📖 Biblical Definition
Tithing is the setting apart of a tenth of one’s increase as belonging to God — practiced by Abraham ("And he gave him tithes of all", Genesis 14:20) before Sinai, codified under Moses (Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:21-32; Deuteronomy 14:22-29), and criticized by Christ when scrupulous tithing replaced weightier matters: "ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matthew 23:23). Christ affirms the tithe; the New Testament generally presents it as a baseline, not a ceiling. Many Reformed traditions hold tithing as still binding; others see proportionate giving as the NT principle, with the tithe as the floor.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
TITHE, n.
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The tenth part of any thing; a tax or rent of a tenth, paid to the support of the church or clergy. Properly, a tenth part of the increase from the earth, of the produce of land or of pursuits of a similar character.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 14:20 — "And he gave him tithes of all."
Malachi 3:10 — "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts."
Matthew 23:23 — "These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
2 Corinthians 9:6 — "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Two errors: skipping the tenth as “legalism”; demanding the tenth as a guarantee of prosperity.
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Two errors disfigure modern tithing. Some teach that tithing is purely Old Covenant law and the New Testament saint is free of any percentage benchmark; the result is often that gospel-grace giving falls below what law-driven Israel managed. Others, especially in prosperity-leaning circles, weaponize Malachi 3:10 as a get-rich guarantee, arm-twisting members to give to receive material multiplication.
The Bible's settled witness is between these. Tithing predates the Law (Abraham, Jacob); it was codified at Sinai; Christ approved it (these ought ye to have done); the New Testament moves the floor higher, not lower, with cheerful, sacrificial, often radical generosity. Begin with the tenth as a baseline. Move beyond it as the Lord prospers and prompts. Do it cheerfully; the heart is what He's after.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew maaser (H4643); Greek dekate (G1181).
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Usage
"Tithing predates the Law — Abraham did it, Jacob promised it, Christ approved it."
"The New Testament moves the floor higher, not lower; gospel grace gives more than Law required."
"Begin with the tenth, then go further as the Lord prospers and prompts."