10 Essential Bible Verses About Tithing (OT/NT Exegesis + Hebrew/Greek Word Studies)

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This study is designed as a rigorous, pastor-friendly resource. While I don’t hold personal pastoral office, the guide synthesizes standard evangelical scholarship (original-language insights, historical-grammatical method, and respected commentaries) so it reads like the notes of a seasoned preaching pastor. Each passage includes concise exegesis, word studies (Hebrew/Greek with transliteration), theological significance, and modern application for sermons, small groups, and stewardship curricula.

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Introduction: Why These 10 Passages Matter

Stewardship conversations rise or fall on Scripture. To serve pastors, Bible study leaders, and serious students, this guide brings together the 10 most formative passages on tithing and biblical giving across the canon, from the patriarchs through the Mosaic economy to the New Testament church.

The method is historical-grammatical: we read verses in context (historical setting, covenantal framework, literary structure), trace key Hebrew terms—maʿăsēr (מַעֲשֵׂר, “tithe”), tĕrûmāh (תְּרוּמָה, “offering”), bikkurîm (בִּכּוּרִים, “firstfruits”), ṣĕdāqāh (צְדָקָה, “righteousness/charity”), qōdeš (קֹדֶשׁ, “holy”)—and Greek terms—dekátē (δεκάτη, “tenth/tithe”), cháris (χάρις, “grace”), koinōnía (κοινωνία, “fellowship/sharing”).

These texts reveal a progression: voluntary patriarchal gifts → codified covenant tithes sustaining temple/Levites and the vulnerable → Christ’s teaching on weightier matters → grace-driven, proportional, cheerful, orderly giving in the church. Along the way, we maintain denominational sensitivity (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal) while staying close to the text.

Use this as: (1) a sermon series backbone, (2) a small-group syllabus, (3) a counseling primer for faithful, wise generosity. Each section ends with practical application so the doctrine lands in everyday discipleship.

Complete Verse Overview

Old Testament Foundation: Verses 1–7

1) Genesis 14:18–20 — Abraham and Melchizedek

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Scripture (ESV): “And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Post-victory thanksgiving in the patriarchal period (pre-Law). Melchizedek, “king of Salem” and priest of God Most High, blesses Abram after the rescue of Lot.

Hebrew Word Study: The narrative implies the tenth (maʿăsēr) concept though the term appears explicitly later (cf. Gen 28; Lev 27). Here the pattern—voluntary, thankful, God-ward—emerges before Sinai.

Theological Significance: Establishes a principle of grateful response to divine deliverance, often seen as typological (Melchizedek imagery later in Ps 110; Heb 7).

Modern Application: Encourage first-response gratitude giving (after “wins” or income events). Connect victory, blessing, and worshipful generosity—not under compulsion but flowing from grace.

2) Genesis 28:20–22 — Jacob’s Vow at Bethel

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Scripture (ESV): “Of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Jacob, fleeing to Haran, encounters God at Bethel; the vow is a personal covenant marker.

Hebrew Word Study: Maʿăsēr signals a pledged tenth; note the vow’s conditional framing (“if… then”) within Jacob’s growing faith.

Theological Significance: Models personal commitment: tithing as vowful worship, acknowledging God as provider.

Modern Application: Invite believers to articulate intentional commitments (e.g., budgeting a set proportion) as an act of trust, not superstition.

3) Leviticus 27:30–32 — The Foundation of Sacred Giving

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Scripture (ESV): “Every tithe… is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD.”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Mosaic codification at the close of Leviticus details consecration practices.

Hebrew Word Study: Maʿăsēr (“tithe/tenth”); qōdeš (“holy”)—a status term: the tithe belongs to God by right. Redemption requires a fifth added (20%), underscoring sacred claim.

Theological Significance: Shifts tithing from mere generosity to act of worship under covenant holiness.

Modern Application: Teach that giving is God-centered before it is need-driven; prioritize worship in financial discipleship and Sunday liturgies.

4) Numbers 18:21–28 — Levitical Inheritance

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Scripture (ESV): “To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance…”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Israel’s camp and cultus logistics: Levites receive tithes in lieu of land; Levites also tithe the tithe to priests.

Hebrew Word Study: Maʿăsēr; tĕrûmāh (“contribution/offering,” vv. 24–28) delineates upstream stewardship.

Theological Significance: Tithes sustain ministers and temple operations; secondary giving (Levites to priests) models accountability and shared devotion.

