Does the Bible Give Financial Advice?

Question:

I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by stress over money. Does the Bible give any advice on what to do about financial uncertainty?

Answer:

Believe it or not, the Bible actually gives proven financial keys that bring blessings and financial peace of mind. One of these is the practice of tithing.

The word tithe is simply an old English word meaning tenth. So, tithing refers to the practice of giving one-tenth of one’s increase. The Bible explains that this tenth belongs to God, who told the Israelites that they were to take a “tithe” of their increase and set it aside as His portion (Leviticus 27:30–32).

This was not for an agrarian society only—as we profit from our labors, God expects a tithe of that profit that He grants us as His children. Long before the law of tithing was ever given to the nation of Israel under the Old Covenant, Abraham returned from battle and gave one-tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, who was “the priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18–20). And Jacob made a vow, saying to God, “Of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you” (Genesis 28:22).

Tithing was also practiced in Jesus’ day, and it was continued by the New Testament Church. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their pretentious pedantry and self-righteous display, saying, “You pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” (Matthew 23:23). Jesus said that spiritual qualities such as mercy and faith ought to be put ahead of scrupulously paying tithes on every little plant that might grow in your garden, especially if that strictness leads to self-righteousness. But He said not to leave “the others undone”—not to fail to pay your full tithes as God has commanded.

You might be wondering how to give a tenth to God. It simply goes to God’s representatives who are doing His Work. Melchizedek was God’s representative on earth when Abraham gave a tithe to Him. Later, when God was working with the nation of Israel, He appointed Aaron and his descendants as priests. He also assigned the Levites to be workers in the tabernacle. Therefore, during that time period, the people would bring their tithes to them (Numbers 18:21). In the New Testament, God inspired the Apostle Paul to show that the tithes are now again to be paid to God’s spiritual priesthood, as that of Melchizedek, to whom Abraham paid tithes (Hebrews 7:1–13). Paul also explained that it is appropriate for Christ’s ministry to receive their livelihood from the work of preaching the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:13–14). Somewhere, God’s true ministers are still carrying on His Work (Matthew 16:18). Searching out where the Work of God is being done is something we all need to do ourselves.

Blessings for Obedience

God blesses those who tithe. It is important to remember that everything belongs to God (Exodus 19:5; Job 41:11; Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalm 24:1). Whatever a person acquires in this life, it is only because God has given it (Deuteronomy 8:18). Therefore, it is God’s right to take a portion of whatever we gain. But when we give Him His tenth, He blesses us for doing so (Proverbs 3:9–10).

When the ancient Israelites neglected to tithe, God rebuked them for their disobedience, saying, “You have robbed me… in tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8). Failing to give to God what belongs to Him is, in fact, stealing from Him. But then God challenges, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this… if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (v. 10). These verses are nothing less than a solemn promise from our Creator to bless those who faithfully tithe. But they do not say that those who pay tithes will never experience financial trials. God most definitely wants His people to prosper, but He also realizes that excessive wealth can be a stumbling block to salvation (see Proverbs 30:7–9). And, to be sure, the greatest blessings of all are spiritual.

If we faithfully tithe, God promises to bless us. He may not always do so immediately—we may have to obey Him and exercise faith for a while. But as we serve Him, obey Him, and trust Him, God will keep His part of the bargain. Our free resource God’s People Tithe! has more information.