50 Bible Verses About Tithes and Offerings

James Wilson

Tithes and offerings are significant aspects of worship in the Bible, representing not just a financial obligation but a heartfelt act of devotion and gratitude to God. Throughout Scripture, giving is seen as a way to honor God, support His work, and help those in need. These acts of generosity reflect our trust in God’s provision and our commitment to His kingdom.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 50 Bible verses that provide insight into the principles and blessings associated with tithes and offerings, helping us understand their importance in our spiritual lives.

1. Verses on the Command to Tithe

  1. Leviticus 27:30“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”
    • Description: God commands the Israelites to give a tenth of their produce to Him.
    • Interpretation: The tithe is seen as holy, belonging to God, signifying the act of setting apart a portion of our resources for Him.
  2. Deuteronomy 14:22“Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.”
    • Description: Reinforces the practice of tithing from agricultural produce.
    • Interpretation: Tithing was an essential part of the Israelites’ relationship with God, demonstrating their obedience and reliance on Him.
  3. Numbers 18:26“Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering.’”
    • Description: The Levites were also required to give a tithe of the tithe they received.
    • Interpretation: This emphasizes that everyone, even those serving in the temple, had a responsibility to give back to God.
  4. Malachi 3:10“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
    • Description: God challenges His people to bring the full tithe and promises abundant blessings in return.
    • Interpretation: This verse highlights the connection between faithful giving and divine blessing, encouraging trust in God’s provision.
  5. Deuteronomy 26:12“When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.”
    • Description: The tithe was also used to support those in need.
    • Interpretation: Tithing served not only as a religious duty but also as a means to care for the vulnerable in society.
  6. Genesis 28:22“And this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”
    • Description: Jacob vows to give a tenth of all that God gives him.
    • Interpretation: Jacob’s commitment to tithe is an expression of his gratitude and recognition of God’s blessings.
  7. Nehemiah 10:38“A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury.”
    • Description: The tithe was carefully managed and brought to God’s house.
    • Interpretation: The structured process for tithing underscores its importance and the need for integrity in handling God’s resources.
  8. Amos 4:4“Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years.”
    • Description: A sarcastic rebuke from Amos, criticizing empty religious practices.
    • Interpretation: This verse warns against giving tithes out of mere ritual without true repentance and devotion.
  9. 2 Chronicles 31:5“As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.”
    • Description: The Israelites responded to Hezekiah’s reforms by generously giving their tithes.
    • Interpretation: Generous giving is portrayed as a joyful response to God’s blessings and a return to faithful worship.
  10. Leviticus 27:32“Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord.”
    • Description: Tithing extended to livestock as well.
    • Interpretation: This verse reinforces the idea that every aspect of a person’s wealth was to be dedicated to God through tithing.

2. Verses on Offerings and Generosity

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:7“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
    • Description: Encourages giving with a joyful heart rather than out of obligation.
    • Interpretation: God values the attitude of the giver, emphasizing that offerings should be given willingly and with joy.
  2. Proverbs 3:9-10“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
    • Description: Promises blessings in return for honoring God with our wealth.
    • Interpretation: This verse connects generosity with God’s provision, encouraging believers to give the best of their resources.
  3. Luke 6:38“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
    • Description: Jesus speaks about the blessings that come from giving.
    • Interpretation: Generosity leads to abundance, illustrating the principle of sowing and reaping in the context of giving.
  4. Matthew 6:3-4“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
    • Description: Jesus teaches on the humility and secrecy of giving.
    • Interpretation: True offerings are given with a humble heart, seeking God’s approval rather than human recognition.
  5. Hebrews 13:16“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
    • Description: Encourages sharing and doing good as pleasing sacrifices to God.
    • Interpretation: Offerings extend beyond financial gifts to acts of kindness and generosity toward others.
  6. 1 Chronicles 29:9“The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”
    • Description: The Israelites joyfully contributed to the building of the temple.
    • Interpretation: Generosity in giving is a source of communal joy and celebration, as it reflects a collective commitment to God’s work.
  7. Mark 12:41-44“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’”
    • Description: Jesus commends the widow’s sacrificial giving.
    • Interpretation: The value of an offering is not in the amount but in the heart and sacrifice behind it.
  8. Proverbs 11:24-25“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
    • Description: Highlights the paradox of giving leading to increase.
    • Interpretation: Generosity leads to prosperity, as God blesses those who are willing to share with others.
  9. Acts 20:35“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
    • Description: Paul recalls Jesus’ teaching on the blessings of giving.
    • Interpretation: Giving is a reflection of Christ-like love, bringing greater blessing than receiving.
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:12“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.”
    • Description: Emphasizes the importance of willingness over the amount given.
    • Interpretation: God values the intent and willingness behind an offering, rather than the material value.

