Theme: Giving to God, Faithful Stewardship, Generosity, and Supporting God’s Work

Tithing is an important subject in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, where God instructed Israel to bring tithes and offerings for the support of the Levites, worship, and the needs of the community. The New Testament also teaches believers about generosity, cheerful giving, stewardship, and caring for those in need.

This collection of 50 Bible verses about tithing is organized by topic for personal Bible study, church teaching, sermons, prayer, and Christian education.

Scripture quotations are primarily from the King James Version (KJV). Some passages are summarized where indicated. The verses include both direct teachings about tithing and broader biblical principles about giving.

1. Bible Verses That Directly Teach About Tithing

Verses 1–10

1. Malachi 3:10

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts…”

2. Leviticus 27:30

“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.”

3. Leviticus 27:32

The tithe of the herd and flock, every tenth animal passing under the rod, was holy to the Lord.

4. Numbers 18:21

God gave the children of Levi the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for their service in the tabernacle.

5. Numbers 18:24

The Lord gave the Levites the tithes of Israel as their inheritance because they had no ordinary territorial inheritance among the Israelites.

6. Deuteronomy 14:22

“Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.”

7. Deuteronomy 14:23

Israel was instructed to eat the tithe of its grain, new wine, oil, and firstborn livestock before the Lord at the place He chose, learning to fear Him always.

8. Deuteronomy 14:28–29

Every third year, Israel was to bring its tithe so that the Levite, foreigner, fatherless, and widow could eat and be satisfied.

9. 2 Chronicles 31:5

When the command was given, the Israelites brought abundant firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and the produce of the field, along with a tithe of everything.

10. Nehemiah 10:37–38

The people committed to bringing the firstfruits and tithes to the priests and Levites, who collected them in the towns where the people worked.

2. Bible Verses About Firstfruits and Honoring God

Verses 11–15

11. Proverbs 3:9

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.”

12. Exodus 23:19

“The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God.”

13. Exodus 34:26

“The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God.”

14. Deuteronomy 26:2

God instructed the Israelites to take some of the first of the land’s produce and bring it to the place He chose for His name to dwell.

15. Proverbs 3:10

“So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

3. Bible Verses About Giving Willingly and Cheerfully

Verses 16–25

16. 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

17. 2 Corinthians 8:12

“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”

18. 1 Chronicles 29:9

The people rejoiced because they gave willingly and wholeheartedly to the Lord.

19. 1 Chronicles 29:14

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?”

20. Exodus 25:2

God instructed Moses to receive an offering from everyone whose heart moved them to give willingly.

21. Exodus 35:5

“Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it.”

22. Exodus 35:29

The Israelites brought freewill offerings to the Lord, and everyone whose heart moved them participated in the work God commanded through Moses.

23. Deuteronomy 16:17

“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.”

24. Romans 12:8

Paul teaches that the person who gives should do so with simplicity, sincerity, and generosity.

25. Acts 20:35

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

4. Bible Verses About Supporting God’s Work and Ministers

Verses 26–33

26. Malachi 3:8

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”

27. Numbers 18:26

The Levites were instructed to present a tithe of the tithes they received as an offering to the Lord.

28. 2 Chronicles 31:4

Hezekiah commanded the people living in Jerusalem to provide the portion due to the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.

29. Nehemiah 12:44

Men were appointed over the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits, and tithes, gathering the portions required by the Law for the priests and Levites.

30. Nehemiah 13:10–12

Nehemiah discovered that the portions for the Levites had not been provided, so he corrected the situation and restored the people’s contributions.

31. 1 Corinthians 9:13–14

Paul explains that those who perform sacred service and those who preach the gospel have a legitimate claim to support through their work.

32. Galatians 6:6

“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”

33. 1 Timothy 5:17–18

Elders who lead well, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching, are worthy of honor and appropriate support.

5. New Testament Bible Verses About Tithing

Verses 34–40

34. Matthew 23:23

Jesus acknowledges the Pharisees’ tithing of herbs but emphasizes the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith.

35. Luke 11:42

Jesus rebukes religious leaders for carefully tithing herbs while neglecting justice and the love of God.

36. Luke 18:12

The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable boasts, “I give tithes of all that I possess.”

37. Hebrews 7:1–2

Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, received a tenth from Abraham and blessed him.

38. Hebrews 7:4

The writer tells readers to consider the greatness of Melchizedek, to whom Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

39. Hebrews 7:5

The descendants of Levi who received the priesthood had a command under the Law to collect tithes from their fellow Israelites.

40. Hebrews 7:8–9

Hebrews contrasts mortal recipients of tithes with the testimony that Melchizedek lives, and explains that Levi, in a representative sense, also paid tithes through Abraham.

6. Bible Verses About Generosity, Stewardship, and Caring for Others

Verses 41–50

41. Luke 6:38

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…”

42. Proverbs 11:24

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”

43. Proverbs 11:25

“The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”

44. Proverbs 19:17

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

45. Proverbs 22:9

“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.”

46. Matthew 6:21

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

47. 1 Timothy 6:17–19

Paul instructs the rich not to trust in uncertain riches but in God, and to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share.

48. 2 Corinthians 9:6

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

49. 1 John 3:17

John asks how God’s love can dwell in someone who has material possessions but refuses to help a brother or sister in need.

50. Acts 4:34–35

Believers shared their resources, and the proceeds from the sale of possessions were distributed according to people’s needs.

What Does the Bible Teach About Tithing?

These 50 passages reveal several important biblical principles.

• Tithing in the Old Testament: Israel was commanded to give tithes under the Mosaic Law. These supported the Levites, religious service, festivals, and vulnerable members of the community.
• Jesus and tithing: Jesus addressed tithing directly in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42, criticizing religious leaders who observed tithing while neglecting justice, mercy, and love for God.
• Giving in the New Testament church: Second Corinthians 8–9 emphasizes willing, generous, proportionate, and cheerful giving.
• Supporting ministry: Scripture teaches that those who serve through preaching and teaching may appropriately receive material support.
• Caring for people in need: Biblical generosity includes helping the poor, widows, orphans, and others experiencing hardship.

An important interpretive note: Christians differ on whether the Old Testament’s specific ten-percent requirement is binding on believers under the New Covenant. Some churches teach tithing as a continuing standard; others emphasize the New Testament’s principles of generous, intentional, and cheerful giving without presenting ten percent as a universal command. The passages should be studied in their historical and biblical context.