Many Christians wonder whether they should still pay tithes today. In the Old Testament, tithing was a way for God’s people to support the temple and the priests. It was part of their worship and a way to show gratitude to God.
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 verse shows that God promised to bless those who gave faithfully. That’s why many Christians today still believe in tithing, trusting that God will provide for them in return.
In the New Testament, Jesus spoke about tithing but made it clear that what matters most is our heart and our love for others. The Pharisees were very strict about tithing, but they neglected kindness, justice, and faithfulness.
Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."
Jesus wasn’t saying tithing was wrong, but He wanted people to focus on what truly matters—living with love and compassion.
When the early church started, they didn’t follow a strict tithing rule. Instead, they shared what they had and helped one another willingly.
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."
This tells us that giving should be from the heart, not because we feel forced to do it. It’s not about a specific percentage but about being generous and willing to help others.
In the book of Acts, the early Christians supported each other by sharing their resources so that no one was in need.
Acts 2:44-45 "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."
This shows that Christian giving isn’t just about following a rule it’s about love, generosity, and helping those in need. Whether someone chooses to tithe or not, the most important thing is to give with a sincere heart and honor God with what they have.