What does the Bible say about tithes and offerings?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God’s people should honor him with grateful, generous, and willing giving, supporting the worship and ministry of his people while trusting his faithful provision. Under the old covenant, tithes belonged to the Lord and provided for the Levites, as Leviticus 27:30 and Numbers 18:21 show; Malachi also rebuked Israel’s unfaithfulness in withholding what God required. Jesus upheld weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness alongside careful obedience in Matthew 23:23. In the new covenant, giving is not presented as a legal tax but as cheerful, purposeful stewardship: believers give according to what God has provided, not under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). The widow’s offering shows that God values sacrificial faith, not merely amount.
Top passages, ranked by readers
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."
- Leviticus 27:30
"'All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is Yahweh's. It is holy to Yahweh.
- Numbers 18:21
To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the tent of meeting.
- Proverbs 3:9-10
[9] Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase: [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
- Mark 12:41-44
[41] Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. [42] A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. [43] He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, [44] for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on."
- Malachi 3:8
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings.
- 1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
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