Bible verses on paying tithes: old and new testament scriptures

Scriptures on tithes and tithing

1. Genesis 28 vs. 20-22– And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
2. Numbers 18:21: An of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation
3. Deuteronomy 14:2- Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
4. Deut 14 vs 22: Thou shall truly tithe all the increase
5. Deuteronomy 8 vs 18-But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth-
6. Deuteronomy 23:18 says, “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow; for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God”
7. Joshua 13:14 –Only unto the tribes of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.
8. 2 Chronicles 31:4-5– He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.
9. Malachi 3 vs. 10-11: 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, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
10. Matthew 23:23-Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.  These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
11. Luke 18:12- I fast^qtwice a week and give a tenth^r of all I get.’
12. Luke 11:42-“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth^jof your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God.^k You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
13. Acts 2⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke breadin their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved
14. 1 Corinthians 9:14-In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel
15. Hebrews 7-⁴ Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! ⁵ Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.⁶ This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. ⁷ And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. ⁹ One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, ¹⁰ because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.

What is tithing?

1. Tithes is paying 10% of all income.
2. In the old testament three types of tithes are mentioned, though the present day church only emphasises only one of the three.
3. The three types of tithes are:

• The Levitical or sacred tithe meant for servants of God-Numbers 18:21-“I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.
• The feast tithe that is supposed to be eaten by the tither-Deuteronomy 14:22–Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the Lord your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the Lord will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice. 27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.
• The poor tithe that is supposed to be given to strangers, orphans, widows and the port every three years. Deuteronomy 14: ²⁸At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, ²⁹ so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Origin of Tithing

1. God separated one of the twelve tribes of Israel to serve Him.
2. He commanded that no inheritance of the land of Canaan should be given to the tribe.
3. Their inheritance was to be tenth of the income of the other 11 tribes.
4. The tribe of Levites were servants of the Lord, who interceded on behalf of the people and worshipped God day and night
5. They were full time workers in the Sanctuary, and tithes were to be their income.
6. God instituted tithing in the Old Testament as a reward for Levites who are on full time service in the tabernacle.
7. Bible also states that at a point when the people stopped paying tithes, the Levites abandoned their service to God
8. But before God instituted tithing, some Bible characters paid tithe by faith, as a covenant, and as an offering to God
9. Genesis 14 vs. 20 –And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.-Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek the king of Salem even before tithing became a rule for Israelites.
10. If Abraham paid tithes before the coming of law, all Christians desiring Abrahamic blessings should continue to pay tithes after the law.
11. In Genesis 28 vs 22, Jacob was embarking on a journey and vowed to give Him a tenth of his wealth to God as a mark of honour- Genesis 28 vs. 20-22– And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
12. In the New testament, tithing is mentioned about four times. Jesus did not denounce tithing, but said religiosity of tithing by the Pharisees was not enough, but also advised them to practice mercy and righteousness
13. According to Jesus mercy and righteousness is more important than tithing.
14. The early disciples of God did more than tithing, they were bringing all their income to the feet of the Apostles.
15. Tithing is also mentioned in Hebrews which referred to the blessing received by Abraham resulting from the tithe he gave to the Priest Melchizedek and illustrates the superiority of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ over the Levitical priesthood.
16. Of note the passage also notes ‘when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also” (verse 12). which means tithes or above tithing should not be preached or given as a compulsory religious doctrinaire obligation, but voluntarily, cheerfully from the hearts of Christians.
17. New testament Christianity does not cancel tithing but cancels its religious legalism, replacing it with voluntary act of honouring God and supporting the expansion of the Kingdom with sacrificial offerings even above your tithes (10% of your income) or according to your best ability.
18. In the New testament, the early Christians paid more than tithes, and the Apostles shared all these with the brethren according to every one’s need.

