Money and giving
Do Christians have to tithe?
Short answer
Christians differ on whether the tenth is a rule today. They agree on the heart of it: give generously, gladly and regularly, and give first, not from what's left.
The tithe, a tenth, was part of God's law for Israel, and Abraham gave a tenth even before the law was given. Jesus mentioned the tithe without cancelling it, but what He cared about most was justice, mercy and faithfulness.
Some Christians see the tenth as a standard that still holds: God's people have always given at least that much, so that is where you begin. Others see it as a helpful guide, not a rule, because Paul tells each person to give what they have decided in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Both views take the Bible seriously, and your church may hold one of them.
Where they agree matters more. Everything belongs to God. Giving should be generous, glad and regular, and it comes first, not from whatever is left at the end of the month. Paul told the church to set something aside on the first day of every week, in keeping with what each person earns.
Decide an amount before you get paid and set it up. If a tenth feels impossible right now, start with something regular and grow it as you can. If you're in debt, get help with a budget too.
My verses
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.