Rethinking the Tithe: Beyond the 10%
Where the Tithe Comes From
The tithe is one of those ideas that has stuck around in Christian circles, even though the New Testament rarely, and only negatively, mentions it. You've probably heard it said: "You're supposed to give 10% of your money to the church." Maybe even to me, if you're feeling generous.
But that tidy little number—10%—has more to do with cultural tradition than clear biblical instruction. In fact, when the tithe does show up in the New Testament (Matthew 23, Luke 11, Luke 18), it's in the context of critique. Jesus calls out those who boast about their giving while neglecting deeper forms of justice and mercy. Even the one somewhat neutral reference in Hebrews 7, where Abraham tithes to Melchizedek, serves more as a symbolic gesture pointing to a better way now available in Jesus.
So why does this practice still linger?
What the Hebrew Scriptures Actually Say
The tithe, as we often imagine it—10% straight to the church—is actually a simplified version of a more complex biblical system. In the Hebrew scriptures, multiple tithes served different purposes:
Numbers 18:21: A tenth is given to the Levites, the religious caretakers of Israel who didn't inherit land. This gift ensured their sustenance and kept them dependent on the community they served.
Deuteronomy 14:22-23: Another tenth goes toward a communal feast—a festival tithe. This was about celebration and reverence, bringing people together in joy before God.
Deuteronomy 14:28: Every third year, an additional tithe was collected to care for the marginalized—the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow. This was the storehouse tithe, specifically aimed at social support.
Add that up, and Israelites were contributing roughly 23.3% of their income annually, not counting other practices like leaving the edges of their fields unharvested for the hungry.
Misreading Malachi
One of the most common misuses of the tithe is in reference to Malachi—where God accuses the people of robbing the divine by withholding their tithe. But that passage is talking about the storehouse tithe—the one set aside for the vulnerable. To use it as a call to fund the church is, at best, a misreading. Hopefully an unintentional one.
Generosity, Not Obligation
All of this points to a different way of thinking about giving. Yes, the New Testament encourages generosity. Paul talks about compensating pastors in 1 Corinthians 9. Jesus honors a poor widow's two small coins in Mark 12. And Acts 2 paints a picture of shared resources among the early church.
But nowhere does it prescribe a percentage. In fact, when Jesus does talk about tithing, it’s with a note of caution. His preference? Uncoerced generosity. Giving that flows freely, not from obligation.
A Better Invitation
At Commons, your generosity matters. It keeps the lights on. It funds initiatives like the Commons Cupboard, helping neighbors in need. And yes, it supports our staff, including me. If 10% is a helpful benchmark for you, wonderful. But let’s not make that a rule.
After all, we live in a world where taxes (which we vote for) already fund a social safety net. That doesn’t mean generosity isn’t needed. It just means the conversation is more nuanced.
So let's take coercion off the table. Because when giving becomes a guilt trip, it often becomes a stumbling block to faith. Instead, let's explore what it means to give freely, joyfully, and meaningfully in a way that reflects the generous heart of Jesus.
