Is there tithing in the new testament

The concept of tithing, or giving a tenth of one's income to God, is a topic of ongoing debate among Christians. While the Old Testament contains numerous references to tithing, the New Testament does not explicitly command Christians to tithe in the same way.

In the Old Testament, tithing was a requirement for the Israelites, as recorded in Leviticus 27:30-33 and Deuteronomy 14:22-27. The tithe was used to support the Levites, who were responsible for the spiritual care of the Israelites, as well as to fund the worship and sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem.

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles do not explicitly command Christians to tithe. However, they do teach principles about giving and generosity that are relevant to the concept of tithing.

Here are a few examples:

  1. Jesus teaches that our giving should be motivated by love and generosity, rather than legalistic obligation (Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21).
  2. The apostle Paul writes that Christians should give generously and sacrificially, using their resources to support the needs of others (2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:6-15).
  3. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of giving to support the local church and its ministries (1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 9:1-5).

Some arguments against tithing in the New Testament include:

  1. The Old Testament law, which included tithing, was fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 5:17-20, Romans 10:4).
  2. The New Testament emphasizes faith and generosity over legalistic obedience (Galatians 3:13-14, Ephesians 2:8-10).
  3. The New Testament does not provide a specific percentage or formula for giving, leaving it up to individual believers to decide how much to give.

On the other hand, some arguments for tithing in the New Testament include:

  1. Jesus teaches that we should give to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:15-22).
  2. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of giving to support the needs of others, which could include giving a tenth of one's income (2 Corinthians 9:6-15).
  3. Some New Testament passages, such as 1 Corinthians 16:2, suggest that Christians should set aside a portion of their income for giving.

Ultimately, the question of whether Christians should tithe is a matter of interpretation and personal conviction. Some Christians choose to tithe as a way of honoring God and supporting their local church, while others may choose to give a different percentage or amount based on their own financial situation and spiritual goals.