Beyond the Tithe
The Call to Sacrificial Giving
The Uncomfortable Truth We Can’t Avoid
In our contemporary Christian culture, few subjects create more discomfort in the pew, or behind the pulpit, than the topic of tithing and financial giving in general. The unfortunate reality is that the biblical mandate of stewardship has been clouded by the excesses of prosperity preachers and the occasional financial scandal that rocks the church world. Yet as shepherds of souls, we can’t allow the misuse of biblical truth by a few to silence the clear teaching of Scripture regarding our call to faithful stewardship. The Word of God speaks with unmistakable clarity about our responsibility to honor the Lord with our possessions, and we do our congregations a grave disservice when we shy away from this fundamental aspect of discipleship. Like a gardener who knows that pruning, though initially painful, produces the most abundant fruit, we must courageously address this vital dimension of Christian maturity with both truth and grace.
From Owners to Stewards
The foundation of biblical giving begins not with obligation but with ownership, specifically, God’s ownership of all things. As the psalmist declares with joyful certainty, “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). This foundational truth transforms our entire perspective on material possessions, shifting us from owners to stewards, from proprietors to trustees. Every dollar in our wallet, every asset in our portfolio, every resource at our disposal ultimately belongs to the One who created all things and sustains them by his powerful word. When we truly grasp this reality, tithing becomes not a burden but a privilege, not something we grudgingly give up, but something we joyfully give back. The Hebrew word for tithe, ma’aser, literally means “tenth,” but its deeper significance lies in its representation of our acknowledgment that all we have comes from Gods gracious hand.
This principle of divine ownership finds its clearest expression in the encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek, recorded in Genesis 14:18-20. After Abraham’s victory over the coalition of kings, he meets this mysterious priest-king who blesses him in the name of “God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth.” Abraham’s response is immediate and significant: he gives Melchizedek “a tenth of everything.” The writer of Hebrews later explains that this encounter foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 7:1-10), but we must not miss the practical significance of Abraham’s action. This patriarch of the faith, who hadn’t yet received the Mosaic Law, intuitively understood that when blessed by God, the appropriate response is to return a portion to acknowledge the source of all blessing. Abraham’s tithe wasn’t compelled by legal requirement but flowed from a heart that recognized God’s sovereign provision and grace.
The Holiness of the Tithe
The Mosaic Law later codified this principle of tithing, establishing it as a foundational element of Israel’s covenant relationship with Yahweh. In Leviticus 27:30, we read, “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD.” The Hebrew word translated “holy” here is qodesh, meaning “set apart” or “consecrated.” This teaches us that the tithe isn’t merely a financial transaction but a sacred act of worship, a tangible expression of our recognition that God is the ultimate source of all provision. The Israelites were to bring their tithes to support the Levites, who had no inheritance of land, and to fund the various aspects of temple worship and community care. Through this system, God provided for his servants while teaching his people the spiritual discipline of trusting him with their material resources.
The Test That God Invites
As Charles Spurgeon wisely observed, “A man’s treatment of money is the most decisive test of his character - how he makes it and how he spends it.” The prophet Malachi confronts Israel’s failure in this very area, addressing a nation that had grown spiritually complacent and materially selfish. In Malachi 3:8-10, God poses a rhetorical question that pierces the heart: “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.” The Hebrew word for “rob” here is qaba, which carries the connotation of defrauding or cheating someone of what rightfully belongs to them. When we withhold our tithe, we aren’t simply being financially irresponsible; we’re committing theft against God himself. Yet notice the gracious invitation that follows: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
This passage in Malachi reveals something remarkable about the character of God: He is so confident in his ability to provide for his faithful stewards that he invites them to test him in this area. The phrase “windows of heaven” recalls the language of Genesis 7:11, when God opened the floodgates to bring the deluge upon the earth. Here, however, the imagery suggests an overwhelming abundance of blessing rather than judgment. God promises to pour out blessing “until there is no more need,” literally, “until there is not enough room to contain it.” This isn’t the health-and-wealth gospel that promises material prosperity for every believer, but rather God’s assurance that he’ll faithfully provide for those who honor him with their first fruits. The blessing may come in material form, but it may also manifest as spiritual peace, relational harmony, or simply the deep satisfaction of walking in obedience to our heavenly Father.