Modern Application: Validate resourcing gospel workers (pastors, missionaries), and encourage ministry teams to give, too—leaders model generosity.

5) Deuteronomy 14:22–29 — Second Tithe & Care for the Poor

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Scripture (ESV): “You shall tithe all the yield of your seed… that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Mosaic renewal before entering Canaan. Text distinguishes festival tithe (vv. 22–27) and poor tithe (vv. 28–29, every third year).
Hebrew Word Study: Maʿăsēr; bikkurîm (“firstfruits” in broader Deuteronomic/agrarian context); related ethos of ṣĕdāqāh (righteous charity).

Theological Significance: Tithing fosters joyful worship (festival meals in God’s presence) and structural care for Levites, sojourners, orphans, widows.

Modern Application: Teach a rhythm of celebratory generosity (worship feasts/hospitality budgets) and systemic mercy (benevolence funds, community relief). Link naturally to “Can I give my tithe to the poor?” discussions (see internal link suggestions below).

6) 2 Chronicles 31:4–12 — Hezekiah’s Reform

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Scripture (ESV): “They brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Monarchy period reform: Hezekiah re-centers temple worship; storehouses manage inflow.

Hebrew Word Study: Tĕrûmāh and maʿăsēr together highlight both offerings and tithes; administrative terms emphasize order.

Theological Significance: Genuine revival produces structural generosity and transparent administration—revival is not only passion but policy.

Modern Application: Churches need systems (budgets, audits, benevolence processes) so generosity becomes credible and scalable.

7) Malachi 3:8–12 — Covenant Faithfulness and the Storehouse

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Scripture (ESV): “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse… put me to the test…”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Post-exilic community confronting spiritual laxity; worship, marriage, justice, and giving addressed.

Hebrew Word Study: Maʿăsēr; qōdeš background of consecration; covenant lawsuit style frames robbery of God language.

Theological Significance: God links faithfulness to flourishing (timely rain, rebuked devourer), not as mechanistic prosperity but as covenant blessing for a restored worshiping community.

Modern Application: Preach whole-life faithfulness: integrity, justice, worship, and giving. Use carefully—promise is covenantal, not a vending machine; still, God invites trust.

New Testament Perspective: Verses 8–10

8) Matthew 23:23 — Weightier Matters and Tithing

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Scripture (ESV): “…you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness… These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Jesus’ woes to the scribes and Pharisees; meticulous externalism vs. internal righteousness.

Greek Word Study: Dekátē (δεκάτη, implied by “tithe” language); ethics emphasized: krísis (justice), éleos (mercy), pístis (faithfulness).

Theological Significance: Jesus affirms tithing in its setting yet subordinates it to transformative justice/mercy/faithfulness.

Modern Application: Teach proportional giving and social righteousness: generosity should embody justice and mercy (local needs, fair wages, advocacy).

9) 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 — Cheerful, Grace-Shaped Generosity

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Scripture (ESV): “God loves a cheerful giver.”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Paul’s Jerusalem collection; generosity framed as grace participation.

Greek Word Study: Cháris (χάρις, “grace/favor”) saturates 2 Cor 8–9; giving is grace at work. Eulogia (blessing), hilarós (cheerful). Koinōnía (κοινωνία) elsewhere in the section = sharing/fellowship.

Theological Significance: New-covenant generosity is voluntary, joyful, faith-filled, rooted in Christ’s grace (cf. 2 Cor 8:9).

Modern Application: Avoid shame or compulsion. Preach glad-hearted proportionality and intentional planning that still leaves room for Spirit-prompted liberality.

10) 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 — Systematic, Proportional Giving

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Scripture (ESV): “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper…”

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— Scripture Inspiration —

Historical Context: Practical instructions to Corinth mirroring Galatian churches; regular collection for the saints.

Greek Word Study: Kata (“according to”) in the phrase “as he may prosper” points to proportionality; the rhythm (“first day”) shows orderliness.

Theological Significance: Establishes weekly cadence and income-indexed giving without mandating a single percentage in the church age.

Modern Application: Encourage believers to set recurring, proportionate gifts tied to income—useful for salary, hourly, or variable/contract income with periodic recalibration.

