testament

The Mosaic law God gave the Israelites established required tithes for his people’s life together, both taxes and other gifts: funds for the Temple, religious festivals, the poor, and more. The total amounted to at least 23% of a household’s income, sometimes more. You can read more details about these gifts and taxes in our blog post, “What Does the Bible Say About Tithing?“.

Tithing in the New Testament

In the New Testament, there is no command for Christians to tithe a specific percentage. Rather, God’s call is for abundant, loving generosity.

Jesus briefly mentions tithing when addressing the Pharisees, affirming generosity while calling out more important demands of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Most of his teachings about money encourage cheerful, compassionate giving and discourage placing too much trust in money.

After the resurrection, as the early church takes shape, this theme continues in the Apostles’ teaching: Generosity is an act of love and a response to God’s free gift of grace.

Instead of a mandated percentage, we see repeated calls to:

• Give willingly
• Give sacrificially
• Give generously
• Give joyfully

How Should Christians Approach Tithing Today?

For Christians, giving a certain percentage is not a law, but an optional spiritual discipline to practice generosity.

Hear from Joel, one of our donors, about his own journey with tithing:

If you are a Christian wondering how to practice tithing given your own circumstances and finances, here are a few ideas to get started.

1. Start Somewhere

If you’re not giving regularly at all, don’t let uncertainty keep you stuck. Generosity is a muscle that grows with use. Starting with a small, consistent percentage is far better than waiting for the “perfect” plan.

2. Set Attainable—and Growing—Goals

Many people find it helpful to choose a percentage that feels both meaningful and sustainable, then revisit it over time.

Some families pursue:

• An initial giving percentage they can commit to now.
• A long-term goal they work toward gradually.
• Intentional increases as income grows.

For some, ten percent becomes a milestone. For others, it’s a stepping stone along a longer journey of generosity.

3. Support Your Church and Beyond

Historically, Christians have prioritized giving to their local church, and many still do so. At the same time, Scripture’s vision of generosity extends to caring for the poor, advancing the gospel, and responding to needs as they arise. Other nonprofit organizations complement the church’s work in these areas.

Many people choose to split their regular giving between their church and other ministries or causes they care about.

4. Be Ready When Needs Arise

One practical challenge with generosity is timing. Opportunities don’t always appear neatly on a monthly schedule.

Like Joel Hodgdon above, many givers choose to contribute their charitable gifts to a donor advised fund (DAF). This allows his family to make regular giving a budget priority—so they’re prepared to respond generously when unexpected needs, crises, or opportunities come up.