Jesus Elevates the Standard
When we turn to the New Testament, we find that Jesus doesn’t abolish the principle of tithing but rather elevates it to an even higher standard. In Matthew 23:23, while confronting the Pharisees for their legalistic hypocrisy, Jesus declares, “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.” Notice carefully what Jesus does not say - he doesn’t tell them to stop tithing. Instead, he affirms the practice while insisting that it must be accompanied by the weightier matters of heart transformation. The tithe is necessary but not sufficient; it’s the foundation upon which greater acts of obedience and mercy are built. Like a wise builder who knows that a solid foundation enables a beautiful structure, Jesus teaches that faithful tithing creates the spiritual infrastructure for more significant expressions of love and service.
Paul’s Teaching on Cheerful Giving
The apostle Paul further develops this teaching in his correspondence with the Corinthian church, where he addresses their collection for the suffering saints in Jerusalem. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, he writes, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” The Greek word translated “cheerful” is hilaros, from which we derive our English word “hilarious.” God delights in those who give with genuine joy, not begrudging obligation. Paul’s agricultural metaphor reminds us that giving is like sowing seed, the farmer who plants generously can expect a generous harvest, while the one who hoards his seed will have little to show for his efforts. This principle operates not merely in the material realm but in the spiritual dimension as well, where generous hearts are blessed with increased capacity for faith, joy, and service.
The widow’s mite, recorded in Mark 12:41-44, provides one of the most powerful illustrations of sacrificial giving in all of Scripture. As Jesus sits opposite the treasury, watching people make their contributions, he observes the wealthy making substantial donations. Then comes a poor widow who puts in two small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Jesus calls his disciples and makes this stunning declaration: “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” The Greek word for “poverty” here is hysteresis, indicating extreme need or destitution. This woman gave not from her surplus but from her substance, demonstrating a level of trust in God’s provision that surpassed even the most generous wealthy donors. Her gift teaches us that sacrificial giving is measured not by the amount given but by the cost to the giver.
Actions That Speak Louder Than Words
Richard Baxter, in his timeless work, The Reformed Pastor, reminds us that “we must be more careful to maintain the credit of godliness by our lives than by our words.” The practice of tithing and sacrificial giving serves as a tangible demonstration of our trust in God’s faithfulness and our commitment to his Kingdom priorities. When we faithfully tithe, we declare with our actions that we believe God’s promises more than our bank statements, that we trust his provision more than our own financial planning. This act of faith is particularly powerful in our materialistic age, where security is often measured by accumulation and success is gauged by net worth. The faithful steward stands as a living contradiction to the world’s value system, demonstrating that true security is found not in what we grasp tightly but in what we release freely into God’s hands.
The early church provides a compelling model of sacrificial giving that goes far beyond mere tithing. In Acts 2:44-47, we read of believers who “had all things in common” and “were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” This was not communistic socialism but Spirit-led generosity that flowed from hearts transformed by the Gospel. Barnabas exemplifies this spirit when he sells a field and brings the entire proceeds to the apostles for distribution to those in need (Acts 4:36-37). His surname, which means “son of encouragement,” was surely reinforced by his generous actions that encouraged the entire community of faith. These early Christians understood that their material resources were tools for Kingdom advancement, not treasures for personal accumulation.
Theological Foundations of Giving
The theological implications of faithful stewardship extend far beyond mere financial management to the very heart of our relationship with Christ. When we tithe and give sacrificially, we participate in the divine nature by imitating our heavenly Father, who “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). Every act of generous giving reflects the generous character of God, who gives rain to the just and unjust, who provides daily bread for both the righteous and the wicked. As John Stott beautifully expressed it, “We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.” Faithful giving confronts our natural selfishness and cultivates the supernatural grace of generosity that marks those who’ve been transformed by the Gospel.