Pastoral Synthesis: From Law to Grace

• Motivation: OT tithes embody covenant obedience and communal worship; NT giving springs from grace and union with Christ.
• Amount: The OT references multiple tithes (Levites, festivals, poor) across cycles; the NT stresses proportionate and sacrificial generosity.
• Recipients: OT—Levites, temple, marginalized; NT—church/ministry and the needy.
• Heart Posture: Always God-ward: “holy to the LORD,” fulfilled as Spirit-formed generosity in Christ.

Pastors can teach continuity of principle (God’s ownership, first and best, care for the vulnerable) with discontinuity of covenant administration (no temple/Levites; now local churches, global mission, mercy ministry).

Progression from Law to Grace

Hebrew & Greek Word Studies (Focused Notes)

• Maʿăsēr (מַעֲשֵׂר) — “tenth/tithe”; denotes proportional consecration (Lev 27; Num 18; Deut 14).
• Tĕrûmāh (תְּרוּמָה) — “offering/contribution”; highlights lifted-up gifts (Num 18; 2 Chr 31).
• Bikkurîm (בִּכּוּרִים) — “firstfruits”; embodies priority and gratitude (Deut context).
• Ṣĕdāqāh (צְדָקָה) — “righteousness/charity”; tithing aligned with justice and care for poor.
• Qōdeš (קֹדֶשׁ) — “holy”; marks the tithe as belonging to God (Lev 27).
• Dekátē (δεκάτη) — “tenth/tithe”; NT reference to the practice in Jewish context (Matt 23; Heb 7).
• Cháris (χάρις) — “grace”; frames giving as grace-empowered (2 Cor 8–9).
• Koinōnía (κοινωνία) — “sharing/fellowship”; generosity as participation in saints’ needs (2 Cor 8:4; Rom 15:26).

Practical Applications for Ministry

1. Teach proportion + posture. Emphasize proportional baselines and cheerful hearts—aim for habits that are both orderly (1 Cor 16) and joy-filled (2 Cor 9).
2. Budget for worship & mercy. Follow Deut 14’s pattern: allocate for celebration (festive hospitality) and benevolence (third-year-style care).
3. Model from leadership. Levites “tithe the tithe” (Num 18): staff, elders, volunteers should model visible generosity.
4. Build trustworthy systems. Hezekiah’s storehouses (2 Chr 31) commend transparency (audits, reporting) to encourage confidence.
5. Keep the “weightier matters.” Jesus ties giving to justice, mercy, faithfulness; preach ethical integrity alongside financial stewardship.

Preaching/Teaching Tips

• Series plan (4–6 weeks):
  Week 1 (Gen 14; 28) — Gratitude & Vow
  Week 2 (Lev 27) — Holiness of the Tenth
  Week 3 (Num 18; Deut 14) — Ministry & Mercy
  Week 4 (2 Chr 31) — Systems that Sustain Revival
  Week 5 (Mal 3) — Faithfulness & Trust
  Week 6 (Matt 23; 1 Cor 16; 2 Cor 9) — From Law to Grace
• Small-group format: Read the passage, note key words, ask “What does this teach about God? about worship? about neighbor love?” end with a giving next step.
• Counseling angle: Start with proportion, not pressure; set a baseline and grow toward cheerful, justice-infused generosity.

Conclusion: Bible Verses About Tithing—From Law to Grace

The 10 essential Bible verses about tithing trace a clear arc: from patriarchal gratitude (Genesis), through Mosaic holiness and community care (Leviticus–Deuteronomy; Chronicles; Malachi), to New Testament, grace-shaped generosity (Jesus and Paul). Taken together, these tithing scriptures teach that giving is worship, discipleship, and justice—proportional, cheerful, and purposeful. Jesus keeps the focus on the weightier matters—justice, mercy, faithfulness—while Paul shows how the church turns those convictions into regular, systematic, and generous practice.

Next steps you can take today:

• Pray and plan a proportion that fits your season and income. Try our tithe calculator to set a realistic starting point. You can compare it with our free Net vs Gross Tithe Calculator.
• Revisit the basics with What Is Tithe? and align your giving with biblical definitions.
• Channel generosity toward both church and the vulnerable—see Can I Give My Tithe to the Poor? for a balanced approach.
• Put giving on a weekly rhythm (1 Cor 16:2) and review annually as God prospers you—see How Much Are You Supposed to Tithe?.

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Bottom line: These tithe Bible verses don’t reduce giving to a number; they elevate it to holy, joy-filled stewardship. Start where you are, grow in grace, and let your generosity reflect the justice, mercy, and faithfulness of the God you worship.

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— Scripture Inspiration —