What Is Tithing?
Before we dive into the benefits, it’s important to understand what tithing means. The word “tithe” literally means “a tenth,” and it refers to the practice of giving 10% of one’s income to the church. This practice dates back to the Old Testament, when the Israelites were commanded to bring a tenth of their crops, livestock, and income to the Lord as an offering (Leviticus 27:30).
Tithing is more than just a command—it’s an act of worship that acknowledges God as the provider of all things. When we tithe, we remind ourselves that everything we have belongs to God, and that He is our ultimate source.
What Is Offering?
While a tithe is a specific, predetermined amount (10%), an offering is any amount given beyond that. Offerings are often voluntary and can be given in response to a special need, a prompting from the Holy Spirit, or simply out of a desire to bless others.
Offerings allow us to go above and beyond our regular giving, demonstrating a heart of generosity and a willingness to participate in God’s work in new and exciting ways.
1. Tithing and Offering Acknowledge God’s Ownership
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1 (NIV)
When we tithe and give offerings, we are recognizing a fundamental truth: everything we have belongs to God. He is the Creator and owner of all things, and we are simply stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us. Tithing is a tangible way of acknowledging God’s ownership over our lives, our finances, and our possessions.
Benefit: When we give, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility, recognizing that all we have is a gift from God.
2. Tithing Teaches Us to Trust God’s Provision
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
One of the most powerful promises in the Bible regarding tithing is found in Malachi 3:10. In this verse, God actually invites us to “test” Him in our giving. He promises that when we bring our tithes into the storehouse (the church), He will bless us abundantly.
Tithing requires faith. It can be difficult to give 10% of your income, especially if you’re already facing financial challenges. But God promises that when we trust Him with our finances, He will provide for our needs in ways we can’t even imagine.
Benefit: Tithing helps us develop a deeper trust in God’s provision, freeing us from anxiety over our finances and opening the door to His blessings.
3. Generosity Reflects God’s Character
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)
God is the ultimate example of generosity. He gave His only Son, Jesus, so that we might have eternal life. When we give, we are reflecting God’s generous nature. Our generosity, whether through tithing or offerings, mirrors the love and grace that God has shown to us.
Benefit: Giving allows us to reflect God’s character and demonstrate His love to others, showing people the heart of our generous God.
4. Giving Brings Joy and Blessing
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35 (NIV)
Jesus Himself said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. There is a unique joy that comes from giving, knowing that we are participating in God’s work and blessing others. When we give, we experience the blessing of seeing how our generosity can impact lives and further the kingdom of God.
Benefit: Generosity brings joy because it aligns us with God’s heart and allows us to experience the blessing of being a part of His work.
5. Tithing Supports the Church and Its Mission
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” – 1 Timothy 5:17 (NIV)
Tithes and offerings help support the local church and its mission. They provide for the needs of the church, including paying pastors, supporting ministries, and funding outreach efforts. When we give to the church, we are helping to advance the gospel and meet the needs of our community.
Benefit: By tithing, we contribute to the growth of the church and the spread of the gospel, enabling ministries to flourish and lives to be transformed.
6. Generosity Helps Those in Need
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)
Throughout Scripture, we see God’s heart for the poor and needy. When we give, we are participating in God’s call to care for those who are struggling. Whether it’s through financial support, volunteering, or donating resources, our generosity helps meet the physical and spiritual needs of others.
Benefit: Giving allows us to be God’s hands and feet, showing compassion to those in need and spreading His love in practical ways.
7. Offering Opens the Door for Divine Blessings
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38 (NIV)
In Luke 6:38, Jesus speaks about the principle of giving and receiving. When we give generously, God promises to bless us in return. This doesn’t mean we give expecting something in return, but it highlights a spiritual truth: generosity opens the door for God to pour out His blessings in our lives.
Benefit: Giving leads to increased blessings, both spiritual and material, as we align ourselves with God’s principles of generosity.
8. Tithing Teaches Contentment and Disciplines Our Finances
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)
Tithing and giving offerings are acts of discipline that help us prioritize our finances in a God-honoring way. They teach us contentment, reminding us that our security doesn’t come from our wealth but from God. By regularly giving, we learn to be good stewards of our resources, trusting that God will meet our needs.
Benefit: Tithing cultivates contentment and teaches us to manage our finances wisely, freeing us from the grip of materialism.
9. Generosity Strengthens Our Faith
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
When we give out of a cheerful heart, we are exercising faith. Generosity requires us to step out in faith, trusting that God will provide for us as we give. This act of faith strengthens our relationship with God, deepening our reliance on His provision rather than our own.
Benefit: Giving grows our faith, teaching us to trust in God’s provision even when it feels challenging.
10. God Loves a Cheerful Giver
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)
God loves it when we give cheerfully, not out of obligation or guilt, but out of a heart that delights in helping others. When we give with joy, we bring glory to God, and our generosity leads others to give thanks as well. It creates a ripple effect of blessing and gratitude.
Benefit: Giving with a joyful heart brings glory to God and inspires others to experience His goodness.
Biblical Verses to Encourage Generosity:
- Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
- Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”
- Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Psalm 112:5 – “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
Spiritual Rewards of Faithful Giving
Faithful giving is more than just money. It’s a way to grow closer to God and become a better person. Let’s explore the good things that happen when we give generously.
Conclusion: The Heart of Generosity
Tithing and offering are not just about money—they are about the heart. Each act of giving is an opportunity to grow in faith, reflect God’s character, and participate in His work. Whether through tithing 10% of your income or giving above and beyond in offerings, generosity has the power to transform lives, including your own.
As you reflect on the benefits of tithing and offering, remember that God doesn’t just want your money—He wants your heart. When we give with a heart of generosity, we experience the joy, peace, and blessings that come from living in alignment with God’s will.