Furthermore, tithing and sacrificial giving serve as powerful antidotes to the spiritual poison of materialism that threatens to choke out our devotion to Christ. Jesus warned that “you cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24), recognizing that material possessions can become functional idols that compete for our ultimate allegiance. When we give sacrificially, we break the grip of materialism on our hearts and demonstrate that money is our servant, not our master. The act of releasing our resources into God’s hands is both an expression of trust and a means of grace, training our hearts to hold loosely the things of this world while grasping tightly the things of eternal value. Like a physical trainer who knows that resistance builds strength, God uses the discipline of giving to develop our spiritual muscles of faith and dependence.
The Mathematics of Kingdom Impact
The practical benefits of faithful tithing extend beyond individual spiritual growth to the health and effectiveness of the local church. Imagine, if you will, the transformation that would occur in our congregations if every member faithfully tithed. The constant financial anxiety that plagues so many church boards would be replaced by joyful discussions about how to invest God’s abundant provision in Kingdom work. Mission budgets would expand exponentially, allowing us to support more workers in more places doing more Gospel work than we ever dreamed possible. Local outreach programs would be funded generously, enabling us to demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways throughout our communities. Building maintenance would be current, staff could be adequately compensated, and resources for discipleship and education would be abundant. The mathematical reality is staggering: If every member gave just 10% of their income, most churches would have two to three times their current budget, transforming them from barely surviving to abundantly thriving.
Yet we must be careful not to reduce faithful stewardship to mere institutional funding, important as that may be. The primary purpose of tithing is not to balance the church budget but to align our hearts with God’s heart, to train us in the disciplines of obedience and trust that are essential for spiritual maturity. As A.W. Tozer wisely observed, “The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness.” When we give faithfully, we discover that our true treasure is not in what we possess but in whom we belong. This discovery liberates us from the exhausting pursuit of ever-greater accumulation and frees us for the joy of generous living.
Answering the Old Testament Objection
The objection that tithing is an Old Testament concept that has no place in New Testament Christianity reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of both covenant theology and practical discipleship. While it is true that Christians aren’t under the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Mosaic Law, the moral principles embedded in the Law continue to guide our conduct. The tithe represents not merely a legal requirement but a moral principle about acknowledging God’s ownership and providing for his work in the world. If the followers of Moses were expected to give 10% plus offerings under the Old Covenant, how much more should the recipients of God’s grace in Christ be willing to give under the New Covenant? The standard hasn’t been lowered but elevated, as Paul indicates when he encourages the Corinthians to “excel in this act of grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:7).
Fair and Challenging for All
Consider the profound wisdom embedded in God’s tithing system; it’s both universal and personal, both challenging and achievable. Whether a person earns $30,000 or $300,000 annually, the tithe represents the same percentage, making it proportionally fair while still requiring genuine sacrifice from each giver. The wealthy can’t buy their way out of sacrificial giving, nor can the poor excuse themselves from faithful stewardship. This divine mathematics teaches us that God is less concerned with the absolute amount we give than with the heart attitude that motivates our giving. A widow’s two coins can outweigh a millionaire’s thousand-dollar check when measured on Heaven’s scales, which weigh motivation more than money, faithfulness more than fortune.
The discipline of tithing also serves as a powerful tool for spiritual formation, training us in the essential Christian graces of obedience, trust, and gratitude. Each time we write that tithe check or make that online transfer, we engage in a small but significant act of faith, declaring that we trust God’s promise to provide for our needs. This regular practice of faith-based decision-making strengthens our spiritual muscles, preparing us for larger tests of obedience that may come our way. Like a musician who practices scales to prepare for complex compositions, the faithful tither develops the spiritual reflexes that enable greater acts of faith and service. The habit of putting God first in our finances creates a pattern of putting God first in all areas of life.
