Leviticus 7:30, How Much Should You Tithe?

//While there is no mention of tithing in the New Testament—instead, the apostle Paul boasted about preaching the gospel freely—many churches today continue to request donations in terms of a tithe. So, how much should you put in the plate? What’s the Biblical answer?

First, don’t put money in the plate. Bring one tenth of your garden, as today’s verse commands. The word “tithe” literally means one tenth. But that’s not all you should bring. That’s just the general tithe.

Deuteronomy 14:22 says you should give another 10% of your crops in the tithe of the sacred meal.

Deuteronomy 14:28 then says every third year you need to bring another tenth for the poor.

That’s 10% + 10% + another 10% every three years, for a tithe of about 23%. That’s an awful lot of produce, so make sure you join a church with very large collection plates.

But here’s good news. Deuteronomy 14:24-26 explains that if turns out to be too much for you to carry, you may convert it into cash. Bring the money in your hand to the place “the Lord chooses,” and there exchange it for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or whatever you wish so that you will have an appropriate tithe to give.