Facts about Tithing

Genesis 28 vs. 20-22 – And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

1. Jacob knew God is the person that will give him all he desires.
2. The words of Jacob “And of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give a tenth unto thee”
3. Jacob paid tithes for For divine presence … “If God will be with me”
4. Jacob paid tithes for divine protection … “And will keep me in His way”
5. Jacob paid tithes for divine provision … “And will give me bread to eat”
6. Jacob paid tithes for divine covering … “And raiment to put on”
7. Jacob paid tithes for divine peace… “So that I come again to my father’s house in peace.
8. Jacob paid tithes for To challenge God … “Then shall the Lord be my God”
9. Jacob paid tithes for To confirm Lord’s presence in His church … “And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house”
10. Jacob paid tithes for To recognise God as the giver of wealth of wealth … “And of all that thou shalt give me”
11. Jacob paid tithes for To honour God … “I will surely give the tenth of them”
12. Jacob paid tithes for To prove your obedience … “And Jacob vowed a vow An act of obedience that brings God’s favour.
13. Levitical tithe is ten percent of the income of congregation.
14. It is a biblical principle
15. Tithes support the work of God.
16. By the Biblical definition of Levites, tithe is meant for Levites who are all full-time servants of God
17. Anyone that qualifies as a Levite deserves to collect tithes this include Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries etc
18. Tithes supplies the material needs of the church and Ministers of God.
19. Tithes releases God’s blessing.
20. Provokes answered prayers.
21. Arrest spiritual robbers.
22. Prevents unexplainable losses.
23. Brings profits to the work of your hands.
24. Makes you the joy of the earth.
25. Makes you a blessing.
26. Breaks curses.
27. Builds a divine hedge around you.
28. Tithes honours the Lord, just as payment of taxes honours secular government.
29. If you are yet to start paying tithe, you are yet to recognise God as the source of your blessings
30. Tithing builds a personal relationship with God.
31. The underlying principle of giving to God, is an expression of love towards God
32. No Christian can run away from tithing
33. If you don’t give your tithe to a Christian Ministry, Satan will collect it from you through losses, accidents, sicknesses, etc.

Is tithing compulsory?

Genesis 28 vs. 20-22 – And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

1. Jacob voluntarily vowed to God that he will give God a tenth of his income.
2. This incidence happened even before God requested the Israelites to give the Levites a tenth of their increase.
3. If you want to have a serious relationship with God then, you must achieve the understanding Jacob had. Jacob did not wait for a law before he became a tither.

How do I pay my tithes?

Deuteronomy 14:25 – Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

1. In the Old Testament, the Israelites pay tithes from the increase of their crops, because they were mainly farmers
2. In the contemporary world, Christians should monetize their tithes in line with the Scriptures quoted above.
3. Tithes should not be paid only from earned income, but a financial increase coming to us.
4. Tithes should be paid from legitimate income, not illegitimate or stolen income.
5. You are normally expected to pay your tithes where you are being blessed spiritually which is your local church where you fellowship and/or working as a servant of God.
6. You may also wish to pay your tithes to any Christian ministry involved in the expansion of the Gospel and soul winning.
7. Jesus through the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 increases our understanding that is wise to sow in a fertile ground, and some grounds may be more fertile than others; as such where you decide to pay your tithes matters. It is therefore advisable to give your tithe in a fertile ground producing abundant souls for the kingdom of God.
8. Don’t forget that there is also an unpreached tithe for the window which you are supposed to pay every three years, if we are to strictly follow the old testament law (Deuteronomy 14:22) which has been partially cancelled by new testament Hebrews 7 vs 4-12, all your tithes every three years ( which could be estimated to be 1/3 of your annual types) should be given to strangers, fatherless, orphans, widows, and the poor.
9. In summary, Christians are supposed to pay beyond tithes voluntarily and sacrificially, and the managers of the tithes are supposed to use this to meet not only the needs of the clergy, pastors, or priests, but other full time workers in the church, as well as operational and running costs of the church or ministry, needs of the underprivileged, the poor, homeless, widows, orphans,  and to generally support the activities of the congregation.
10. This is what the scriptures support.