Truth in Tithing

Me:
I want to take a hard look at tithing.

Bible Assistant:
Tithing’s a big topic—basically giving ten percent of your income to a religious or charitable cause

Me:
I want you to use the NASB as your sole reference.

Bible Assistant:
Sure thing. In the NASB, tithing pops

Me:
I want you to scrutinize what the word says about what we in these times should be doing about the tithing to the church. It is certainly spread throughout churches across the land, almost regardless of where you go, that we should be tithing. And if you look at the scripture, it doesn’t line up exactly as they teach it, at least not the way I am interpreting it. So please look at the scripture in its totality and describe to me what tithing is about, its origins, and what we are to do with it now.

Bible Assistant:
Alright, let’s dig into this straight from the NASB—no fluff, just scripture. Tithing starts in the Old Testament with Abraham giving a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the priest-king, after a battle win—Genesis fourteen, verse twenty. That’s voluntary, not commanded. Then it gets structured in Leviticus for the Levites, who had no land inheritance, so the Israelites tithe their produce and livestock to support them—Numbers eighteen, eight through twenty-four. It’s basically a tax for temple upkeep and priests’ living. Deuteronomy twelve and fourteen expand it: one part for festivals and feasting before God, another for the poor every third year. Malachi three, eight through ten warns against robbing God by withholding tithes, promising blessings if folks bring the full tenth to the storehouse— that’s the temple treasury. Fast forward to the New Testament: Jesus mentions tithing in Matthew twenty-three, twenty-three, criticizing Pharisees for nitpicking mint and cumin while ignoring justice and mercy—he says they should’ve done the weightier stuff without neglecting the tithe. But he’s speaking to Jews under the old law. Post-resurrection, Acts four, thirty-two through thirty-seven shows believers sharing everything voluntarily, no forced ten percent. Second Corinthians nine, six through seven shifts it to cheerful, generous giving from the heart, not under compulsion. Romans twelve, eight echoes that—give generously if it’s your gift. No direct command for Christians to tithe ten percent in the NASB; it’s more about sacrificial, joyful support for the church and needy, like funding missionaries in Philippians four, fifteen through eighteen. Paul praises the Macedonians in two Corinthians eight for giving beyond means during poverty. So, origins? Agrarian support for priests and temple. Now? Under grace, it’s not a legalistic ten percent rule—scripture pushes proportional, heartfelt generosity to advance God’s work and help others. If your church pushes mandatory tithing as law, that doesn’t square perfectly with New Testament freedom.

Me:
There are churches that do push the tithing, almost to the point of making people feel guilty that they don’t, God cannot bless you. Explain that angle of scripture.

Bible Assistant:
Yeah, that’s a common twist some churches take, pulling from Malachi three, eight through ten in the NASB—where God says you’ve robbed me by not bringing tithes into the storehouse, and promises to open heaven’s windows if you do. They lean hard on that “curse” if you skip it, flipping it into guilt-tripping sermons like no tithe means no blessing, maybe even sickness or poverty hits. But context matters: Malachi’s aimed at ancient Israel under the Mosaic law, with a temple system—Levites needed support since they couldn’t farm. Jesus fulfills that law in Matthew five, seventeen, so we’re not bound by it. Second Corinthians nine, seven says give what you’ve decided in your heart, not grudgingly or under pressure—God loves a cheerful giver. Tying blessings directly to tithing smells like prosperity gospel, which NASB warns against in places like one Timothy six, five through ten, calling out folks who think godliness is a means to gain. Real blessing’s spiritual—peace, joy, eternal life—not a vending machine for cash. If churches guilt you, it’s more about control than scripture’s heart: generous, voluntary support without fear.

Me:
If I’m understanding the scriptures correctly, tithing was more for the Old Testament in that it provided for those who could not provide for themselves because they did not have land for the provisions they needed. For instance food for sustenance. But now, under grace, it is more of a heart-given grace or gratitude because of God’s mercy towards us and having salvation given to us without a price from us, He paid the price. Other than in return giving a hundred percent of ourselves to him.

Bible Assistant:
Exactly, you’ve nailed it. In the Old Testament, NASB shows tithing funded Levites who got no land—Numbers eighteen, twenty-four says they’re yours from the tithe. Under grace, it’s shifted big time. Second Corinthians nine, seven pushes cheerful giving, no rules. Ephesians two, eight through nine—salvation’s free gift, not earned. So yeah, it’s heart stuff: gratitude for mercy, like Romans twelve, one urges total surrender, living sacrifice. Not ten percent cash, but whole-life generosity—time, talents, yeah, money too if led. Grace flips it from duty to delight in giving back.

Me:
So giving is not necessarily all about financial support. It can also mean emotional support, physical support in trying to physically do things that are necessary or needed for the body of the church, and participating in and actively helping if you don’t have finances. Do I have that correct?

Bible Assistant:
Yep, spot on. NASB’s big on holistic giving—Romans twelve, six through eight lists gifts like serving, teaching, encouraging, giving practically. First Peter four, ten says use whatever gift you’ve got to serve others, good stewards of grace. Philippians two, four urges looking to others’ interests. So emotional support, hands-on help, showing up— that’s all in. If cash is tight, your presence and effort count huge for the church body. It’s about love in action, not just wallet.

Me:
I would add to that that it doesn’t necessarily have to be given to the church, correct me if I’m wrong, but if you give freely and from the heart to others in need outside the church, maybe people who aren’t even believers yet, but you give from the heart in Christ’s love, does that count?

Bible Assistant:
Absolutely, that’s right on track. NASB doesn’t box giving into church walls only—Galatians six, ten says do good to all people, especially the household of faith. Matthew twenty-five, thirty-five through forty, Jesus ties eternal reward to feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners—no mention of their faith status. Acts ten, two paints Cornelius as generous to the poor, earning God’s notice before he even knew Christ. So yeah, pouring out Christ’s love on outsiders? That’s prime giving, straight from the heart.

Me:
So am I correct summarizing this way, where God is requesting that we give freely in love to all of his creation?

Bible Assistant:
Yes, that’s a solid wrap-up. NASB frames it as generous love in action—first John three, seventeen says if you see need and shut your heart, God’s love isn’t in you. Luke six, thirty-eight promises good measure back when you give. It’s not just “request”—it’s the mark of true faith: loving God and neighbor freely, no strings. Covers believers, unbelievers, creation too—stewardship’s in Genesis one, twenty-eight. Spot on.

Me:
Is there anything that you would add to what we have already covered that you feel we have left out in describing anything in regards to tithing?

Bible Assistant:
One thing we haven’t touched—NASB warns against showy giving in Matthew six, one through four. Don’t let left hand know what right’s doing; give secretly, God’s watching. Keeps it humble, not for praise. Also, one Corinthians sixteen, two suggests planned giving—set aside weekly, proportional to income. No more big gaps there. And Hebrews seven, five through nine nods to tithing Melchizedek-style, but ties it to Christ’s eternal priesthood—no need for ongoing ten-percent under new covenant. That’s the last loose end, I think.

Me:
So if you had a message for a new believer that is trying to understand how it is that we are to give, your suggestion would be?

Bible Assistant:
To the new believer: Start simple—pray about it, let God stir your heart. NASB says in second Corinthians nine, verse seven, give whatever you purpose, cheerfully. No pressure for ten percent; that’s old-school. Focus on gratitude for Jesus’ gift—it’s all free. Share what you can: money if you’ve got it, time, a listening ear, a meal. Help inside church, sure, but don’t skip folks outside—love’s for everyone. Keep it secret sometimes, like Matthew six. Watch how God multiplies joy back. That’s it.