Devotional

The Meeting After Sunset

The finance meeting had gone longer than expected. Rain tapped against the church windows.

Pastor Miriam sat quietly as the team debated the budget. One leader leaned forward and said, “We must teach tithing more strongly. God commands ten percent.”

Another shook his head. “But we are under grace, not the Law. Giving should be voluntary.”

A third voice was softer. “People are struggling. We need to be careful.”

Pastor Miriam understood them all. Behind the numbers were unpaid bills, missions waiting for support, families under pressure, and a church trying to honour God. Then she asked, “What does God actually want from His people when it comes to giving?”

Tithing Under the Old Covenant

Under the Old Covenant, tithing was part of Israel’s national and religious life. It was tied to land, harvest, temple worship, priestly service, and care for the vulnerable.

The Levitical tithe supported the Levites, who had no land inheritance (Numbers 18:21-24). The festival tithe helped Israel rejoice before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:22-27). Every third year, a tithe was stored for foreigners, orphans, widows, and the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

Israel’s giving was more complex than one neat ten percent. It formed a covenant rhythm of worship, justice, celebration, and responsibility. Tithing was mandatory, agricultural, national, and connected to the temple system.

Giving in the New Covenant

When Jesus fulfilled the Law, the temple system, priesthood, and covenant structure found completion in Him. The New Testament does not command Christians to tithe as Israel did. Instead, it calls believers into deeper generosity.

Paul teaches cheerful giving, saying God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). He teaches proportional giving, according to what one has (1 Corinthians 16:2). He praises sacrificial giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). The early church shared so needs were met (Acts 4:32-35). Ministers were supported, and the poor were remembered (1 Timothy 5:17-18; Galatians 2:10).

The New Covenant shifts the question from “What percentage must I pay?” to “What kind of heart is being formed in me?”

Law, Love, and the Open Hand

Imagine two hands. One is closed around a coin, afraid there will not be enough. The other is open before God, not careless, but trusting.

New Covenant giving is not driven by fear, manipulation, or public pressure. It is willing, joyful, generous, proportional, sacrificial, purposeful, and Spirit-led. That does not lower the standard. It raises it.

A person may give ten percent and still be hard-hearted. Another may give less in hardship with sincere faith. Another may give far beyond ten percent because love has enlarged the heart. God sees more than the amount. He sees the worship inside it.

Why Churches Still Teach Tithing

Church history shaped Christian practice. In the earliest centuries, giving was largely voluntary and communal. As church structures grew after Christianity became legal, leaders encouraged tithing to support clergy, buildings, worship, and charity. In the medieval period, tithing became law in many places. The Reformation challenged abuses, but many Protestants kept tithing as a useful principle.

Today, churches differ. Pentecostal and Charismatic churches often teach tithing strongly, connecting it to obedience and discipline. Baptist and Evangelical churches often present ten percent as a starting point for generosity. Reformed churches may emphasize freewill giving and argue that Old Covenant tithing is fulfilled in Christ. Anglican, Methodist, and Lutheran churches often speak of stewardship and mission. Catholic and Orthodox churches emphasize offerings, almsgiving, parish support, and mercy.

Different histories. Different language. Same desire: to honour God with resources.

What God Actually Wants

Tithing can be a helpful discipline. For some believers, setting aside ten percent trains the heart, resists greed, and gives structure to generosity. But it should not be preached as New Covenant law where Scripture does not command it.

God is not after a percentage that leaves the heart untouched. He is after worship, trust, and generosity that supports ministry, remembers the poor, resists greed, and reflects Jesus.

So Pastor Miriam did not end by demanding a number. She asked the team to teach the church to give freely, wisely, and faithfully. Not under fear. Not under guilt. Not as a transaction for blessing. But as people whose treasure is held by open hands before God.

The question is not only, “Do I tithe?” It is, “Does giving reveal love?”

Reflection Questions

1.How were you taught to view tithing and offering growing up?

2.Does your giving flow more from law, habit, fear, or Spirit-led generosity?

3.Which New Testament principle of giving challenges you most?

4.How has your church tradition shaped your view of money and worship?

5.What might God be inviting you to change in your generosity?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for every resource You have placed in my hands. Teach me to give with joy, wisdom, courage, and freedom. Break fear-based and guilt-based giving in me. Form in me the generosity of Jesus. Use my giving to strengthen Your church, serve the poor, and honour Your name. Amen.