Are Christians required to tithe?
There are a lot of questions with respect to tithing. This article looks at one of those questions: 'Is tithing a biblical requirement for followers of Jesus?
William Branham taught that tithing is a biblical requirement for Christians today and many pastors outside of the message would agree with him. But there are also many biblical scholars and, in fact, entire denominations, who teach that tithing is not a command that can be found in the New Testament. This article will look at both sides of this issue and is based primarily on two articles by Andreas J. Köstenberger (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) which appeared in the 2006 edition of the Bulletin for Biblical Research.<ref>Andreas J. Köstenberger and David A. Croteau, “‘Will a Man Rob God?’ (Malachi 3:8): A Study of Tithing in the Old and New Testaments,” ed. Craig A. Evans, Bulletin for Biblical Research, Vol. 16, 2006, p. 53 and Andreas Köstenberger, “Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles,” Bulletin for Biblical Research, Vol. 16, 2006, 237.
What does the New Testament teach?
The New Testament is very clear on how followers of Jesus are to give.
Summary
| Principle | Description | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Systematic | Give on a regular basis, that is, weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc. | 1 Cor 16:1 |
| 2 | Proportional | Give as you have been prospered; according to your ability | 1 Cor 16:2,
2 Cor 8:2–3 |
| 3 | Sacrificial, Generous | Give generously, even sacrificially, but not to the point of personal affliction | 2 Cor 8:2–3,
Phil 4:17–18 |
| 4 | Intentional | Give deliberately in order to meet a genuine need, not out of guilt merely to soothe a pressing request
. |
2 Cor 8:4,
Phil 4:16 |
| 5a | Motivated by love | As Jesus gave himself for us, believers should give of themselves out of love | 2 Cor 8:9 |
| 5b | Motivated by a desire
for equality |
Believers are to give so that all needs are met. | 1 Cor 9:14–15,
2 Cor 8:12–14; Gal 6:6 |
| 5c | Motivated by a desire
for God's blessing |
Give in order to receive more from God so that you can continue to bless others generously | 2 Cor 9:6 |
| 6 | Cheerful | God loves a cheerful giver | 2 Cor 9:7 |
| 7 | Voluntary | Giving ought to be done out of one’s free will and not under compulsion | 2 Cor 8:2–3, 8;
2 Cor 9:7; Phil 4:18 |