3. Verses on the Blessings of Tithes and Offerings

  1. Malachi 3:10“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
    • Description: A promise of abundant blessings for faithful tithing.
    • Interpretation: God invites us to trust Him with our finances, promising to bless us abundantly when we give.
  2. Proverbs 19:17“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
    • Description: Giving to the poor is seen as lending to God.
    • Interpretation: Acts of generosity are investments in God’s kingdom, yielding rewards from Him.
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:6“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
    • Description: The principle of sowing and reaping in giving.
    • Interpretation: The measure of our giving determines the measure of our blessings, encouraging generosity.
  4. Luke 6:38“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
    • Description: Jesus speaks of the abundant return for generous giving.
    • Interpretation: Generosity leads to overflowing blessings, demonstrating God’s abundant provision.
  5. Philippians 4:19“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
    • Description: Assurance that God will provide for our needs.
    • Interpretation: Faithful giving is met with God’s faithful provision, ensuring that our needs are met.
  6. Proverbs 22:9“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
    • Description: Generosity brings blessings.
    • Interpretation: Those who give generously experience God’s blessings in return, especially when helping those in need.
  7. Deuteronomy 15:10“Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
    • Description: God promises blessings for generous giving.
    • Interpretation: A heart that gives freely and joyfully is rewarded by God’s blessings in every aspect of life.
  8. Psalm 37:25-26“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”
    • Description: The righteous are marked by generosity and are never forsaken by God.
    • Interpretation: Generosity is a sign of righteousness, with a promise of God’s continual provision and blessing.
  9. Proverbs 28:27“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
    • Description: Generosity to the poor prevents lack.
    • Interpretation: God ensures that those who help the needy will not go without, contrasting the consequences of ignoring those in need.
  10. Matthew 19:21“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”
    • Description: Jesus challenges the rich young ruler to give all to the poor.
    • Interpretation: True wealth is found in sacrificial giving, storing up eternal treasures rather than earthly riches.

