Christian Generosity and Tithing: Moving From Law to Grace.

Is tithing still required for Christians? Explore how the Old Covenant Law of giving informs New Covenant generosity. Learn how to move from a mindset of legalistic percentages to a life of joyful, trust-based giving in Christ.

For many believers, the topic of "tithing" feels like a heavy weight—a financial obligation tucked into the back of the mind alongside taxes and utility bills. We hear the "10%" figure mentioned in sermons, and we look at our bank accounts with a mix of guilt and calculation.

But what if giving was never meant to be a math problem? What if the Old Testament tithe was actually a "tutor" designed to lead us into a much larger, more beautiful reality called Christian Generosity? To understand how we should give today, we have to look back at where the law began and see how Jesus transformed it into a life of radical trust.

1. The Roots of the Tithe: More Than Just a Tax

In the Old Covenant, the tithe (which means "tenth") was a mandatory requirement for the Israelites. It wasn’t just one 10% payment, either; when you factor in the various tithes for the Levites, the festivals, and the poor, the average Israelite was likely giving closer to 23% of their produce and livestock.

The purpose of the tithe was three-fold:

• Support: It provided for the priests (Levites) who had no land of their own.

• Community: It funded the great festivals where the nation gathered to worship.

• Compassion: It ensured that the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner were fed.

But at its heart, the tithe was a physical reminder of a spiritual truth: Everything belongs to God. By giving the "firstfruits," Israel was acknowledging that the entire harvest was a gift from the Creator.

2. The Shift: From Law to Love

When Jesus arrived, He didn't come to abolish the principles of the law, but to fulfill them. In the New Testament, we see a shift in the mechanism of giving, but an intensification of the motive.

In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees not for tithing, but for tithing meticulously while neglecting "justice, mercy, and faithfulness." He was pointing out that you can hit a percentage and still have a cold, greedy heart.

In the New Covenant, we are no longer under the legalistic requirement of the 10%, but we are under the "Law of Christ," which is the law of love. Love doesn't look for the minimum requirement; love looks for the maximum opportunity to bless.

3. Principles of New Covenant Generosity

If we aren't bound by a 10% rule, how do we decide what to give? The New Testament, particularly in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, provides a "New Covenant Blueprint" for giving:

• Giving is Priority-Based: We give "on the first day of every week" (1 Corinthians 16:2). It’s not about what’s left over; it’s about what’s first.

• Giving is Proportional: We give "in keeping with our income." This means those with much are called to give much, and those with little are honored for their sacrifice.

• Giving is Sacrificial: The Macedonian church gave "even beyond their ability" (2 Corinthians 8:3). True generosity usually costs us something.

• Giving is Cheerful: "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). If you are giving out of "compulsion" or "reluctance," you’re missing the heart of the Father.

4. Moving from Tithes to Trust

The biggest hurdle to generosity isn't usually greed; it’s fear. We worry that if we give "too much," there won't be enough for us. This is where the Old Testament principle of the tithe actually helps us today.

The tithe taught Israel to trust God for the 90% while they gave the 10%. In the New Covenant, we recognize that God owns 100%, and we are simply managers (stewards) of His resources. When we give generously, we are practicing Trust. We are saying, "Lord, I believe that You are my Provider, and I trust You to meet my needs according to Your riches in glory."

Generosity is the "anti-venom" to the poison of materialism. It breaks the power that money has over our hearts.

5. The Harvest of Generosity

Paul promises in 2 Corinthians 9:6 that "whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." This isn't "prosperity gospel" math where you give $10 to get $100. It’s a spiritual principle.

When you sow generosity, you reap:

• Increased Faith: You see God provide in ways you never expected.

• Eternal Impact: You invest in the salvation of souls and the relief of the suffering.

• A Contented Heart: You find that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Conclusion: The Invitation

Whether you choose to use 10% as a "training wheels" starting point or you feel called to give far more, remember that the goal is Trust. God isn't looking at your checkbook as much as He is looking at your heart. He wants you to be a channel of His blessing, not a reservoir.

Move from the "have to" of the tithe to the "get to" of grace. When you realize how much you have been given in Christ—the "indescribable gift"—generosity becomes the only natural response.

Reflections on Giving:

How has your perspective on giving changed since you began your walk with Christ? Is there a time when God proved His faithfulness after you took a leap of generosity? Share your story in the comments!