Most evangelical churches teach the 10% tithe as biblical baseline.
But here is the uncomfortable fact: the New Testament directly mentions tithing only a handful of times, and the apostles never command Christians to tithe.
So is the 10% binding on the church today, or has Christ transcended the percentage altogether? Every New Testament passage on tithing There are exactly four direct references to tithing in the New Testament.
Every one matters.
Matthew 23:23 / Luke 11:42 — Jesus rebukes the Pharisees: "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." Luke 18:12 — the Pharisee in the parable boasts: "I give tithes of all that I get." Jesus does not commend him.
Hebrews 7:1-10 — Abraham gives a tenth to Melchizedek; the author argues this foreshadows Christ's superior priesthood, but does not legislate tithing for the church.
What Jesus actually said about tithing Matthew 23:23 is the strongest case for ongoing tithing — Jesus said the Pharisees "ought to have done" tithing.
But Jesus was speaking to Jews still under the Mosaic Law, before the cross.
He was correcting their priorities, not establishing the tithe as the New Covenant standard.
Luke 18:12 is more telling.
The Pharisee boasts about tithing — and Jesus uses him as a negative example.
The tax collector beating his chest goes home justified.
Tithing did not save the Pharisee.
The point: percentage compliance can coexist with a heart far from God.
What Paul taught instead Paul wrote more about money than almost anything else — and he never commanded the tithe.
Instead: 1 Corinthians 16:2 — give "as he may prosper," set aside something each week.
Proportional, not fixed. 2 Corinthians 8–9 — entire two chapters on giving, no percentage mentioned.
The Macedonian churches gave "beyond their ability" (8:3); some gave far more than 10% out of grace, not law. 2 Corinthians 9:7 — "not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 1 Timothy 6:17-19 — the rich are commanded to be "rich in good works, generous and ready to share." Generosity scaled to wealth, not capped at 10%.
Three honest positions on tithing today 1.
Tithing is still binding (continuationist view).
The 10% predates the Mosaic Law (Abraham, Jacob), is affirmed by Jesus, and remains the floor for New Covenant generosity.
Most Baptist, evangelical and Pentecostal churches teach this. 2.
Tithing is fulfilled in Christ (graceful-generosity view).
The 10% was Mosaic ceremonial law, fulfilled and transcended in Christ.
Christians are now called to greater generosity — sacrificially, cheerfully, proportionally — not to a percentage.
Many Reformed and Anabaptist scholars hold this view. 3.
Tithing as wise floor, generosity as goal (most pastoral view).
The 10% is not technically commanded but is a wise, time-tested starting point.
Mature Christians grow beyond it.
This is what most thoughtful pastors actually preach.
A New Testament giving framework Start at 10% of gross if you have margin.
It is the floor God's people have practiced for 4,000 years.
Give first, not last.
Firstfruits, not leftovers ( firstfruits today ).
Give proportionally.
If you make more, give more — percentage and dollars.
Give cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7 rules out reluctance.
Give to the local church first , then to the poor and missions.
The New Testament does not abolish the tithe.
It transcends it — by raising the bar from compliance to gospel-shaped generosity.