Catholic
Roman Catholic
The Mosaic tithe is fulfilled, but the Church’s precept binds the faithful to provide for her needs, each according to ability.
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Giving & Tithing
Is the tithe still binding? Compare how six traditions teach Christians to give.
Key versesMalachi 3:8-102 Corinthians 9:6-81 Corinthians 16:1-2Matthew 6:1-4Luke 6:38Proverbs 3:9-10Deuteronomy 14:22-29Acts 20:352 Corinthians 8:1-5
Review status: initial-release
“Will a man rob God? … In tithes and offerings,” says Malachi — but does the Old Testament tithe bind Christians? All six traditions agree that generous, cheerful, regular giving is a Christian duty: supporting the church’s ministry, caring for the poor, and giving as worship. They differ on the tithe itself. No tradition treats the Mosaic tithe as a civil law still in force, yet most honor the tenth as at least a biblical pattern or starting point, while the binding New Testament rule everywhere is 2 Corinthians 9:7 — give as purposed in the heart, “not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Content review notice: Initial release — under theological review. Positions summarize official denominational sources; named reviewers from each tradition are being onboarded.
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In 30 seconds
All six traditions agree Christians should give generously, regularly, and cheerfully to support the church’s ministry and care for the poor — but none binds believers to the Old Testament tithe as a law. Catholics teach the Church’s precept to provide for her needs, each according to ability. The Orthodox commend the tithe as the ancient pattern within free, cheerful, secret stewardship. Lutherans teach free, proportionate giving as a fruit of faith, not a commanded tithe. The Reformed teach giving as worship — regular and proportionate, with the tenth as wisdom rather than law. Baptists treat the tithe as the starting point, the floor rather than the ceiling. Methodists hold tithing as the biblical standard and goal, with Wesley’s rule: gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can. Everywhere the binding New Testament rule is 2 Corinthians 9:7 — give as purposed in the heart, “not grudgingly or under compulsion.”
At a glance
Six traditions, one line each
Tap a tradition to jump to its full column below. Traditions aren't ranked — shown in historical order, with your tradition first if you've picked one.
| Tradition | In one line |
|---|---|
| Catholic | The Mosaic tithe is fulfilled, but the Church’s precept binds the faithful to provide for her needs, each according to ability. |
| Orthodox | Stewardship, not taxation: the tithe is commended as the ancient pattern, while giving remains free, cheerful, and secret. |
| Lutheran | No commanded tithe under the New Covenant: Christians give freely, cheerfully, and proportionately as a fruit of faith. |
| Reformed | Giving is a duty of worship — regular, proportionate, cheerful; the tithe’s percentage is wisdom, not law. |
| Baptist | Stewardship of time, talents, and possessions: give cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, liberally — the tithe as the starting point. |
| Methodist | Tithing as the biblical standard and goal: gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can. |
Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox
Stewardship, not taxation: the tithe is commended as the ancient pattern, while giving remains free, cheerful, and secret.
Lutheran
Lutheran
No commanded tithe under the New Covenant: Christians give freely, cheerfully, and proportionately as a fruit of faith.
Reformed
Reformed
Giving is a duty of worship — regular, proportionate, cheerful; the tithe’s percentage is wisdom, not law.
Baptist
Baptist
Stewardship of time, talents, and possessions: give cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, liberally — the tithe as the starting point.
Methodist
United Methodist
Tithing as the biblical standard and goal: gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.
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How we got here
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What the early church said
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Verse breakdowns
The key passages behind this topic, verse by verse — tap any verse to see how each of the six traditions reads it.
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Word studies
The Greek and Hebrew terms where the meaning shapes the debate — what each word actually says, and why traditions read it differently.
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Go deeper
Keep exploring
Related topics where this conversation continues.
Church Government →
The support of ministers and the church’s work is a question of church order as well as generosity; church-government compares how the traditions structure ministry and its support.
Worship and Liturgy →
Giving is presented in Scripture as an act of worship — the offering brought to God with the assembly; worship compares how the traditions order their liturgy.
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