I strive to teach fully devoted Christ-followers about biblical stewardship and the joy of giving. While giving is not a requirement for salvation, it is a wise spiritual discipline that deepens our trust in God and aligns our hearts with His purposes. Worshiping God through tithing—giving at least 10% of our income—demonstrates our faith in His provision and supports the vital work of the local church, missions, ministries, and those in need. Rather than viewing giving as an obligation, we should see it as an opportunity to participate in God’s Kingdom work and grow in generosity as an expression of our love for Him.
Giving at least 10% of our income back to God through the church is a spiritual discipline that reflects our trust in Him as our provider. Throughout Scripture, we see that God calls His people to give as an act of worship, from the tithe in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:10) to the generous giving modeled by the early church (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Financial stewardship is not just about money—it’s about our hearts. Jesus taught that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). By faithfully giving, we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God, and we demonstrate our commitment to seeking first His Kingdom rather than relying on our own resources.
Some argue that since we are no longer under the Old Testament law, tithing is not a requirement for Christians today. However, true grace and faith should make us even more generous, not less. Jesus never lowered the standard of giving; instead, He called His followers to radical generosity, as seen in the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44) and the early church’s sacrificial giving (Acts 4:32-35). When we recognize the depth of God’s grace, our response should be to give joyfully and abundantly, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude. As Brian Kluth teaches, “Tithing is not the finish line of giving; it’s the training wheels of generosity.” Grace should lead us to a lifestyle of cheerful, faith-filled giving that surpasses the law’s minimum requirements.
Practical wisdom from financial experts like Dave Ramsey and Crown Financial Ministries supports this biblical principle by showing that giving first to God creates financial discipline and aligns our priorities with His will. When we make giving a priority, we learn to live on less, trust God more, and experience His provision in unexpected ways. Many believers who consistently tithe can testify that God has blessed them beyond what they could have imagined, not necessarily in financial wealth, but in spiritual growth, contentment, and provision. Giving generously also fuels the work of the church, providing resources for ministry, missions, and outreach that transform lives for Christ.
Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
- This principle of giving first to God demonstrates trust in His provision and faithfulness.
Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
- This is the only place in the Bible where God invites His people to test Him, specifically in the area of tithing. It reveals that giving is an act of faith that invites God’s blessing, strengthens our trust in Him, and enables us to participate in His Kingdom work.
Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
- Jesus emphasizes that a generous heart will not go unrewarded, and our giving reflects the measure of our faith.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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.”
- This passage teaches that giving is not a burden but a blessing, as God delights in those who give with joy.
Ultimately, giving 10% or more of our income is not about legalism—it’s about faith, worship, and obedience. It’s a tangible way to put God first in our finances and live out Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Rather than asking, “Do I have to give?” we should be asking, “How much can I give to honor God and bless others?” When we embrace giving as a joyful response to God’s generosity, we experience the blessing of being part of His work and growing in trust and dependence on Him.
Links to Resources About Giving
Crown Financial Ministry – Why Tithe?
Crown Financial – Business Tithing
Crown Financial Articles on Tithing
Videos about Giving:
Reasons to Give
A Cartoon that Teaches about Tithing
Dave Ramsey Teaches Tithing
A Seminary Professor Says No to 10% Tithe and Yes to Generous Giving
Disciple Making of Generous People with Patrick Johnson | Crown Stewardship Podcast Episode 31
https://www.crown.org/all-resources/disciple-making-of-generous-people-with-patrick-johnson
As you explore these resources, teachings, and biblical principles on giving, I encourage you to prayerfully consider how generosity can become a greater part of your walk with Christ. Giving is not just about finances—it’s about trust, worship, and aligning our hearts with God’s Kingdom. When we faithfully give, we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to Him, and we take part in His work of transforming lives. Rather than seeing generosity as an obligation, let it be an opportunity to experience the joy and blessings that come from honoring God with our resources. As Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). May we all seek to give cheerfully, sacrificially, and faithfully, knowing that God provides and blesses those who put Him first.