Tithe Bible Verses: What The Gospel Of Jesus And Old Testament Really Teach About Giving To God
In a world where money speaks louder than morality, and greed often overshadows generosity, the call to tithe is more than just a financial suggestion—it’s a spiritual command rooted deeply in Scripture. If you're searching for clarity, power, and divine purpose behind your giving, this guide to tithe Bible verses—based strictly on the words of the Old Testament and Gospel of Jesus—will reshape how you see offerings, obedience, and covenantal blessings.
Whether you're struggling financially, wrestling with the concept of giving, or longing to return to a purer, more faithful understanding of God’s expectations, these tithe Bible verses will both convict and comfort you. This isn’t prosperity gospel. This is kingdom obedience.
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What Is a Tithe According to the Bible?
The word tithe means “tenth.” In biblical terms, it is the act of giving 10% of your increase—whether livestock, grain, or earnings—as an offering to God. But it was never just about money. It was always about honor, trust, covenant, and worship.
Let’s walk through tithe Bible verses from the Old Testament and the words of Jesus Himself, and discern the spiritual truths behind what it means to give.
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1. The First Tithe: Honoring God Before the Law
> “And blessed be the Most High God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
— Genesis 14:20
Before Moses. Before the Ten Commandments. Before the Levitical priesthood. Abraham, the father of faith, gave a tithe to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God.
This moment matters. Why?
Because it shows that tithing was never about religious obligation. It was about recognizing God as the source of victory, success, and wealth. Abraham wasn’t paying dues—he was worshiping through giving.
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2. Jacob’s Vow: A Personal Covenant
> “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.”
— Genesis 28:22
Jacob made a vow to tithe after encountering God in a dream. He wasn't told to do it. He chose to. He tied tithing to covenant relationship. It was an act of devotion, surrender, and acknowledgment that everything he had came from Elohim.
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3. The Law of the Tithe: A System of Holiness and Provision
> “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.”
— Leviticus 27:30
Tithing wasn’t optional under the Law of Moses—it was holy. This verse establishes the tithe as set apart, sacred, and belonging to God.
When you tithe, you’re not giving God a gift—you’re returning to Him what’s already His.
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4. God’s Economy: Justice, Mercy, and the Tithe
> “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...”
— Malachi 3:10
This is one of the most quoted tithe Bible verses—and for good reason.
God invites His people to test Him. He doesn’t do that often. But in this area, He opens the door and says: "Try Me. Give Me what's Mine, and watch how I bless you."
But read the whole chapter. This isn’t about riches. It’s about repentance. About returning to the covenant. About restoring trust. Tithing wasn’t just a duty; it was a sign of the heart returning to God after rebellion.
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5. Tithing According to Jesus: Not Abolished, But Corrected
> “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
— Matthew 23:23
Yes, Jesus addressed tithing. And no—He didn’t cancel it. Instead, He rebuked hypocritical giving that lacked heart, justice, and faith.
Jesus said clearly: “These ought ye to have done”—meaning tithing—“and not to leave the other undone.” The issue wasn’t whether to tithe. The issue was why and how.
If your tithe is without mercy… without justice… without love… it becomes meaningless.
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6. The Widow’s Offering: The Spirit of Giving
> “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.”
— Luke 21:1–3
Here, Jesus shows us the true heart of giving. It’s not about the amount—it’s about the sacrifice, the trust, the surrender. This woman gave out of her poverty, not her surplus.
She understood something many wealthy men didn’t: God honors sacrificial giving more than polished performance.
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7. Tithing for the Levites: Provision for God's Work
> “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service...”
— Numbers 18:21
The tithe sustained the priesthood. It ensured that the servants of God could serve without worrying about provision. Tithing wasn’t just personal—it was communal. It allowed the house of God to operate in justice, worship, and teaching.
Today, this principle still stands. Tithing supports the work of the kingdom. When we withhold, we starve the mission.
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Why Tithing Still Matters Today
We are living in a time of economic instability. Many are afraid to give because they’re trying to survive. But that’s exactly why we must give.
Tithing teaches us to:
Trust God, not the system
Detach from materialism
Honor God with the firstfruits
Support the community of faith
Realign our hearts with heaven’s values
Tithing isn’t outdated. It’s a timeless expression of worship and trust. It’s how we remember who owns it all.
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The Spiritual Consequences of Withholding the Tithe
> “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
— Malachi 3:8
This isn’t about fear—it’s about faithfulness. God sees withholding the tithe as robbery. Why? Because it’s a breaking of covenant. A refusal to acknowledge His kingship.
The cost of disobedience isn’t just financial. It’s spiritual. It closes windows that were meant to stay open.
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Final Thoughts: The Tithe Is About the Heart
From Abraham to Jesus, the message is the same: Tithing reveals what you worship. You can’t serve God and mammon. One will always rule you.
> “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
— Matthew 6:21
Tithing isn’t about checking a religious box. It’s about aligning your heart, habits, and hope with the Kingdom of God.
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Key Takeaways
The tithe belongs to God. It is holy (Leviticus 27:30).
Tithing predates the Law and is rooted in covenant (Genesis 14, Genesis 28).
Jesus affirmed tithing but corrected the motives (Matthew 23:23).
God invites us to test Him with the tithe (Malachi 3:10).
Giving is spiritual warfare—it dethrones greed and enthrones God.
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Call to Action
If this teaching stirred your heart, don’t wait for a better financial season. Return to God today by honoring Him with the firstfruits. Whether you give to your local assembly, a ministry doing kingdom work, or directly to the poor, give with faith, joy, and reverence.
Your tithe is more than an offering—it’s a weapon, a witness, and a way of life.
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Let’s Pray
Father, teach us to give with clean hands and pure hearts. Help us trust You with our increase and honor You with our substance. Open the windows of heaven, not just for money, but for wisdom, strength, and revival. In Yeshua’s name, amen.
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