The New Testament does not command the church to give according to a fixed legal percentage in the way ancient Israel supported the temple system. Instead, Christians are called to give willingly, proportionately, and from the heart. Paul writes, “On the first day of every week let each one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” (1 Corinthians 16:2). And again: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

But there is danger on the other side as well. Some hear this and conclude, “Well, then I am not under law, so I can give two or three percent and feel virtuous about it, so long as I do it cheerfully.” That misses the spirit of the gospel too.

If ten percent was required under the old covenant, New Testament Christians ought never treat ten percent as some towering act of sacrificial generosity. At best, it is a baseline, not the summit of grace. The old covenant was weaker, not stronger. The New Covenant produces more generosity than the old, not less.

The Macedonians gave “beyond their power” (2 Corinthians 8:3), and the great model for Christian giving is Christ himself: “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Under law, God claimed a stated portion. Under grace, he claims the whole person. “Present your bodies a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).

So no, Christians are not under compulsion to tithe as a matter of covenant law. But grace was never given so disciples of Jesus could become stingy and congratulate themselves for it. The question is not, “What is the least I can give?” but “How much of what God has placed in my hands am I glad to place back at his disposal?”

The cross never makes a man selfish. Grace never makes a woman smallhearted.

Maranatha,

Jordy