What does the Bible say about paying tithes?
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The Bible calls God’s people to honor him with their possessions through willing, faithful, and generous giving, not as a way to earn his favor. Abraham gave a tenth after God granted victory (Genesis 14:20), and Israel was commanded to bring tithes, with Malachi 3:8-10 rebuking covenant unfaithfulness in withholding them. Jesus condemned meticulous tithing that neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42). Under the new covenant, Christians are not commanded to give merely by legal compulsion, but are to give regularly, sacrificially, and cheerfully as each has purposed before God (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Giving should honor the Lord, serve others, and seek his glory rather than human praise (Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 6:1-4).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh 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 for.
- Malachi 3:8
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings.
- Luke 11:42
But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
[6] Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
- Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
- Matthew 6:1-4
[1] "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, [4] so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
- Genesis 14:20
and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand." Abram gave him a tenth of all.
- Proverbs 3:9
Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase:
- Malachi 3:8-10
[8] Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings. [9] You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation. [10] Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh 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 for.
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