Radical Generosity in Action
The transformative power of faithful giving is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the life of R.G. LeTourneau, the inventor and businessman who became famous for “reverse tithing” - giving away 90% of his income while living on 10%. LeTourneau discovered that he couldn’t out-give God, and his radical generosity became a testimony to the faithfulness of divine provision. While not every believer is called to such extreme measures, LeTourneau’s example reminds us that the principle of sowing and reaping operates with mathematical precision in the spiritual realm. Those who give generously position themselves to receive God’s generous blessing, not necessarily in material wealth but certainly in spiritual riches that far exceed any earthly treasure.
Key Principle
Biblical stewardship through tithing and sacrificial giving is fundamentally about recognizing God’s ownership of all things and responding with joyful obedience that demonstrates our trust in his provision. This practice serves not only to fund Kingdom work but primarily to transform our hearts, breaking the power of materialism while cultivating the spiritual disciplines of faith, gratitude, and dependence upon our heavenly Father. When we give faithfully, we participate in the generous nature of God himself, discovering that the pathway to true spiritual freedom runs directly through the discipline of generous, sacrificial giving.
Action Steps
1. If you aren’t currently tithing, start by conducting an honest assessment of your financial situation and asking God to reveal any areas where material concerns have taken precedence over spiritual obedience. Like a gardener who prepares the soil before planting, take time to prepare your heart through prayer and Scripture study, specifically focusing on passages about God’s faithfulness and provision. Begin by committing to give a specific percentage - perhaps 5% or 7% - and gradually increase that amount as God demonstrates his faithfulness in your life. Create a practical plan that includes automatic transfers or designated envelopes, making your giving as systematic as your other financial obligations. Remember that the goal isn’t perfection but progress, not condemnation but cultivation of a generous heart that increasingly reflects the character of your generous God.
2. Develop the spiritual discipline of beginning each day by acknowledging that everything you possess belongs to God and that you are merely a steward entrusted with his resources. Create specific times throughout the week, (perhaps during your morning devotions or before paying bills), to thank God for his provision and ask for wisdom in managing his resources. When making significant financial decisions, consciously involve God in the process through prayer, seeking his guidance about how his resources should be invested, spent, or saved. Practice the habit of seeing your paycheck, your home, your car, and even your abilities as gifts on loan from your heavenly Father, and let this perspective reshape how you approach every financial decision. This mental and spiritual reorientation will gradually transform your relationship with money from ownership to stewardship, from anxiety to trust.
3. Once you’ve established the discipline of faithful tithing, begin looking for opportunities to give sacrificially beyond your regular tithe, whether through special offerings, mission support, or meeting specific needs in your community. Develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s prompting regarding extra giving opportunities, and be prepared to respond with generous hearts when God brings special needs to your attention. Consider adopting a missionary family, supporting a specific ministry project, or creating a special fund for emergency assistance to those in crisis. Practice what Jesus called “giving in secret” by looking for ways to bless others anonymously, whether through paying someone’s grocery bill, supporting a struggling family, or funding a child’s participation in church activities. These acts of sacrificial generosity will develop your capacity for joy-filled giving while demonstrating the practical love of Christ to a watching world.
Conclusion
As we conclude this meditation on the sacred trust of biblical stewardship, let me offer this pastoral encouragement: God hasn’t called us to tithing and sacrificial giving because he needs our money, but because we need to give. In a world that constantly whispers that security comes through accumulation, we have the privilege of demonstrating a better way, the path of generous trust that leads to genuine freedom and lasting joy. When we faithfully steward the resources God has entrusted to us, we participate in his mission to redeem and restore this broken world, one act of obedience at a time.
Remember that the God who calls us to faithful giving is the same God who clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air, who’s never once failed in his promise to provide for his children’s needs. Your faithful tithe isn’t a payment extracted by a demanding deity but a love offering presented to your heavenly Father who’s already given you his most precious treasure, his beloved Son. As you step forward in obedience to this biblical mandate, you’ll discover what countless generations of faithful stewards have learned before you: it is indeed more blessed to give than to receive, and you can’t out-give the God whose generosity knows no limits. May your faithful stewardship become a testimony to his faithfulness, and may your generous heart reflect the generous heart of the One who gave everything for your salvation.