4. Verses on the Purpose of Tithes and Offerings

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:2“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”
    • Description: Paul instructs believers to regularly set aside offerings.
    • Interpretation: Consistent, planned giving is important in supporting the work of the church and its missions.
  2. Deuteronomy 14:28-29“At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”
    • Description: The tithe was also meant to support the needy.
    • Interpretation: God’s design for tithing includes providing for those who are less fortunate, ensuring that everyone is cared for.
  3. Acts 4:34-35“There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
    • Description: The early church shared their resources to ensure no one was in need.
    • Interpretation: Offerings were used to meet the needs of the community, reflecting the church’s commitment to mutual care and support.
  4. 2 Corinthians 9:12-13“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.”
    • Description: Giving meets needs and glorifies God.
    • Interpretation: Offerings serve dual purposes—providing for others and bringing glory to God through our generosity.
  5. Exodus 35:21“And everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.”
    • Description: The Israelites brought offerings for the construction of the tabernacle.
    • Interpretation: Offerings contribute to the work of God’s house, supporting the physical needs of the church and its ministries.
  6. Nehemiah 10:39“The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and olive oil to the storerooms, where the articles for the sanctuary and for the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the musicians are also kept. We will not neglect the house of our God.”
    • Description: Contributions were used to support the temple and its services.
    • Interpretation: Tithes and offerings are vital in maintaining the work of the church and ensuring that those who serve are provided for.
  7. Galatians 6:6“Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.”
    • Description: Encourages sharing resources with those who teach and preach the Word.
    • Interpretation: Supporting church leaders and teachers through offerings is a biblical principle, ensuring they can continue their ministry.
  8. Leviticus 7:37-38“These, then, are the regulations for the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering and the fellowship offering, which the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai in the Desert of Sinai on the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the Lord.”
    • Description: Instructions for various offerings in the Old Testament.
    • Interpretation: Offerings were diverse, each serving a specific purpose in worship and maintaining a right relationship with God.
  9. 1 Timothy 5:17-18“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’”
    • Description: Encourages support for church leaders.
    • Interpretation: Offerings help ensure that those who dedicate themselves to the ministry are properly supported.
  10. Numbers 18:21“I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.”
    • Description: Tithes were the inheritance of the Levites for their service.
    • Interpretation: Tithing ensures that those who serve God’s people can focus on their spiritual duties without financial worry.

5. Verses on the Heart Behind Giving

  1. Matthew 6:19-21“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
    • Description: Jesus teaches on the importance of heavenly treasures.
    • Interpretation: Our giving reflects our priorities, showing where our heart truly lies—whether in earthly wealth or in heavenly rewards.
  2. 2 Corinthians 9:7“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
    • Description: Emphasizes giving from the heart with joy.
    • Interpretation: God values the attitude of the giver, and cheerful, willing offerings are pleasing to Him.
  3. Mark 12:41-44“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’”
    • Description: Jesus commends the widow’s sacrificial giving.
    • Interpretation: True generosity is measured by sacrifice, not by the amount given, highlighting the value of giving from the heart.
  4. Matthew 23:23“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
    • Description: Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for focusing on tithing while neglecting justice and mercy.
    • Interpretation: God desires holistic obedience that includes both giving and living out His commandments of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
  5. Luke 21:1-4“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”
    • Description: Another account of the widow’s offering, emphasizing her sacrificial giving.
    • Interpretation: The heart of giving is in the sacrifice and trust in God, regardless of the size of the gift.
  6. Romans 12:8“If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
    • Description: Paul encourages believers to use their gifts, including giving, with the right heart.
    • Interpretation: Giving, like all acts of service, should be done generously and cheerfully as a reflection of God’s grace in our lives.
  7. James 1:17“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
    • Description: Acknowledges that all good things come from God.
    • Interpretation: Recognizing God as the source of all blessings should inspire us to give freely and generously as an act of worship.
  8. Proverbs 21:26“All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.”
    • Description: Contrasts the greedy with the generous.
    • Interpretation: Righteousness is marked by a willingness to give generously, contrasting with the insatiable greed of the wicked.
  9. Matthew 6:1-4“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
    • Description: Jesus teaches on giving in humility and secrecy.
    • Interpretation: God values humility and sincerity in giving, emphasizing that our offerings should be for His glory, not for human praise.
  10. Acts 10:4“Cornelius stared at him in fear. ‘What is it, Lord?’ he asked. The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.’”
    • Description: Cornelius’s offerings are recognized by God.
    • Interpretation: God honors the giving done with a pure heart, showing that our offerings are a form of worship that reaches His presence.

Conclusion

Tithes and offerings are more than just financial transactions—they are acts of worship that reflect our relationship with God. The Bible teaches that giving should come from a heart of gratitude, trust, and obedience, recognizing God as the source of all blessings. Through these verses, we see that God honors and rewards faithful giving, using it to support His work, care for the needy, and cultivate a generous spirit within us. As we embrace the practice of tithing and offering, we not only obey God’s commands but also open ourselves to His abundant blessings, both spiritual and material.

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